Here is the latest view of the Sailor's valentine

We have logged some time at the helm!!!! 

After spending two weeks back in Boise, Helen arrived back in Jensen Beach, Florida on the 12th.  The Electronics fellas from Martec were still working, but almost finished...and on Thursday morning, Captain Bob showed up to begin our boat handling sessions. 

CAPTAIN BOB OF KADEY-KROGEN YACTHS

He spent two days with us.....we would work in the morning, then break for lunch (which was good because we could unwind from the stress) and then go back out in the afternoon for more training.  Paul would take the helm in the morning and Helen had the helm in the afternoon.  The first thing we did was pull the boat out of the slip and head slowly out of the channel, out to the Indian River channel where we had enought depth to get the feel for how the boat would handle...nothing exciting, but all important......how to stop the boat....(VERY IMPORTANT), how to back it in a straight line....how to turn in circles....and how to turn in very tight circles....all good things to know when you have to pull the boat into a harbor.  The we came back into the harbor of the marina and tried backing the boat into the boatslip where we were tied up and then out again into the inner harbor channel, which was just wide enough for us to to a controled 360 degree turn by going forward and backing up a couple of times.  Then he worked with us on a technique called "crabbing" the boat.....imagine pulling up to a parking space where you have to parallel park by inching in sideways with the car.....this technique is important so when you pull up to a crowded gas dock and have to "wiggle" in without damaging anyone else's hull. 

Captain Bob complimented us both days....but Helen has to admit that her second day was a bit rough......the wind had picked up and the "crabbing" didn't go well at all.

We are waiting for a calm day so that we can practice on our own without as much fear of doing in the boat....As ever...Helen