Training Course: Know Your Boat

Confidence Builder Takes Ed To The Next Level

Seasoned seafarers Cory Hillsley and Brodie Davidson from the Yamaha Marine Academy have a contagious enthusiasm for all things nautical; the perfect duo to conduct the Yamaha Marine Academy Know Your Boat courses. 

Recently, the Academy team held a one-on-one day with Ed Burns, who had bought himself a lovely 6.2m Haines Signature 620 BRX with a 200HP engine. Although Ed had some prior sailing experience, it was when he was younger. Now, with the safety of his wife and young daughter to consider, he felt it was time to take a refresher course.

"Edward is a previous customer who obtained his boat licence with us through the Academy," explained Cory.

"He bought himself a lovely new boat and asked us to spend a day with him to run through the basics of safe launching and retrieving, as well as tips on navigating waterways and all the things you should know when you own a boat," Cory added.

"Things we covered with Ed throughout the day included securing the trailer before departure from home, driving to the boat ramp, and the essential pre-sail checks when you reach the ramp. Even before we launched his boat we spent plenty of time discussing bungs, lines and fenders and covering all of the little things that people may be hesitant to ask about for fear of looking silly. One thing we stress right from the beginning of the Know Your Boat course is that there are no silly questions; questions asked and answered mean that a person is a little safer and more confident out on the water."

The day out on the water with the Marine Academy team helped Ed to gain the confidence he was seeking to take the next step and enjoy a day out on the water with his young family.  

"Thanks to the patient guidance from Cory, we worked on a long list of new skills, including the intricacies of reversing a large boat and trailer down a boat ramp, and navigating the bustling marina," Ed revealed. "Learning how to launch the boat from the trailer using ropes was a real confidence booster."

With a strong breeze blowing Cory also showed Ed how to combat the wind when launching as well as coming on and off the Wharf. "The great thing about the course is that it starts with the absolute basics and works up to more advanced stuff at your pace, so everything is covered," Ed added.

Ed has already been in touch with the Yamaha Marine Academy team seeking further advice and asking a few follow-up questions, all of which Cory and Brodie were happy to answer. Ed has also booked in for a follow-up course so he can build on the skills already learned.

For further information about the Yamaha Marine Academy Know Your Boat course, visit the Yamaha Marine Academy web page.