A big thanks to.......

[MeMe]

all at Professional Powerboat Training for their superb support during my Level II this weekend.

After many years of "I've been there, seen it, read the book and got the t-shirt" bravado, I thought I'd finally get some form of acknowledged qualification.

Myself and 9 other chaps met up early on Saturday morning at PPT in Pwhelli in weather that could only be described as "interesting". Sat gave us sunshine and occassional showers with a chop not exceeding 4/5 feet. Wind speeds varied between 15/20 mph giving plesant enough conditions for the craft in use and the exercises being performed.

Sunday brought an altogether different scenario. The sea state changed dramatically offering breaking swells in excess of 8-10 ft and wind speeds well capable of tipping a chap of his feet.

For some of us the prospect of a day on the water was somewhat daunting however, in the very capable and experienced hands of PTT (Jono, Ian, Ian & Dave) we felt extremely well prepared and in good hands as we left the harbour entrance.

At de-briefing all students were in agreement that we'd have much rather undergone our assessment and tuition under such conditions as opposed to lake like conditions with suntan oil and t-shirts.

Although I've enjoyed many years of practical boating experience from transatlantic crossings, the Bay and the Channel from sail to power, I found the course very valuable and would recommend
it to anyone of any age or experience.

Once again thanks to all at PPT who made the course both fun and informative utilising a superb combination of professionalism, fun and hands on assessment.

I'll be booking my next course very soon.

As always I managed to snap a couple of shots which, unfortunately don't do the conditions justice.

The Students rafted up taking a break.

[MeMe]

a break I really meant to say, taking the piss. The banter was superb.

[MeMe]

as always clad in his standard issue baraclava and dark glasses. I'm sure he's trying to avoid someone !

[MeMe]

Sweet Chariot. If you saw the size of Phil and George, obvious rugby players you'd have no doubt where the name Sweet Chariot came from.

[MeMe]

there.

[MeMe]

as it's not often you'd launch under such conditions. However with an instructor aboard and another vessel standing by to assist I beleive we all felt very safe and comfortable given the conditions.

[MeMe]

is there any room left for the kitchen sink ?

[fred bolton]

Jane, caroline and I did our level 2 with Jono the week before and can only agree with all you have said. He even washed our boat down and flushed the engine out for us.

Meme were you out in your boat? who owns chariots of fire and what is it ? looks a serious bit of kit.

Impressive cloud formations pity about the mill pond!!!!!

[MeMe]

you it was a great day. Sweet Chariot is owned by a couple of burly chaps from the Midlands. I don't recall it's exact length but somewhere around 6 mtrs. Phil G it's owner will no doubt post exact details once he reads this. It was a real beauty, a RibCraft and a fine example at that - as you see from my final post it had more electronics than a 747 - just my kind of dash-board.

No, MeMe was left on the hard whilst I enjoyed Jono's new 6.5 mtr ProSport with it's big diesel inboard, his 6 mtr Avon and Dave Manning's beast, Caprice. You know me, I'd rather clean mine than use it !!!!

[philg]

Thanks MeMe, excellent phots. The waves don't look quite so impressive though from the comfort of a computer chair.

Jono (and everyone else at PPT) thanks for a great course - the training was very hands-on and extremely practical. It has certainly given us the knowledge to go out and use our boat with a little more confidence this season. Once we've put a few more miles under our belts I'm sure we'll be back for the intermediate course.

For anyone thats interested Sweet Chariot (the blue and yellow boat above) is a Ribtec 655 SP. Its owned by me and my mate George, we are based in Shrewsbury and plan to do some cruising from Aberdovey and elsewhere in N Wales, we also hope to become further aquainted with the NW Ribsters this season.

The boat was built for the Race Director of the Camel Trophy and is pretty much a Camel boat without the big frame.

[DM]

Originally posted by MeMe
in the very capable and experienced hands of PTT

It's PPT, Graeme. Getting the company name wrong is nearly as bad as getting Prosport mixed up with Ribcraft and will not get you a discount off your advanced course.

Glad you all had a good time.

DM

[Jono Garton]

Thanx for your praise guys.

I feel like i'm at the Oscars.

Can i also take the time to thanx all the other instructors that work for me, that log on the forum.

A message from the Group from Swindon & Poole -

Please pass our thanks onto Dave, Ian, Rodney and obviously you for an excellent week end. The atmosphere was very informal while maintaining a professional attitude.

On the way back we discussed next winters activities which we are hoping will be the advanced course and for which we will be hopefully returning to you.

The whether was text book, we experienced the ideal variety of different conditions, so if we get the forecast wrong we should have experience to get home although the undies might be a bit stained

[MeMe]

Originally posted by davidmanning
It's PPT, Graeme. Getting the company name wrong is nearly as bad as getting Prosport mixed up with Ribcraft and will not get you a discount off your advanced course.

Glad you all had a good time.

DM

Ooopps, I'm a bit dyslexilick at times

[scunner]

Just to add to things, an excellent weekend with the weather doing just what it does best. It's much more useful to train in conditions that the RNLI use than have it nice and flat. As with most things the pictures don't quite show the conditions (or are we just fishermen??) but they were taken on the Sat in "fine?" weather.
Thanks once again to the PPT staff, and all the knowledge transfer and tips; you just never know enough.
And of course to Graeme for the pics!
M.C.