Welcome Rob, you'll be just around the corner from me in Exmouth. How did you manage to get a mooring there, I was told they're as rare as rocking horse sh#t!
Not very many, but hopefully more to come.
First boat bought in May 2001 - 1966 Seamaster 27 on Great Ouse
2nd Boat delivered April 2002 - New Doral 250 in Ocean Village
3rd Boat delivered Dec 2002 - New Doral 280
4th Boat delivery expected Dec 2003 - New Doral 330 (We intend keeping this one)
Having read this lot I'm starting to feel really new to this boating lark.
Had a few boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads then bought my first boat (a Birchwood 25) 3 years ago. Upgraded to my current Senior 31 this year. Both kept on the non tidal Thames. Did venture down to the River Medway with the cruising club in May this year though - getting bounced around going through London was certainly different to pottering about on the non tidal river.
As for training, none, unless you consider what I learnt from my dad on the family boating holidays or my VHF course.
Must admit that I did think it was strange when I found out that you aren't required to have any training before buying a boat. Didn't even get shown how things work on my first boat let alone how to drive the thing! Much better with the second one as the broker spent a couple of hours showing me how to handle it.
Would be against a formal requirement for training courses but would agree that some basic training from the dealer / broker on how to handle the thing would be a good idea though.
total 1054 years and 7 months, great, more than I could hope for. and a great variety of types and experiance here to. Thanks for all who have contributed so far//forums/images/icons/smile.gif
7-ish, discovered boats via Poole Harbour passenger ferry running alongside chain ferry and didn't get off for a week on holiday. Mother found a "babysitter" in the ferryman and I ended up "helping" steer while he collected fares.
10-ish, brother and I taught ourselves to sail on a mere, the name of which escapes me, but north of Aldeburgh (sp?) and not more than 3 feet deep.
13-27, sailed dinghies school and Nich 32 later Nich 35 with Dad. "Ease that sheet a little", "Why"? (bolshy teenager), "Because we're going too fast for the Mackeral (sp - don't like fish). Decided would buy fast motor boat when had money.
20-22, taught Water Skiiing in Spain and learned a lot of other things along the way.
32, bought first boat, Shakespeare speedboat.
34, bought first cruiser, Moonraker
I wish it was 27 years! Actually 52, I was only saying to "the boss" the other day, "Divinity", I said, "Why is it in all my dreams I'm somewhere between 20 and 30".
Calulater out again.
1164 years and 7 months,
so far. this is fantastic, wonder what number in days that is, calulater out again
424860 days
61179840 hours.
thanks again, all who have posted,/forums/images/icons/smile.gif
About 38 years.
Dinghy sailing 15-30ish.
Merchant Navy from 18-29
Bits of dinghy sailing again and windsurfing
Underwater weapons research 30-33
Operating/Maintaining/modifying and some design work of Remotely Controlled Submersibles over most of world ever since.
Owned various MoBos for about 20 years
May get the hang of it soon if I keep learning. Smallest powered craft I have
"driven" 2.4m RIB, fastest 68,000 tonne container vessel, largest 235,000 tonne tanker, wierdest semi sub drilling rig, oldest cableship built in 1916, most boring canal narrowboat. Yet to try a jetski
Read 'n' reread Swallows and Amazons at early age, At 10 spotted lug type sails accross the fields from back bedroom window, Cycled to Brigham to find Brigham Scow Club, (Imagine 17' Fireball with 200 sq' of sail in single balanced lug) Got the bug, sailed ever since, from dinghies to 32' long keeler. About 30yrs, no bits of paper though, Cheers Mike.
<hr width=100% size=1>"Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me."