Just Got My Boat & Jetski Licence – Any Tips for New Boaties in Brisbane?

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boatlicenceqld

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Hey everyone,


I’m pretty new to the boating scene and just got my boat and jetski licence through Boat Licence Queensland. The training was straightforward, and now I’m keen to make the most of it.


I’m based in Brisbane but also plan to head down to the Gold Coast every now and then. For those who’ve been boating around here for a while – what are your favourite spots for a relaxing cruise or a bit of adventure?


Also, any advice on safe boating practices, must-have gear, or local rules I should be aware of would be greatly appreciated.


Looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully sharing some great boating stories in the future!

cheers

Olivia Macnally
 
The most important and difficult decision you need to make is just what sort of boating you envisage. Do you lust for a power boat. If so do you want accommodation?
You you want the joy of getting there or no where under sail. If so large ocean going or small off the beach fun boat.
All so dramatically different in boating style. Of course a rich man might have an example of each. But even then how do you find the time to justify all or one style.
My guess is that you should consider a trailer boat. Much more common in Oz and can be surprisingly large boats with accommodation. (mobo or sail)
Just remember the initial purchase cost is almost a minor detail compared to cost of ownership and the need to use it to justify the costs.
In the mean time try to get experience on other people's boats. Experience not so much how to do it but what you want. A Yacht Club will often have boats needing crew or just haunt your local boat ramp to get a feel for trailer boats. ol'will
PS congratulations on passing skipper's test. I hope you got some experience along with the ticket. You might find that this forum is largely for moored sailing boats in UK and they don't have the licence requirements of Oz. (and no love for the idea)
 
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boatlicenceqld said:
Hey everyone,


I’m pretty new to the boating scene and just got my boat and jetski licence through Boat Licence Queensland. The training was straightforward, and now I’m keen to make the most of it.


I’m based in Brisbane but also plan to head down to the Gold Coast every now and then. For those who’ve been boating around here for a while – what are your favourite spots for a relaxing cruise or a bit of adventure?


Also, any advice on safe boating practices, must-have gear, or local rules I should be aware of would be greatly appreciated.


Looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully sharing some great boating stories in the future!

cheers

Olivia Macnally
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Welcome to the forum.

It is mainly UK people on it but people like @William_H , @Neeves and @Grith are based in Australia. Grith did / does have a trailer sail boat. He hasn't posted for a while but was travelling around I believe.
There are also others based around the world.
 
You can get some great aftermarket exhausts that increase power and are very loud for your jetski. They also improve safety by letting others know where you are. Riva, Worx Racing and Big Gun all make quality exhausts. It’s worth it for the power increase, easy DIY fit as well.
 
RunAgroundHard said:
You can get some great aftermarket exhausts that increase power and are very loud for your jetski. They also improve safety by letting others know where you are. Riva, Worx Racing and Big Gun all make quality exhausts. It’s worth it for the power increase, easy DIY fit as well.
Click to expand...
And don't forget to upgrade the sound system. You'll need speakers capable of 120dba to get full value when underway with the souped up exhausts.
 
RunAgroundHard said:
You can get some great aftermarket exhausts that increase power and are very loud for your jetski. They also improve safety by letting others know where you are. Riva, Worx Racing and Big Gun all make quality exhausts. It’s worth it for the power increase, easy DIY fit as well.
Click to expand...

Irish Rover said:
And don't forget to upgrade the sound system. You'll need speakers capable of 120dba to get full value when underway with the souped up exhausts.
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Both very cruel.

It does give the sound seeking missiles something to target though :D
 
Welcome from the UK. I am glad you have made the effort to get some training with your jet ski. Hopefully you have learnt that we all enjoy our time on the water, so try and respect everyone. If you see boats moored or anchored, try and pass by slowly. Avoid areas zoned for swimmers. Respect local speed limits.

Some of the things to avoid doing include using anchored boats as a slalom course, riding the bow wave of a large ship, excessive drinking, playing loud music, disturbing wildlife, etc.

Unfortunately I have come across some very bad jet ski owners in the UK and it is too easy to say every jet ski owner is the same. If you show consideration to others, including a friendly wave, you will be welcomed.

I hope you enjoy getting out on the water on your jet ski.
 
I suspect OP is not necessarily proposing to buy a jetski. It is just that I think the licence he has gained includes jet ski in the name. Now I know I am old (and grumpy) but I can not imagine any of us middle class workers could consider buying a new jet ski at a cost around 70 + thousand dollars (35k squid) just to carry 2 people at high speed. Compared to second hand sail boats like 35 ft for half that cost or less or mobo really big for similar money. Now they do seem to be able to sell Jetskis but I just can't imagine how. ol'will
 
RunAgroundHard said:
You can get some great aftermarket exhausts that increase power and are very loud for your jetski. They also improve safety by letting others know where you are. Riva, Worx Racing and Big Gun all make quality exhausts. It’s worth it for the power increase, easy DIY fit as well.
Click to expand...

Oooo and don't forget to snort the obligatory two or three generous lines of Colombia's finest marching powder up your hooter before you set off - doing so both vividly enhances the experience of mindlessly tearing up and down the same stretch of water until either you run out of fuel or burn your engine out and also entitles you to completely ignore any speed limits and exempts you from any need for consideration of other boaters or indeed your obligations under the COLREGs. :)
 
Sailing steve said:
Oooo and don't forget to snort the obligatory two or three generous lines of Colombia's finest marching powder up your hooter before you set off - doing so both vividly enhances the experience of mindlessly tearing up and down the same stretch of water until either you run out of fuel or burn your engine out and also entitles you to completely ignore any speed limits and exempts you from any need for consideration of other boaters or indeed your obligations under the COLREGs. :)
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There is a full racing program for Jet Skis in the UK JSRA Tour - JSRA ( an globally) that requires a medical for the licence and in the rules explicitly state that the use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. Jet Ski here for leisure use is a big deal around the world. It is great fun, though the last time I participated was in Saint Tropez with my daughter, a few years ago. No drugs were involved and it was in a controlled area for the activity.

The activity does have more than its fair share of dick heads, but also many responsible participants.
 
RunAgroundHard said:
There is a full racing program for Jet Skis in the UK JSRA Tour - JSRA ( an globally) that requires a medical for the licence and in the rules explicitly state that the use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. Jet Ski here for leisure use is a big deal around the world. It is great fun, though the last time I participated was in Saint Tropez with my daughter, a few years ago. No drugs were involved and it was in a controlled area for the activity.

The activity does have more than its fair share of dick heads, but also many responsible participants.
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The former are very much in evidence both on the Essex coast and later at Colchester Magistrates court - 'fraid there's very little evidence of the latter around here.
 
Sailing steve said:
The former are very much in evidence both on the Essex coast and later at Colchester Magistrates court - 'fraid there's very little evidence of the latter around here.
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I'm not sure the magnetism of idiots towards Essex will be a major issue for the OP in Australia! Here we have an example of someone who has gone and got some training/passed a test, and yet we still seem to have leapt to the conclusion that he must be one of the wrong 'uns. Wouldn't we be better embracing people who set a good example?
 
Folks have been very quick to jump on the jetski part of the OP but five minutes on google says it's the same course for all watercraft over 4.5kW - applying for the jetski license is just an extra tickbox, so it would be silly to limit yourself to "proper" boats. I've always fancied having a go on one, but other than racing I suspect it would get very boring very quickly.
 
boatlicenceqld said:
Hey everyone,


I’m pretty new to the boating scene and just got my boat and jetski licence through Boat Licence Queensland. The training was straightforward, and now I’m keen to make the most of it.


I’m based in Brisbane but also plan to head down to the Gold Coast every now and then. For those who’ve been boating around here for a while – what are your favourite spots for a relaxing cruise or a bit of adventure?


Also, any advice on safe boating practices, must-have gear, or local rules I should be aware of would be greatly appreciated.


Looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully sharing some great boating stories in the future!

cheers

Olivia Macnally
Click to expand...
Olivia,
May I apologise on behalf of my fellow forumites for the presumption that since you have an interest in boats that you must be a man, and for their failure to read all of your post to the end
 
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