what do I need . . ?

[johnny_h]

Hello everyone. I bought a new boat last year, thought I'd try out boating. I have a small 5.5 meter boat (with a 75hp engine and a small 10hp back up engine) - which I launch from a trailer. To be honest my initial experience was terrible. We only managed to use the boat about four times.
I've done the L2 powerboat course. Now I'm wondering, what do I need to do to get off to a positive start, this year? Also, should I invest in a chart plotter? I'm thinking maybe some toys to play with might make the boat more fun.
I'd like to be able to tell the depth of water I'm in - so would that do that for me, or do I need something else? I would ideally like to anchor off a beach somewhere so it would be useful to know how much depth there is below me.
Anyway - lots of questions . . . sorry.

 

[landlockedpirate]

The powerboat L2 course you have done is a great start, but you would probably benefit from the next step up - Dayskipper - to help you with navigation and give you some more confidence.

A chart plotter with the correct chart will give you some depth information, but you need one with a sounder attachment to give you 'real time' depth info. The training is essential to be able to interpret the information on the plotter.

Where in the country are you based ? Theres lots of local knowledge on here re beaches etc.

 

[Tekkie]

The next step would be to go for the Powerboat Intermidiate Course coupled with a Basic navigation course. I would not bother with Dayskipper this early in your boating carrer.

 

[Searush]

Lead line, tide tables, compass, chart, pencil & ruler will do it for navigation. If you can't do it with them, the toys are the last thing you need!

Plan your trips using chart & tide tables at home. Have an objective to aim for - fishing trip, beach party or sightseeing. Be aware of the forecast & check conditions are suitable for your chosen trip. If not, have a suitable fall back. EG prevailing winds SWly, plan to go to beach facing N (say). Then if wind turns out to be NWly, is there a more sheltered beach to visit?

Driving round in MoBos is boring after the first few minutes excitement, you need an objective to give you a sense of achievement from a successful passage. Anyway, you will get AT LEAST as much fun from planning trips in the winter as you will from doing them!

 

[johnny_h]

thanks for the responses - have considered the courses you mention so will investigate further. I agree that it was a bit boring being on the boat once you get over the initial excitement and that we do need to somehow plan our trips to make them more interesting.
We're in the SW, so plenty of coast to explore.
I'll keep you all updated!

 

[hlb]

Just where in the SW??

A small motor boat, is a bit like having a car, soon get fed up of going round in circles. However especialy the South coast SW is ideal. Loads of places to go, not much trouble with tides and nearly nothing thats not obvious to bump into.

 

[johnny_h]

we're in fowey

 

[Kawasaki]

[ QUOTE ]


Driving round in MoBos is boring after the first few minutes excitement,

[/ QUOTE ]

Challenge accepted.
Low Water Spring through the Swellies.
Your on the Helm.
I,m on the thottle.

The Major on Station to collect Flotsam and Brown underpants.
Drew for the Piccies and stuff /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Fortnight from now I reckon!.
No jibbin (or gybin ) that's it Sorted /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[hlb]

Could not have picked better. Make sure you have at least a chart, tide table and a compass. Oh and VHF in case of trouble.

Organise some trips to Charles Town Mevagisy?? Or watsit, little place round the corner from Fowey. Mind the rock!!

 

[Kawasaki]

Sorry Johnny_h not trying to Hijack the Thread but I couldn't resist.
How about collaring a 'Local Expert' in the Fowey area.
Yer know, someone who has been Moboing for ages.
Is there a local Mobo/ Yacht club?
Perhaps the new RYA Basic Navigation and Safety course would help?
Tiss a 2 day jobbie.
Day skip theory is a great course but I feel some more 'hands on' stuff with a good bod would be good for you at this stage.
Must be a friendly old salt in the Area.
Your dead right about planning your trips.
With an aim from the setoff and when it all comes off, tiss more interesting and enjoyable.
Dam sight safer too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good Luck.
Good to ask the Question on ere too.
There are some Terrific peeps on ere.
And Searush /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[hlb]

Think Dozzy Skipper is a bit more than he needs in Fowey with a little boat. Theres nothing around there that arduous.

Captain Shed is around those parts, maybe he would help.

I was there last week. Mostly filling up with juice at Toms yard or sluming it on the spare pontoons.

 

[Kawasaki]

Swat I meant.
Dazed Kipper is not the Way Forward right now but Basic Nav won't go amiss.
Plus a bit of Old Sea Dog!

 

[johnny_h]

More good advice - thank you all very much. Will seek out someone to give me a bit more local knowledge on the water.
Will look at the courses on offer. I have a VHF radio (and have done the course) but will invest in some charts.

Polkeris is the probably the place you're thinking of which is round the corner from Fowey and, yes I have seen that rock on the way out - that was one of the things that worried me last year!

 

[hlb]

Yep. Polkeris is where I mean. Strangly for SW, very shallow round there. Strangly I've never been ashore there.

Loads of folk think the sea is like a bath tub, with nothing to hit, once off shore. It's not like that at all. But your lucky in the SW, theres not that much to hit, less well inshore. Which is exactly where you may be in a little boat.

The rock has a big cardinal buoy, learn about them. The mark on top tell you which way to go, but can also be confusing. The only other outlying rock around there is Udders rock, on the way down to Looe. Again with a cardinal buoy.

But all rocks dont have buoys, especially close in.
A chart is esencial, also a pilot book. West Country Cruising is a good one, though maybe covers more area than you need. Still if yer boats on a trailer, theres loads of places to visit.

Learn about wind and the effect it has on sea. You can still go out on quite windy days, just maybe go some where different.