charlieannear Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Allan Greene, my dad Trevor and myself attended the RYA Powerboat 2 course at Shell Bay Watersports this weekend with instructor Dave Harris and organised by the club. The day started with me feeling ropey as I had been struggling with some sort of lurgy all week, had hardly slept because my brain was buzzing thinking about Paul's frikkin Treasure Trail (Good comp Paul!) and to top it off my 2 year old son decided the best place to be at 03.30 in the morning was in our bed... Anyway, we made it down to the chain ferry in good time to find Martin (Maverick) waiting for us with a big fat cheque for Dave, the instructor, then on the other side of the harbour entrance we found Dave, and when parking up I even found Allan After settling down, the day started in Dave's "Vintage" portacabin with him finding out about our backgrounds, experience and why we were there, followed up with some theory from the RYA literature. Then it was time to go out there and get boating! After kitting up, we launched (a rib with a 150hp 4-stroke Yam) from the slip in Shell Bay boatyard (dry launch- ace!) and headed out past the chain ferry into the bay. Unfortunately the conditions outside the harbour were just too lumpy so we headed back into the harbour, where we spent the rest of the day with the three of us taking turns coming to grips with the channel markers, handling the boat at various speeds, 'emergency stops', tight turns, negotiating the other 'traffic', etc. We then came alongside at Poole quay for a spot of lunch. We saw Mike Fox (for the second time) on his way back in, Dave on his way out(Coddy) who waved back but I don't think he really recognised me . We had also seen Mad Mike out, and a few other boats flying the club pennant. In the afternoon we did some more of the same and by tea time we had been into most of the navigable parts of the harbour. Dad and I found this really good in itself as it means that when we get out we will have already been to most of the places in the harbour that we might want to go to. After a dry recovery (still not christened my waders) it was then back into the portacabin for a bit more theory and some knot tying, then home for tea. The next morning we were back over the chain ferry (dissapointed our chairman wasn't there to wave us off that time ) and then into the portacabin for a short while to talk about tides and weather, amongst other things, then back out on the rib for some more practice. This was more of the same as yesterday, handling at various speeds, reading the channel markers etc plus such things as picking up a mooring and we then motored up the Wareham channel and had lunch at the quay. After lunch we came back out into the harbour and covered anchoring and reversing (in a figure of eight around two buoys). We then cruised up under the lifting bridge and around into Cobbs and back again, practised man overboard then a blast back to the slip. A further period in the portacabin to finish up, get our certificates (Yes!) and that was the end of two very enjoyable days. The whole weekend was full of 'asides' which answered lots of questions for us, and we were listening in on the VHF all of the time which was good radio practice too (Dave also does the VHF courses) so all together we got a lot of background stuff too over the course of the weekend. Thanks to Dave for his instruction, and a very big thanks to Martin and PBSBAC for sorting this course out. Obviously many, many of you chaps are already way beyond this sort of thing, but as complete novices my Dad and I found this to be invaluable. We are now much more confident about getting out there in the Shetland (Yes, when I eventually finish putting it back together ) and it's given us a good solid foundation to get out there, practice and improve our skills. Will report back on the effect it has (if any) on our insurance premium. In summary, highly reccomended for anyone in the same boat (ha ha) as us. C. P.S Photos to follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Charlie, Glad the course was good and what a master stroke by martin getting you out the way for the competition start I hope that you weren't too tired from the comp. ( Still time to catch up you know ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Charlie No problem arranging the course for you thats what the club is all (well nearly all) about. Glad you and the others enjoyed it. If the course saves you one embarassing moment it will have been more than worth it. We will be arranging a vhf course with Dave in the not to distant future amongst other things Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fisheagle Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Hi Charlie thanks for you and your dad's company over the weekend and the excellent summary of our activities(or most of them !). It was a really enjoyable weekend and I look forward to meeting you again and seeing the pictures. Enjoyed the extra speed of the rib so much that I have decided to sell my Longliner and go for an Orkney 520 in a month or so. Felt that Dave was very thorough and that we all had plenty of time driving and doing the required excercises in a good range of conditions given the weather. We apparently used over 100 litres of fuel. The rough weather when we came inshore also allowed me to get a good feel for the harbour and to experience things like cardinals etc which we don't get over Weymouth and Portland to the same extent. Will be more than happy to do a DSC/VHF Course with him in the future. Like yourself, many thanks to Martin for organising things. Yes, it is partly what the Club is about, but I felt that he put himself out with his emails and phone calls etc. very much appreciated. Allan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Some photos as promised... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Motoring along... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Picking up a mooring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 (edited) Not sure what Allan is gesturing! Edited October 20, 2006 by charlieannear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Wareham Quay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Spot of lunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fisheagle Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Great photos Charlie look forward to seeing the Shetland on the water and seing you again and joining you for a spot of fishing. Regards. Allan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hi Charlie Yes I did see you and yes I did not regognise you sorry. It was all that wet weather gear you had on! Sounds like you had a good time. Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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