Level 2 Course - Do it!

Kernow Buoy · 09 April 2005, 12:16

Hi all
Just to say if your planning on doing a Level 2, Get on with it !

Just done mine with my 16 yr old son courtesy of Michael Whelan at Plymouth Powerboat School, a big thank you to him.
Despite artic like conditions on Thursday/Friday really enjoyed the course and are now both better/safer/more competent Ribbers than we would ever have become if left to our own devices.
Real lessons learnt, the wind was kind varying from force 2/3 to upper 6, so had a real change in conditions in which to learn, went outside the breakwater in a reasonable swell with no problems ( Michael v.impressed with the Ribtec hull) then on Friday in the Tamar upstream of the bridges (nice and sheltered?) in a swell/chop approaching 2 metres in height managed to stuff the boat twice, as Michael put it 'not dangerous but not very comfortable! (just a tip, if your wearing high collared clothing duck into the wave as your collar will act as a funnel and let you catch far more water

)
So as I said, Level 2, yes please, well worth the money.
Kernow

Louise · 09 April 2005, 21:02

Congratulations Kernow and I agree, I learnt loads. You should be able to negotiate a bit of a discount on your insurance now too.

Kernow Buoy · 09 April 2005, 21:30

Thanks Louise, hadn't thought about the insurance, perhaps with the money I save I'll buy a new jacket to replace the water carrier I was wearing yesterday !!

Kernow

David Hickman · 10 April 2005, 18:52

Well done Kernow on getting your Level 2.
It was a bit wild in devon on Thursday/Friday!

ashbypower · 10 April 2005, 19:11

Well done Kernow glad you enjoed the course. Well worth doing.

Intermediate next???

Brian

Kernow Buoy · 10 April 2005, 19:57

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Intermediate next???

Thanks for the good wishes guys, yes I'll certainly do an intermediate but just not yet. I'd like to get on the water first and hone the level 2 skills and when we're happy move on to the intermediate which will probably be in September.
Regards
Kernow

hannah · 11 April 2005, 17:15

hi kernow , was it you over at/around western shore , on thurs/fri , i seem to remeber a team of ribs look as though they were doing some sort of course , and well i think we sorta interferred but was only looking for someone to race!!!!
(so we ended up racing the fast kat instead)

benc · 11 April 2005, 17:55

who won hannah?

I'll give you a race this weekend if you like

- you'll have to go easy on me though.

Kernow Buoy · 11 April 2005, 22:18

Quote:

was it you over at/around western shore , on thurs/fri

Hi Hannah,
No! don't be a Doris !!

( made that up, works on my sons, hope you haven't got a gran/mum/aunt/sister of that name)

I was in Plymouth on my course( small clue, Plymouth powerboat school !!)At least I'm starting to catch you up a bit now, still can't see me waterskiing though.
Just a point about changing your boat for something faster, it'll have to be pretty darn quick to match a 5.3 with a 90hp in flat conditions. A fellow ribber I know has a 6.5 Humber with a new 140 Suzuki, can he keep up with the 90? not a chance on either acceleration or top speed, different story if its rough though. Any more news on your VHF yet?
Regards
Kernow

Simon B · 12 April 2005, 09:10

Me and a couple of mates are off to Whitby this weekend to do the BSAC equivalent of RYA level 2 direct assessment (its got more diver orientated bits in it) will let you know what happens, maybe post some piccies.

Simon B · 18 April 2005, 10:22

Passed it!

Conditions at Whitby interesting though, river Esk swollen from torential rain the night before so running fast with numerous large trees and logs about. Then out the harbour into some nice swell. The new 4 bladed prop worked as I had expected it to, we will need to test it fully loaded now.

Didnt get any pictures sadly as we were being assessed up until we came out of the water.

Dave Perry · 18 April 2005, 14:57

Well done on passing the course both of you.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience. Pass on the good news to a s many boaters as possible, the more people that are trianed the better.
Intermediate is certainly something to consider but get a few hours under your belt first.
Dave Perry
Freelance-Advanced Powerboating Instructor.

Kernow Buoy · 18 April 2005, 21:31

Well Done Simon,
Good fun innit!
Although mine was the 'non dive' level 2 we did touch on divers, then the instructor pointed out that little blue and white flag and it didn't happen again!!

Kernow

Simon B · 19 April 2005, 09:40

It was good fun, the next day we were covering a small party of shore divers with a large diveflag "A" three jet skiers hammered into the small bay were our divers were, either totally oblivious or not giving a toss.

Jet skiers dont do themselves any favours doing this sort of thing. We werent able to go over and have a frank exchange of view which is just as well really. Anyway as you said intermediate after I have mastered rough water handling and perfect trim.