Went for my PPCDL course at marina country club last weekend. Finally used the groupon that I bought a few months ago. Had wanted to learn and get the license since JC days. Back then, it cost like 500 bucks to take the course. Now? All thanks to groupon and mets, I paid just 150 bucks for the course.
The weather was terrible, raining for 2 consecutive days which thus hampered our spirits in our first ever boat handling session. Went through the practical session first on Saturday. It was all chaotic, not knowing what to expect especially since we have close to zero knowledge of the course. What I heard previously from friends was that the theory is a killer, killing almost 50% of the people on their first attempt. But practical wise, I only heard about the rubbish bin, talking about how many people failed because of that. On first thought, I was thinking how the hell could you have failed because of that stupid bin? Now I know the reason – because there are quite a few procedure that is related to that particular bin that makes it not just a rubbish bin, but also acting up as a bailer, fire bucket as well as the place to find the boat’s license (YES! Boat license! I wonder why people keep their license there in the first place!!)
So yes, conducted my first speed drive on the sea, maneuvering with a boat without power steering. And its actually quite difficult to move in a straight line without that power steer! It somehow brings me back to JC days where I made total use of memory to remember how a cox/rudder works in order to steer the boat’s direction. How I wish I could just position myself at the back to control the engine directly instead of using the wheels. So yes, without the power steering mechanism, it took me more effort to even turn the wheels especially when its wet.
First task of the day – rescuing a life buoy ‘man-over-board’ (MOB). Quite easy.. Just remember not to aim directly at the buoy so that the bow does not hit the person’s head. But when wind and current comes by, woohoo, everything is based entirely on judgement. How the hell could a person with maybe one hour of driving experience by able to based the ‘rescue operation’ based on ‘judgement’?? Huh are you kidding me? Luckily I have my own type of canoe experience to judgement wind and current beforehand. But how would another without such prior experience be able to do that?
Next, berthing and unberthing. Same theory as taking a driving test, requires the need to remember the moves of steering. It is a skill set, using practice to grasp the essence of the whole procedure. Still, when wind, current and WAVES comes into play, it either makes the whole situation easier or it totally ruin everything. And this is the part which I am more afraid of after hearing horror stories from my friends. No banging into the pontoon, no under berthing is allowed, as if every move must be calculated and inch PERFECT! Yes, it must be perfect up to the inches and centimeter. I guess I would have to think of a strategic plan before taking the practical exams so as to make it inch perfect. Would need to take a look at the distance and approach angles which could make or break the exams.
Finally, learning knots to secure the boats onto the pontoon. How am I not surprised they used a 2 and a half hitch to get it secured. Like what tent pitching is all about, it require ease of pitching as well as un-pitching together with stability and strength. Just what the 2 and a half hitch knot is able to do. And also the knot that I love the most back in camping days.
All in all, the whole thing ended in approximately 2 and half hours. First experiences, boating knowledge, skill-sets and enjoyment. And continuing on to pursue the endless lessons in life.
*Theory experience still to come*
My dream – buying and sitting in a yacht, watching sunrise and sunset across the beautiful horizon and waking up to sea-view during the weekends
