64 replies to this topic

[daves6guitars]

Just a bit of background about our circumstance, Both my girlfriend and I have been living on a rented 55ft NB for about a year and a half now and are hooked, I work full time and Charlotte is a Full time social work student. This has meant that our enthusiasm and interest for boating has been somewhat suppressed by time and cash constraints. As a result our boating skills are shocking at best and probably dangerous at worst. I know a few of you have strong opinions about the worth of the helmsman's course and that’s fine, however we need a boost of confidence over and above competence. So if you would kindly leave the merits of the course to one side, could anybody recommend somebody that we could do a weekend course with, we have been left a small amount of money and would like it to go towards something that will grow.
We live in Brentford but don't mind traveling further afield (it would be nice to see some different canals)

Cheers for now
Rob (wanted)

How far do you want to travel ? We did ours at Top Lock Training in Marple, right on the junction of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canal, it's a lovely setting. He was in the process of selling his house and marina when we did it ( sept 09) but we passed through a couple of weeks ago and he was still there, might be worth giving him a call.If you PM me I'll pass on his phone number.

[imnogeek]

I intend to take do the same later in the year, I will be going to http://www.trboathandling.com

I met Terry at Crick boat show and felt very comfortable with him, and he is the one that will be doing the training.

On the 2 day course you stop overnight on the boat.

Gary

[stewey]

How far do you want to travel ? We did ours at Top Lock Training in Marple, right on the junction of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canal, it's a lovely setting. He was in the process of selling his house and marina when we did it ( sept 09) but we passed through a couple of weeks ago and he was still there, might be worth giving him a call.If you PM me I'll pass on his phone number.

I'll second Malcolm at Top Lock Training. Fabulous spot to do the training, including lock work on the mighty Marple locks.

See here:

http://www.toplocktraining.co.uk/

Malcolm featured on the TV series Locks and Quays Season 2 Episode 2

Warmly recommended.

Stewey

[Ray T]

Did my Helmsman's Certificate, with my Brother in Law who had never steered a boat before, here.

http://www.willowwrentraining.co.uk/

It is run by Andy Newman, the gent who wrote the RYA book that goes with the course.

Edited by Ray T, 25 July 2010 - 08:06 PM.

[blackrose]

I did mine (in conjuction with a CEVNI test) with a bloke in Limehouse basin. I thought it was crap and to be honest I think you'd learn more just taking the boat out for a week or two!

[alan_fincher]

Did my Helmsman's Certificate, with my Brother in Law who had never steerd a boat before, here.

http://www.willowwrentraining.co.uk/

It is run by Andy Newman, the gent who wrote the RYA book that goes with the course.

Not withstanding that these is I believe also a strong link between the "Considerate Boater" website and Willow Wren Training too.

"Considerate Boater" was hardly popular with quite a few people on here, and I think that connection would put me off!

(If my memory is playing up, and I've wrongly linked the two, I'll happily apologise unreservedly, though!).

(Struggling with poor connection in cuttings down by London, so I'm not going searching old threads....)

[Natalie Graham]

I did mine (in conjuction with a CEVNI test) with a bloke in Limehouse basin. I thought it was crap and to be honest I think you'd learn more just taking the boat out for a week or two!

As the RYA shop advert for the accompanying book says, "there is no substitute for hands-on experience". If as they say the course is a fun day out suitable for 12 year olds is it really going to teach you that much?

[Dalesman]

I did mine (in conjuction with a CEVNI test) with a bloke in Limehouse basin. I thought it was crap and to be honest I think you'd learn more just taking the boat out for a week or two!

Does anyone ever fail ....?

[RichardH]

We do the IWHC

[RichardN]

I'll second Malcolm at Top Lock Training. Fabulous spot to do the training, including lock work on the mighty Marple locks.

See here:

http://www.toplocktraining.co.uk/

Malcolm featured on the TV series Locks and Quays Season 2 Episode 2

Warmly recommended.

Stewey

I found the course exceedingly useful, go for it!

I would also endorse Malcolm of Toplock training. Marple is miles away from you but apart from the great tuition I suspect you will find the experience of narrow locks very useful. If Malcolm has retired then try the competition - I have only personal experience of Malcolm but I have talked to people who have been on other courses and were delighted with what they got out of it.


Richard
nb indigo dream

[Naughty Cal]

Richard and Pete at Lincs boat training do the course. Both have however admitted it is of limited use if you have used your boat a little.

[blackrose]

I take your point Mike, but it's just the way my head works really, I'm pretty sure the aptitude is there just need confidedance. I have just emailed toplock as it looks like a nice bit of the world,I hope he's still up for it, I saw on google that his whole shebang is up for sale, just over a mil for the lot! one can dream eh?

Just take the boat out anyway even if it's just up to the Fox for a couple of weeks. If you're thinking of buying your own boat you want to know what happens when you don't have shore power - what works and what doesn't - so that you know what sort of electrical system you want, whether you want gas (you probably will), etc. You may as well make use of that facility while you're renting.

Then borrow an anchor & chain and take the boat out to Teddington and back. Call the Brentford lock keeper (0208-568-2779) to find out the times and make sure he's staying around so that you don't get left out in the tideway. You don't need an EA licence - just go as far as the Anglers pub and turn around under the weir and come back. If the Anglers pontoon is free you can even stop for a pint. It's about 1 hour 15 mins each way and you'll learn a lot in a few hours. If you're concerned about doing it on your own speak to Alistair on Daddy Longlegs. He's moored on my old pontoon and I'm sure he'll be glad to come with you.

Edited by blackrose, 26 July 2010 - 04:15 PM.

[wrigglefingers]

Just a bit of background about our circumstance, Both my girlfriend and I have been living on a rented 55ft NB for about a year and a half now and are hooked, I work full time and Charlotte is a Full time social work student. This has meant that our enthusiasm and interest for boating has been somewhat suppressed by time and cash constraints. As a result our boating skills are shocking at best and probably dangerous at worst. I know a few of you have strong opinions about the worth of the helmsman's course and that’s fine, however we need a boost of confidence over and above competence. So if you would kindly leave the merits of the course to one side, could anybody recommend somebody that we could do a weekend course with, we have been left a small amount of money and would like it to go towards something that will grow.
We live in Brentford but don't mind traveling further afield (it would be nice to see some different canals)

Cheers for now
Rob (wanted)

Hello Rob,

I'm not sure if you're sorted but Ellen and I did a course with Rod Fox on Enigma based in Stourport; up the Staffs and Worcs and then out for a beetle down the Severn. We learnt lots, corrected some bad habits and had a lovely time. You're also welcome to stay on Cobbett if you come this way.

Edited to correct typo

Jill

Edited by wrigglefingers, 26 July 2010 - 08:21 PM.

[wrigglefingers]

Jill, This could be a good option, it'll be good to get some river stuff in as well. And, a very kind offer, I'll let you know what we decide.

Cheers

Okay dokey - you're welcome! Link to Rod is here

[Woollymishka]

I have no desire to 'knock' any training opportunity but we have found that the Cert In Comm Boat Management (CCBM) has been more beneficial to our situation than the RYA one. As we work with groups on boats and train adults (who, if they meet the criteria can then take groups on boats) the CCBM has been more relevant.
The other interesting factor is that it seems that the RYA qualification does not have any revalidation period built in - by this I mean that for the qualification to be valid for another period of time (usually 3 - 5 years) one has to produce evidence of actual practice. Following this the qualification is revalidated.
We were told by the RYA that once you had the qualification then it was yours for life - which seems a bit strange as one could do no boating for several years - then go on a boat and your qualification was still valid?
The CCBM is administered by the Community Boat Assoc (NCBA) - have a look on the net.
If any one wants more info - pm me.
Cheers everyone

[Natalie Graham]

We were told by the RYA that once you had the qualification then it was yours for life - which seems a bit strange as one could do no boating for several years - then go on a boat and your qualification was still valid?

Not that strange as it is really just a certificate to say were on the "fun day out". Someone raised the point earlier: Does anyone ever fail?