It all sounds great right?

Join the club, explore Sydney’s stunning waterways on a luxurious sports cruiser without any of the hassles of owning a boat. But as you picture yourself beach hopping through Spring Cove or Bantry Bay you realise that you have about as much experience with driving a boat as a Boeing 747.

Let us tell you that you’re not alone.

While we do have members choosing to give up ownership of their vessels to join the club, many have also never spent more than a couple of hours on a boat, let alone jumping into the captain’s chair.

While we are sure by now you are up to speed with the walk-on-walk-off nature of the Pacific Boating membership but what many of our new members aren’t too well versed in is our extensive training services that are on offer when joining the PB family. While some are compulsory (safety first), our experienced trainers are on call to make sure you’re getting the most out of your memberships. 

So, what does this training look like?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Our Pacific Boating Daytime Boat Handling Training is carried out over two days in four sessions.

 Session 1 – the basics.

We take you over the boats, show you how everything works, how to operate all safety equipment and gear and most importantly, what to do in an emergency. We leave no stone unturned from operating the toilets and light switches to safe stowage gear and deploying the tender. We also take you through how to tie the fenders to the boat and the boat to the marinas or wharves safely. 

There is no doubt about it, this session gives you a lot of information which may not make sense at the time but as we move through the training it all comes to life when you put it into practice.

Session 2 – preparation

When it comes to boating, it’s important to always be prepared. While it’s easy to get caught up in the sunsets and secluded beaches, like any transportation vessel, safety is critical. We take you through the correct preparation of the vessel prior to being underway and supply you with pre-departure/pre-arrival checklists to get on and off the water sooner.

Session 3 – setting sail!

Now it’s time to get out there and put all this information to good use!

Session 3 familiarises you with anchoring, mooring, driving in proximity to other vessels, high speed manoeuvring and all the other fun stuff you have been waiting to try. This session is highly practical and will put into play all the information from sessions 1 and 2. You’ll learn about MARITIME signage and speed limits, no wash zones and safe operating RPM’s for your specific vessels engines.

It’s safe to say this is always the favourite session of the training.

Session 4 – berthing

Berthing the boat is always the thing our new members find most challenging because let’s be honest, it’s not the easiest thing to get your head around. Think about when you were learning to drive a car and a parallel park seemed like mission impossible. No matter how long it takes for you to feel comfortable with berthing, our team are here to assist you.

Throughout the PB Daytime Boat Handling Training, our team will also share their insights into Sydney’s waterways from hidden beaches to the best fishing spots and the more dangerous areas and those that have specific rules in place.

If after the two days you’re still feeling a little nervous, members are encouraged to maximise our unlimited one on one training that comes with every membership. Even if you head out for a couple of cruises and find things as you go that you need a little refresher on, our trainers are here to assist you.

Some members really make the most of the extra training options and end up teaching us a thing or two…

For new members that don’t have a boat licence, we can sign off your log books to enable you to obtain your licence and help you get out there as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

No matter what your experience level, we are here to make sure that you are getting the most out of your membership. From rookies to experienced skippers, we are here every step of the way!

Happy Boating!

The post Let Pacific Boating Get You Into Boating appeared first on Pacific Boating.

Even those experienced in boating can find the prospect of berthing a cruiser, no matter the size, a little daunting.  The type and size of berth, variable wind and tidal conditions will all have an impact on your ability to safely berth. You Tube is full of berthing disasters and to ensure that you don’t suffer any drama or feel the need to cover your boat in hundreds of fenders to protect it,  the team at Pacific Boating has put together a simple step by step guide to make the process a little easier.

Check out our 10 step guide to Berthing and watch our more detailed  training video below

Step 1

Berthing the vessel is best done at idle revs

Step 2

Ascertain what type of wharf you are berthing at, pontoon or fixed.

Step 3

Determine the easiest side of the pontoon or wharf to berth on and your best approach angle.

Step 4

Berthing is easier if the wind is blowing you towards the pontoon or wharf , preferably wind at your stern.

Step 5

Prepare the fenders at a height and in a position on the boat suitable to the wharf or pontoon you are approaching.

Step 6

Prepare any ropes you may need to secure the vessel once berthed. You will require a stern line and a bow line to secure the boat to the wharf and at least one springer line to prevent fore and aft movement and to keep the boat parallel to the wharf.

Step 7

Approach the wharf in a straight line on your ideal angle – VERY SLOWLY.

Step 8

Rotate the vessel at an appropriate moment to get the vessel sliding slowly in parallel with the wharf.

Step 9

Slow the vessel to a stop alongside the wharf or pontoon.

Step 10

Secure your vessel to the wharf or pontoon , stern line first ,then bow and springs as necessary.

Happy Boating!

The post Berthing – 10 Handy Hints appeared first on Pacific Boating.

In crowded bays, anchors have the ability to drag and bring those of other boats along for the ride. While you’re probably all for a friendly wave to your fellow boaters from across the bay, getting your anchors tangled is not the ideal way to make friends (trust us).

There is nothing like stumbling across a secluded cove which looks like it belongs on a postcard. In all the excitement, the anchor falls gracefully overboard, with the skipper not remembering to check the condition of the shackles securing the chain in the anchor bay. With as much chance of finding your anchor as the Titanic, it’s bye-bye relaxing day on the water, your heading back to the marina.

It’s also important to remember that tides and winds can change direction resulting in havoc to others anchored in the near vicinity. Make sure you’re not anchoring on top of anyone and stick to the basics:

• Leave plenty of room around you
• Check the water depth
• Know the tides
• Head the boat into the wind
• Release the correct amount of chain, usually 4 times the depth

Check out our video below for an update on all things anchoring and the main things to watch out for.

Happy Boating!

The post How To Anchor appeared first on Pacific Boating.