motorboating for beginners, do i really need to do a course?

[mbird]

I had been on river boats on the Norfolk Broads for a few years (as a hirer first and then owner latterly) and got the opportunity to do the ICC course aboard a friends boat. That was the first time I'd ever seen a nautical chart and I suddenly realised there was more to boating than the rivers of the Broads. Within a few months I had sold the river cruiser and I was the owner of a 31' sports cruiser and heading out to sea for the first time on a short cruise in company. The ICC course gave me a basic understanding of simple coastal navigation, day shapes etc but the most useful information I received was simply advice from more experienced friends.

We're now on our second sea-going boat (a 37' flybridge) and have been at it for 4 years now. Whilst I do sometimes feel a bit guilty about not doing a day-skipper course or similar and feel I really should do one, I do wonder after 4 years experience if it would actually be of any benefit. I am now quite proficient in close quarters handling (have to be to get in and out of our marina!) and can generally put the boat where I need it to be. Our sea trips started off with short hops and have gradually increased in distance and complexity as out experience and confidence have grown.

I can't say it's all been plain sailing as we have had a couple of problems, but these were mechanical failures impossible to predict rather than judgement errors. I would agree that no course can teach experience, but would qualify that by saying some basic knowledge is a must. Whether that knowledge is obtained from courses or from more experienced friends is entirely up to the skills of the individual I reckon.

 

[kashurst]

I spent my first year "having a go", don't waste you time, do a course - you will save a fortune in gel coat filler and will also discover that you crew/passengers are a lot happier. As others have already said wind/tide, tight moorings can be tricky - compound that with one of your engines packing in when you get caught out by the weather and you will really appreciate the training.

 

[gjgm]

I dont think you need alot of training/experience to reduce the risks, but boating is supposed to be fun, and it certainly isnt fun finding yourself in a situation where you have no idea at all what the hell to do. In fact, it is pretty scary. Training wont remove all that risk, , but I think it will mean you have a better chance of enjoying it.Also remember that- and not to dramatise- you are responsible for peoples lives.Really responsible- your decisions alone decide the outcome.

 

[Andy Bav]

Any training is better than none and with your own boat as the classroom, costs will be minimal compared to the damage you could do to your own, and importantly other peoples, boats. Only you can say how confident you felt in the smaller boat, but the bigger you go the more issues you face with windage and currents etc. We did powerboat 2 which stood us in good stead for our bow-rider and cuddy, and also for boating in the open sea with our latest boat. But we paid a professional skipper a days wages and we spent seven hours solidly in Cowes manoevering against / with wind and tide in close quarters and I must say everything we were shown that day, we have done since - and importantly with confidence... although it has to be said that the boys are more confident than Dad !

Not sure if you have twin engines, but they too make a big difference over a single and in my mind would re-inforce the need for some formal training.

 

[Portofino]

Slow manoeuvring in tidal and windy conditions with other people's pride and joy in close proximity?.... Are you feeling lucky?

I don't care personally about an individual taking a course for their own safety but I do think that marina/harbour slow handling in tidal and windy conditions should be compulsory for anyone taking to water in a vessel capable of making a dent in another vessel.

It's compulsory in France
Practicle includes mooring to pontoon,MOB, mooring up to bouy etc


Sailing Licences and Boat Permits
Taking to the waters? You may need a new licence for your ship, jet-ski or yacht in France...

Permits are not required for sailing boats, or boats with a motor less powerful than 4.5 Kilowatts (6CV) sailing sea or inland waters.

Note: "Jet-Skis" and similar craft have power which exceeds this; a permit is needed.

Permit Categories
Prior to 1 January 2008, permits were issued in the following three categories. These licences remain valid but are no longer issued.

La Carte Mer: for a boat with a motor from 6CV to 50CV. A permit for daytime sailing within a 9 Km range of the coast, awarded after taking a theory course and practical lessons, and passing a test
Le Permis Mer Côtier: for boats with motors 50CV and up. The permit allows night sailing, but within a limited range from the coast, and is awarded after a course and test
Le Permis Mer Hauturier: This is gained through a full boating course at a boat school, and licenses one for all forms of boating
The Recreational Permit (Permis Plaisance)
On 1 January 2008, a new system introduced. The Permis Plaisance is available for four different purposes. There are four permit types, one each for sea and inland waters, each of which can be extended. An applicant must be at least 16 years of age and provide the examination centre with a medical certificate. A theory and practical test must be passed before the permit is issued.

The basic permits are:

Sea Waters Inland Waters
Côtière Eaux Intérieures
sailing within 6 miles of shelter*
(dock or safe anchorage appropriate to the craft) boats up to 20 metres
Test: QCM + practical Test: QCM + practical
The QCM is a theory test of 25 questions (four errors are allowed). Practical training may begin before the theory test is taken, but a permit is only issued when the practical and theory tests are passed. A minimum of three hours practical training must take place at a training center.

Permits can be extended with additional tests and training.

 

[symondo]

Plenty to take in there.

We have been atouch unlucky with our vessel since we bought it back in July (and still not been on the water) due to issues which were not as per the sale - but that aside i have been able to go through the electrics and a vast amount of mechanical parts to check out, see how it works and generally find out the current state of play.

Our boat is a Fairline Sedan 32 - 2x VP AQD40s (im sure thats right) with 280 legs and Flybridge.

I had a bit of a steep learning curve on our smaller boat regarding tides as i took my eye off the ball for a split second and drifted into a huge metal marker buoy we were attempting to moor upto for a spot of fishing. Needless to say, i havent been distracted since then!

Other things ive managed to do with out smaller boat were to get it in the water off the trailer, navigate through faster currents in tidal areas and also get it back to the trailer in tidal / moving waters.

 

[Greg2]

I think with a planing hull and outdrives getting someone experienced to do some boat handling with you would be a good move as maneuverability will be an issue. Could be a formal course or it could be a mate aboard your boat. In fact PBII in a sea school RIB may not be the best option but some own boat tuition could be a real bonus.

Handling that set up won't be a problem when you know how to do it but things can get a bit lively and instinctively knowing what to do is a great help.

 

[powerskipper]

Try a day with an instructor and see what happens from there. a pit fall of doing it yourself can be that you scare yourself and family, then the shouting can start. then you find your family refuses to go out with you. No saying it will happen to you but I have seen it happen to many.

 

[tinkicker0]

I had intended on doing the rya courses at my leisure along with the radio course needed for the spring.

However for reasons I don't wish to post, really need to get using our boat as soon as the weather is decent.

Is it normal for beginners to just 'have a go'? I've skippered a small boat with an outboard previous, so its quite a big jump to a 32ft motor boat.

I'm fully aware its safety first and would never do anything to jepoardise that. But I know the coastline can be very unforgiving.

Any beginners been able to learn on the job so to speak?

It depends on the terms of your insurance. Many will not allow you to skipper the boat without an experienced skipper aboard for the first 12 months. RYA PB2 and ICC circumvents this nicely.

You DO plan on having insurance?

 

[alant]

It depends on the terms of your insurance. Many will not allow you to skipper the boat without an experienced skipper aboard for the first 12 months. RYA PB2 and ICC circumvents this nicely.

You DO plan on having insurance?

Insurance sounds like the first thing to get sorted.

 

[macnorton]

There are two types of skipper,good and bad.
Training makes little difference.
Get someone competent to go with you and learn from him, having someone with you to offer support and guidance is worth far more than sitting in a room listening to lecture.

Some people need the confidence boost that a bit of paper gives and if that is you then do it, but don't leave the coarse thinking you are an expert as many do!

Ps/ I have shown several certificate holders how to use a boat, if you want an ICC you should be able to buy one in Spain.

 

[cryan]

Should you do a training course?
Yes, yes, yes, yes oh and yes!
You won't learn to be an expert boat handler on a coarse but you might get some tips, however that is secondary! You should definitely go on a coarse that can give you the basics of navigation, rules of the road and perhaps visit your local sea college for a bit of basic survival training. Most people getting in to boating will disagree but then most people getting into boating don't even entertain the fact that they are doing anything dangerous.
Ask yourself; Would I be happy letting my family get in a car with a driver with no training? I suspect the answer is no yet on a boat that risk is much greater. The road is not clearly marked, the road itself will kill you as will the land surrounding the road.
I may feel quite strongly about this but the amount of times I see people doing the craziest things on the water, usually with a big smile and waving, completely unaware of the danger they are in is astounding.
If you do at least basic training you will at the very least have an understanding of the risks meaning you can avoid them and enjoy your hobby more.

 

[hartcjhart]

Should you do a training course?
Yes, yes, yes, yes oh and yes!
You won't learn to be an expert boat handler on a coarse but you might get some tips, however that is secondary! You should definitely go on a coarse that can give you the basics of navigation, rules of the road and perhaps visit your local sea college for a bit of basic survival training. Most people getting in to boating will disagree but then most people getting into boating don't even entertain the fact that they are doing anything dangerous.
Ask yourself; Would I be happy letting my family get in a car with a driver with no training? I suspect the answer is no yet on a boat that risk is much greater. The road is not clearly marked, the road itself will kill you as will the land surrounding the road.
I may feel quite strongly about this but the amount of times I see people doing the craziest things on the water, usually with a big smile and waving, completely unaware of the danger they are in is astounding.
If you do at least basic training you will at the very least have an understanding of the risks meaning you can avoid them and enjoy your hobby more.

what he/she says