Yesterday I made a resolution to take some positive steps towards my eventual yacht ownership.
I don’t want to just buy a boat and start trying to sail. That way would inevitably lead to some sort of personal disaster in a sad boating accident. I want to learn how to fix the inboard engine, wire the lights, set up something to charge the batteries and maybe wire in some solar or wind generators. As electrics have always scared me (a holdover from being a biologist I reckon), I figured I needed to find some local courses for ridding myself of the fear and getting some knowledge. Of course, due to some nanny state regulations, none of our local colleges seem to do any sort of instruction.
So, today I ordered two books, text is from reviews of the books.
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“There is no denying the scope of this book is, to say the least, comprehensive. It covers almost every topic imaginable in DIY from dry lining your basement to capping the chimney and covers it at every range whether you just want to change a fuse or rewire the entire building.” |
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“this is one of the best books I have EVER seen on any aspect of sailing. It is also probably the best illustrated sailing book I have ever seen – there are so many photos it makes every task extremely straightforward. I like the way it breaks the tasks down into ease of use, and tells you step by step how to solve the problem (even where to find the area you need to work on!” |
I’ve also tracked down a RYA Basic Navigation Course at the Bangor Campus of SERC which I’ve enquired about. 5 weeks and starts in February. I reckon I’ll have time for that. The RYA describe it as:
This course is for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving. It’s also the perfect stepping stone to the more in-depth Day Skipper shorebased course or our on-the-water courses such as the Intermediate Powerboat, Start Yachting, Helmsman or Day Skipper courses.
They also note: it will be possible to take it online too through our RYA Interactive e-learning site.
My hope is to also get myself onto a Competent Crew course in 2011. My preference would be one of the courses operating from foreign shores, preferably the Med.
I’m intending to do some Skipper courses in 2012 – there’s no rush here.
Sweet! Just posted on the pics from the London Boat show, now I understand. Thanks for sharing… good stuff.
Returning to live on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, I too am returning to dreams of boat owning. Had one when I was there before, but now looking to by one big enough to live on, but also worthy enough to take to the open waters around Eire and beyond. Med, fer sure! From where I sit in massive USA, the “jaunt” to the med from Eire seems breezy!