Training for new owner

[magicdog]

New owner, needs training - good learner, house-trained.

Thanks for the help in my previous posting on choosing a boat.
It was suggested that I look into an approved course to teach me basic seamanship skills and I'm keen to have some idea what I'm doing!

I have been in touch with my local college here in the UK and there seem to be a number of different courses available - RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster; RYA Dayskipper/ Watchleader; RYA Yacht Master Ocean etc. and I've also seen basic motor boat courses.

Which course would be my best bet as a new skipper with an 18' open boat and 9.9 Johnson (steady on!)?
I'm mainly interested in inshore fishing and pleasure (no more than 2 miles out) to start with.

TIA



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[Talbot]

Definitely start with the Day Skipper shore course, and then do the practical.

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[sailorman]

just find a "mate" to show u the "ropes" just like the old days.
wots the most usefull on a boat , an Admrial or an Umbrella

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[Fill]

Difficult to call, I suppose it depends on whether it's raining. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

 

[sailorman]

Yes an Umbrella IS usefull

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[whisper]

Suspect that Powerboat 1 & 2 would probably be more relevant to his particular needs initially. They would give him the basic boathandling skills straight away. By all means then enrol on the Day Skipper courses but try to avoid ones that concentrate primarily on sailboat skills - AAAGH!! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

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[BrendanS]

Agree, would handle basic skills needed for that type of boat

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Colin_S]

You could try contacting your local RYA training centre and have one of their instructors spend a day with you on your boat.
A friend on mine, who recently purchased another boat, did just that and I went along for the day too. It was a really useful day and the best part it you get to learn hands on on your own boat.

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[magicdog]

OK thanks for the tips everyone.

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[BrendanS]

There is a school of thought that says you get a lot more out of training on the schools boats. I'm open to arguements either way, but when I did training, I took a lot of advice, and did it on schools boats, and found it worthwhile

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Solitaire]

Given the size and type of boat you have, your best bet would be to start with an RYA Level 2 Powerboat course. This will teach you over 2 days all the techniques for close boat handling as well as an introduction to charts, tides and passage planning amongst other things. It will get you on the water streight away and you can build on your knowlegde through practise and experience. The RYA web site will give you locations and names of schools near you.
The Level 2 Powerboat certificate will also allow you to apply for an ICC - International Certificate of Competance - which will mean you can drive boats abroad as well. Oh, and you should see a reduction in your insurance premium as well.
Send me a PM if you want to have a longer conversation on the issues or help finding a school as I see you are based on the South Coast. As an instructor, I work with a number of schools from Hayling Island down as far as Poole.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>