RYA Level 1 for girlfriend

Erin · 31 May 2007, 14:16

I'm going to be travelling along the South coast in about a months time (by car not boat sadly

) and I'd like my girlfriend to have some tuition in driving the boat if she should ever need to. I'm also hoping it will give her some confidence to take the helm occasionally when we're out and about.

Can anyone recommend a good sea school to use, and give some advice about what course would suit. I'm assuming level 1 would be most appropriate, although she does have some experience from having been on board for the last 1,000 miles or so, and is competent at grabbing the mooring/pontoon and tying bowlines etc.

Cheers

Keith

Hightower · 31 May 2007, 14:25

If she has some experience a Level II would be better I think, there are lots of good instructors on this site and will be forming an orderly que for your custom.

Sarah G · 31 May 2007, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm going to be travelling along the South coast in about a months time (by car not boat sadly

) and I'd like my girlfriend to have some tuition in driving the boat if she should ever need to. I'm also hoping it will give her some confidence to take the helm occasionally when we're out and about.

Can anyone recommend a good sea school to use, and give some advice about what course would suit. I'm assuming level 1 would be most appropriate, although she does have some experience from having been on board for the last 1,000 miles or so, and is competent at grabbing the mooring/pontoon and tying bowlines etc.

Cheers

Keith

Hi Keith

Freshly completed my Powerboat level 2 (I didn't do Level 1 as this is all covered in level 2).

To be honest, I wouldn't bother with Level 1. In our Class you were limited to a maximum of 3 students to one tutor, and we had a mixture of ages from 14 to middle 60's. One lady on the course who was particularly nervous not only about boats but the water and the weather, loved the course and thought it was fabulous and was completely hooked.

I loved it and feel that it was just a starting block on the route to learning about how to handle a rib but I feel better prepared. Also this certificate provides you with the ability to apply for an International Certificate of Competence - which really is a laugh as you have only had two days experience!

I did my course with Cobnor Activities in Chichester harbour which gave a great scope for the harbour and outer harbour activities.

The only problem you may have is finding a school that will be doing the courses next month. I've booked my man onto the next one at Cobnor but that isn't until September. If you have a few hours to spend, you could look at the RYA website to find a suitable location.

Reallly good idea though. Mind you, you might find that you spend all your time arguing over who is driving the RIB!!!

Sarah

Erin · 31 May 2007, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

If she has some experience a Level II would be better I think, there are lots of good instructors on this site and will be forming an orderly que for your custom.

Yep, and there's no need for any offers of 'personal' tuition from lecherous old ribsters

springtide66 · 31 May 2007, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Yep, and there's no need for any offers of 'personal' tuition from lecherous old ribsters

Bugger!!!

I would echo what Sarah says about going straight to level 2
I used Calshot Activities Ctr (some years back) who were very good.

Hightower · 31 May 2007, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Yep, and there's no need for any offers of 'personal' tuition from lecherous old ribsters

There are some young ones too!

laser · 31 May 2007, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

There are some young ones too!

give Jimbo a PM on here, hes a young one, (well nearly). He does very good courses, and would deffo give him a shout.

Rich

The Jackeens · 31 May 2007, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Can anyone recommend a good sea school to use, and give some advice about what course would suit. I'm assuming level 1 would be most appropriate, although she does have some experience from having been on board for the last 1,000 miles or so,

Aquapower Yarmouth (Dave Robson; positive, encouraging and CALM!!!

Dave Manning on here is also highly recommended (Southampton)

Tim Griffin in Cowes is very experienced. Jimbo has already been mentioned.

PB 1 & 2 are worth doing at the very least.

Quote:

is competent at grabbing the mooring/pontoon and tying bowlines etc.

Kathleen & Paul

Tim M · 31 May 2007, 17:54

I second Jimbo's course; I did my level 2 with him and it was very good.

Chris · 31 May 2007, 18:04

I would try giving Dave Manning or Stuart a call from www.1stwaveribs.co.uk they are really good and do courses out of Drivers Wharf in Southampton

Stuart did our course and I really rate his training style.

Chris

Jon Brooks · 31 May 2007, 18:32

Another big hand up for Jimbo!

He and I did our VHF instructors together and can vouche for his skills as a teacher.

Sarah Might be worth you giving Jimbo a shout to she if he can fit "your man in" as it were before Sept.

You might want to try Simon Hawkins on here, word has it that he is not to shabby either

Failing that you have Jon and his "dad" at Mendez Marine.

If you were all over my way I would offer my services but sadly your not.

Hope that does not add to the confusion too much for you both.

Cheers

Sarah G · 31 May 2007, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Another big hand up for Jimbo!

He and I did our VHF instructors together and can vouche for his skills as a teacher.

Sarah Might be worth you giving Jimbo a shout to she if he can fit "your man in" as it were before Sept.

You might want to try Simon Hawkins on here, word has it that he is not to shabby either

Failing that you have Jon and his "dad" at Mendez Marine.

If you were all over my way I would offer my services but sadly your not.

Hope that does not add to the confusion too much for you both.

Cheers

Thanks Jon

I'll have a chat with 'my man' and see if he wants to be fitted in before Sept - as it were... ;o)

Erin · 31 May 2007, 21:13

Thanks for all the reccomendations. I'll have a look at the various websites.

All I'll have to do then is try and persuade the other half that it's gonna be a 2 day course so that's one day less in the shops

Sarah G · 01 June 2007, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Thanks for all the reccomendations. I'll have a look at the various websites.

All I'll have to do then is try and persuade the other half that it's gonna be a 2 day course so that's one day less in the shops

However, you might need an 'extra day' in the shops to get kitted out - new shoes, new wet weather gear, new outfit, change of clothes at the end of the training, acceptance certificate clothes, handbag - luggage to put all this stuff in - trust me - she'll love it!!! Your bank balance might not though... ;o)

Carl · 01 June 2007, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm going to be travelling along the South coast in about a months time (by car not boat sadly

) and I'd like my girlfriend to have some tuition in driving the boat if she should ever need to. I'm also hoping it will give her some confidence to take the helm occasionally when we're out and about.

Can anyone recommend a good sea school to use, and give some advice about what course would suit. I'm assuming level 1 would be most appropriate, although she does have some experience from having been on board for the last 1,000 miles or so, and is competent at grabbing the mooring/pontoon and tying bowlines etc.

Cheers

Keith

why not teach her yourself, i would suspect she already knows alot with her experience

Rogue Wave · 02 June 2007, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl

why not teach her yourself, i would suspect she already knows alot with her experience

If you wanted to do that then these two books are very good as a tuition aid and the Powerboat Logbook from the RYA gives you the syllabus

http://www.bookharbour.com/epages/St...oducts/SLG0399

http://www.bookharbour.com/epages/St...oducts/RYA0330

http://www.bookharbour.com/epages/St...oducts/RYA0400

Erin · 02 June 2007, 20:21

Thanks Mr Wave, I'll be contacting you soon. Best she is taught by someone properly qualified. I don't want any domestics over it, so better if I'm not involved whilst she's being taught and encouraged.

Aidan · 02 June 2007, 22:15

You are wasting your time mate, just staple a steering wheel tothe left side like Marge Simpson and then give her a whistle to blow if she is in trouble, then hope for the best!!!!!

Erin · 11 July 2007, 19:43

Well, thanks to Stuart and Stewart at the Uk Ribcentre in Lymington, she is now a convert

Even after two days of on/off rain and fairly strong winds during the course, she can't wait to get back out on the water to show me what she's learnt. Can't ask for more than that really.

Sarah G · 11 July 2007, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Well, thanks to Stuart and Stewart at the Uk Ribcentre in Lymington, she is now a convert

Even after two days of on/off rain and fairly strong winds during the course, she can't wait to get back out on the water to show me what she's learnt. Can't ask for more than that really.