Help For Novice on General Boating

[pez]

I'm very keen to buy a boat to liveaboard for long periods. I want to be able to moor up in a marina and sleep there and go cruising during the day for fishing or just to chill out and enjoy the water. <br /><br />The boat has to be big enough for two only as we have no kids and intend to take to the water for the foreseeable future for pleasure. <br /><br />I am a practically a beginner when it comes to boating and would appreciate any advice people can give, tips, lingo, what to spend, locations etc.<br />I am currently in the UK but I would be buying boat in US & boating on the west coast of US once I get there.<br /><br />Can anyone give any ideas on reference books for a beginner.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[DJ]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

pez,<br /><br />I think a first step would be to take a Power Squadron Safety Course form the local Coast Guard.<br /><br />You may also want to look into navigation courses.<br /><br />A description of your geographical area would be helpful for others to help recommend popular boats in the area.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

DJ, gives sound advice..but bein' your from the UK,, it probably not avaiable.. <br />but any schooling would be the best place to start..<br /><br />what i'd do is start smaller,, alot smaller.. an try out boating for a season or so now... get your 'feet'wet first..

 

[Solittle]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

Pez - Since you seem to be new at this you might want to consider renting or chartering (with captain or barebones) several different types to give you a hands on sense of what different boats are like. It would be a bummer to spend a pile of money on something only to find out that this wasn't your thing.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

There are many good books and videos available with reguards to navigation, safty, guides to crusing and anything else you might have questions about...<br /><br />The book "Chapman Piloting" by Elbert S. Maloney is highly recomended reading... "The Bible of Boating"<br /><br /> iboats book selections

 

[Boatist]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

pez<br />Snapperbait has it right Chapman Piloting best book out there. Since you are in the UK and planing to travel to the US West Coast I assume you are looking at SailBoats as I know of no power boat the size for two that can make that trip unless you load it on a freighter. Just can not carry that much fuel.<br />Once you get here Coast Guard Aux give a good safety Calss. "Boating skills and Seamanship" Also US power Squadron's has a boating saftey course. Both courses have been shortened and not near as good as old course but still worth the effort. By the time you make it here on the West Coast you will not need the course. You may be better off posting in SailBoat section.

 

[pez]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

Thanks for the help thus far, I would not be sailing across to the US (not for a good few years!) I am flying over and then with all the info gathered from your help & this site I will buy myself a boat to at most to go around the coast. I dont have the ability or the confidence to navigate across the atlantic just yet! I will look at the places offering the Coastal & offshore navigation courses and book myself on one as soon as possible. I have a few months before I make the plunge so will have plenty of time to read the reference books that you have reccomended also.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

after arriving in the states, spend some time<br />hanging around the local marinas and talk to<br />as many seasoned captains you can about what<br />they reccomend. most people are more than willing<br />to tell you the good and the bad. these are also<br />good folks to make friends with for future help.<br />you might be surprised just how many boats sit<br />in their slips unused for years....<br />regards,<br />M.Y.

 

[pez]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

Thanks MellowYellow, thats good advice that I will heed, looking forward to it.

 

[pez]

Re: Help For Novice on General Boating

What type of boats should i be looking at for the next few months while I learn about boating.<br />With all the books & videos I will be watching I can only dream about cruising in my boat. A few makes & models that I can look up will be great.