I fancy a (small) boat....
Discussion
I'm lucky enough to live right on the edge of the Bristol harbor:
According to my neighbors we have the right to launch a boat and so I thought it might be nice to buy a little inflatable to put around the dock in.
Where do I start please?
I know absolutely nothing about boats apart from the obvious "keep the wet bit on the outside".
I fully intend to be safe in terms of life jackets and stuff but I'm not looking to cross the Atlantic, single handed in a tea cup.
The first thing that strikes me is how expensive boats are!
I've bought perfectly good used cars for the price of a scruffy, twenty year old rib with a 5hp motor on the back.
Is is worth talking to the Harbor Master maybe or will he just sneer an my ideas and label me just another liability?
Any advise would be gratefully received, as, like I said, I know nothing about all things nautical. However I am willing to learn.
Many thanks
According to my neighbors we have the right to launch a boat and so I thought it might be nice to buy a little inflatable to put around the dock in.
Where do I start please?
I know absolutely nothing about boats apart from the obvious "keep the wet bit on the outside".
I fully intend to be safe in terms of life jackets and stuff but I'm not looking to cross the Atlantic, single handed in a tea cup.
The first thing that strikes me is how expensive boats are!
I've bought perfectly good used cars for the price of a scruffy, twenty year old rib with a 5hp motor on the back.
Is is worth talking to the Harbor Master maybe or will he just sneer an my ideas and label me just another liability?
Any advise would be gratefully received, as, like I said, I know nothing about all things nautical. However I am willing to learn.
Many thanks
At the very least find some one who knows about boaty things and learn something about it.
A lot can be learnt from the net, Like the rules of the road, channel markings etc..
Its easy to get in trouble on the water, maybe take a basic boat handling course.
Don't forget to look at the weather forecast before you go.
A lot can be learnt from the net, Like the rules of the road, channel markings etc..
Its easy to get in trouble on the water, maybe take a basic boat handling course.
Don't forget to look at the weather forecast before you go.
Bear in mind that the Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world, which means there are some pretty serious currents at work out there and it's easy to get yourself into trouble.
Compass Sea School down at Portishead offers the RYA training courses that will give you the basics.
Compass Sea School down at Portishead offers the RYA training courses that will give you the basics.
Hi Neighbour! I live in Bristol, and used to keep a small sailing boat on the floating harbour in the dinghy park next to The Cottage pub. I sold it a couple of years ago, but if I remember it was about £60-70/year for the boat storage and about the same again for the harbour fees. Even if you've got a mooring where you are (Pooles Wharf?), I'd imagine you'll still have to pay the annual harbour fees. They give you a tax-disc like sticker to stick on the boat so they can see you've paid. A friend of mine got made to pay up on an inflatable stand-up paddle board the other day, so I doubt you'd get away with not paying with a motorboat.
I'd pop round and see the guys in the Harbour Masters office in the Underfall Yard (upstairs by the big 'Harbour Master' sign). I've always found them very helpful. They'd be able to tell you about the harbour fees and any other arrangements for launching etc. They may also know what the deal is with your mooring (such as how big a boat you can keep there).
I'd definitely recommend getting some training too. There's not too much that can go wrong within the harbour, but you're going to be a lot more popular if you know what side of the river to be on and what the speed limit is! There are a few places in Bristol that do motorboat training and one in Portishead. Google 'RYA Bristol' and you'll find them.
Happy boating!
I'd pop round and see the guys in the Harbour Masters office in the Underfall Yard (upstairs by the big 'Harbour Master' sign). I've always found them very helpful. They'd be able to tell you about the harbour fees and any other arrangements for launching etc. They may also know what the deal is with your mooring (such as how big a boat you can keep there).
I'd definitely recommend getting some training too. There's not too much that can go wrong within the harbour, but you're going to be a lot more popular if you know what side of the river to be on and what the speed limit is! There are a few places in Bristol that do motorboat training and one in Portishead. Google 'RYA Bristol' and you'll find them.
Happy boating!
If you're going down the powerboat route start off by doing your Powerboat Level 2, it's a weekend of basic instruction on how to be safe with a powerboat (usually a rib). It covers pre-start checks, slow speed maneuvering, higher speed handling, man overboard recover, a tiny amount on charts and navigation and so on. It's only a couple of hundred quid but at least sets you off in the right direction.
Ribs are good fun, and relatively cheap, plus they behave well when the conditions pick up a bit.
In addition to your training and lifejackets a VHF is prudent, a boat fixed set has more range (due to higher power) than a handheld, but is no good if you're in the drink, or if the battery on your boat has died, so a handheld is a good addition. You'll need a VHF Short Range Certificate, which is less than a hundred quid, you can do the learning online, then a short (about an hour IIRC) test. It's good for life so not a huge expense. If you budget on getting a DSC VHF it's easy for crew to call a mayday in if need be, all they need to know how to do is press and hold a red button.About £200 for a fixed set and the same again for a DSC handheld.
You'll want a good set of waterproofs in small boats, yachting clothing is expensive but if you've got outdoor gear there is no reason why that won't be suitable. Alternatively keep an eye on ebay, there are some bargains to be had, my Musto HPX drysuit I use for sea stuff cost nearly a grand new and about £200 on ebay.
Ribs are good fun, and relatively cheap, plus they behave well when the conditions pick up a bit.
In addition to your training and lifejackets a VHF is prudent, a boat fixed set has more range (due to higher power) than a handheld, but is no good if you're in the drink, or if the battery on your boat has died, so a handheld is a good addition. You'll need a VHF Short Range Certificate, which is less than a hundred quid, you can do the learning online, then a short (about an hour IIRC) test. It's good for life so not a huge expense. If you budget on getting a DSC VHF it's easy for crew to call a mayday in if need be, all they need to know how to do is press and hold a red button.About £200 for a fixed set and the same again for a DSC handheld.
You'll want a good set of waterproofs in small boats, yachting clothing is expensive but if you've got outdoor gear there is no reason why that won't be suitable. Alternatively keep an eye on ebay, there are some bargains to be had, my Musto HPX drysuit I use for sea stuff cost nearly a grand new and about £200 on ebay.
One other thing - the speed limit in the harbour is 6mph, so assuming you're not intending in going out through the locks and just staying within the harbour then you definitely won't need anything powerful.
However, as others have said, once you get out of the harbour you're into some very dangerous currents and tides, and you'll definitely need proper training to know what you're doing or you could end up in big trouble very quickly. I'd stick to gently chugging upriver to the pub I think!
However, as others have said, once you get out of the harbour you're into some very dangerous currents and tides, and you'll definitely need proper training to know what you're doing or you could end up in big trouble very quickly. I'd stick to gently chugging upriver to the pub I think!
wilfandrowlf said:
Many thanks for all the replies guys. Looks like the Harbor Master might be a good first port of call (no pun intended).
This looks like it could start getting expensive!
An old colleague of mine one said that owning a boat is like standing in the shower ripping up £10 notes.
The other is the classic dictionary definition of a boat; "large hole in the water surrounded by wood into which one continually throws money".This looks like it could start getting expensive!
An old colleague of mine one said that owning a boat is like standing in the shower ripping up £10 notes.
Edited to add: doesn't stop me wanting to own one, one day.
wilfandrowlf said:
This looks like it could start getting expensive!
I think you do need a careful reality check on how long it will be before the novelty of puttering up and down the harbour wears off (which will probably take all of a couple of hours). The tidal Avon around Bristol is a nasty, muddy ditch and it's not as if there's much to do in the Severn Estuary, either - no nice places to visit, the sea fishing is crap, it's not scenic and the tides are a nightmare.Go spend an afternoon down at Battery Point at Portishead and ask yourself why you're seeing so few pleasure craft passing up and down... the French Riviera it is not.
Equus said:
wilfandrowlf said:
This looks like it could start getting expensive!
I think you do need a careful reality check on how long it will be before the novelty of puttering up and down the harbour wears off (which will probably take all of a couple of hours). The tidal Avon around Bristol is a nasty, muddy ditch and it's not as if there's much to do in the Severn Estuary, either - no nice places to visit, the sea fishing is crap, it's not scenic and the tides are a nightmare.Go spend an afternoon down at Battery Point at Portishead and ask yourself why you're seeing so few pleasure craft passing up and down... the French Riviera it is not.
wilfandrowlf said:
Equus said:
wilfandrowlf said:
This looks like it could start getting expensive!
I think you do need a careful reality check on how long it will be before the novelty of puttering up and down the harbour wears off (which will probably take all of a couple of hours). The tidal Avon around Bristol is a nasty, muddy ditch and it's not as if there's much to do in the Severn Estuary, either - no nice places to visit, the sea fishing is crap, it's not scenic and the tides are a nightmare.Go spend an afternoon down at Battery Point at Portishead and ask yourself why you're seeing so few pleasure craft passing up and down... the French Riviera it is not.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chris-craft-speedster-sp...
loggo said:
I think that the VHF course requires a day in the classroom these days, perhaps two if you have not pre-read the book. And not much use if you stay within the harbour. Essential if you go outside though.
You don't need to do it in a classroom, the RYA's really rather good SRC iPad app teaches you all you need to pass the exam, and the learning can be done anywhere, which was ideal for me. The exam itself has to be done in person rather than online but it's only an hour or so.Groupon has some good deals on RYA certificate courses for powerboat level 1 (1 day £69) and powerboat level 2 (2 days £149) out of Weymouth and Southampton respectively at present.
This would provide a good idea of what you are getting into as well as some valuable skills which you will need to be safe.
The water rarely tries to take prisoners, it plays for keeps. Get as much knowledge as you can before you get on the water would be my advice.
Also, some trainers do own boat training which has a double advantage of being cheaper than list priced RYA courses, and you learn your skills on the boat you will use.
Eta: it is also a good idea to get the other half (assume she will be out with you most times) trained as when you fall out, she has to bring the boat back to you to drag your sorry, wet ass back on board
This would provide a good idea of what you are getting into as well as some valuable skills which you will need to be safe.
The water rarely tries to take prisoners, it plays for keeps. Get as much knowledge as you can before you get on the water would be my advice.
Also, some trainers do own boat training which has a double advantage of being cheaper than list priced RYA courses, and you learn your skills on the boat you will use.
Eta: it is also a good idea to get the other half (assume she will be out with you most times) trained as when you fall out, she has to bring the boat back to you to drag your sorry, wet ass back on board
Edited by SeeFive on Thursday 18th August 14:03
Even if you don't take the VHF course, buy a handheld VHF, set it to channel 16 and keep it with spare batteries in a dry-bag. Keep your phone in there too. At least you can call for help and worry about the VHF regulations later. Life jackets are a must, as is a kill-cord to stop the engine if you fall over the side.
Oh, and watch the BBC show 'Saving Lives at Sea' about the RNLI- there is a world of experience right there.
Oh, and watch the BBC show 'Saving Lives at Sea' about the RNLI- there is a world of experience right there.
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