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Frequently asked questions
We've created this section as a means to prompt some
thought when choosing which RYA Training Centre to invest your money with. We
hope that you find it useful.
How can we be sure Powerboat Training UK are a
RYA Training Centre?
It is important that any school you consider
training with is currently recognised by the RYA. To check visit
www.rya.org.uk or call 023 8060 4181 (RYA
Training). Remember not every website that carries the RYA logo or implies they
are recognised will actually be so.
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Does it really matter that I get training through
a RYA Training Centre - perhaps I should ask a friend to train me.
Undoubtedly there are many good boaters out there
who have the ability and knowledge and are keen to share it with others. The
benefits of using a RYA qualified Instructor at a RYA Training Centre
include:
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Instructors have been trained to impart the right
level of knowledge in an appropriate way. They are experienced in identifying
where (for example) a particular manoeuvre may not be going quite right and be
able to translate this into a meaningful and simple explanation of how to
improve it. It is one thing being able to handle a boat oneself it is quite
another being able to impart this knowledge to others.
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RYA Training Centres are inspected regularly and as
part of this recognition are required to evidence they are adequately insured
for all of their activities.
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The certificates issued by RYA Training Centres are
recognised across the world and by insurance companies.
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Getting good training undoubtedly improves the fun
that you have in your pastime.
That said do make sure you get everyone to share
their knowledge with you as there is no way that RYA Instructors have a monopoly
on good ideas and knowledge!
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What type of courses do we run - Inland or Coastal?
We are a Coastal school and all of the certificates
that we issue carry a Coastal endorsement (where relevant). This is essential if
you intend doing your boating anywhere else other than on a lake.
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Is powerboating our specialisation a small part of our business or our
particular specialisation?
We are a specialist power based school and are not a
multi disciplinary centre. We feel the benefit to our clients being that we have
become real experts in all types and sizes of powered craft and can offer advice
and expertise on almost any powered vessel. This can make a real difference as
an Instructor familiar with either the type and style of craft you own or are
thinking about getting is of greater value to you and ultimately will give you a
better and more valuable course.
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How experienced are our Instructors?
A key requirement for us has always been that
irrespective of age the Instructors that we work with must always be massively
experienced and have gained that experience across a range of craft and
locations. This breadth and depth of knowledge adds real value to the courses
that they run.
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Can we offer the full range of courses?
Yes , we are able to offer all of the courses within
the RYA Powerboat scheme and the RYA Motor Cruising Scheme. This is particularly
beneficial to clients with craft in the 30 - 40ft range as they can be sure that
as a Centre running courses both for larger and smaller vessels we are not
advocating a course inappropriate to the size of the vessel. For example too
often we hear of people on 36ft twin engined craft undertaking Powerboat Level 2
- these individuals should be training by an Instructor from within the Motor
Cruising Scheme in order to derive the best value from the training. We also
offer the full range of RYA Shorebased Courses.
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How do they present themselves in terms of literature and websites etc?
We'll leave you to form your own opinion on our
website and brochures (feel free to ask for our brochures to be sent to you or
down load them here) but we hope that the effort
we've invested to provide object and valuable advice is obvious. Clearly
anyone nowadays can create a 'sexy' brand so please do call the schools
you are considering and see what you think of their knowledge and
professionalism when you speak to them.
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What boats do they use and how well 'specced' are they, are any of them 'coded'?
Do you get to try more than one boat?
As you can see from the 'Our
Craft' section of the website we have a range of craft that are used on
courses. For Powerboat Level 2 courses you will almost always use different
craft on each of the days of the course as we feel this variety is really
beneficial.
Our large RIB and Motor Cruiser are commercially
'coded' for charter and we have access to numerous other craft as necessary.
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Are there plenty of others on the course to learn from?
Invariably yes. In the main season for Powerboat
Level 2 courses we will always have two boats running each weekend and during
2007 often had three or four boats running. You will only ever be on a boat with
up to three students and one Instructor though. We always ensure you get to helm
the other boats and work alongside other students as you benefit hugely from the
interaction with other students and Instructors. In the winter we tend to run
one or two boats each course but even if there is only one boat out you'll use
different craft each day.
For Motor Cruising Courses there could be up to five
of you but usually will be three or four of you. Shorebased courses usually run
with between six and eight people.
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Can you go onto to take your Advanced, Instructors or shorebased courses with
them?
We're proud of the progression we've seen with many
of our clients over the years we've been running and the fact that we've been
able to offer routes for progression and development is hugely satisfying.
We've seen many of those we've worked with progress from Level 2 to Instructors
and Commercial Helmsman and convert their passion for boating into a part time
career. Equally we've seen people undertake a couple of qualifications but then
focus on cruising and exploring in their craft having a great time. Whichever
route people choose its great they can stay with us for the training. Not every
time though can we satisfy our clients training needs and we'll do our utmost to
identify other centres for them to train at if required.
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Do they sound like you will enjoy being with them for the duration of your
course?
At the end of the day we all boat because we enjoy
it so training must be fun too. Call the centres that you are considering, pop
in and have a coffee and see what you think. Often a gut feel is best.
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Do they run a good number of courses each year or does it appear rather
occasional?
It's amazing for us to contrast how busy we are now
versus when we started a few years ago. We run throughout the year and schedule
each year's courses in December. Some courses run at least every week (e.g.
Level 2), others run a couple of times a month (e.g. VHF) whilst others
run 4-6 weekly. If you are training on your boat we can schedule courses to suit
your diary
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Are they able to help you on other aspects of boating like which items of safety
gear to buy & where to get it for less?
We feel a big part of our training is the sundry
bits. We advise on VHF and GPS kit, can help in terms of the length of ropes for
you craft, have views on lifejackets, know most makes of boats and get asked
about all of these things all of the time. Consciously we've decided not to sell
boats or kit so we can give you sound impartial advice. Feel free to call us.
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Is the course reasonably priced?
We're not the cheapest and we're certainly not the
most expensive. That said look at our location, our classrooms, our craft and
most importantly our Instructors and assess the return you will get from your
investment. In contrast to the very large sums invested in boats and electronics
a small amount invested in training really does reap dividends in the short and
long term.
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Do you get your certificates at the end of the
course?
For all RYA or BSAC courses yes (although they are
often posted out at the end of the course rather than given out on the day). If
we are undertaking bespoke training with you then it may not lead to a
certificate however this would be very clear to you from our discussions about
the training we are undertaking with you.
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Can you be flexible regarding dates?
Yes depending on what course you are taking and
whether you are a group or an individual. If there are two or three of you then
we can often build a course round dates convenient to you whereas if you are on
your own then it really depends on the course and what it is you are looking to
do. We suggest that you just call or email us to discuss.
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Do you work with corporate clients?
Yes, a large amount of our work is for corporate
clients. We are happy to undertake tendering processes, attend presentations,
produce quotes and purchase orders and agree invoicing terms with appropriate
businesses.
In addition to training we can also arrange
corporate entertainment events.
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Do you work with the military?
Yes, we undertake a variety of training both for
various military units and for those retraining leaving their units. We are
happy to put together proposals and quotations as required.
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What have we missed? Let us know as we'd like to make this section as
valuable as possible - let us know via our contact form.
Here
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