where is serenity

Date: May 14th, 2008
Location: Anchored in Hurricane Harbor, Key Biscayne, FL, USA
Coordinates: 25.41262, -80.10483
Weather: Sunny, 80F, wind 15 knots
Sea State: 0 - 1 foot

We woke up this morning and had to fend for ourselves as far as breakfast goes. I had a bagel and cream cheese. Scot checked the starboard hull and found that the water level had risen significantly during the night. So we got to learn about the manual bilge pumps. The Lagoon 41 has two manual bilges built in. You sit on the back seat of the aft cockpit and pump the handle up and down. It was quite a bit of work and the four of us took turns and after a half and hour or so the job was done and the starboard hull was emptied of water.

About 10:00 or so we cast off the dock lines and practiced docking there at the dock on Cross Key. The docking was made harder with the current in the channel from Jewfish Creek and the gusty and variable winds from the north. Each of us got to practice docking two times rotating from the bow, midship, stern, and helm positions. The helm position was the most exciting have to steer and maneuver the 41 foot catamaran with the engines and rudder to within inches of the dock while heading into a strong current with the wind whistling thought and over the surrounding buildings. As difficult as it was we each did, for the most part, very well siding the big boat up to the dock. CJay was great at explaining what needed too happen and when. He remained very calm and never raised his voice, even when one of the other students approached a little to quickly. It was quite the confidence booster. Knowing that you can handle the boat in those conditions is very reassuring. When you were not at the helm maneuvering you had specific duties manning a line to secure the boat the dock.

After we had all had a chance to dock th boat several times we hailed the bridge and requested an opening. We held steady in the channel for several minutes until the bridge opened at 11:30. CJay had us plot a course and we had a great time sailing back toward the the north heading to Miami. The wind was perfect and coming from a good direction so we were able to sail at a beam reach for most of the day. At one point we had a monohaul get close to us. CJay spent several minutes explaining what the person was doing wrong and why they did not need to be healed over to such and extreme. It was quite comical. I think the other guy in his brand new $400,000.00 boat thought the more he could get the boat healed over the faster he would go, but it only ended up reinforcing to us how important it is to get some quality education so you can understand the forces at work against the boat while underway. I do not want anyone to think I am this great sailor now, just because I have taken this week long class. But I do feel that I now have a very solid foundation on which to keep learning.

While sailing toward Miami we practiced trimming the sails, heaving to and man over board recovery. Heaving to is a quick way to stop the boat without lowering the sails and can be used in many different situations. To heave to you back wind the jib, release the mainsail and turn the wheel toward weather, in this case toward the jib. The boat will come to a stop within two boat lengths.

19:00 or so we got to our anchorage. We anchored are this little cove on Key Biscayne that is surrounded by beautiful multi million dollar homes. Most of the homes have expensive boats tied off to the seawalls of their properties. I think it is funny that we can anchor here. It is like someone camping in our cul-de-sac.

After securely anchoring our boat we reviewed for and took the next test. The test for ASA 103 has to be one of the most poorly written and conceived tests I have ever taken. CJ actually apologized for the test as he handed it out. All for of us students were a bit numb when the test was finally over. You know a test is bad when you have to spend as much time figuring out what you are being asked and how they want a question answered as you do answering the question. With the test out of the way we had a few brews and sundowners as CJay grilled some delicious chicken on the barbie.

I am back to sleeping in the salon. As much as I enjoyed the privacy and comfort of the cabin, I simply did not feel right about making the lady that jumped ship in Cross Key sleep in the salon. I think of myself as a gentleman and it simple was not gentlemanly to keep the cabin. Our new female crew member resisted taking the cabin, but finally after instancing several times, she agreed. It might have had something to do with have a private head that finally convinced her to take the cabin.

~ by Darley on May 14, 2008.