Running inlets or river mouths

Jason,

You got the horse laugh when you asked around about boater ed classes because really good instruction beyond whatever your state requires (or advises) for new boaters is very rare, and expensive when you do find it. In Oregon, new boaters are required to pass a class, now just a day long seminar, before earning a "boater ed" card. This was phased in over a period of years, moving up the age brackets. It has very heavy emphasis on novice boaters, especially PWC operators, because that is the demographic group where the greatest incidence of water-related casualties is.

You might find an "advanced" USCG or Power Squadron boating class, whose content is what was required in the old boater ed class. I took that, back in 2007, from the local Power Squadron, and it was excellent! YMMV, however, because the local group brought in USCG experts, etc., and had instruction on avoiding and dealing with hazards unique to our area [Columbia River Bar and estuary, as well as near shore sport fishery]. Others, who took similar classes where the major boating activity is running a wakeboard boat on the local lake, got none of that added instruction. None. Yet, they carry the same boater ed card I do.

All of this is by way of explaining why the best way to get started on training yourself on running tricky bars and inlets is ... hitching a ride with a local who runs them regularly. It will be worth the money to pay someone with a solid reputation if you can do a ridealong. Ask around.
 
Another educational possibility: I am sure other communities do this - the sailing club we used to belong to taught a 6 week class through the local adult ed center. My part was teaching Rules of the Road (intro) and man-overboard rescue techniques. There were people who were considering a boat purchase, new boaters, and experienced boaters taking the class.

Might be worth checking into adult education classes offered in your area.
 
The US Power Squadron may be your best bet: Here is a link to look up the nearest class to your location during the winter. The information is good. I had an uncle who was an instructor in all of the classes thru celestial navigation. He had about 500 miles of total boating experience. Owned a 50 foot boat, which never left the dock under its own power. There may be many seasoned boaters giving the classes, or they may have just worked up thru the various classes.

There are plus and minus thoughts about the Coast Guard classes, and the Aux. I took the basic series of classes in the 1960's and again in the 1970's with Marie. Good basic knowledge, but may not prepare you for situations like you experienced. For the most part there are very good dedicated men and women in the CG Aux. I have worked with them doing safety for various sailing regattas, and high speed power boat races. For the most part they were very professional.

CG Aux classes can be found on line here. I put my zip code in and it gave no classes--so this may be outdated?
 
BobAustin Said:

"CG Aux classes can be found on line here. I put my zip code in and it gave no classes--so this may be outdated?"
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I put in my ZIP Code and got 4 classes within 50 miles, so I think it's still a working site. 50 miles is good for Sequim.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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One of the thing's you should do as practice is learn how fast you can do a 180 turnaround. Find out what is possible/comfortable and count 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, etc. You will probably be surprised at how fast you can turn in a C Dory. Then time the wave interval coming at you when you're in something that is uncomfortable.

I got into some big seas this summer and then the wind came up and started blowing the tops off. I needed to turn and run. I slowed to idle and watched the waves for a while hoping for something small. When I finally made my 180, I was amazed at how fast I turned around with a dory hull. I accelerated and the approaching wave didn't even have a chance to lift my stern before I was heading back in the trough. I was giddy.

The 16 spins and takes off like a scalded cat. You might be amazed at what you can do in six seconds.

Mark
 
For some, I believe the turns to port or Starboard may not be equal, in timing or leaning. I know for me I can turn much faster and with more lean in to Starboard than port. makes for a tighter, faster turn.

Also want to pay attention to where on the wave you would make that turn. I think that would depend on whether they are oncoming of following waves.

Thoughts anyone?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Great to hear that the CG Aux class site is working well.---I guess just no classes in Pensacola--or it is not recognizing my ZIP...

The 16 will turn far faster than a 22 or a 24. A lot does depend on how the boat is trimmed. Being broadside at the wrong time (on the face of a wave) can be catastrophic in any boat. So making a 180 degree turn is not undertaken lightly in waves which are of the size enough to roll a boat. Generally, waves come in sets, even in instances as Jason was in. You need to time the sets, and pick the smallest of the waves--then make the turn, just after the crest has passed. But then you better be ready to use both throttle and helm to control the boat...

Agree, the most right hand rotation prop boats will turn faster to Starboard. This is certainly a factor to remember as Hardy suggested! I had to make some sharp turns to port with a 25 knot wind and very un responsive steering, due to air in the hydraulic system--it would have been easier to the Starboard.
 
You can also gain helpful knowledge on youtube. Try this search query: How to cross a bar safely in a trailer powerboat New Zealand". Best, Mike.
 
Larry Patrick":hm1ho7cx said:
I would love to take a course on everything you could learn about boating. From navigation,to maintenance ,to chart reading also old school navigation .of course everything safety ,understanding tides,figuring slack tides ect. Long winters around here ,would be a great way to past the time. But here in PA not many in depth learning courses.
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Larry, Don't know if you do this already, but if not, look into a membership in "BoatUS". You get access to some great online courses, other online info, and a monthly magazine that has plenty of good educational material.

Here is a link to their site:

http://www.boatus.org/

It's a good place to start, and worth the membership fee which is pretty minimal compared to what we spend for fuel etc.

Just read a Q&A in one of their magazines about taking waves. Their advice, "not directly on the bow, 90 degrees from the wave direction, but take the wave just aft of directly on the bow, on a bit of an angle. Less chance of having a water boarding incident that way."

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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I remember seeing that Washington State requires a boater education card for operators younger than me (like my wife, for instance). Any Washington C-Brats have one? What's involved? Any of the CG safety courses qualify for the card?

Mark
 
Any of the boating education classes which have the content approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), will have reciprocity with 45 states--including Washington St. Holding any of the Coast Guard Certificates, or licenses qualify as the boater education requirement.

Most of the CG Aux Classes meet these requirements. But a class taken in the past may not.

Easiest is to take the on line class/test by Boater Ed. This qualifies you in 45 states, and many other jurisdictions.


There are also a number of US Power Squadron courses on line.

However many of the more complex, and those requiring an instructor be present must be taken in person. A few states require that an instructor be present for the class of basic safe boating.
 
Re. Power & Sail Squadron classes - they are well worth taking. I will go one step further - join your local squadron. Being a member holds many benefits. I joined years ago and have taken a number of their courses. 3 years ago I was asked to serve on the Bridge. Very rewarding experience.

Regards, Rob
 
Lots of good advice here. I just wanted to add my two cents and with a quick scan of the 3 pages I did not see it but could have missed it. I think that binoculars are the most under used tool in a boat. I use mine all the time to check out the water conditions around me. As an example, i do not enter cattle pas with out looking thru the binos first. Even if the water around me is flat it might, and has been, really rough in the pass. Its not a solution for every event but it sure helps. I cant see very well at 10 yards let alone 100 yards. I use my binos at passes, marinas and harbor mouths.
 
Marco Flamingo":3pk6plj0 said:
I remember seeing that Washington State requires a boater education card for operators younger than me (like my wife, for instance). Any Washington C-Brats have one? What's involved? Any of the CG safety courses qualify for the card?

Mark
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Mark, I have one, and have had it since 2005, When I bought my boat. Way back when, I used to teach boating safety classes, WA and Oregon, and for Red Cross.

The WA card can be had by taking the Boaters Ed class on the BoatUS site that I referenced earlier. My preference is to do it in person, so I took it through a Power Squadron class offering. I think it was $20, and two evenings of about 3 hours each. Well worth it, as I was new to the area, and to power boating.

This is a good time to start looking for current offerings.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Repeating parts of an earlier post, in response to the OP, who was looking for help in learning how to run inlets to rivers and bays:

You got the horse laugh when you asked around about boater ed classes because really good instruction beyond whatever your state requires (or advises) for new boaters is very rare, and expensive when you do find it. In Oregon, new boaters are required to pass a class, now just a day long seminar, before earning a "boater ed" card. This was phased in over a period of years, moving up the age brackets. It has very heavy emphasis on novice boaters, especially PWC operators, because that is the demographic group where the greatest incidence of water-related casualties is.

You might find an "advanced" USCG or Power Squadron boating class, whose content is what was required in the old boater ed class. I took that, back in 2007, from the local Power Squadron, and it was excellent! YMMV, however, because the local group brought in USCG experts, etc., and had instruction on avoiding and dealing with hazards unique to our area [Columbia River Bar and estuary, as well as near shore sport fishery]. Others, who took similar classes where the major boating activity is running a wakeboard boat on the local lake, got none of that added instruction. None. Yet, they carry the same boater ed card I do.

All of this is by way of explaining why the best way to get started on training yourself on running tricky bars and inlets is ... hitching a ride with a local who runs them regularly. It will be worth the money to pay someone with a solid reputation if you can do a ridealong. Ask around.
 
Larry Patrick":mlgl3jgc said:
Hardee just joined Boat US last season,didnt know about their classes,but will check thanks.
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Larry, check the website link I posted, and look through the magazine for the tips there too.

Always learning

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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