Boat Licence??

[surrealbass]

unlike every other poor bugger that owns a boat with a motor bigger than 6HP

this is another case where bureaucracy has one set of rules for those that can be ripped into at will and another set for those making money. It seems that if you have a vessel permanently(and probably a lifetime of use) you are incapable of using it without supervision and if you are "just visiting(and spending money)" never having had anything on the water bigger than that plastic tug boat in the bath when you were six you are fully capable!!!

http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Licensing/Recreational.aspx

as a side note in SA if it has a motor you need a liscence and rego... even if I put an electric motor on my inflatable kayak!!!

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Guy's N Gal's ,

I am all for being able to buy a sailing boat without much restriction , though at what cost to safety . Being around boats is second nature for me , as I spent 15 years waterskiing and towing skiers at Wisemens Ferry ( NSW ). I find it concerning that one could buy a Top Hat ( for instance ) , and then sail on Sydney Harbour amongst more expensive craft and not to mention commercial vessels such as Sydney Ferries , where loss of life may be an outcome in which sailing suffers a bad reputation , that it does not deserve .

Currently I am based in Broken Hill , far Western NSW . Though upon my return to Sydney i will be buying a Top Hat as I love their design and capability ( currently drooling over " Pele " on http://www.boatsales.com.au - what a buy for someone lol ) . Though I would not permit myself and young family to be on Sydney Harbour without feeling competant in controlling my vessel . By going through a Sailing School or even crewing I will obtain necessary competence that is required for safe operation . It may even be a good idea to regain my NSW Boating Licence at that time ( though not required ?? )

DESIREMK1
Brad Geyer

[SeaLady]

I did my Day Skipper ticket, even though not necessary in Australia to bring my 'experience" (over 30 years as crew) - please read bad habits into line.

I strongly recommend the course, both theory and practical to anyone even the most 'experienced'.
5 days theory, 5 days practical.

Also...... I am ready for when I win the big one I can go overseas and charter any sail boat I want.

Hooray..

Always be prepared.

Is it a legal requirement.. Nooooooo

I refer to my initial comment.
Silly.

[Irishwolf]

Good advice Diana!

I have since completed both my Power licence Exams AND Competent Crew Course. These were Both very enlightening in as much as informing me on HOW MUCH I HAVE STILL TO LEARN and to look forward too.

Am looking toward the time when I get my "Irishwolf" back from the Marina hands, How is "Sealady" coming along?

Regards and Thanks,

Russell

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Sealady ,

From which Organisation is Day Skipper Course available through , I will look into doing the course in the near future ...

Much Appreciation ,
Brad Geyer

[SeaLady]

There are a number of registered providers of the course. I did it through Pacific Sailing School but I was not that impressed with their organisation. The course however was brilliant.

Do a google search and/or contact Yachting Australia to see who are the registered teaching companies in your area.

Sonia from 'Curly Tops' works for Yachting Australia and is a sailing instructor and Yachtmaster herself.
So if you ring Yachting Australia you may get her on the phone.

The courses can be run - from memory either in a block or over time.

Theory - as I did it full time for 1 week. (Personally whilst that was great fun it did not leave much time for homework or reading.)

One day or night a week over several weeks. - If I do another theory course. The next one up is Coastal Skipper - I will probably do it the longer way and do more reading and practice.
Certainly my manual navigation needs more practice. There is a 3 hour written exam at the end as well as some basic knot tying, splicing hands on tests.

The practical (a separate course) is 5 days on board, my 5 days were spent in Sydney Harbour, sailing to the Hawkesbury and back. Great fun. If doing it again I would choose a waterway where I don't have personal knowledge. (Could have done it in the Whitsundays - now that is a good idea)

I found that doing navigation in very familiar waters is difficult as you / I tend to cheat as I know where I am and what I am looking for and I was using my local knowledge rather than the chart and finding out information.


I would suggest that whatever course you do ensure it is accreddited, so you are ready for when you win the lottery.

The main things that I got out of the course were.

1. Fun - I used it as a solo holiday and got to meet some very interesting people
2. Manual navigation and passage planning. - Still need more practice. Part of my practical exam was to navigate at night sailing around Scotland Island. - Easy during the day - a different story at night.
(No GPS, just a chart compass and eyes.) I learned that channel marker globes can blow like all globes and just because they are marked on the chart does not mean they are visible.
3. Man overboard tips and practice - including at sea
4. Loads of practical tips for safety
5. A thirst for learning more
6. Gave me more confidence in myself as I knew as much and in some cases more than others on the course
7. Learned a few tips on how to get around problems when they occur and how to prepare for them so that when they happen it is not a problem.

The courses cost money. They are not cheap. But I think well worth it.