Think I've bought a boat...

[strickers]

Hi,

It did occur to me that I would walk away with a certificate regardless...but I guess the more information you get gat the better.

My plan is to try this course and have a bimble out and see how I feel, I'm not under any illusion that I'll only be out in fair weather at least for a year or so.

I do think it's crazy that you don't need any kind of license but I guess the same can be said for parenting

Course is this weekend, I'll let you all know if I sunk the boat!

[ChrisH]

Personally I really enjoyed and valued my PB2. I did it about 10 years ago. So was about 40. But had played around on boats on the river and sailing dinghy's on and off since I was a kid. As a 15 year old I was very skilled at maneuvering through locks in the Thames.

Decided to do my PB2 after buying a 15ft centre console to take to Spain with me on holiday and use on the Solent.
My main reason was to get my ICC for Spain.

PB2 was taken on the Hamble river and Southampton water in winter.
Strong tides and strong winds for the 2 days. Just 2 of us on a rib and the instructor.
The most valuable things I learned.....

Maneuvering in tight spaces. We spent several hours in a finger pontoon mariner, turning a 7.5m rib 180 degrees in a 2 berth finger with a fast tide and winds. Despite being a fair hand at maneuvering, I learned a lot under instruction and just operating in a safe but challenging environment. Especially as it was not my boat that got damaged if I messed up

2nd was basic reading of charts and navigation. Really essential around the Solent. Never really needed on the Thames
3rd was some basic knots.. Just wish I could remember the damn things when I need them.

All in all, for me it was a couple of hundred quid well spent.
Now, if I had done the same on a lake, without the wind and tide I don't believe it would have been half as valuable.

[betty boop]

agreed and see your points and dont get me wrong any training is invaluable, Im no expert and in any situation there is always something to be learnt. One thing I fell out with the RNLI over is that some' experienced' full timers believed they knew everything with nothing to learn from lesser mortals and that is never the case in life (or boat forums) .

[ChrisH]

agreed and see your points and dont get me wrong any training is invaluable, Im no expert and in any situation there is always something to be learnt. One thing I fell out with the RNLI over is that some' experienced' full timers believed they knew everything with nothing to learn from lesser mortals and that is never the case in life (or boat forums) .

Agree ... Oh and one more thing was the man-overboard procedure. Great to know how to do that properly and practice.

[argonaut]

I had you pay for my initial power boat training ...... by you I mean UK tax payers ..... I did the Army boat handling course (~PB2), assault boat course, & workboat course.

Each were a full weeks course with loads of handling .......... assault boat course was the best ......... night time exercise at full speed up the Medway was fun, and high speed beach landing on a rigid raider (high powered rib) great to do .......... never going to do that in my own boat.


About 10yrs ago I did the RYA lvl 2 just to get an ICC ........... luckily Pwllheli Powerboat Training were selling courses on eBay .... I picked up mine for £101

[strickers]

Did the course - wow what an eye opener

Ist day left me feeling very overwhelmed and highlighted how naïve I had been buying a boat.

2nd day was much better and left me feeling ' I can handle this' (well more than I could)

The course was invaluable and well worth the money.

The boat is now covered in fenders! (can't believe how much they cost!)

[Ianfs]

The boat is now covered in fenders!

Ha ha, is that for you or all the others?

can't believe how much they cost!)

"A hole in water surrounded by fibre glass or wood into which you throw money". In relation to other hobby/recreations I think boats rank in the Golfing section for bits a pieces, except golfers don't have engines costing tens of thousands. Swindleries seem to prey on the speedy requirement of items, but if you can wait a while, there are some good deals on line.

It's not a bad thing that your first day left you a bit overwhelmed and that you felt naïve, I think you should feel good about that. It means you will always have a little apprehension and be on the cautious side rather than an excitable ignorant skipper looking at the world through rose tinted glasses.

Now you should go out and have fun and learn about navigation, buoyage, harbour rules and regs, colregs, passing (who has right of way/stand on vessels etc) and listen to all the non regulation chatter on the VHF.

[betty boop]

11 years on and Im still aprehensive every time I go out or pull the trailer off the drive. Try to go out in company if you can it'll make thee first few time easier. I was lucky i learnt on the non tidal thames a few times first to give me a helping hand. 2 kids a wife & my mother and the dog didnt help much though. Nice & calmly does it. try just coming away and around the marina for Sh##ts n giggles too.

[Dave]

Now you should go out and have fun and learn about navigation, buoyage, harbour rules and regs, colregs, passing (who has right of way/stand on vessels etc) and listen to all the non regulation chatter on the VHF.

Ian is right there's tons to learn, but take the time to experience the feel of the water...both at slow and planing speed.....and there's so much to see from a different point of view than on the land and some people don't take the time to suck it all in....it can be quite breathtaking....and occasionally a bit scary,
Yes it can get expensive, we found that out over the winter when we had to replace sterndives and transom shields etc...but a few good days and weekends away start to balance the books and the feelgood factor comes back quickly.

Enjoy...its why you paid out for the boat and the training.....D

[stingrayfan]

so we decided after a glass of wine or two to buy a boat!

Always the best way to do it. And the great thing is, you can take the bottle and two glasses on board with you!