motor boats knowledge

[30boat]

Taken from H.A.Calahan's book "So you're going to buy a boat?", 1947 edition:
"... the motorboat,in its present stage of development, requires very little skill and knowledge for its safe operation.With a good motor, properly installed, a reasonably sound and tight hull, and an elementary knowledge of piloting, anyone can operate a motorboat.The windjamer on the other hand, can spend a lifetime of study and the more he knows about his sport, the more he realizes how essentially meager his knowledge is.

 

[BrendanS]

Probably true 85% of the time, there's more skill to sailing a yacht than pointing a motorboat in the right direction, in reasonable conditions. Still many skills to be learnt about motorboating than the novice realises however, and there are many items on a modern powerboat that were not available in the 1940's such as legs, planing hulls, trim tabs etc. and not as many yachts in the 40's had engines to fall back on.. Never mind far fewer regulations.

The modern powerboater also goes to the same places that sailing yachts do, and entering a new estuary/harbour/marina at night requires the same piloting skills. berthing or mooring either a yacht or powerboat require similar skills, as do picking up buoys, mob, etc.

Knowledge of rules and regulations are exactly the same for both species of sailor in busy, crowded waters

Pilotage and commanding a vessel are what are ultimately important. Does the skipper have the knowledge and experience to be safe? Doesn't matter what the vessel is, or it's method of propulsion.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

crikey brendan
how restrained

you did ofcourse forget that mobos must be in posession of a full set of charts and an ice bucket and swizzle stick.

yachties need only grapple with a watneys party four and a chipped mug and their father's canvass chart of ye solent updated in pencil

Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene'.

 

[ccscott49]

And the point is................................?

 

[BrendanS]

By 01:30 and with a few nightcaps taking effect, I tend to be rather mellow. Looking back in the cold light of day, I am very proud of my restraint. Should have seen the first version ;-)

No swizzle sticks on my boat! I like being out on the water, not sitting around at anchor or in marina. P'raps I'm not a true stinkpotter <s>

 

[Guest]

I go to sea 'cos it's what I've always done, 'cos I like BEING at sea. The "getting there" is as interesting and as much fun as the "being there".

Swizzle sticks on my boat tend to gather dust -- I've no time for those who belt around like maniacs upsetting everybody and then spend the rest of the time boozing! Give me the wide open spaces and just messing about in boats -- that's what it's all about.

......ah... nostalgia.....

On a more serious note, try manoeuvering a power boat (shallow draft, no deep keel) in a confined space when it's windy -- quite a different set of skills compared to a deep-keeled sailing boat that doesn't keep wanting to go sideways all the time!

JR