POWERBOAT SAFARI
“A dramatic and memorable trip . . . covering a lot of miles”
Leaving Helensburgh or Braehead just outside of Glasgow city centre, you and up to seven others will board this 235hp 7.2m Rigid Inflatable Boat (or RIB) and head down Glasgow's historical River Clyde on your ‘Powerboat Safari’.
If you’re coming from town, you’ll be skimming the water at speeds of up to 40mph as you head further down the water passing the impressive towering structure that is Erskine Bridge; the old Port Glasgow; and the 'big ship' port of Greenock before you continue into the slightly more open waters of the Clyde and striking scenery near Gourock, Dunoon and Wemyss Bay.
Bird watchers may also see herons; eider ducks; gannets and cormorants diving headfirst into the Clyde for a fish supper! You can expect to see plenty of other wildlife including grey seals; harbour porpoises and depending on time of year, the odd basking shark. We also know where a solitary, sociable, common dolphin often hangs out further down the estuary. A highlight for any sea safari!
Just off Helensburgh, you will visit the eerie wreck of the ‘sugar ship’ Captayannis. The boat sank in 1974 after huge storms caused her to drag her anchor, before a hole was ripped into her side. She now lies on her side half submerged and is a warning to others in this relatively shallow area of the Clyde.
This part of the water is also controlled by the Royal Navy and is near to the nuclear submarine base RN Clyde at Faslane. As such you may see minesweepers; submarines and other visiting warships as well as Royal Marines zipping about in their high powered Rigid Raider craft.
As a bonus, you will probably be invited to have a go at steering the boat under the watchful supervision and guidance of the duty skipper.
All our skippers are qualified commercial RYA Powerboat Instructors
What Should I Wear?
Powerboating is a watersport and as such you may get a little wet. Water-proof gear, buoyancy aids and all other safety equipment will be supplied.
Warm, comfortable clothing is recommended, as the wind chill factor can rise when travelling at speed across the open water. Soft shoes or trainers are recommended as are sunglasses to keep the wind and spray out of your eyes.
When and Where Can I Do It?
The ‘POWERBOAT SAFARI’ trip is at least two and up to five hours long. This will depend on your choice of route, and whether you wish to stop for a bag of chips in Rothesay!
Bookings are available by telephoning the office or email for a quote.
Available March until October.
Pick up points are at Helensburgh / Braehead / City Centre.
The minimum number of passengers needed to run this trip is three persons. The maximum number is 8 persons. (N.B. We have been able to increase numbers to 20+ given notice)
What will it Cost?
|
Group of 1 – 3 passengers |
from £60 per person |
|
Group of 4 – 8 passengers |
from £55 per person |
OTT Events carries £5,000,000 public liability insurance for this event and is a member of the adventure activity body AALA.
POWERBOAT BLAST
“Very challenging and a lot of fun . . . something completely different”
The ‘powerboat blast’ puts you behind the helm as you and up to seven others drive this 7.2m, 235hp ‘big yellow boat’ through different scenarios and experiences.
Your three stage experience begins with a ‘rapid ride’ where your skipper will take you from speed restricted channels into open water where he will demonstrate the speed and manoeuvrability of the boat before handing over the controls to you whilst still under his watchful eye.
You will find that ‘slowboating’ is trickier than it sounds as you engage in the second part of this experience. It will involve some obstacle work going both forwards and backwards through a buoyed and flagged course whilst being timed. The careful use of the forward, reverse and neutral gears is the secret.
The third and final stage simulates a ‘man overboard’ scenario. Using a life size recovery mannequin, you will be timed as to how fast you can come around and recover him with the help of tide, wind and your fellow crew.
On your journey back to dry land, you will have a chance to view the half sunken wreck of the ‘sugar ship’ Captayannis. This rusty wreck serves as a warning of the hidden dangers for all other water users in the area.
What Should I Wear?
Powerboating is a watersport and as such you may get a little wet. Water-proof gear, buoyancy aids and all other safety equipment will be supplied.
Warm, comfortable clothing is recommended, as the wind chill factor can rise when travelling at speed across the open water. Soft shoes or trainers are recommended as are sunglasses to keep the wind and spray out of your eyes.
When and Where Can I Do It?
The ‘POWERBOAT BLAST’ will last approximately three and a half to four hours, and runs by appointment March until the end of October.
Pick up points are at Helensburgh / Braehead.
The minimum number of passengers needed to run this trip is three persons. The maximum number is 8 persons.
What will it Cost?
|
Group of 1 – 3 passengers |
£85 per person |
|
Group of 4 – 8 passengers |
£75 per person |
OTT Events carries £5,000,000 public liability insurance for this event and is a member of the adventure activity body AALA.
POWERBOAT CHARTER
“More fun than a limousine . . . memorable and innovative”
The powerboat is available for birthdays; hen or stag parties; corporate rewards and river taxi service.
The boat is berthed in Rhu, near Helensburgh, and we are able to reach destinations all over the West Coast of Scotland.
Destinations and Collection points include:
Glasgow Town Centre (SECC / Crowne Plaza Hotel pontoon)
Glasgow Science centre pontoon
Helensburgh
Braehead
Rothesay
Greenock
Dunoon
Millport
Largs
We are also licensed and able to operate on Loch Lomond.
|
1 hour |
from £200 |
|
2 hours |
from £300 |
|
3 hours |
from £400 |
|
4 hours |
from £450 |
|
5 hours plus |
+ £50 per hour (maximum £800 per day) |
Charter prices include experienced fuel; commercial RYA Powerboat Instructor skipper; waterproof and windproof clothing; goggles; buoyancy aids and all safety equipment.
There is waterproof storage available for every passenger under their jockey seating. The space is similar to that allowed for airline hand baggage.
This MCA coded boat is equipped with VHF/DSC radio equipment and GPS navigational systems. The seats are comfy and the colour of the boat is a highly visible & recognisable bright yellow.
Corporate branding of the boat is available and can be organised if needed (£poa)
Please feel free to call the office on 0141 940 4313 to discuss a plan or any ideas you have.
RYA POWERBOAT TRAINING COURSES
We are very proud to announce, that we have recently passed our Royal Yachting Association Training Centre Asessment.
We are now extremely pleased to be able to offer:
-
Powerboat Level 1 - 1 day course
-
Powerboat Level 2 - 2 day intensive course (or, 6 x 4 hour modules on request.)
-
Safety Boat
-
GMDSS VHF / SRC Radio (to follow)
-
Day Skipper (to follow)
-
RYA First Aid (to follow)
There are a number of training centres around offering Powerboat Courses. What is different about our courses are the boats you will be learning on as well as the Instructor to Student ratio.
The Level 1 & 2 and Safety Boat course will be held on board :
-
7.2m Ribcraft. She is powered by a 240hp Yanmar onboard diesel and is an ideal learning vessel if you are looking to either purchase a large powerboat or want to learn in a bigger boat.
-
4.2m ZAPCAT. 50hp outboard with a racing tiller. A small 'Race Ready' RIB as used in the ZAPCAT national championships. Equally at home as a yacht tender. Training is essential if you are looking to buy one of these.
Courses will be conducted on the tidal waters of the Clyde from Rhu Marina near Helensburgh. This will give you a coastal endorsement on your qualification. Courses are operated on a 1:3 ratio, (unless specified otherwise), giving clients maximum time handling the craft.
Scheduled Courses
| Date |
Course |
Length |
Cost |
Ratio |
|
September 13th & 14th |
Level 2 (Coming alongside and leaving a pontoon; picking up a buoy; man overboard; high speed and low speed manoeuvres; anchoring; launch and recovery; introduction to chartwork and GPS; short passage planning and execution) |
2 days |
£230 |
1:3 |
| August 9th |
Level 1 (Introduction to powerboating - no assumed knowledge). An ideal present for anyone looking to have fun and get an introduction to coastal powerboating. |
1 day |
£140 |
1:3 |
| As required |
Level 2 (course as above) using ZAPCATS mainly, (with a 1:1 student instructor ratio - on the water) - ideal for those wishing to purchase or race Zapcats in the Zapcat series. See the ZAPCAT page for more details |
2 days |
£300 |
1:2 |
Cost of courses will include RYA certificate and powerboating handbook (Level 1 & 2); a light lunch; waterproofs and lifejackets as required.
The RYA Level 2 qualification, commonly known as the 'licence of the seas', is required as a prerequisite if you wish to obtain the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for boating abroad.
The level 2 qualification can also be commercially endorsed if you wish to use your qualification for making money . . . driving Zapcats?
Accommodation can be recommended but is not included as part of the cost.
Visit the RYA website http://rya.org.uk for full course details.
