Does anyone bother with intermediate powerboat?

Beany_bot · 31 March 2014, 11:10

Hi, I have my PB2 and am hoping to secure my advanced PB in October this year. I'm not doing it for any commercial reason, just want to better myself. I'm booking myself in for costal yachtmaster shorebased theory course before hand to get up to speed with the theory side of things but does anyone bother doing the intermediate PB course first? I've got 15 years powerboating experience so wondering if this would just be a waste of time/money? Would you just go straight for advanced assuming your theory is tip top?

Budgie1 · 31 March 2014, 11:16

I did intermediate. Good course but understand it is not popular because most go straight from PB2 to advanced. Personally I think intermediate for you would be waste of money

9D280 · 31 March 2014, 11:20

Welcome to Ribnet!

I did my certs back in the days of orange covered books & went straight from "sportsboat" to "rescue boat" certs without doing the "advanced"" one in between. (I believe in today's speak that equates to PB2 -> PB4?)

You could certainly dive straight in at any level on the dinghy sailing "ladder" back when I used to teach that stuff...

Anyhow, Things may have changed but I think if you have the background you can "bunny hop" / ignore levels. Have a chat with the centre you plan to do the course(s) at - they (assuming they don't have the prime mission of maximising the money you pay them!) will be better placed to tell you what you need to already know to start the course.

Beany_bot · 31 March 2014, 11:33

Ok thanks guys, kind of what I was thinking. As long as my theory is 100% there is nothing I think the intermediate course would offer me other than physical boat handling I guess and I'm fairly confident about that (sat my PB2 as a direct assessment rather than full 2 day course). Thanks.

Daniel · 31 March 2014, 11:45

The thing is if you did a direct PB2 exam you haven't gained anything from the RYA sylabus yet have you (except a cert).

If you were looking to go commercial then yes skip the intermediate.

But you state your doing it to further your knowledge - as a hobby. I reckon even with 15 years power boating you'd learn something on the intermediate course. It's time afloat in a different boat, doing thing you might not usually do. Perhaps book it somewhere you haven't been boating before and make a weekend of it. This way you're guaranteed to learn something as different boat, different waters AND an instructor onboard.

Just my 2pennies worth.

Beany_bot · 31 March 2014, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

The thing is if you did a direct PB2 exam you haven't gained anything from the RYA sylabus yet have you (except a cert).

If you were looking to go commercial then yes skip the intermediate.

But you state your doing it to further your knowledge - as a hobby. I reckon even with 15 years power boating you'd learn something on the intermediate course. It's time afloat in a different boat, doing thing you might not usually do. Perhaps book it somewhere you haven't been boating before and make a weekend of it. This way you're guaranteed to learn something as different boat, different waters AND an instructor onboard.

Just my 2pennies worth.

I have got my full PB2, I just did it in a day, not 2.
I see your point, but if I'm going to be doing the yachtmaster costal theory week, I'm not sure IPB would be worth it. Sure I might learn something but would it be enough to warrant the money? PBA is the end goal for me. Like I said, not for any commercial reason, I just want to have it. (as boating is my hobby).

bosun · 31 March 2014, 20:40

I'd do a day skipper power.
The only people that seem really keen for people to do an advanced power boat is guys that teach it.
That way you get to play with a nice motor cruiser and probably kip on it too !

Festinghouse · 31 March 2014, 21:15

i spoke to the guy i did my pb2 with about doing my advanced, and he said that to be honest there was no real point at all, he said my boat handling was fine, and that as i had done my day skipper theory the rest really was just practice and that i should spend the course money on fuel instead!

Wibs · 31 March 2014, 21:34

I'm booked in to do intermediate next week.

I did it mainly to further my knowledge as I'm fairly new to this. I gained PB2 last year.

Like Daniel said, it's time afloat, in a different scenario, with a qualified instructor.

I'm pretty sure I will learn plenty, but can maybe understand anyone with 15yrs of boating experience behind them may think different.!

What's the old saying.....can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I will let you know my thoughts after the course.

tony t · 31 March 2014, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

i spoke to the guy i did my pb2 with about doing my advanced, and he said that to be honest that i should spend the course money on fuel instead!

Or in your case Cadburys chocolate

Festinghouse · 01 April 2014, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony t

Or in your case Cadburys chocolate

listen claud, thats where your money needs to be spent!