Improving you knowledge

[Sailfree]

I think the RYA course/qualifications are pretty good and enables complete novices to gain knowledge in a safe and progressive way so I have gone through them but consider they had 2 obvious gaps on what are important items for most sailors

One is Radar , did the RYA course but it was so basic I still think I would benifit from a more detailed small boat radar course and thanks to others on here that recommended Robert Avis. After discussions with Robert I am impressed and his course is on the list to do in 2007.

The other is the Weather. I remembered enough to pass the RYA Yachtmaster and Oceanmaster but dont really feel I understood it as well as I could and especially determining imminent local weather (after reading the forecast and isobar charts) from what you can see around you.

With a charter boat it was important to plan the weeks trips knowing I could get back so in 2006 started using Simon Keelings (he posts the weekend forecast on here FOC!) telephone weather forecast and look ahead. I can recommend the service but in conversation found out that he does a Weather School for Pilots & Sailors. Attended Simon's Weather course last Saturday and can thoroughly recommend them.

Can't say I now know it all but I do have a better understanding and sad case that I am Simon has passed on some of his enthusiasm to me and I intend to try and monitor the weather charts more in future and compare them to what I actually witness whether I am sailing or not.

Hope this info is useful to others that are interested in being better at predicting when to reef down etc. now if it enables me to always be on the right side of the course when we are racing it really will be money well spend but I think that is a step too far at present!

 

[ronsurf]

I did a YHA Powerboat Level II course 2 years ago and was staggered how bad it was. We were shown an isobaric chart and the instructor said, "This is a chart, no idea what all the lines mean!". I was doing a meteorology degree at the time so I could put a bit of knowledge across to the other hapless students.
The other instructor was as bad - he released the moorings before starting the engines with an offshore wind, which meant we were blown out into a shipping lane. If anyone had been told to keep a lookout they would have seen the container ship that had to use it's horn to alert us, while we were being shown all the controls. It took 4 heartstopping attempts to start the engine. Those container ships are big, but humungous when you are that close in a very small RIB.
I don't have much faith in RYA courses after that experience.

 

[Cornishman]

YHA? That's summat to do with Youth Hostels innit?

 

[john_morris_uk]

If you have received such poor instruction and witnessed such poor practice PLEASE report it to the RYA.

Most instructors are very good at what they do. Can't comment too much on the Powerboat level 2 course as although I have done one, I am not a Powerboat Instructor. It doesn't seem as though you got a good deal, and it should be reported. In yachting terms, no school that I have had dealings with would allow such practices.

 

[cgull]

I did the day also. Found it very good and made the last few days weather charts much more interesting with my better understanding, especially as I was out sailing.

 

[ronsurf]

Ooops, I meant RYA, of course. This keyboard must be drunk....

 

[Sans Bateau]

I think Simon is planning to do a weather course on the South coast at some time, for us who live down here.