Sailing Day 2 St. George’s

Just after sunrise Jenni noticed a song bird on the boat rigging, something she had never seen. This one sang for us for about 10 minutes before it flew away. Maybe a good omen?  We’ll have to see. 

After coffee, breakfast and a little chit chat Jenni fires up our review session for the ASA 101 written exam. It was a great review and very helpful!

After our written exam (we all passed!) we began training on sailing more downwind headings on broad reaches and practicing our jibes (making turns to the left and right of a following wind and controlling the swing of the mainsail so nothing breaks and nobody gets knocked off of the boats!)  We all took turns at the helm, the jib sheets and the all important main sheet. 

Mr. Bill Wiltsch takes his turn at the helm while Jenni practices her “horse whispering” on jibbing. . 

Our experienced old friend and captain, Mr. Steve Richards enjoys the leeward view for awhile on a close reach (sailing aboiut 60 degrees to the wind) which makes the boat heel over and the water rise closer to the cockpit.  We all enjoy this kind of sailing. 

Another first for Mr. Dave Thumser, driving a boat under engine power. And another broad smile on his face. 

After we all practiced motoring the boat in a simulated close quarters (like docking in a marina or hooking a mooring ball) we actually hooked a mooring ball in Flamingo Bay for the night. With Jenni’s excellent coaching we caught one the first time easily thanks to some new tips she offered. 

Moored up and with the boat set up and cleaned up for the night we cracked open some beers, wine or scotch, depending on your tastes, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and talked about the success and lessons of the day. 

Jenni treated us to some great Island Burgers while we did the cleaning up. Later in the week we’ll reciprocate with our own special meal.  It looks like the song bird this morning was in fact a good omen!