Winter Maintenance

Have you done your winter maintenance yet?

Don't forget to do it before it's too late. Please ensure that your trailer is properly checked. bearings, tyres, rollers, hitch & greasepoints etc etc. Its so easy to forget or to do a half hearted check.

A proper check / maintenance day saves lots of heartache in the summer when it all goes wrong and you say ' if only i had....' Keep a record of your maintenance to give future buyers comfort that your boat has been looked after and properly maintained. get a copy of a maintenance log from the 'Library Page'..

Largs Success

In early July we took 2no 6m Ribs to Largs for 4 days of powerboating in the Firth Of Clyde and the numerous Lochs around the West Coast of Scotland. We were joined by 5 passengers on what can only be described as the best powerboating event we have ever done. The weather was fantastic, the scenery - well breathtaking to say the least and the local people are fantastic. The area offered us the best powerboating environment you could wish for. There were numerous day trips available to suit the drivers and crews capability and numerous options for trips depending upon the weather conditions. Basically a trip for everyone irrespective of the weather.

In the 4 days we covered over 300 miles, with a marathon 110 miles on one day alone. Deep fried Haggis was tried along with the traditional BBQ and a few scoops! A few pics are below to give you a flavour of the scenery.

Whilst we did not bump into any submarines we were dissappointed to not have seen any dolphins or basking sharks, which are regularly seen in these waters.

Spaces for the 2006 Largs Powerboat Trip

Interested in powerboating in some of the most scenic area of the UK. Your regional Powerboat Trainers are taking their boats to Largs on the West Coast of Scotland for a long weekend. Dates are the 5th - 9th July 2006. We have spaces available if you want to join us, either for a day or two or the whole weekend. Have a read up on the Events Page. - FULLY BOOKED

2006 Instructor Conference Cancelled

The 2006 West Midlands Instructor Conference at Chasewater SC was deferred until later this year due to uncontrollable circumstances. A revised date has yet to be set. Details of this will be posted here in due course. the event has been a great medium for the exchange of information between instructors in previous years. if you are an instructor then come to the event.

RYA Wavelength Magazine

The new RYA Wavelength Magazine 2006 edition is now in circulation. If you are an instructor then you should get a copy. You can however download a copy here.

RYA R.D.O. (Regional Development Officer) Quits.

The West Midlands RDO, Max Thurlow has stepped down from his position. This has put Both Alex Cockshott and Jerry Blyth back into their roles as Regional Coach and Regional Powerboat Trainer. The RYA have stated that this will be in effect until the end of the year, when it is anticipated that a new RDO will be appointed.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT

North Staffs Powerboat are making a commitment to the environment by having a 4 stoke outboard fitted to the new RIB which is on order. It has been recognised that 2 stroke technology, whilst very high, does not prevent the ejection of oil residue out of the exhaust and onto the water on which the engine is operating.

With this in mind NSPB has opted for the more expensive option of a 4 stroke outboard which will be quieter and cleaner running. This is at the sacrifice of acceleration and a small amount of MPG. The cost difference was considerable but the issue of the environment was put high on the agenda for the specification / selection of a new engine.

We would ask all powerboaters who use outboards on inland reservoirs to consider a move to 4 stroke technology.