New Cobbs Quay Weather site goes live!
Feb 2008.

www.cobbsquayweather.co.uk

We've just gone live with a weather site at Cobbs Quay. We've installed a Davis Vantage Pro2 Weather System which sends weather data to this website every three seconds. MDL have worked with us to get the wind part of the system up high and out of the way of the boats. We hope that you enjoy and benefit using the site.

Click the image to visit the site

New whizzy calendar goes live!
Feb 2008.

We're delighted to launch our new calendar. We've spent quite a long time making sure it is really easy to use and useful for you - hopefully we've got it right. In a geeky sort of way we're quite proud of it!

Click the image to visit the calendar

PTUK Book Shop goes live!
Feb 2008.

We're delighted to launch our new Book Shop powered by Amazon.

Click the logo to visit the shop

We've started by identifying what we see as the key books for each of the areas we teach. Further areas will be added in due course.

Another PTUK Instructor wins an award!
Feb 2008.

We're delighted that after Terry McFall's success last year in becoming the RYA Powerboat Instructor of the Year Colin Ridley has followed hot on his heels and has been awarded the RYA Shorebased Instructor of the Year Award. Paul managed to get to the RYA Raymarine Yachtmaster Conference to wish Colin well and the smile on Colin's face said everything.

Colin has been part of the school since before its inception and ran the school's first ever Level 2 course. He tends to teach less often for us nowadays as he run lots of shorebased courses but you'll find him running a good number of our First Aid, VHF and Instructor Courses each year. Given that February will see the publication of Colin's new RYA Powerboat Instructors Handbook it will be a busy couple of months!

More website news
Jan 2008.

January has seen some material changes in the website and  we hope you agree that the site continues to move forward in terms of content and layout. The testimonials section is now live as is a new section on Poole. We'll shortly upload a Book Shop and a revised section explaining the various Instructor courses we run. Soon after we'll go live with our new Calendar. After that we're working on the commercial courses section and information on Joining Instructions.

We'd be delighted to hear from anyone that has any problems with the website either relating to how it looks, the menu structure or accessibility. any screenshots that you can provide would be great. We've tested against all major browsers and platforms but a couple of people have said they have had issues - hence the question.

New website for 2008!
Jan 2008.

If you are a regular visitor then you'll recognise that  we've just completely redesigned and restructured the website for the 2008 season.  One of the areas the website has struggled with over the last few years is presenting clearly and quickly the wealth of information that we provide on the site. To make life simpler we've made the menu system more straight forward and intend making further amendments over the next couple of months.

Perhaps most importantly we've tried to further improve the content. More of the articles that we've written have been added for your use, we've improved the advice to new boaters and developed the information available for those coming on a  course.

Anything left to do? Well yes - lots! Our objective is to make this site amongst the most useful to boaters irrespective of where they intend undertaking their training. We're soon to add sections containing Testimonials, Case Studies more information for those attending Courses, a new Quiz and more information to help you decide Which Course suits you best

Please accept our apologies for the lack of a proper calendar. we're in the process of building a super whizzy calendar which we hope will be worth waiting for.

You can help too! Inevitably there will be mistakes in some places in the website. We'd really like to know where they are, please email us at office@powerboattraininguk.co.uk with what you've noticed. Equally we'd like to know what you think we can add that would help you and other boaters - just email us your thoughts. Thanks.

Rockley Watersports
Jan 2008.

Rockley Watersports are the largest independent sailing school in the UK. Established over 25 years ago the company has built a reputation for delivering the very best in RYA dinghy sailing training. We're delighted to link up with Rockley and look forward to working together on many courses to further enhance the quality and range of courses and training experience offered to our respective clients.

Click the logo to visit the website

New boats
Oct 2007.

2007 has been manic at PTUK so we've taken the opportunity to add some additional craft to the fleet. Bibs our Scorpion 7.5m that has served us so well has been replaced with a 7.9m Ribcraft with a 225Hp Yamaha 4 stroke. This runs alongside Nova our trusty 5.6m Avon as the main workhorses of the training fleet.

Alongside these two are Bumblebee our 5.85 Ribcraft (150Hp Yamaha) and our new children's boat ~ Jumbo. Jumbo is a 4.8m Ribcraft with a 50Hp Honda.

Our jetbike (a Yamaha Waverunner) and our small general support RIB - Mango (a 4m inflatable keel Avon) are kept well busy too.

Additionally we have the 4 17ft Purple Pelicans which can be used when we have lots of clients with us and our motor crusier. If we add in family sailing dinghies, small inflatables and our Riva Florida that means we run 16 boats plus 2 canoes - frightening!

Keeping it in the family
September 2007

Well done to Hannah - Paul & Viv's daughter  - who in September represented the Southern Area as Regional Champion (Age group 8 - 12) in the RYA Honda Youth RIB Challenge in the finals at the Southampton Boat Show.

Hannah entered the competition through Parkstone Yacht Club and represented them at the Southern Championships in Cowes. As one of the few girls and youngest competitors we were in all honesty a bit surprised when she won. Jamie Edwards - also from PYC - won the 13 - 16 year old group so it was off to the Southampton Boat Show for the National Championships.

Sadly neither Hannah or Jamie won but Hannah came 7th (of 16) and was the top girl finisher. Jamie did really well and was 5th (of 16).

Next year we may run some training for those keen to enter this event - watch this space!

Anthony Nolan Trust ~ Castaway Challenge
Sep 2007
 

Following on from our involvement in 2006 we were delighted to assist this worthy cause in their 2007 event. See last year's news item for more details on the event and how to get involved.

April saw Paul invited by the RYA to run the first RYA Personal Watercraft course aimed at the newly set up Superyacht Training Centres. Since then Paul has gone on to run numerous Instructor courses aimed at this new market. This has involved courses in Antibes, Nice and Monaco.

“Terry epitomises the perfect RYA Instructor. He is highly knowledgeable and competent, professional and safe whilst his students see him as hugely reassuring and his courses fun, challenging and always surpassing their expectations.”

Terry was presented his award by RYA Chief Executive Rod Carr at the RYA Dinghy Show in London and was also given some sailing kit from award supporters Gul. Paul, Viv & the kids were delighted to be there with Terry's wife Sara.

Self Drive Boat Hire ~ Purple Pelican
Jan 2007

In October we announced that we had bought a Self Drive boat hire business that had operated in Poole Harbour for 5 years. We are delighted to announce that the 4 boats are now available for hire and that the business has its own dedicated website.

So what are the benefits for our clients?
- If you don't have a boat then you can hire these craft at discounted rates before or after your course. Many clients that we train are in the process of buying a craft or are thinking about doing so - this can be a great and low cost way to get on the water.

- Don't want the hassle of getting your own craft ready or yours is out of commission - then use ours.

- Based abroad but want to do some UK boating - a Pelican could be the answer.

- Want to get to those inaccessible places in the harbour that your craft can't get to - then use a Pelican.

- Like the idea of 'turn-key' boating, a Pelican may suit your needs
 

Click the logo for the dedicated Purple Pelican website

British Sub-Aqua Club
Jan 2007

We are delighted to announce that PTUK is now one of the few RYA Training Centres also accredited as a BSAC Seamanship Centre. Well done to Terry McFall, Don Roper and Morris Abley who along with our Principal Paul Glatzel qualified as BSAC Boat Handling Instructors and BSAC Diver Coxswain Assessors. We feel that the BSAC courses complement the range of RYA courses that we run and will allow us to offer to clients even more courses to satisfy their varied needs - call/email to discuss.

The site will soon be updated with more information on these courses however in the meantime follow these links: Boat Handling, Diver Coxswain Assessments, Outboard Course, Chart Plotting & Position Fixing, First Aid for Divers, Oxygen Administration.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office - UPDATE
Nov 2006

In our last News item we were coy on a new product that we'd helped the UKHO to develop - they swore us to secrecy! The product has just gone live at the Boat Show so we can spill the beans! The product is their new 'Tough Charts' we were delighted that the suggestions made were integrated into the final product.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Nov 2006

We were delighted to welcome the UKHO to our Offices this month to run a Focus Group to assess what a representative sample of powerboaters thought of a new product they are to launch at the London Boatshow. We arranged for 7 people (including Terry McFall our Chief Powerboat Instructor) to be there to comment on the product and suggest improvements to it. Over the two hours the Focus Group ran the attendees came up with some really valuable input according to those running it. Thanks to Andrew (x2), Tim, Ray, Viv (x2) and Terry for attending and their valuable input. Thanks too to the UKHO for choosing PTUK as a venue.

As you can tell from this rather vague explanation of the product they discussed those present have been sworn to secrecy about the product - our lips are sealed!!

PTUK buys Self-drive boat hire business
Oct 2006

On the morning of 1st November we were delighted to announce the purchase of a Poole based Self-Drive Boat Hire business. The existing business runs from Mitchells Boatyard (aka Parkstone Bay Marina) and will be moved to run from Cobbs Quay Marina over the next few weeks. We presently have 4 boats available for hire and as you can see from the photo they are somewhat different from your usual hire boat.

 The business is to be called Purple Pelican and will run throughout the year, for 2007 the craft will be available from February and those attending our courses who don't have a boat can hire them at a discounted rate. More information is available here and the business will have its own dedicated website shortly.

Anthony Nolan Trust ~ Castaway Challenge
Sep 2006
 

We were delighted to be able to assist this very worthy cause by ferrying their personnel and kit to one of the Islands in the harbour for their 6 day survival challenge. The conditions were great for them - a mixture of sun and rain! - and they even enjoyed some challenges like you see on the TV versions. We're supporting next year too - if you want to be part of this challenge contact the organiser Sharon Wells via sharon.wells@anthonynolan.org.uk / 01202 600629. Click the logo to visit the website. Thanks too to www.ribrage.co.uk for the use of their diesel jet RIB which we used alongside our boats.

Poole Afloat, RIBEX and Beaulieu a great success
Jun 2006

This year we have exhibited at three shows and have been delighted by the response we've received. For us it's a great chance to meet new clients and catch up with people we've worked with before. Below are some photos of the Poole Afloat event, we've been to Poole Afloat for 4 years now and this year had the prime position on the Quay.

Bahrain - training in the Middle East
May 2006

May bought our first trip to the Middle East to train an Advanced Course, a VHF Course and an Advanced Instructors Course.  The conditions were somewhat different to what we had left behind in Poole (you'll recollect that our Spring had not been the best!) so with temperatures of up to 40 degrees in the shade it was different to say the least.

First helicopter lift of the year and the first ever for Viv
Jan 2006

If the helicopter (Whiskey Bravo) looks close to Top Hat then rest assured it was! Whenever we can when we are out and it is appropriate on courses we see if Coastguard Helicopters will practice with us. The helicopters need to undertake lifts daily for practice and of course we enjoy them too!!

We accept the new RYA Training Vouchers
Jan 2006

The RYA says "Launching at the London Boat Show in January, RYA Vouchers make the ideal gift for friends and family or incentive for customers or employees. RYA vouchers are accepted at over 250 locations in the UK and abroad, and give you the freedom to buy RYA Training Courses when and where you like.

Over the coming months, the scheme will be rolled out to cover a wider range of marine businesses, so soon RYA vouchers could be redeemed for anything from chandlery products to a marina stay."

If you have these vouchers then feel free to spend them with us!