Vasco826

That's interesting Frahkn, thank you. Do you mind sharing the name of your Insurance company with me please? You can PM me if you prefer (at least, I assume you can on this forum, never tried)

thanks BilgePump - which of course raises the question about "qualified" .. That's great, thank you very much - will have a peruse later

concur - my claim to have evidence of competence from so far back was very much tongue in cheek! The antics of a pair of retired Naval Officers and their respective wives on a hired boat on the Broads certainly suggested otherwise, as my wife (wearing shorts and t-shirt), a ditch next to a pontoon, and a very large bed of nettles, could bear testimony. Not entirely the helmsman's fault but not quite how my wife saw it!

I'm thinking mainly of our family members - clearly I wouldn't let them loose without being comfortable for their safety and that of our investment, but some have already spent time on the canals with us and have a reasonable amount of experience. I was intending to go fully comp on any insurance since we anticpate spending perhaps 50k or so on a boat, so not an amount I would want to lose should a disaster occur! On that basis, I'm assuming it would therefore also include 3rd party liability

I'm guessing from all of the comments (for which many thanks indeed!) that there is no such thing as a No Claims Bonus relating to Marine insurance - but since you don't have to pass a test to take the helm it would be pretty hard to validate anyway. Having witnessed some very "interesting" helmsmanship in my time afloat, both on the canals and on the Broads, it makes me wonder if it would not be a bad thing to have to pass a test, but that's a whole different topic which I'm sure has been thrashed to death numerous times on this marvellous forum. For my part, I guess holding certification for boats (various) from Dartmouth Naval College in the late 70s is at least some evidence of competence! Many thanks Brian - sound advice I'm sure

Please forgive my ignorance on this topic, but although a reasonably experienced helmsman I have never owned a NB before, a failing which I intend to rectify early next year! My question is about Insurance - so is it the Boat that is insured or is it the Owner / Helmsman. My point is, if my wife and I buy a NB and insure it, are we the only ones who are allowed to be the "skipper" or can we let friends and family use it without us being on board (without financial gain) and still be covered by the Insurance should they mess up and damage another boat or CT infrastructure for example. I welcome any thoughts please - note, I am not looking to hire it out or anything like that, either officially or otherwise! Many thanks Doug

Thank again to all offered comments and suggestions, really appreciated. Having found a couple of places locally who will offer a course I've been put off by the price of at least £650 +VAT for 2 days on the water so will probably hire a boat for three days and encourage my good lady to spend as much time at the helm as possible - I'm confident that despite some bad habits I've certainly acquired she will get as much from doing it that way, and we get a short break afloat at the same time. (Mind you, I remember when my Dad taught my Mum to drive a car ..... !)

Many thanks Richard - just had a look at what they offer and looks like what we're after

Thank you so much for all the really helpful replies to my question. The people who said that their Insurer insisted upon them doing a course were complete novices I think - I was slightly surprised to find that they had bought the boat, had it delivered to a mooring and yet had never driven it or any other NB before - maybe the Insurer was also surprised! On the basis that I have pretty good level of competancy I may just focus on getting my better half on a course, or next time out get her to take the helm as much as possible. We hope to be looking seriously for a boat next Spring so time consider best options based upon help and ideas above - thank you once again to all. This was my first post on this forum and really impressed with the helpful advice, looks like I'll be reading loads on the various topics here! Doug

My wife and I are planning to move to semi-retirement and having spent many happy days on the cut in rented boats are looking to buy our own NB early next year with the plan to spend as much time afloat as possible. Talking to a recent boat-purchaser they said that their Insurance company insisted they attended a Helmsman Course before they would insure them - I've been searching this forum and elsewhere but cannot find guidance about where to do such a course - the RYA site seems unable to load locations and I cannot find any others, not necessarily in the Midlands but preferable. I would welcome any guidance or recommendations please. Of note, I am reasonably experienced and quite capable at the helm, but we do also need my wife to be able to take the helm since she cannot always manage the locks on her own Many thanks for your time Doug