So
after many consultations with the family, the decision
has been made. Is it going to be an exposed to the elements
“ Wet and Windy” sailing yacht or is it
going to be a sit inside and make sure the G and T is
balanced properly “Turn the Key” and off
we go jobby. Or do I just want to float along a river
or canal somewhere on a barge or a motor cruiser. All
the different options will give you and your family
lots of hours of happiness in many different ways that
you certainly won’t get anywhere else on land.
Most of the time, you won’t have the problems
with cars, lorries, buses, motorways or even crowded
beaches to contend with when you are out and about on
the briny. You can however be in the company of lots
of other boats especially in Southampton Water and the
Solent where you will encounter huge liners, oil tankers
and speeding ferries together with an assortment of
yachts and motor boats of all shapes and sizes. You
will think you are on a motorway in these circumstances.
However, when you know what you are doing, these situations
should cause no need for concern.
Having made your decision, before you do either, there
are several things to consider. I’ve listed some
below. Here we go:
Do I know how to sail or drive a motor boat?
Boats are not like cars, they are not on roads and you
can’t just put the brakes on to stop any time
and get out to go for a stroll or fix a problem or even
stop crashing into another vessel. Generally you are
surrounded, often by deep water and if you have the
misfortune to have an accident at sea or an engine failure,
anywhere on water, you must be fully prepared and able
to deal with the situation. If you aren’t, it
could cost you and your crew their lives. Pleasure boating
is generally a wonderful and safe pastime providing
you take all the necessary safety precautions, know
the capabilities of your vessel, and what the ensuing
weather conditions are like. Unfortunately some people
venture out on the water without the slightest consideration
for their own lives let alone others. We read about
them every day in obituary columns and the problems
they cause others is immense. Lifeboat and helicopter
crews together with other emergency services often risk
their lives through people going out on pleasure craft
without having the faintest idea what they are doing.
You should never attempt to move any vessel on water
unless you know how to and you are fully aware of what
can happen. Tides and winds can easily take control
of a floating vessel with disastrous consequences. We
have to learn to drive a car, make sure you learn to
drive a boat.
The laws governing vessels on the water strangely called
“The Rules of the Road” are many and are
much more strictly enforced than any similar motoring
offence on land. Be warned.
There are many courses available to teach you what to
do. They are not expensive, they don’t take too
long to complete and they will instil confidence in
your every move whilst on the water.
Have I got enough cash?
Or a wealthy family who will help me indulge my fantasies
or maybe even a friendly bank manager who won’t
be too hard on me with interest charges. Always remember
and it is quite true that “owning a boat is akin
to pouring money into a hole in the ocean” The
original boat purchase is not the expensive part, The
real pain comes soon after in the form of hundreds and
thousands of pieces of paper with The Queens portrait
on them and printed in a choice of colours depending
on denomination.
If it’s not a small craft that sits on its own
trailer on your driveway and you have a tow hitch on
the car which needs to be powerful enough to tow it,
launch and recover it from a slipway, then it has to
live on a mooring
This is the start of the hole opening in the ocean but
I’m not going to put you off, check back soon
for more.
Author: A Shea
Next
Page >>>
Honest Johnny - The Ultimate Free Impartial Comparison
Site