New to boating please help

[Nilz]

Hi

I have recently moved to Scarborough, North Yorkshire (uk) which is on the North sea, I don't no anything about the hobby at the moment, but I'm hoping to learn.

I have a few things that i need clearing up if anyone could help, I would be very much appreciative.

Firstly i need to buy a boat, but am not really sure about what to get, as i mensioned i'm by the sea, so am i corect in thinkin i can either get a yacht, a motor or speed boat? what are the differances between these 3 boats?

I wanted my boat to be able to suport activities such as biscuiting and skeeying, etc, what sort of boat would i need for this.

I want to keep up to date with the hobby as it will probably take me a wile to catch up, what books / magazines would you sugest for a biginer?

Finaly, is ther a way of picking up basic skills such as parking, tieing, and such things with out having to take a 6 month course

thanx in advance
Nilz

 

[alandav123]

Hi there, I posted a very similar statement less than a year ago. Like you I had just moved to within 50 yards of the lovely Arbroath Harbour and felt like I had to get a boat as I was near the water. WRONG.
I was given very good advice but thought I knew better. I did not. So now I have about £8500 less in the bank than I should. I have used hundreds of hours putting right a boat that I bought in a hurry without any clue as to what I was doing.
Please read these words very carefully, dont buy a boat now. Your asking questions about water skiing at the same time as asking the difference between a yatch and a speed boat. Thats very worrying as with your level of experience you should not even think about being on the water doing that kind of speed and towing a loved one around.
I will tell you what I was told and I wish I had have listened.
Dont buy a boat, join a boating club.
Get out on the water with competant people in all different types of boats and get your knowledge base going.
Most boat clubs are looking for crew members and you can get time on all different boats. You will then be in a much better position to choose a boat thats right for your needs. I would bet at this time you dont know what your after, how could you?

In my case I bought a 17ft Dory, the engine gave up and I put 90HP Mariner 4 stroke costing £4000. Now I have a Hotrod Dory thats way too poweerful for me and frankly I am scared of it. Also the North Sea off Arbroath is rough and my boat is not very forgiving.
I should have boat a high sided, high transom, larger slower more easy going boat big enough for me and the kids to sleep on. I have ended up with a cracking boat in top condition which is almost completely usless for my needs. Get this.......I dont even really like fishing. I am more of a traveller who likes visting places.
Do Not repeat my mistakes my friend, get out and play on OPB (other peoples boats)

Regards and good luck
Alan

 

[alandee]

Hi. Alandav is giving good advice. I would say that by the time you decide what you want and pay out loads of money the summer will be over and all you will end up with is six months of winter bills. Look at boats. Read this forum. Buy all sorts of magazines. Maybe take a competant crew course. You will drift towards which type of boat you want. Buy a boat at the end of the winter/early spring and enjoy a full season. Remember...money is hard to earn but easy to spend! Good luck and welcome to the Forum!

 

[rubberduck]

If you want to ski etc then a power boat it must be. Find a local RYA boating school and take a powerboat level 2 course.( 2 days) If after that you still like the idea, then ask teacher for advice & then come back here & chat more. I was in your shoes 2 years ago and am now very happy, except for this bloody weather /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Sneds]

All very good advice. I to would go for the Royal Yachting Assoccoation Level 2 powerboat course.
They will teach you how to drive the thing and its fun.
Ask at the harbour masters office for any suitable clubs or training schools.
I started by picking up a copy of Boat Mart magazine, read it then when straight back out and bought Motot Boats Monthly! I know subscribe to both.
Do you have a small boat fishing club? Might be worth checking that out.
Good luck, and don't rush into buying your first boat, could be a very expensive mistake.
Don't forget about mooring fees, insurance and of course fuel (boats use more than cars!)
Let us know how you get on.

 

[gjgm]

you say you need a boat. Well, no , you dont right now. This hobby swallows money, so unless you are fortunate enough that you can afford to make expensive mistakes, take it easy.
Maybe you have some vision as to what boating is like, from fancy pictures in brochures etc. That maybe in Florida, but it isnt in this country. Have a look around local waters and see what type of boats are being used. Thats a good indication of what is succesful in that area. If you dont see lots of whizzy speed boats, have a think why.
A 2 day boat course will be about £250. Do it locally, in the sea where you will be boating, not on a local lake, for example.Thats a good investment for two reasons. First, you ll learn some basic skills. Second, its an alot cheaper way of finding out whether this is really what you want to do.
Id suggest alot of research, a course, read mags and averts, and maybe by next Feb, you are ready to take the plunge. The boat is no use to most people from Sept til April anyway.

 

[Channel Ribs]

Hi Nilz and welcome,

The words of warning must look quite dire, please don't be put off all together - as you can tell a few people have been in your position. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers

 

[Lakesailor]

I would say it's a wind-up

 

[andyball]

Biscuiting ??

it's possible eh.

 

[Channel Ribs]

You could well be right, like that 'comedian' that had us all rolling about in fits of confusion. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Still, someone who is serious may well read this and benefit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[pheran]

[ QUOTE ]
I would say its a wind-up

[/ QUOTE ] So would I, the signs were fairly obvious 'so am i corect in thinkin i can either get a yacht, a motor or speed boat? what are the differances between these 3 boats and I'm surprised that so many have fallen for it. BUT...........it speaks volumes for the generous, helpful, accommodating nature of most contributors to these forums. Better that than a cynical old curmudgeon like me!

 

[Chris_d]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought that, the bad speeling looked too contrived to me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif not that i can talc.

 

[Nilz]

No, this is not a wind up, the bad spelling is due to me writing in a rush, and the lack of knowledge i due to a lack of research before posting.

Thanx for the advise that you all gave, it was very helpful, and after thinking about it, i guess theres no point getting a boat until next summer

I'm going to go and visit some book shops to see what they have, and check out WH Smiths for mags.

the only other problem i have is clubs and courses, as a lot of you sugested i should join a club and take some lessons, but having looked on the internet in my local area, the only thing available is 2 6 month courses, which is far to long, and a yacht club, and after doing some research, a yacht is not wha im looking for.
Whats the best way to look for short motor boating courses, and member based clubs that would alow me to experiance other boats.

thanx a lot for those who helped / help, i hope i can be of some help in this forum in the near future, and i apolagise to those who believed / still believe its a wind up, although i do think this theory is quite entertaining.

Nilz

 

[Channel Ribs]

At the risk of setting off a cascade of groans, you could look at your local Maritime Volunteer Service. They will give you training and you get to play with different kinds of boat.

MVS

Oh, and don't forget to get to some boat shows. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RobWales]

Just type in RYA search on google,they give full info on many courses.

Good luck
Rob

 

[Chris_d]

Don't worry normal forum paranoia, the problem is theres been a few windups here in the past the most recent being "Amandaboat" only yesterday.

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]


I'm going to go and visit some book shops to see what they have, and check out WH Smiths for mags.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can I suggest you buy a copy of "Start Powerboating" by Jon Mendez published by the RYA. However, depending on the school you do your Powerboat Level 2 course with, you should get a copy as part of the course as it is the official handbook for the Level 2 course. Other books worth reading are "Powerboating" by Peter White and published by Fernhurst books, and The Powerboat Handbook by Paul Glatzel and is published by the RYA

The Level 2 powerboat course is the one you want to "kick of" with as it is an introduction to powerboating and is a 2 day course, most of which is on the water. I have checked on the RYA web site and there is not a school within 100 miles of where you live so you may need to look further afield.

Some have suggested you join a club, this is more than likely be a sailing club who may run Level 2 courses as part of their safety boat training but the club itself will cater mainly for yachtsmen. Also make sure you do the course at a coastal venue as if you want it valid to use on the sea or you will have to undergo a coastal conversion. My advice would be to go to a recognised RYA training school that teaches power boating full time.



[ QUOTE ]
the only other problem i have is clubs and courses, as a lot of you suggested i should join a club and take some lessons, but having looked on the internet in my local area, the only thing available is 2 6 month courses

[/ QUOTE ]

I would suggest these are shore based theory courses at an adult education center and it not what you are needing at this time.

If I can be of any help please send a PM (a personal message).

 

[Nilz]

thanx solitair for the sugestions, unfortunatly by the time i read them, i had already gone out, but i did get this months Motor Boats monthly and a book called "The New Complete Sailing Manual" by Sterve Sleight if i dont find this useful, il give it back and get your sugested books.

When I go back to London to visit people, I'll look for the level 2 powerboating course, I'm sure I'll be able to find a recognised RYA school in London! I do apreciate you looking tho, thanx
I may PM you if nessosery, and nice quote on your sig!

Thanx for the great idea Malthouse i'll get in touch with the marina and see what they say, and yes il check out what shows i can get to.

 

[DinghyMan]

Take a walk down the pier and visit Scarborough Yacht Club - they're in the white lighthouse. I did my VHF course with them a while back and they were very helpful and friendly. They were running Day Skipper and onwards courses throughout the year - go and prop the bar up and ask some questions. You may find someone willing to take you out as crew if you're really lucky.