Powerboat Level 2

Hoopedup · 26 June 2016, 19:59

Hi there, this morning I took delivery of my first boat- a 5.2m RIB with 70hp outboard. Do you think that doing the powerboat level 2 course(I did level 1 ~5 years ago) is essential or can you learn everything you need to know in your own time?

John Kennett · 26 June 2016, 20:09

It's not essential, but it is highly recommended.

You can learn a lot of it yourself if you want to, but you'll get more out of your boat quicker with some training. The sea isn't a great place for learning by trial and error either.

Hoopedup · 26 June 2016, 20:39

Thanks, John. That's what I was thinking! The problem is I was hoping to take the boat on holiday but I can't fit in the course before we go...

ShinyShoe · 26 June 2016, 21:16

Can u do it while on holiday?

Not many people do L1 on its own, so u may need to sit down with the syllabus and say will I need to do XYZ... you don't want to pick up bad habits and you are far more likely to damage ur new boat while learning

Max... · 26 June 2016, 21:27

Agree with all JK says but if impossible at least try and get out with an experienced ribber (maybe on here) beforehand to do some basics.

Poly · 26 June 2016, 21:29

Where are u going? Have you any other boating experience except the one day course?

If you are going somewhere sheltered, understand tides, the weather is sensible etc then you'll learn a lot on your own, and can then follow up with a course when you get back. you may even learn more that way as you know what to ask about or what you struggled with.

If you are going to somewhere exposed, and have never had to think about the depth of water or how wind and tide combine before then it could be in at the deep end; and if you get the wrong wind it can make launch and recovery messy or even expensive.

HDAV · 26 June 2016, 21:30

Learning on your own time will cost more than the course.....

How much time have you had on the water since you did the L1?

Hoopedup · 26 June 2016, 21:33

Thanks guys, I think I'll leave the boat for my Ireland trip then do the course before venturing out into the open seas.

Have only been out on Loch Lomond since doing level 1, heading to the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal so it probably needs a more experienced captain!

psycho · 27 June 2016, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoopedup

Thanks guys, I think I'll leave the boat for my Ireland trip then do the course before venturing out into the open seas.

Have only been out on Loch Lomond since doing level 1, heading to the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal so it probably needs a more experienced captain!

Now that is a rare thing these days...................somebody with some common sense.!

All joking aside, cannot echo enough, all the comments and advise above.

breezeblock · 27 June 2016, 10:10

yep christopher columbus stayed at home till he got level2 i think all thats required is a bit of common sense and if theres stuff your not sure off google and youtube

willk · 27 June 2016, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

yep christopher columbus stayed at home till he got level2

I think Chris mighta had a bit more experience than punting around on Loch Lomond...

Inishowen is my home water and some of it can be "interesting" - I'd strongly suggest that at least two of the following would be advisable:

Company
Experience
PBL2
Some local knowledge

Uncle Nobby · 27 June 2016, 11:35

I found PB2 very worthwhile doing, then sent my kids to do it too.
Having also done PB advanced, it struck me how much PB2 knowledge it build on.
Go for it!

Ribochet · 27 June 2016, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

yep christopher columbus stayed at home till he got level2 i think all thats required is a bit of common sense and if theres stuff your not sure off google and youtube

OMG

Hoopedup - listen to the voice of experience ie what willk said

BTW "interesting" is another word for SCARY

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I think Chris mighta had a bit more experience than punting around on Loch Lomond...

Inishowen is my home water and some of it can be "interesting" - I'd strongly suggest that at least two of the following would be advisable:

Company
Experience
PBL2
Some local knowledge

Last Tango · 27 June 2016, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Nobby

I found PB2 very worthwhile doing, then sent my kids to do it too.
Having also done PB advanced, it struck me how much PB2 knowledge it build on.
Go for it!

After having forty years of experience and reading just about every book published I was pushed down the PB2 and Advanced PB for commercial endorsement. Approached it with a degree of contempt and you know what.......actually enjoyed doing it and still picked up some sound info and interesting alternatives to the way I did some things.
Sometimes experience alone just gets you good at doing things wrong.

Phil M · 27 June 2016, 13:24

My insurance required somebody in charge of the boat with either 50 hours boating experience (and be able to prove it) of have PBL2. PBL2 was much quicker, more informative and a good weekend to boot.

Phil

camelgas · 27 June 2016, 14:13

Despite years of owning my own boats, when my kids joined the local sailing club, I was required to take PB2 to run the rescue rib, I learned stuff and enjoyed the course.

Hoopedup · 28 June 2016, 12:29

Hi Willk, where do you recommend going whenever I do take the boat over to Donegal?

willk · 28 June 2016, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoopedup

Hi Willk, where do you recommend going whenever I do take the boat over to Donegal?

Where are you based in Donegal? Which town, I mean...

Hoopedup · 28 June 2016, 12:48

I've got a holiday house in Culdaff.

willk · 28 June 2016, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoopedup

I've got a holiday house in Culdaff.

Nice area! The "harbour" at Bunagee is your obvious starting point - IIRC there's a really nice slip there? The east coast is relatively sheltered from the prevailing winds so you should get plenty of opportunity to get afloat. There are several other nice ports to begin trips to, from Malin to Moville. Indeed, once you get a feel for the boat, the Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island are only 20-35Nm away - easy on a nice day. Be aware that the coastline around there is not particularly well charted in parts and there are places with inshore rocks that will not all appear on a plotter. The area from Malin harbour (Portmor) around Malin Head to the west is an extremely unpredictable and potentially very dangerous stretch of water - I've had far worse trips through it than at the Corryvreckan. The same applies to Inishtrahull Island. The effects of wind over tide are very pronounced around it and there can be sudden and fierce overfalls.