boating advice for a landlubber.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
Ahoy Julie,

No,I didn't have you down as a salty old seadog [msnsmile2].

It might suit you though, if you look at the vessels, they're really quite luxurious.[msnwink].

Paul.


[/quote]

Paul we were in Puerto Banus recently and we saw some really nice ones[msnwink][msnwink][msnwink]

[Macka]

Yes I'd imagine there'd be some spectacular boats there Julie, How the other half live eh?

This one was rather nice[msnwink]

[Macka]

Stomach churningly nice that one. I'll take one.

Put it with me Gulfstream jet.

[florida4sun]

I would highly recommend getting the right training for handling a vessel of this size. Out on the open water is not a problem but 'parking it' or fueling up and a floating station can be frightening if your not used to it.
Being able to revier charts and do manual bearings is essential. Sat Nav is not to be relied on and you should always keep a chart running. Also Florida waters have a large amount of shallow areas that need to avaoided, it is not always a cash of following a straight course, you will need to know how to handle 'waypoints' on the satnav.
I was lucky enough to have a friend with a collection of watercraft so got to around with all sizes. I must say it is a great place to be out on a boat.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka

Hi folks,

Haven't posted for a while, but I've booked for April next year and I'm thinking I'd love to hire a boat for a couple of days from Sarasota and bimble down the gulf coast to Cape haze and back, (rum bay restaurant).

Now then, I have no idea about managing a motor cruiser (they do from 30 to 40 footers[msneek]) so the question is..

Is it practical to gain the necessary experience or qualifications to handle a vessel like this in eight months and what would be required?

Any salty old seadogs who have an opinion on this?

Paul.
[/quote]

[Macka]

Do you think it's reasonable to aim for this Martin?

I'll be happy to do the chart and seamanship training formally.

[florida4sun]

Yep for sure, it would be fun and training will give you the confidence to go out of site of land. I never had any training as such just picked it up by helping out and woud not hesitate to take a reasonable sized boat out to sea. The hardest part I found was manovering at slow speed in and around moorings. The first time a fueked a larger boat the attendants abandoned the dock as I was very close to wrecking it[msnembarrased], it can be very daunting at first.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
Do you think it's reasonable to aim for this Martin?

I'll be happy to do the chart and seamanship training formally.
[/quote]

[Madabouttigger]

Hi Paul - good to see you back - did we ever get to see your photos??

Diane

[TonyBlenk]

Hi Paul.

Prior training is advisable, in fact some cruise companies won't hire you their expensive boats unless you have experience.

Depending where you live in the UK you will often find sailing courses. Either a 1-day briefing or a 4-day Skipper course, perhaps over 2 weekends. You'll get more out of your experience if you fully understand how to handle everything.

It's also advisable that more than one member of the group/family is au fait with handling the boat in case of man-overboard or illness.

Look up yacht training on the web. You may enjoy it so much you will be spending your weekends sailing within the UK. [msncool]

[MTP]

Have you checked out the Royal Yachting Association www.rya.org.uk to see if there are any day skipper courses or the like that you could go on?