For Deike Schütte, the path to becoming a motorboat instructor began rather unexpectedly. “I actually come from a sailing background,” she explains. It was only when instructors were sought in Hamburg for motorboat training courses that she began to explore the subject in greater depth. Today, she passes on her experience to others – and in doing so meets many women who wish to steer a motorboat with confidence.
Whilst a lot has changed in sailing in recent years, Deike Schütte sees room for further development in the motorboating sector. “It used to be a real novelty when, as a woman, I steered a sailing boat into the harbour. People would sometimes even give you a strange look. Fortunately, things are different today. Young female sailors in particular take on responsibility on the boat as a matter of course – sometimes as skipper, sometimes as a crew member.” In motorboating, on the other hand, many women are still more reserved. Although they often come along for the ride, they tend to leave the helm primarily to their partner. This is exactly where the Interboot motorboat driving course – ladies only! – comes in. “First of all, we help them understand what actually happens during manoeuvres. When the women are allowed to take the helm themselves and realise they can control the boat, they really enjoy it.”
Highlights from the Motorboat Driving Course – Ladies Only!
It’s not just about technique, but also about self-confidence
The learning atmosphere is particularly important here. Trust is quickly built in small training groups of four to five participants. “With a female instructor on board, women often speak more openly about their fears and aspirations. This usually happens more quickly than in mixed-gender groups.” The training sessions are therefore not just about technique, but above all about building self-confidence. In her experience, many women take a particularly cautious approach at the helm. “They sail more cautiously, more slowly, and take the time to get to know the boat. They’ll stop every now and then, try things out and, in doing so, develop a good feel for the boat.” Harbour manoeuvres, in particular, require practice. Unlike sailing boats, motorboats are easily blown off course in windy conditions. “That’s why the only thing that helps is: practise, practise, practise.”
It is difficult to find suitable training courses
Deike Schütte attributes the fact that, unlike sailing courses for women, there have so far been very few motorboat training courses to, amongst other things, the wide variety of different boat types and propulsion systems. “With motorboats, there are outboard, inboard, single-engine and twin-engine models – this makes it difficult for providers to develop specialised training programmes.” At the same time, she sees great potential here. Greater collaboration between boating schools and female instructors could help to create suitable training programmes for different types of boat. She advises women who already have access to a boat: “Have the confidence to take the helm. Find a buoy or marker out on the water and practise manoeuvres, sailing forwards and backwards, or turning in tight spaces. Confidence only comes with practice.” Ultimately, the whole crew benefits from this, especially in unexpected emergencies: “If both partners in a relationship can sail a boat safely, everyone is more relaxed out on the water, because if Mum can’t sail, Dad’s got a problem.”
Deike Schütte is looking forward to Interboot and the motorboat training sessions at the Interboot harbour. The combination of practical sailing sessions, opportunities to try out boats and personal interaction offers the ideal conditions for overcoming reservations and getting more women interested in water sports.