Yesterday, I was handed control of a sea going yacht by the it her half's uncle who decided that I was suitably sensible enough to have a go. I was even allowed to take it through a couple of tacks and take it most of the way back up the creek where it is moored at the end of the trip.

So I learned quite a bit - a spot of chart reading, how to plot a course and obviously a spot of practical boat handling. A lot to pick up in a day - but I feel rather buoyed (giggles) by the whole experience. When we got back I was shown a course book for navigation which helped explain some of the things that we were doing in the water.

Problem now is that I'd love another go, and see what it's like out on more open waters. Hopefully I'll get another invite. In the meantime, I'm ageing "owning a boat" to the aspirational list.

Hmm the best boats are other people's boats. People think running sports cars are expensive - wait till you're running a boat!

Yes - this is why serious questions and thinking would have to be done. I don't plan running into anything blindly, but I at least know someone who would tell me all the extra costs involved. I imagine it could be a lot, depending on boat size, type, mooring etc.. Not to mention the various certificates you need for certain kinds of journeys.

On a class 158 train (certainly the Arriva ones that run along the Cambrian coast) using the destination code "597" will display "Mystery Excursion" on the destination board:

I've heard it said that the two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it. Also 10% of the value in yearly maintenance is another common figure. When it comes to certificates, on a personal level you can do what you want with your own boat on a very basic cert. It is when you are running someone else's boat or carrying cargo or passengers that you need something more substantial. In Oz the initial certs are based on vessel length, following certs tend to be based on power and further certs on tonnage. To achieve these certs you have to have a record of service, known as sea time, attend training courses and then sit exams. I'm currently aiming for a Master Class 5 which would allow me to run a boat up to 24m length up to 200nm from the coast.

Over the last few days I've been launching and retrieving a 10m boat on the beach in various conditions. When it's calm the skipper lets me drive, good fun at 34 knots.

Wouldn't it be a bit shallow?

If it flies, floats or [LIFTED], you are better off renting it ...

As a guy I used to work for was want to say, I'd say he wasn't a very nice person on a whole, but knows about money.

I learnt that im being sent to court (again)

What for?

To sail in Britain, you don't have to have any sort of certificates, though some knowledge is essential! I did an RYA Day Skipper course at night school, I would think most local authorities would run them. Very informative and, while some knowledge is useful, you could do it from scratch if you're pretty bright, which you are.

The ins and outs are so in depth that there's no way I can go into them here, but a great place to start is here.

If you want to gain experience, check out your local yacht club, people are always looking for crews.

You are not the only one.

What have you all been doing?

+1

Yup in the UK nothing stopping you buying a boat and sailing away - no certs required
I sail (and if anyone ever needs crew around the S Coast PM me)
Went to the Southampton Boat Show a couple of weeks back - saw the boat I would like a Discovery 55 - "only" £850K .... now lets see what I can find behind the sofa cushions

I'm too old to stay up after midnight on a school night