RYA Motorboating

[Cashbuyer]

RYA Start Motorboating. Interested in getting a complete coastal novice to do this 1 day course so that she can see if she likes the sea as opposed to the river, which we are finding a tad boring after 5 years.
Any recommendations for Solent based schools? Note this is not the Powerboat course- I think that is a step too far for now, especially in March...

 

[gjgm]

RYA Start Motorboating. Interested in getting a complete coastal novice to do this 1 day course so that she can see if she likes the sea as opposed to the river, which we are finding a tad boring after 5 years.
Any recommendations for Solent based schools? Note this is not the Powerboat course- I think that is a step too far for now, especially in March...

Can't help on recommendations, though I would query the choice of course. The Solent is just about "sea" and I do not know what your ambitions would be-alot of people are very happy staying in the Solent. However, I think if you want to get more of a feel of open water against river then the powerboat1+2 (if that is what it is still called) would give a better sense of the challenges of wind,tide,pilotage,waves etc. I am not convinced this day course will give alot of experience of the differences (unless it is F6 !!)

 

[lisilou]

Googling it, I can only find one place which offers this by name but there are no details about the course. The RYA do a 'Start Motor Cruising' course which will cover the basics so don't know if that's what you mean? Where have you seen the 'Start Motorboating' RYA course?
L

 

[Paul&Ness]

Hi Cashbuyre, my wife and I did the RYA Helmsmans course with '5 Star Marine' when we first bought our boat and it gave us the confidence to explore the solent within days of completing the course. Dave is a great instructor, very knowledgeable and would I am sure help you with this.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Googling it, I can only find one place which offers this by name but there are no details about the course. The RYA do a 'Start Motor Cruising' course which will cover the basics so don't know if that's what you mean? Where have you seen the 'Start Motorboating' RYA course?
L

Solent Boat Charters are calling it by both names, hence the confusion. It looked promising @£149 each but they don't seem to want to offer it with only two people on board

 

[Solitaire]

What boat do you have? I use a 43ft Flybridge twin shaft cruiser for this course. it is very basic and really done in conjunction with a family group. You would better off doing the 2 day Helmsman course.

 

[russ]

My wife,son and I did the PB2 course on our own boat with Solitaire after being on the river for 3 years. It gave me the confidence to use our boat on the Solent.
Also don't forget the VHF course.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Thanks all for the replies.
Don't want to commit to a two day course, although it sounds the best bet, as the boat owner has absolutely no experience of the coast and it could be a waste of time if she gets nervous/ seasick.
What she really needs is an afternoon on the water, to experience the atmosphere and get a feel for the coast/inshore waters.
Her boat is on the river and it will stay there unless she thinks she could enjoy the coast. She could charter with crew but they want £999 for the day which is money that could be used elsewhere I've safety equipment on her own boat.