Re-Watch our Livestream Originally 2pm 12th May
Watch our LIVESTREAM. Episode 2 - Interview with RYA Powerboat Instructor, Paul Gatzel of Powerboat Training UK. Today we are discussing BOAT SAFETY. Lifejackets, bouyancy aids, kill cords and various means of issuing distress including flares, EPIRBS, PLB, LED's/laser flares,
Cruise Your Way to Instructor Level
It’s about how you react to people and how you debrief – your natural ability to teach. I didn’t really enjoy college and I looked at teachers and thought, ‘I could never do that’, but now it’s all fallen into
Boat Maintenance Tips to Help Keep You Afloat
… with some regular checks and ongoing TLC, not only will you ensure a pleasurable time out on the water, you’ll keep your kit in tip-top condition.The biggest cause of problems inside any boat is the cold, damp environment that
Getting Rescued
As with anything, a bit of planning goes a long way.… the best rescue is the one you never have.Incidents happen rarely, but those that do happen are often avoidable …Still too many callouts for lifeboats are to avoidable incidents.
Keeping a Balanced Approach
Newer boats may be fitted with auto-levelling systems that adjust trim to set your boat up without your input.How we can adjust trim will depend on the set-up of the boat. Paul Glatzel explains the meaning and importance of trimming
Perfect Pitch
Propeller performance is very much dependent on the propeller shaft RPM at which it operates.There is an optimal propeller pitch and diameter that will do the best job for a boat with an engine of a specific HP at a
High Flyers
The tunnel hull design is able to maximise the use of aerodynamic lift and can turn this into a performance advantage. In a tunnel boat, a wider tunnel dimension or ‘aerofoil’ section is more efficient for making aero lift than
Give me the Gears!
Even though we don’t have a large choice of what gear ratio our lower unit has, knowing how the gear ratio works with propeller sizing to optimise our performance is a benefit.Getting the right prop for your boat can be
Rafting Etiquette
If you’ve kept communication open with the inside boat, there should be no surprises when they want to head off.You may be happy having heels or soles that could mark on your deck, but it’s only polite to walk quietly
Weather to Go
Going if you are unsure too often leads to mistakes.… train yourself by looking at forecasts even when you are not going afloat as this makes it easier for those days you do go out. The sign of a good
Coming Alongside
… the key is practice, so get out there in low wind conditions and go in and out of plenty of berths.When setting up to approach a pontoon, first assess the wind and tide, and then check you have depth
Salvage Law and How It Can Affect You
The RYA’s Loretta Spridgeon explains the principles of salvage law and the implications for boaters … Salvage is a voluntary service, which, when a boat is in danger at sea, saves the boat and contributes to the safety of both
This Boating Life – Bilge diving & other jobs!
Bilge diving and sorting out some odd jobs – Alex Whittaker is living the dream … Once again, I am sleeping aboard. This time I am working through a few easy jobs. The first is to replenish the ship’s spirits
