AARON AND ENTERPRISE, A SOLO ON A SUNNY DAY!

[aaronbocknek]

CAPTAIN'S LOG. 2013.15.08....ENTERPRISE ON TRAINING CRUISE W/ SOLO CAPTAIN AT THE HELM.

i did it. i finally did it. i could not resist the warm sunny day, the calm winds, the ultra high tide and the call of the wild. i did it. i got to the boat around 1000 and i do not know what came over me, but before i knew it i was removing the canvas enclosure and undoing the water hookup. my friend jerry, for two cases of yingling beer, dove under the ENTERPRISE weds afternoon and removed all the critters from the props, shafts and rudders. he said i had a coral reef on my shafts, which really bugs me as i had all the running gear coated with zinc coat last fall. so much for that. so yesterday, the 15th, i NEEDED to let ENTERPRISE stretch her legs and for me, to build some confidence with my lady. bilges blown, she started right up. as she warmed up, i thought of my plan of attack. slight breeze directly to port, i loosened the starboard lines first. then i rechecked the engines, throttled back to low ilde, and prepared for departure. my friend jarred who was detailing the carver behind me wished me a safe cruise and said he's be ready to assist when i got back. as i was getting ready to leave, my friend al's teenage son and 2 of his mates were walking down the dock. i asked if they would like to come along but not to do anything but sit on the bride as i was attempting to solo handle the boat. they agreed (i figured it was best to have someone onboard in case i did not feel well, and, let's face it, after all the hell i've been through, it was just some common sense.) and took their places on the bridge deck but did not assist in any way shape or form. that's what i wanted. once she was free of lines i engaged thrusters (yeah i know) and headed out.
she performed like a champ, jumping on plane at roughly 1800 rpm then found her sweet spot at around 3000, that gave me 19mph according to my gps. the boys remarked at how stable she felt even knifing into a few wakes. one of the guys liked the cabin and said it looked like a small apartment. ahhh youth. so after about 30 minutes we headed back to dock. i had two of the boys mind the stern only as insurance as to not whack off the platform. letting the breeze work for me, i held her steady (now remember, no 'experienced' neighbors were at my side talking me through the maneuvers) then just walked her back into the slip, which, at 15'6" side to side, is a rather tight slip for a 13' beam boat. and not a squeek from a piling. jarred remarked that it looked text book. i have to admit, it was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. yeah, i had some human company onboard, but, the piloting and handling was by myself. i secured the springs first then the breeze side bow line and jarred took care of the stern, making sure the platform would not hit the dock. i cannot wait to do it again. i'm beyond stoked!!! thanks guys for pushing me to it. but, i needed to find my comfort zone first.
junior and his buds headed to his dad's boat (a cruisers 33 express cruiser) for a trip to heart miller island, but, did not get very far as they lost the starboard transmission (he said he heard a high pitch squealing sound coming from the starboard engine right before loosing complete control of the transmission handle---low fluid perhaps?) so they came back to the marina on one engine. he did an amazing job too. eric, one of juniors mates did say though that he was glad i invited them to go along for a run.
so, after getting ENTERPRISE secured, water and power attached, i rewarded myself with a sandwich and a beer. around 1430, my buddy john (endevour 41 sailboat) diagonally behind me and to my starboard side, and his 11 year old daughter and her 3 friends arrived at their boat. (i forgot how chatty 11 year old girls can be!!) i was down in the cabin cleaning up from luncheon when john came over and asked if i wanted to go sailing with them. how could i resist!! a good day for sailing and learning how to helm a sail boat, a different feel by the way, we were out until roughly 1730. and no, it's NOT fun trying to stern in a sailboat, but, we eventually did do it.
after putting ENTERPRISE to bed for the evening i headed home, tired, hungry (really hungry!!!) and on a natural high. i walked into the house and was greeted by a very happy boston terrier.
i did more in one day than a whole weekend. and i had an absolute blast at it.
just wanted to share my special day with my special trojan friends. with a new found sense of confidence, i'm ready for the next challenge.
AAron

[Stripermann2]

That sounds like an exciting day Aaron, great story.

[prowlersfish]

Sounds like a great day .

[Allen Sr]

Sounds like your getting the knack of it now!

[The Dog House]

Congratulations Aaron! It's all about building confidence in yourself and the boat. Time to start planning your next trip!

[jhalb]

Always look forward to your post. I lost my 21 year old son to cancer a few years ago. I'm glad your getting the most out life and keeping us updated on your recovery.


John

[prowlersfish]

Confidence Goes a long way ! And don't worry if you screw up docking once in awhile it happens to all of us .

[aaronbocknek]

Always look forward to your post. I lost my 21 year old son to cancer a few years ago. I'm glad your getting the most out life and keeping us updated on your recovery.


John

thanks john, and my sincere condolences. i had no idea. i've sent you a pm......
i'm an open book as many of you know. since i am flying a 4 day trip staring out early saturday, so i took it easy at the marina and on the boat today. i spent most of the day visiting with friends, and i even went for a ride today on a friends 18' yahoo! she and her husband own an f-32 with a completely redone interior. the yahoo! is hers and hers alone. she swapped her jet ski for it. that little boat is fast as all get out with that 40hp outboard. so my water day was with her on the yahoo! . i'm actually considering a small runabout now. yipes, more toys.

[ready123]

Well done Aaron now I expect more outing stories and pictures!

For Lawman .... "You need a bigger boat" - Chief Brody