Where to Start

[GrowingLad]

Afternoon All, Firstly, hello from me, I'm new here!
I hope this is the right place to post this, apologies if not.

I'm in the process of getting my Dad's old motor boat back up and running and then I have the crazy task of getting her out to Greece where I now live (she’s currently in the UK).

Whilst I'm getting all the practical boat prep work sorted I'm also trying to get myself sorted on the skills front.

I'm not a complete novice to boats but I'm very very far from comfortable for being responsible for a boat and others. My Dad used to take care of all that plus it's been 12 years since I've been near anything else other than the odd day on a sailing dinghy.

I've just purchased the RYA Powerboat Handbook and wish to take a course/s. I'll have to get a licence to use a boat in Greek waters but due to the test being in Greek a Greek licence will be a no no. I do know that you can get an international licence which you can convert.

So if you could share with me your experience and advice on the path/courses to take I would be most appreciative.

Thanks, Simon.

 

[Nautorius]

Best Idea is to do an ICC (international Certificate of Competence) and can be done in two days here in UK. You may also want to look at at RYA diesel course to brush up basic maintenance skills.

Good luck and what type of craft is shee?

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GrowingLad]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for that. I remember seeing an advert in one of the English news papers over here which mentioned RYA courses, I'll check out what they offer. Plus I'm off to Spain for two weeks holiday so I might see if I can sort something out there. Saves me time off from work and having to get back to the UK, not to mention better chance of weather.

I have no idea to make and model. I remember from chatting with my Dad that she came from a smalll boat yard in the UK. She's 7 meters, nothing flash, seats/table/bunks, loo, small gas stove and sink, good for a weekend away and some fishing.
Quick question, is there a life span on Fibre glass boats? I've spoken with a guy from the club where the boat is at the moment and he tells me the hull is in good nick but being a bit wet behind the ears I'm a bit in the dark as to life spans etc.

I know the engine is a 2.0 petrol Volvo Penta which has come back from a re-build and getting that back into the boat is one of the very many jobs needing to be done. Luckily I've found a good guy in the UK who's going to sort out the big jobs for me.

A sane man wouldn't go near her with a barge poll but I've got some good memories of trips away and being as it's my Dad's boat and the Med isn't a bad place to have a boat I've decided to get her back to her former glory.

At the moment I still have some hair...we'll see what I'm like in a few months from now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nautorius]

Your Welcome,

Where abouts in Spain are you heading, I am sure people will have recomendations of RYA schools down there. GRP lasts for ever! If it is over 15 years old it will be laid it so thick you would need a chainsaw to chop her up. Old boats do suffer Osmossis (little blisters) but mainly cosmetic and I have never heard of a boat sinking from it. The Old Volvo may be a joy, or a pain...who knows?

7m is a great day boat size. If going to keep her in the med you will need a decent Bimini cover, at 7m you can buy one off the shelf at a swindelery maybe.

Overall have fun and keep us up to date.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[GrowingLad]

Hi Again,

We've got a wedding in Granada so I'll be staying around that neck of the woods. The wife wants to learn Wind surfing so that might give me some free days to get a course in if something is running. I'll have to check out some stuff on the internet.

Yep heard about Osmosis when this little project started to take shape. I've had a couple of people look at her for me and from what they tell me everything is okay. She's actually been out of the water for 12 years....I suppose in a way that's good as she's had less salt water getting to her. Shame to see a boat just sitting there though. I think the guys in the club won't believe their eyes when she finally moves on /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Aye, I was thinking about a cover, all the boats over here have them. You only have to go for a stroll to realise how strong the sun gets, if you've got a boat sitting out in it all day long can't be too handy. I was not too sure how to go about it as she's got a small mast for the radar reflector and nav lights but looking at a couple of sites I'm sure you can find something to suit.

I intend to keep plenty of photos to show progress, I'll post them on the web as and when.

Currently talking with shipping and container companies at the moment, all very interesting. I've even had the crazy idea of buying and old Land Rover and driving her down myself. I'll have to see which works out less damaging on the pocket.

Still, I'm sure this time next year the hard work will have been worth it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif