Tuition

[richson]

Being a new boat owner (that's new owner, not new boat), I have lot's to learn about the practical and theoretical aspects of boating. What I do know, is that I'm not using her until I have been told I'm safe by a professional instructor, and when I have passed a theoretical course. The theory bit is straightforward (I think) and is down to bookwork and established exams. The practical bit is the worry. I think I will opt for own boat tuition, but what is a reasonable programme? I want to get out in the boat as soon as I can, but how much practical training can you expect to absorb in a given timescale, and put into proper practice? Is it realistic for example, to take a week of practical training, then head out to sea? Would it be better to take a day or so here and there? I am quite keen to make some progress and my long experience of charter fishing tells me that good weather days can be hard to find in wintertime given other commitments. Perhaps some others fairly new to boating could pass on some advice?

 

[Guest]

Quite a good idea is (if boat is liveaboardy) to get an instructor to take you on a jaunt in and out of as many marinas as possible. You get practice and know what to expect everywhere and have holiday too. Oh, and there is no qualification at all that "proves" you are safe. You knew that. But if you're minding yer own biz and know-all smashes into you it's still his fault. An International Certificate of Competence allows you to hire boats abroad and day skipper (bit harder, not much) is more UK.

Certainly a week wd be ample to get going. Loads of boaties have less than this. For starters if yerv gotta boat, some people might come out and help anyway. Free! Where's the boat and what is it? Does it have lots of room for the very important drinks?

 

[peterg]

no more than a week otherwise your head will be pounding! - I would try for 2 - 4 days at a time but if you initially do a Powerboat Level 1 & 2 (normally 3 days) you should get an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) at the end of it and mucho increase in confidence.

you could try ringing a few schools on the www.nfss.co.uk site but if you're near the South Coast I can heartily recommend Robert Avis of RAMAR Training on 0850 296036 (http://www.ybw.com/web/ramar/#D) as we spent a useful and very pleasant 2 days with him last year on a Hamble-Poole-Hamble passage to get to know our boat better and learn more about all the electronics (radar etc.) that we hadn't had before. He also runs a very good 1 day radar course at HMS Dryad's facility

good luck

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you've bought the Seaward at Exmouth I would be happy to help out for a while providing we can arrange a suitable time. You may also want to speak to Spinnakers in Exmouth as they do powerboat level 1 and 2 courses as well as the ICC. They are based right by the docks on Shelley beach.

Did you pick up my e-mail of a few days ago? Maybe you can e-mail me again with your phone no and we can discuss further.

John

 

[jfm]

Re: dayskip

I'd suggest skip power boat 1 and 2 etc and go straight for Dayskipper practical on your own boat. This is usually 4 or mebbe 5 days and you get the ICC thrown in too. The content of this course should be enuf to make you feel competent to take your own boat out on coastal trips and not feel nervous about protocols arriving at new marinas, how to manoeuver it and tie it up, etc, etc. Then maybe go with a more exp friend on your first trip after the course and you will be fine.

Also take the vhf exam, it's needed legalwise but apart from that it's useful to know the rules and what to say etc. Esp if you go to solent where coastguard not tolerant of non-compliant vhf use. The vhf course is one day.

Good luck. What's the boat and where, BTW?

JFM

 

[ChrisP]

Friends of ours bought a 41 footer as their first boat. I was asked to teach them how to "drive" the boat. All they needed was the confidence to go out on their own. A couple of hours messing around and practicing getting close to things soon had them ready to face the world. 1 word of warning make sure your partner takes part in the learning process both on the deck and behind the wheel that way niether of you become the back seat driver.

Best of luck

CP.

 

[richson]

Re: Tuition-tks

Thanks for your suggestions. I am going to arrange something along those lines. Sadly, wife uninterested & Son unimpressed by choice of boat (not "sleek" enough). I have a very kind offer of local help though.
The boat is a Seaward 23, berthed at Exmouth docks.

 

[hlb]

Re: Tuition-tks

Exmouth is not an easy place to get in and out of and unusual for Devon a bit sand banky and not alot to see.
Be carefull of the weather as its not noted as a safe harbour.
( Safe meaning enter all weather harbour).
Think of moving it to Torquay or Brixham. Wife and son might even start to like it then.

Haydn

 

[Guest]

I can't think of anyone better to help you than John Puddifoot of Capital Training, who took me from 'salt water' novice through to Yachtmaster over a period of about 4 years.
What this man doesn't know about boats, navigation and handling isn't worth knowing. You will feel a lot more confident afterwards, guaranteed!

Contacts: 07831 468060

www.capital-training.co.uk

John is a friend now, I think that says it all!
Good Luck and have fun,
Peter.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: Tuition-tks

Haydn, if you know the Exe estuary there is plenty to see and do, excellent beaches, good pubs, friendly people and getting about on the river is more interesting because of the sandbanks. The only time getting in or out of the river can prove to be a problem is when you have easterlies blowing aginst an ebbing tide, particularly on the last half of the tide. The channel all the way up to Topsham is well buoyed and the river is fairly quiet compared to most others in the westcountry, which for me is one of its main attractions. The big minus are the conditions in the docks which now laughingly calls itself a marina. They have now had pontoons there for about 8 years and still there are no showers or toilets, no parking (although this is soon to be put right) and absolutely no security. The big advantage for Richson is that if he is in one of the new flats he can look out of his window and see his boat, so the lack of ameneties I guess is not a problem for him.