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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Six-Pack

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/25/2010 : 15:03:41

No, not that kind--the OUPV Captain's License.

For you folks who've done it, I'm looking at getting one so I can drive people around on [url="http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=39184409-1E4F-379B-60C04AB419F7577D"]this[/url] at the Mystic Seaport on a volunteer basis. One course, which is just starting, runs one night a week for 14 weeks. My other option is a nine-straight-day course--five long weekday evenings and four very long weekend days. The latter sounds a little like drinking from a fire hose--my concern with the former is my feeble brain might not be able to remember what it learned 14 weeks earlier for the test. (I already know which side is red and which is green...)

What were your experiences?

Association Port Captain, Mystic, CT
Past member and DPO of C-25 #5032
Now on Eastern 27 Sarge (but still sailing) and posting as "Stinkpotter".

Passage, Mystic, and Sarge--click to enlarge.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/25/2010 15:04:17

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 15:22:28

Good for you Dave! In a course like that I'm sure you will pick up more knowledge making you a better seaman. It certainly can't hurt....But are we going to start having to call you 'Captain Dave' and do I see a charter fishing business in-store for Sarge?

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 16:29:41

Go for the shorter version, Dave. I always believe in getting tough things over as fast as possible.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 17:24:19

Cool boat, neat hot tub in the back.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 17:46:36

Take the short and intensive course. I bet you know most of the content already. You'll look good skippering that boat with your Tilley on.

You might also ask why the skipper and passengers aren't wearing PFDs in that photo....

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/25/2010 17:49:30

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 20:21:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 You might also ask why the skipper and passengers aren't wearing PFDs in that photo...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That skipper is a friend... I'll hafta ask him about the line hanging over the gunwale.

Except for the channel right along the seaport, if you go into the water, you can walk the hundred yards to the opposite shore. But I'm sure the captain pointed out where the PFDs are on board--just as I do on Sarge.

Part of the complexity of the six-pack test is you have to know both the inland and international rules (lights, ect.), and there are differences. Also, my charting skills have been rusting for the past 20 years or so. I have a a couple of schedule conflits with the 9-day course. I think I might enjoy the longer one as a winter diversion...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/25/2010 21:00:02

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 06:22:02

Most courses practically guarantee that you pass regardless of how many six packs you consumed during the course!

My wife is encouraging me to go for a 100 ton Masters which requires
- 360 underway days*
- 90 days of the 360 must be within the last 3 years.

Master 25/50/100 Ton** Near Coastal
- 720 underway days*
- 360 days of the 720 must be upon near coastal or ocean waters
- 90 days of the 720 must be within the last 3 years.

* A "day" is considered 4 to 8 hours away from the dock.
** Tonnage will be based on the size vessels you have been operating in the last 3 years.

Good luck!

sten

Edited by - on

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 09:14:33

Dave, I thought you were bragging about your abs!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 10:01:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Even Chance
 Dave, I thought you were bragging about your abs!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">They're more like a quarter-barrel...

Sten, I think these two courses do guarantee passing, and they give the test themselves. Doing a quick estimate, I might be able to hit those Masters numbers, although I'm certainly no Jim Baumgart! (He might have hit the Near Coastal numbers in two years--I'd have to find somebody to vouch for my story for the past 30.) But I don't have any of the required days outside of the coastal boundary line, which I believe, for example, runs from the south tip of Block Island to a buoy off Montauk Point. I don't spend any time out there.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/26/2010 10:21:03

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 15:56:45

As you may recall, I took a class to get my ticket. I took a 2 week class that met Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening 6 PM to 9 PM. I used a computer program that came with a book to really polish rules of the road and seamanship exams.

The school I chose also offers the entire class all in one (intense) weekend. I think the longer program was better.

I passed the test missing only 1 question (on for me a 7 hour exam).

USCG 50 ton.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 18:22:16

Thanks, Jim, I recall your going through it... Your version sounds better than either of the choices I have. I've also talked at a boat show to a guy who sells a software/web-based course, but I'm looking forward to the classroom interaction, and not having to go to a USCG facility to take the test. (I doubt they guarantee passing!) I'm meeting with the instructor of the 14-week version tomorrow night, and will probably go that way. I suspect I have a lot to learn (and maybe unlearn).

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 18:34:42

The trick is don't ask "why is this on the test?" There is a lot of stuff, especially on the charting section, that just does not make sense in todays world of GPS. Still, you'll learn dead reckoning really well.

Rules of the road were pretty easy, especially with the training program so that I could take tests over and over again until I was getting 100% consistently.

Seamanship was pretty easy and you probably know all of it already (that is the area with the one question I missed).

I learned a lot in safety, firefighting, and I learned a lot in the towing section (I have the towing endorsement). I've used it several times when I towed a Cat 30 and a big power boat with my Cat 25. I put on a survival suit, things like that.

What I liked most was when the teacher, a retired US Navy XO, would tell some sea stories (but that was rare).

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 19:26:37

The instructor I'll probably have is retired Navy--I heard he now contracts to the Navy as a "port pilot" driving subs through The Race into and out of the Groton sub base. Probably knows his stuff!

Edited by - on

keydup
Deckhand

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10 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 18:59:14

Having done this, take the shorter version and get it over with. You will be ready for the test before the class is over. As long as your instructor doesn't put you to sleep you should have no problems.

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 19:31:58

++1
I did the short course too with Sea School.
I highly recommend it.
I was a captain for 5 years.
I got tired of hauling tourists around answering stupid questions,
like, "Do any famous people live here?"
I used to say yes, but the court settlement doesn't allow me to talk about them.
But I did enjoy getting paid to sail other people's boats.

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