Hello from Alex!

[alwilson]

Morning All,

I'm Alex from London - I do not currently own a RIB, but have just finished a PB2 and just saying hello! Planning on intermediate/advanced next.

Hope you're all well.

Alex

[9D280]

I deread to think how many hours I clocked up on other peoples' boats (mostly rescue duties at sailing cubs) befroe I got one of my own, so no worries there!

[Channel Ribs]

Hi Alex and welcome

It sounds like you are doing things in the right order

You clearly enjoyed your PB2 course if you are after more, who was it with?

[alwilson]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

You clearly enjoyed your PB2 course if you are after more, who was it with?

My GF and I both did it 2:1 with Storm Force Coaching in Southampton.

Probably do the VHF next, most likely in London (any recommendations?). Traveling to Southampton seems an unnecessary expense for a 1 day classroom/theory course.

I heard somewhere that a lot of people skip the intermediate and go straight to the advanced after doing the Day Skipper theory - any thoughts on that?

Alex

[Poly]

Originally Posted by alwilson

I heard somewhere that a lot of people skip the intermediate and go straight to the advanced after doing the Day Skipper theory - any thoughts on that?

I think that route is fine if you have lots of experience, perhaps having owned your own boat and used it every weekend for 2 or 3 years at least. Personally I'd have thought you want a season of reasonably frequent use under your belt before going to Intermediate anyway (which you can then decide if you want/need) and then another season before looking at Advanced. Obviously there are schools who will run total beginner crash courses (or zero to hero courses as they are sometimes referred to!) but unless there is a particular reason to rush it (like you are trying to build a career on this, or you plan to go round britain or something) then I think you would get more out of it by consolodating your learning on you own between the courses. That way you also learn which bits cause you issues so at the next course you can say to the instructor "I really struggle with head seas" or whatever your issues are and he can work on that.

[Kernow Buoy]

What Polwart said
I'd be looking to buy the Rib now (good time of year) then practice what you've been taught, consolidate that and then move on to other courses.