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After
practicing that day and part of the next, we were ready to move on. While
cruising down to Marina Jacks in Sarasota, Moore taught us about everything
from navigation (paper and electronic), to using the radio, to the Rules
of the Road. Later that afternoon we began one of our many extensive lessons
on docking, at first practicing next to a piling out in the middle of
nowhere.
Each morning Moore would
hold lessons in the saloon, and we’d practice what we learned in
the afternoon. This was a far more effective way to teach than someone
shouting instructions from the flying bridge as the boat is quickly approaching
the dock. As the week went on, we learned about maintenance and did daily
checks on the engine. We learned how to lay out a course and to provision
for a trip. We learned about line handling and knot tying. And we continued
to work on docking until all five of us were comfortable not only pulling
in side-to, but also backing the 42-footer into a tight finger slip.
My favorite lesson was
the man-overboard drills on our last day. Moore instructed us on how to
stop the boat, then turn and pick up the person in the water. She also
taught us the importance of the spotter and how we should try to throw
a flotation device to the MOB immediately. After the lesson we tied two
water bottles together with a rope, named the float after a certain boat
rep that insists on calling women “Mama” at boat shows, and
threw “him” overboard. We each took turns at the helm while
the others worked as spotters or rescuers. Our adrenaline was pumping,
and we were taking it very seriously—that is until we erupted into
a fit of laughter after one of my classmates proceeded to throw not only
the PFDs but almost every seat cushion overboard to save the water bottles.
As we went around and
around “rescuing” all the seat cushions, I felt lucky not only
for having had this opportunity to learn so much about boating in such
a relaxed environment, but also to have met five fascinating women.
Call for pricing and
schedules of powerboating classes, held in different states.
Sea Sense
Phone: (800) 332-1404. www.seasenseboating.com.
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