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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it can't be that hard to drive a boat?

198 replies

CatThiefKeith · 03/02/2016 20:00

I've never really driven a boat, but I was a sea cadet, and I've done a bit of canoeing.

And today I bought a boat. A little (ish) cabin cruiser. With money my parents have given me, on the condition I take them out in it occasionally. (It was pretty cheap in boat terms)

Dh thinks I've finally lost the plot, and that I will inevitably sink it on my first outing. Hmm

Aibu to think it can't be THAT bloody difficult, given that hundreds of thousands of people manage it perfectly well?

OP posts:
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17
TheExMotherInLaw · 04/02/2016 00:24

Get third party insurance.

TitClash · 04/02/2016 00:34

Ooh, that sounds fun! You dont sound like a complete dunce so even if its a bit difficult I'm pretty sure you can learn...I mean,. you learned to use a computer...

akkakk · 04/02/2016 00:36

it is worth doing the powerboat 2 course even in a rib - it is lots of fun :) though a bit bouncier than your new boat - a lot of the skills are the same - especially coming alongside, learning how to do it single handed / into and with the wind etc. While anyone can drive a boat, most do it very badly, watching someone who can do it properly is a joy. I have owned both rib and thames boat - and loved both - main thing to remember is use it lots :)

Original poster
CatThiefKeith · 04/02/2016 00:53

I've underplayed my boating prowess a bit. I have a confession to make, which will probably out me.

You know the lake at a Lakeside shopping centre? You know the peddle swans? I used to run that. I can parallel park a peddalo with just me in it. Grin

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coffeeisnectar · 04/02/2016 01:31

My 10 year old drives our friends powerboat out through the harbour into open seas. She knows what the marker buoys are and how to stay in the right channel and that boats under sail have right of way over boats with engines. She's a very good boat driver :o

They are great fun but dp is a powerboat instructor for the rya and also drives the RIB for the lifeguards. The friends whose boat it is are all lifeguards with boat handling courses under their belts.

HerRoyalNotness · 04/02/2016 01:48

This thread has made me quite happy. Thankyou OP!

That's a lovely boat, I'm sure you'll have a great time. This season is apparently all nautical and stripes, you need a specific boating outfit to go with your new hat! Don't forget your Breton

DoreenLethal · 04/02/2016 06:34

You know the lake at a Lakeside shopping centre? You know the peddle swans? I used to run that.

I bloody knew it!

Twistmyarm · 04/02/2016 06:35

I've got a feeling that if you're going to cross the Atlantic you need to take your clothes off but can't remember why.
That's a top boating tipGrin

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 04/02/2016 06:38

Driving it is fine.

Mooring it if you're on your own is not so easy.

mrsnec · 04/02/2016 06:38

Hi op,

I did the very same thing last year and dh and I did our rya pb2 course.

We had a lovely instructor who said she was going to spend as long as it took with us to get us through so she was confident we knew what we were doing and we got all the course material in advance. Her sailing school is in a marina by a posh spa resort so we booked ourselves in with our folks as well so they could mind dd and watch us from the balcony and we all had a great time!

We haven't been out that much though in the past year. We're still not particularly confident and had a bit of engine trouble the first few trips out and because we can't get into any local marinas it took us a while to find a good slipway then I got pg again.

But my little boat is next to my house and I smile every time I look at her and even if she only goes out a few times a year she was worth every penny.

itsbegginingtolook · 04/02/2016 07:56

My dh is a skipper and it can be hard and a disaster in the sea quite easily. Recon a river fine but I'd still take some basic training have fun Smile

CauliflowerBalti · 04/02/2016 07:59

You can hire boats for 2 week holidays with no training at all. On that basis I agree with you. It's not that hard, especially if you work in a marina. Someone will be able to give you the basics.

ABetaDad1 · 04/02/2016 08:09

Its not the driving its the stopping that is usually the problem in a boat.

That said if you really want to 'push the boat out' shipping charter rates are so low at the moment because of a collapse in world trade that you can rent a Capesize vessel for $2750 a day. That's over 150,000 tonne ship for a day its cheaper than going on a cruise or renting a Ferrari.

Of course you have the running costs but that is a boat. You couldn't get it up a canal though - not even the Suez canal.

TeenAndTween · 04/02/2016 08:16

Up and down the river is fine. It is

  • mooring, and going in/out of marinas
  • locks
  • not getting grounded
  • looking after the engine

You have got 3rd party insurance haven't you?

Original poster
CatThiefKeith · 04/02/2016 08:16

DoreenLethal do I know you irl? Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
CatThiefKeith · 04/02/2016 08:21

I will have insurance before she's launched, I promise.

I actually know quite a lot about boats, I just haven't been at the helm of one much Smile

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LurkingHusband · 04/02/2016 08:22

(credit: Josh Widdicombe, about going on a narrow boat holiday)

"Can you drink and drive ?"
"You'd be a fool not to ..."

austenozzy · 04/02/2016 08:27

It is worth doing pb2, if only so you know what to do in the unlikely event something goes wrong. And you may stretch your wings (to mix a metaphor) a bit and go somewhere more challenging in the future.

As pp have said, it's also great fun to razz about in a rib for a couple of days! You learn loads.

Original poster
CatThiefKeith · 04/02/2016 08:31

The thing is though, through my job I know 3 RYA instructors, so I'm thinking about asking one of those to come out with me for the day to do own boat tuition. I'm sure that would be more useful.

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Patapouf · 04/02/2016 08:32

Ahh I'm jealous, I'd love a boat! former sea cadet here too

It isn't that difficult I agree. But, every body of water is different. I still remember trying to hire a boat in Switzerland and my friends French boat license not being good enough 'because of the special wind on the lake'. As long as the boat floats I'm sure you'll be fine on a little river!

HookedOnHooking · 04/02/2016 08:35

Get a parrot.

Mouseinahole · 04/02/2016 08:39

A cabin cruiser will be fine and you should have loads of fun. I struggled with a 50 ft narrow boat but I envy you your new possession. We'd love one. We had to sell our boats due to age and illness but keep being tempted by a cabin cruiser 😀

PaulAnkaTheDog · 04/02/2016 09:14

It's fiiiiine! My parent's bought one when I was younger, no experience. No deaths, no accidents and sold on a few years later.

Original poster
CatThiefKeith · 04/02/2016 10:51

I've just paid the deposit and I'm sea river trialing it on Monday. Oooooh, shit just got real. What if I really can't drive it? Sad

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