Powerboat Course or Experiences

[jsprww]

Hi all,

I am turning 16 next month and looking for a powerboat experience or course, not neccesserally a qualification. I am doing my PB instructor course soon.

I did my PB2 three years ago, have been working as a safety boat driver, have lots of experience and am a very competent powerboater in a wide range of vessels from 30ft inboard displacements to fast ribs.

I am not sure about the intermediate powerboat as it seems a bit easy and a waste of money in my opinion. I am to young for the advanced powerboat sadly.

Does anyone have any experiences (preferable running over two days minimum) or a course idea.

Thanks J

[Dry_Doc]

Hi J,

I suppose it boils down to what you want the course/experience to deliver? Are you looking for boat handling, navigation, pilotage, passage making?

Intermediate PB is more about coastal passage making than boat handling skills, so as you've identified, this might not be what you want/need. Advanced isn't an option for you (yet!).
Other than that, your options are pretty limited for 'off the shelf' (RYA) courses.

As well as RYA PB courses, I deliver bespoke tuition for powerboats, so please feel free to get in touch.

Whereabouts are you based?

Mike.

[jsprww]

I am based London, but am able to drive where ever. I am looking to build on my rough weather boat handling and long passages. Would you be able to provide something similiar to that. Also, would it be on your boat.

J

[paulbrown22]

Whereabouts are you based in London, and where do you plan to do your PBI course? Often centres will offer upcoming pending PBI candidates time afloat if they want to brush up, whether that's sitting in on Level 2 courses, acting as guinea pigs for APBI courses, helping on boat deliveries, etc.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jsprww

Hi all,

I am turning 16 next month and looking for a powerboat experience or course, not neccesserally a qualification. I am doing my PB instructor course soon.

I did my PB2 three years ago, have been working as a safety boat driver, have lots of experience and am a very competent powerboater in a wide range of vessels from 30ft inboard displacements to fast ribs.

I am not sure about the intermediate powerboat as it seems a bit easy and a waste of money in my opinion. I am to young for the advanced powerboat sadly.

Does anyone have any experiences (preferable running over two days minimum) or a course idea.

Thanks J

Well you are not lacking in confidence for a 15 yr old! Was most of your experience gained in one or two specific locations? I’ve encountered people who are very competent at their local club or always setting off from their own marina but would never venture further afield - Intermediate Powerboat seems like a logical step for them, but at a centre completely different from they usually go to. North Wales, West of Scotland, Northern Ireland should provide quite different conditions to the Thames. The busy Solent would provide a different col regs experience to those.

In many regards a course is as good value for money as you are likely to get, and as most PB training is in small groups likely to adapt to your prior experience too.

Alternatively do something a bit different - which will boost your “relevance” as PBI when the time comes - eg the PWC course, the VHF course, sea survival course, first aid course. Whilst you might be full of confidence as a 16 yr old instructor you will be younger than most of your students you need more than ego and good boat handling skills to convince a grumpy 40 yr old that you are worth listening to.

[Voodoo]

A point well made....

[Fenlander]

>>>I’ve encountered people who are very competent at their local club or always setting off from their own marina but would never venture further afield

I'm not saying it would be the case with the OP but as a casual boater it's an easy trap to fall into. There are folks who wear the same groove in the same stretch of water every outing.

In truth it's something that can happen to us with day out boating in the two drivable locations from home, over time you cover all the water accessible in the few hours we can be on the water. That's why holidays are so enjoyable exploring new areas from Cornwall to Scotland.

[jsprww]

I have done powerboatinf in a few places in Wales, Thames and Chichester. But do want to get more experience in varying conditions. I do think I am going to go with the intermediate powerboat and have a first aid booked.

[treerat]

Its a really good question, and for me it sounds like its experience in other waters and voyage planning that's missing from the skill set?

I'd personally be stepping off the power boat and looking at a different path to up the skills / experience.

Day skipper, coastal skipper etc will open up a real depth of passage planning, offshore navigation, team working as well as an understanding of different crafts operating processes.

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by jsprww

I have done powerboatinf in a few places in Wales, Thames and Chichester. But do want to get more experience in varying conditions. I do think I am going to go with the intermediate powerboat and have a first aid booked.

I'd go with an Intermediate course at one of the really good centres where you will put together a solid passage plan and execute it. Even though there is a syllabus not all centres are equal, so ask a few centres how exactly they run an Intermediate course and where you'd go on it, and then choose from there!