Trial by water

   One of the big tests of any boat, or yacht, is being used. A boat can sit at a dock for years, and years, and once it is taken out, it breaks down, or never starts in the first place. We have had the union pacific out twice this week. The first day we went down river, and got Dana some wheel time. About 45min into the sea trial, i threw a fender overboard. I said to Dana, your husband just fell in. Aside from the 2 min she spent thinking about weather or not she should save him, she was put on the spot as to, what to do. So i instructed her on how to return, and how to stop the boat. she came within 15' of the buoy, and with some coaching  She got within 3' of it. Not bad for a first try. She also learned how to keep a course, under motor. She ridiculed it at first, only to find it a challenge to keep completely straight. By the end of her 90 min she spent piloting the yacht, she was very good at keeping the line fairly straight. Next time she will have to catch the buoy herself.