if i was to start boating what would be your advise on the best qualification to do first?

[viago]

just wondering.

 

[Mistroma]

I imagine some people might suggest something like Competent Crew. If you haven't sailed at all then a RIB handling course might be fun and requires zero sailing skills and you can then think about sailing. Not a qualification but you don't need a qualification in UK to start boating.

You could also do some theory stuff to keep up interest in winter evenings, just basic navigation. I imagine you will want to steer clear of the advanced stuff in Yachtmaster Ocean (e.g. Earth and the Celestial Sphere, Great Circle Sailing, Sun, Star and other Sights, plus Passage Planning (AKA How to avoid falling off the edge).

 

[KevinV]

Food Hygiene Level 2

 

[NormanS]

Remember the Wise Men of Gotham, who wouldn't go near the water until they could swim.
Little children learning to walk seem to manage without needing any qualifications.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

A psychiatric evaluation.

 

[onesea]

A dinghy sailing course, learn the basics.
After that, depends what you want to achieve?

 

[Petertheking1982]

If wanting a course the RYA would say Start Yachting (2 days). I would say key thing is find out if you enjoy it before investing to much. Start Yachting, or a days sailing either with experienced friends or skippered charter would be enough to either inspire or put off!

 

[Biggles Wader]

Do the Flat Earth Society navigation course.

 

[wombat88]

Learn to swim.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Not sure what Martin is up to here. Last thing I heard was that he’s got a boat and has had one for a while.

Perhaps he’s ’Asking for a friend’?

 

[Wansworth]

You either have to have a father who smokes a pipe and an can sail a to b without shouting or getting into a flu mmoxo or have a jolly uncle ex Army who has a nice yawl down at Itchenor who will take you for spin out round the Winner

 

[Ray Purchase]

Do the Flat Earth Society navigation course.

Offices around the globe I hear.

 

[rotrax]

just wondering.

Competent Crew on a sailboat.

 

[chris-s]

RYA dinghy

 

[Concerto]

What do you need a qualification for? Join a club and go sailing on other peoples boats. Much cheaper with plenty of good company. No need to buy or maintain a boat.

 

[Davy_S]

Not sure what Martin is up to here. Last thing I heard was that he’s got a boat and has had one for a while.

Perhaps he’s ’Asking for a friend’?

I thought he had a Centaur out in the Algarve area, course he could be having us on.

 

[Rafiki]

Maybe something like Medicine, Investment Banking, an MBA, the Law or Accountancy, then maybe you will be able to afford it before you retire !

 

[Tamar]

O level geometry

 

[Wansworth]

What do you need a qualification for? Join a club and go sailing on other peoples boats. Much cheaper with plenty of good company. No need to buy or maintain a boat.

My first non dinghy trip was in a beat up old something down the coast and back the next tide……how simple life was…..1966…..I pier jumped

 

[srm]

Something to prove you are boat trained and will not throw up last nights dinner/wine/whatever anywhere other than in the designated bucket.