RYA One Day Shorebased Courses (Yachting)

The RYA one day courses are ideal courses to do if you want to build your experience or in some cases needed to progress on the RYA training ladder.

The RYA Short Range Certificate

It is the minimum qualfication required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) it covers both fixed and handheld radios.

Course topics include:

The basics of radio operation
The correct frequences (channels) to be used
Distress, emergency and medical assitance procedures
Making ship to shore communication
Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
Global Martime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Emergency Position Indicating Beacons (EPIRB)
Search and Rescrue (SART)

My course was conducted in a relaxed classroom enviroment and was quite enjoyable it took about 8 hours with a lunch break. A short written exam and practical exam is conducted at the end of the course. Everyone passed. The material in the course is easy to follow. I would highly recomend the course to all skippers as well as crew members who often go to see.

Course cost: £49 upwards plus RYA exam fee £60

While many sailors do operate a radio with out a licence it is illegal to do so. Knowing how to correctly use the radio equipment fould also help to save lives so it is well worth doing the course.

RYA First Aid

I would recomend this course to anyone not just Skippers and Crew. If doing the course could save or prevent one death it woukd have been worth doing.

The RYA course covers all the usual first aid subjects, but from a boating perspective. It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers, estuaries or on cross channel passages.

It is an enjoyable course with both theoretical and practical elements. Fortunately I have not used any of the skills that I learned in the course. But, when I fell of my tender I was fully aware what was happening to me and knew that I only had so much time to get out of the water before I lost dexterity.

Costs from £49

RYA  Diesel Engine Course

I would recommend this course to anyone who owns a boat with a diesel engine.

Course Topics include:

The principles of diesel engine operation
The systems and parts of the engine
Fault finding
Rectification of common problems
Bleeding the fuel system
Changing the impeller
Routine maintenance
Winter lay up procedures.

I have used the skills that I learnt in the course a number of times and it was nice to get hands on experience with a marine diesel engine.

Course costs from £49

RYA Sea Survival

A one day course for anyone going to sea, providing an understanding of how to use the safety equipment on board your boat.

Course Topics Include:

Liferafts and the equipment they contain
Survival techniques
The design of lifejackets
Medical aspects of sea survival
Search and recue techniques

Course cost from £99

RYA Offshore Personal Survival

Training for recreational and racing skippers and crews who encounter rough weather and problems at sea.

Course Topics Include:

The one day sea survival course
One day of training in seamanship and emergencies, including heavy weather seamanship, weather forecasting, fire fighting and man overboard recovery.

Course cost from £99

RYA Radar Course

A one day course giving an understanding of radar as an aid to navigation and collision avoidance.

Course Topics Include:

How the radar set works
Target definition
Radar reflectors
Types of radar display
Radar plotting
The use of radar in navigation and collision avoidance

Course cost from £99

Tinker Tinkeress

I have wanted to get a Tinker Tramp or Tinker Traveller with the sailing rig for quite a long time. I do not even know that Tinker Inflatables even made a catamaran version of them.

I saw an auction on ebay for a new unused Tinker Tinkeress with a new and unused Mariner outboard. I searched online but, was not able to find anything about the dinghy. I decided to bid up to an amount that I would be able to sell the outboard for. I won the item and picked up the item in Doncaster.

When I brought the dinghy home I set her up and inspected everything and everything was how one would expect. The seller informed me that the boat was brought with the outboard at the EarlsCourt Boat show and had only been set up three times and had never been used.

The following is from the Tinker Inflatables promotional material that come with the dinghy along with Issue No. 11 of the official magazine of the Tinker Class Owners Association.

"The latest design from the drawing board of F. Benyon - Tinker is not only a unique design, subject to a new patent, but the Tinkeresss is the most economic boat in the range. The boat can be assembled in less than a couple of minutes and inflated and ready to launch in another four to five minutes. The Tinkeress will provide a very stable platform for fishermen. The wooden side decks will provide a useful working surface and protect the tubes from sharp knives and hooks. The Tinkeress is a delight to row. The twin tubes providing excellent directional control. She is light and easy. Motoring with a 4HP outboard engine she is fast, very fast, and will carry up to four people. The Tinkeress has a buoyancy of 1425Ibs. (646kgs), she therefore makes an excellent load carrier for use by divers as well as yachtsmen."

I have no idea if the patent went though or how many had been made.

I will be taking her out and will provide an update if you own or have any information on the Tinkeress please contact me.





I took her down to slip by my mooring for a test run. As it was very windy I decided to row and motor around. I had got her out of the car and set up in under 5 minutes. I was pleasantly pleased by the ease of launching in such a shallow water with out the need to get any more than my feet wet.


Under oars against the wind and tide was a bit tricky bug, that may have been down to my technique. Although she was easy to row I would not want to row far in her.


I then started the Mariner 2 stroke 2hp that was also new and come with the boat. Wow she was quick very quick exceeding hull speed with ease. She was also very stable but, I did get a bit wet when motoring into the wind.

I decided to take the Tinker Tinkeress on holiday with me down to Manilva in Southern Spain. Some 1600 miles away. I made a bag for the rigging and mast to go into. I was also able to get my other gear in the bag. Due to the lack of space in my car I had no other option but, to put everything on the roof rack. I secured it with two ratchets and a long rope for added security. It was very windy driving down to Dover and the ferry was delayed by two hours due to strong winds.

I drove from Calais to a small village called Chenay where we stopped for the before driving to Burgos in Spain for the last pit stop before driving down to the Costa Del Sol. I had no issues with the dinghy and gear on the roof rack. On my first day in Manilva I had a failed attempt at a beach launch due to the amount of surf.

 All set up and ready to go

It was not until the third day that I was successful in launching her. It was a bit tricky getting into the dinghy in waist high water. Then I had another challenge getting away from the beach. I rowed hard to get away and into deeper water. The center board is 0.7 meters. I sailed across wind in light winds and she was a pleasure to sail.

Beach Launching 

I found tacking a bit tricky in the light winds and sailing close to the wind was near impossible. This was the first time that I had sailed in a catamaran. I did find her very stable in the waves but, rowing into the wind was quite hard. 

Sorting out the rudder

Sailing in the Med

A beach launch was ok for a short sail in light winds I was out for about two hours and really did enjoy myself. I do wish I had brought the outboard as I would have felt more comfortable sailing further away from the shore and along the coast. I was very pleased with my new inflatable an will be keeping her. I do need to get to know her better and in stronger winds.

Fareham - Cowes - Yarmouth - Fareham

 

 

It is always nice waking up to sunrise

I got caught in the traffic going down to Fareham by the time I had slipped the lines it was +2 high water and the sun was beginning to set. The Solent was fairly quite just a few yachts and container ships. I was once again sailing in the dark, nothing quite like night sailing single handed.  I was 3nm from Wooten Creek when I could hear a loud engine and spotted a port and starboard light but, could not see any other lights. The lights were at least 400 metres high it appeared to be on a collision course. Then I realised why no other lights were visible it was the coast guard helicopter.

                                                 

It was a really weird night and I was very tied having been up since 5am so I decided to pick up a buoy in Cowes, just outside of the channel I was so tied I thought that I would get a good nights sleep. The wash from the ferry was immense and woke me each and every time I had very little sleep that night.

I woke up to an amazing sunrise. Despite the lack of sleep it was nice to have spent the night in Cowes without stepping ashore. I checked the forecast and all was well. I did the engine checks and then click, click she would not start. I had left the cabin light on and had two flat batteries. I was so tied the night before I forgot to switch to the second battery and had left the switch on both. So I was really not happy.  

I gave the batteries a charge with the generator but, after an hour with not enough charge to  start the engine I decided to use the outboard engine and head to Yarmouth. It was a nice sail to Yarmouth and upon arrival I was unable to get though to the harbour master on the radio. So I decided to look for a berth myself. It was packed I managed to find a berth on a walk ashore pontoon with much needed shore power. But, it was very tight indeed I always have my lines and fenders ready when entering port and was able to moor up successfully without any drama.

I had not been to Yarmouth before and it was a pleasant place to spend the night. My batteries now had a full charge and I was preparing the lines to slip when I saw several yachts having near misses upon entering and leaving. I had a bit worried as I had to get out of a tight spot and come about with very little room for error. I put my tricorn on and slipped the lines go a engaged gear and gave the throttle a good push perhaps a little too much to the amazement of onlookers and myself I spun Tallula around with ease and very rapidly.

I left the Yarmouth and decided to try a bit of fishing with the hand line I caught a mackerel on the way back and was very pleased with myself I just wish that I had put a second line out. It took me about 3 hours to get back to Portsmouth 40 minutes to my mooring.

I eat the mackerel the following night and it was very tasty.

Fareham to Bembridge

I decided to sail over to Bembridge even for the Solent it was very bizzy. I saw a number of people launching on the free slip in Fareham. I got the chance to see the new aircraft carrier. I thougtht that she would have been somewhat larger.

 Sadly not much wind F2/3 so had to motor sail all the way as I needed to be moored up before the harbour entrance dried.

I entered the harbour and the depth started dropping so I picked up a bouy. Not realising at the time that even that part of the harbour dried. I spoke to the harbour Master and they said I was just outside the chanel. The pontoons had as many as 7 boats a breast so the already narrow channel was even more narrow. I kissed the ground and had to raft up. I was number seven. I was not able to get any shore power and I had never seen Bembridge with that many vessels before. Even the Harbour Master said that she had not seen it like this before.

I left the next day and had a nice sail back it only took two hours. 

On the canal with the Seagull

On the canal with the Seagull

I decided to go on the canal as it is the only place local to me that I can go out on the water. It was really strange being on shallow flat water. To my surprice the outboard touched the bottom a
number of times.

The setup was a lifeboat 250 dinghy and a British Seagul forty plus. I brought the dinghy for just £25 of ebay and the outboard for just £25 as a non runner that I got running see my other post. I along for about 40 minutes as there was a lock and I did not fancy having to lift the dinghy outband back in.

I put a litre of fuel in but did not use much.

In the furture I might go a bit further depending on the weather as it was very pleasant on the canal with only the odd barge.

British Seagull Silver Century Project

British Seagull Silver Century Project

Engine number: WSL 1220AA3
Manufacture date: January 1973
Series: Silver Century long shaft
Model: Amal 2 Jet Carb
HP: 4.5
Ignition: Wipac Mk2

I saw a British seagull silver century outboard on ebay and made a low best offer that was accepted. From the pictures I could see that it had a recoil starter on it. It was sold as a non runner. I decided that even if I could not get it running it would be worth getting for the recoil starter.

 

Recoil Starter removed

I went to pick it up and the seller was a car mechanic and he told me that a customer gave it to him and that it had no spark. I was less certain that I would be able to get it running.

I filled up the wheelie bin with water and tried to start the outboard a few times nothing. I then checked for a spark none. I then took the recoil starter of the outboard. So I could conect a drill to try and remagnetise the ignition. I had the drill on full power for five minutes. I retried but, still no spark.

 The drill trick

I was doubtful of being able to get the outboard running but, decided to try for a further five minutes. On the second pull the outboard started and was running well but, was not pumping water.

 

Running well

I got the hose out and turned it on to try and clear the lines. I then restarted the outboard a only a litle bit of water come out of the telltail so I cut the fuel of and then water started coming out of the telltail like it should.

The flywhell protector looks very rusty so this will be treated and repainted. I am undecided wherther to put the recoilstarter back on or put it on my forty plus outboard.

More to follow shortly.

Common boating mistakes

Common mistakes boating mistakes

 

Being hit by boom

Ok I have to admit I nearly went overboard when doing my RYA Keelboat level two. 

Luckly I grabed hold of the boom and stayed out of the drink. But, for some it can be very serious indeed. Its not uncommon for the boom to cause head injuries or even death. How to avoid it always be aware where the boom is. And be aware of an acidental gybe.

Being too close to other boats

We have all seen it in a bizzy mariner generaly motor cruisers not paying any attention until they hit another boat. Remember boats are always in motion unless they are aground or tied up or with a good helmsman. So pay plenty of attention to other boats because they may not be paying any attention

 

Mooring too fast

Again very common for a skipper to atempt to berth at high speeds without a means of escape. Most of the time they have a full crew with them and no excuss other than bad seamanship skills. So when you berth nice and slowly does it.

 

Running aground

 

I do not know any skipper who has not run aground I have done it a few times. If it is safe to so drop,the anchor hide the boat name and go down below. But, sometimes it can put the vessel and crew in danger. Many yachts have gone aground in the Thames Estuary as well as big ships the Montgomary being one of them. Set your depth sounder alarm on and check the charts before heading out.

 

Making a Mayday call 

I often read articles of Skippers who have made a mayday call simply for running out of fuel or when having engine troubles when their is no danger to crew or vessel. This wastes time and costs the coast guard and the RNLI money. If their is a danger of loss of life to the crew or a vessel this does warent a mayday call. 

How to service a British Seagull outboard

I decided that the British Seagull Outboard that I recently brought could do with a service.
I brought the oil Castrol EP140 and a Champion D16 Spark plug.

First lay the outboard down to be able to remove the oil drain plug.

 

 

 Remove with a penny

 

Not much oil left

 

I then used an old washing up bowl to drain the oil into. Nothing it seemed was left in the gear box. am pleased I only run her for a short while.

 

 

 

Left to drip but, still nothing

I then turned her over and filled up the gear no with new fresh oil. I let it drip though before adding more oil until the correct amount was in the outboard. I tightened the drain plug and stood the outboard up. Just to check if oil was leaking out. I then placed it on the side to check for any leaks none found. So I assume that the outboard does not leak oil.

Next spark plug change.

Champion D16 Spark Plug

 



I removed the old spark plug with an adjustable spanner as my spark plug socket was too small.

 

Looks like a new spark plug is needed

 



The old a new plug

I then put the new Champion D16 spark plug back in and gave it a tightened it up.

 

Looks better with a new plug

All in all it took me about 15 minutes to do the service. So I will carry out a service for this outboard anually like I should.

Tools needed a penny and ajustable spanner
Parts needed Oil Castrol EP 140 and a Spark plug


Next Service will be my Mariner outboard and my Yanmar 1gm10 inboard.

My Last Passage on Pandora

19 May 2017

Fareham - Bembridge - Fareham 24 nm

At the time I had no idea that this would be our final passage together. I had no idea that in less than 8 weeks Pandora would be sold and that I would have a Trident 24. I left Fareham an hour before high tide on passage to Bembridge very little wind F2-F3 and smooth seas.

As I was going against the tide and with very little wind i decided to motor sail and enjoy the the May sunshine. I had not been to Bembridge for a number of years and the last time I did not even step ashore so I was looking forward to exploring. It was alive with lots of boats from children on small kayaks to large motor cruisers. Entry was very easy and we were soon on the pontoon.

I was surprised how peaceful it was despite a full marina. It felt like a place that time had forgotten. It felt strange going to the beach we had sailed past so closely I was anchor deep in the sea and could sea yachts not more than 20 feet away. 

We only spent the one night in Bembridge but, fully intend to return later in the year.

 

I assume once she would have been a fine vessel

Tallula to do list

1. Cleaning interior/exterior (ongoing)
2. Varnish all the exterior wood
3. Interior paining
4. Getting the inboard running again
5. Service the inboard
6. Rewire the nav lights
7. Fit wind indicator
8. Fit anchor chain pipe (it wax removed and hole was sealed)
9. Get some more anchor chain
10. Replace the worn cam cleats
11. Paint the doors
12. Anti-foul the hull
13. Buy new sail cover
14. Replace cabin lights
15. Replace sea cock on heads
16. Register on SSR
17. Get MMSI number for radio
18. Register with coast guard
19. Fit new fuse box
20. Fit plug for shore power.
21. Steralise water tank
22. Replace gas pipe
23. Replace fuel pipe
24. Empty lockers
25. Varnish Tiller

I seems that the more I think about what needs to be done the longer the list gets. I intend to sail her thoughout thr season while getting the above jobs done.

Tallula time to get her ready

The first thing I did when I got Tallula was to give her a good clean on her interior. I then gave the deck a good scrum.


When I got to Ramsgate I decided to fit and outboard bracket for an auxiliary engine. I am very pleased I did as I used the the outboard all the way from Rye. I had to sit in the tender wile I drilled the holes and fitted the bracket. It was no easy task with all the wash from vessels entering and leaving Ramsgate harbour.

                          
                                               In the dinghy marking the holes to be drilled

Finally fitted

When I got back to Fareham I gave the desks another scrum with cream cleaner. I then decidedto make a start with the interior painting. I had topeel the lining back to be able to paint the edges.

In need of a paint and new lining

In need of new lining

Recommend Reading for Sailors'

Below is a list of  books that I would suggest for anyone who wants to learn to sail or who is interested in Sailing. I have brought many other sailing books but, would not recommend them so I will not mention them.

1. RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Notes (Royal Yachting Association)



2. Reeds Weather  Handbook  (Frank Singleton)


3. RYA Navigation Handbook (Tim Barlet)



 4. RYA Navigation Exercises (Chris Slade)



5. Reeds Skipper Handbook (Malcolm Pearson)



6. The Complete Day Skipper (Tom Cunliffe)

7. The Complete Yacht Master (Tom Cunliffe)

8. Troubleshooting Marine Diesel Engines (Peter Compton)

9. Outboard Troubleshooter (Peter White)

10. Marine Flip cards (not a book but very good for learning)

10. Ocean Crossing Wayfarer (Frank Dye)

11. Sailing to the Edge of Fear (Frank Dye)

12. RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook)

13. RYA Diesel Engine Course book. (Helps refresh the memory)