It's been a while since...

I spent yesterday afternoon doing some repairs and service to the Yanmar diesel in the Catalina 390.  I haven't had wrenches in my hands since I was helping my tuner, Chris at Cycletune, put the engine back in my race bike. 

It's been much longer than that since I've crouched over a marine diesel.  It felt good.  Though I wouldn't want to do that all the time, it's gratifying to work on a diesel, then start it up and see that it's now working properly.     

All in a day's work.

Yesterday I skippered the '09 Catalina 440 "Suite Jolene" on a 4 hour daysail for some nice folks from Atlanta.  Later I took it out again on a sunset cruise for a young couple from the St Petersburg area.  We'd been told in advance that this would be a "proposal cruise".  He intended to "pop the question".   I helped Patrick decoate the bow pulpit and lifelines with Christmas lights that I'd turn on when it got dark - assuming she said "Yes."

She did.

  

Sunday morning - first time in my new role at Sailing Florida

Patrick, the fleet manager for Sailing Florida, asked me to take care of a briefing with charterers on our Beneteau 32.  I'd used this boat before when teaching an ASA course, so I had some familiarity with it's systems.  Working with a charterer again, after being away from the business for so many years, was genuinely fun.  I got them going and on their way and then discovered another charterer on our Beneteau 37 having an issue with the Yanmar engine.  I jumped on and scoped it out.  After making an adjustment to a v-belt, that boat was ready to go too. 

This business of taking care of charterers and their boats was for me like being back in the Virgin Islands in the '90's.  It seemed as natural as breathing fresh air.  I walked back to our condo with a smile.     

How will I ever thank Cathy enough?

Capt Dave, proprietor of Sailing Florida, asked me to meet with him at the conclusion of the Bareboat course I just finished teaching.  He surprised me with an offer to get involved with the charter yacht aspect of the business.  I'd be working with charter clients doing yacht systems and mechanical briefings, chart briefings and float plans, doing repairs and maintenance on the yachts, captaining day charters, sunset cruises, corporate team building programs, as well as teaching ASA courses. 

This work is very much like the work I did through many fun years in the Virgin Islands.  Cathy encouraged me to take the job, so I have. 

How often does it happen that someone gets the opportunity to re-create a period of their life when their work made them happiest?  A period when you felt that you were where you were meant to be.  Doing the work you were meant to do.  Special work in a special place.  And getting paid well to do it.

I was in that situation for several years while I was in the Caribbean.  Years when I worked for LaVida Yacht Charters, when I was captain of the motoryacht "Silvercrset", and when I worked for Trawlers in Paradise.  Those were the most fun and gratifying work years ever.  But I was single and wanting a partner.

Now, more than ten years later, I am astonished and delighted to find work that very closely resembles those great years in the Caribbean. 

Even more astonishing is that the partner I found after leaving the Caribbean brought me to this place and facilitated my great fortune in finding this work.

Movin' on up.

Two of my Coastal Cruising students went straight on to the Bareboat Chartering course with me.  We moved up from a 39' Catalina to a 45' Hunter.   

                                                            Ray and Werner

We anchored for the night in a quiet corner of the Manatee River and enjoyed a spectacular sunset.

                                               Followed by dinner.



Wow. What a great time!

Saturday and Sunday were spent teaching Basic Coastal Cruising to repeat students of mine.  This group really clicked.  We had lots of fun while learning a few things about sailing.  I tried to inspire them with role-models from the bridge of the starship Enterprise.  They wanted to eat and drink instead.

   

Beth (Bones), me (Capt), Ray (Sulu), Jeff (Scotty), and Werner (the Purser&CFO)

During and after their written exams, which all passed with colors flying, there was a major manatee encounter.  They bobbed and cuddled without regard for our cameras. 
Remember the Prime Directive. 

The Directive states that members of Starfleet are not to interfere in the internal affairs of another species, especially the natural development of pre-warp civilizations, either by direct intervention, or technological revelation.

More messing around on boats

I was on the water yesterday afternoon in 20-25 knot winds with a new student.  Two reefs in the mainsail and a partially furled headsail, tacking and jibing and man overboard exercises.  Fun!

Today I begin four consecutive days of teaching with students I've taught before.  We're on to a more advanced curriculum.  I'd like to see some of that wind we had yesterday again today.     

Manatee sighting!

Walking through the Harborage Marina yesterday after a daysail, I finally had my first manatee sighting!  The reflection off the water obscures details, and the photos don't show the size of these creatures, but this is one of two that I saw.  It's about 6 feet long.

When they're not swimming they look like a big rock.  Easy to miss if you didn't know that there's no rock there.   



Where's Cathy?

She's at the Federal Executive Institute up near Washington DC for two more weeks of leadership training.  
https://www.leadership.opm.gov/Programs/Executive-Leadership-Development/index.aspx

Watch out NOAA.  TurboCathryn 2.0 will soon be released!

Weekend of teaching

My newest sailing student friends - Jeff and Ray.

We did our best to take advantage of light, variable winds while the St Petersburg Yacht Club regatta crowd came charging out of the city marina.

Late in the day on Sunday the wind went totally calm, so we did docking exercises at the Harborage Marina and at the nearby boatyard restaurant "Fish Tales".  We squeezed a 37' yacht into a 34' space, which earned us praise from another sailing instructor who just happened to be there.



That's ice tea I'm drinking.

Sunset Cruise

St Petersburg Rocks!

When we arrived here (end of June/early July) this town seemed like a quiet, sleepy place.  We'd been warned by former residents of nearby Sarasota that it would be like this during the hot summer months. 

But, we were told, it will change come late September/October.  Has it ever! 

During the past few weeks, in sync with the temperatures falling to near perfect cool evenings and pleasantly warm sunny days, St. Petersburg has blossomed.  It's like the place was sleeping through the summer heat, waiting until fall to awaken.  For example, last weekend several blocks of Central Ave were closed to traffic for the St Petersburg Folk Festival.  We went on Friday night with our friend Beth and waded into the crowd.  The street was lined with booths selling folk art while the Indigo Girls played from the stage.  This was all free.

The next day was the season opening of the St Petersburg Saturday Market, just a couple blocks from us.  I was on the water teaching that day, so I couldn't go.  But Cathy went and reported that it was busy and fun.  Rather like Portland's Saturday Market.  She bought a nice straw hat and then went back to the Folk Festival.  She came home with three pieces of folk art.     

Last night we met Beth outside her condo on Beach Drive, which is a 15 minute walk along the bay front from us.  She took us up to her three bedroom unit on the 21st floor.  The view of the bay, harbor and marinas from up there is amazing.  We went down for dinner at one of the string of great restaurants on Beach Drive.  The street was alive with pedestrians.  Sidewalk tables were filled.  In a park across the street a bluegrass group played until dark.  Then, a screen and projector showed the movie "Field of Dreams".  (The Tampa Rays lost their second play-off game that afternoon.)     

This is only the start. There is a full calendar of city events.  Check out the website.
http://ilovedowntownstpetersburg.com/event-calendar

This evening a group of us Flagship Sailing Club members will get together and go out for a Sunset Cruise.  Watch the sun go down behind the St Petersburg skyline.  There will be no moon visible tonight, so the stars and the planet Jupiter should be brilliant.

For those who follow baseball

Image via Wikipedia

I don't follow baseball, but it seems 'most everyone here is all whipped up about the Tampa Rays making it into the play-offs.  They begin thier series against the Rangers at 1:30 today at Tropicana Field. 

Tampa Rays' Tropicana Field not in Tanpa; it's in St Petersburg.  In fact Tropicana Field is a 20 minute walk from our rented condo.

I'm not planning to try to get a ticket, but I may wander down the street to a favorite restaurant and watch the crowd at the bar watch the game.  Maybe I'll get a case of contact enthusiasm.     

St Petersburg FL 10 day weather forecast

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/33701?role=

Wish you were here!

This morning it was 62 degrees when I went out for my run.  That's the coolest temperature we've felt in three months.  It was perfect for exercise. 

The sky has been crystal clear.  Afternoon temperatures in the mid 80's  Moderate humidity.  The regular threat of afternoon thunderstorms has diminished.  Just brilliant sun and steady wind for sailing.

Another weekend of messing around on boats - teaching.

I spent Saturday and Sunday having fun with my ASA Coastal Cruising students: Liz, Conrad and Dan.  I caught them here looking intense, as if a regatta trophy was at stake.   

In truth I did have them working - tacking, jibing, trimming sails, anchoring, reefing, man-overboard execises.  I made them eat lunch on the boat while hove to, which really is easy, comfortable and safe.  After lunch on Sunday I had them sail me around on Tampa Bay in the glorious sailing conditions we then had.  That got everyone relaxed and happy.

Delivery Disappointment

I was supposed to be flying to LaGuardia today.  I have the ticket that was purchased for me.  But Saturday I learned that the boat that I was supposed to help bring down to Florida is being sold.  The new owner is in Boston, so the boat won’t be going anywhere.  The delivery is off. 

I was very disappointed. I was eager to do that trip. I was also counting the money I’d earn. It looked like I’d be left unoccupied and unpaid while Cathy goes off to DC next Sunday for two weeks of more of her leadership training program.

But yesterday I got good news. I was offered a gig teaching ASA curriculum - 3 different levels of sailing over 6 days. I accepted right away. That will keep me occupied while Cathy’s away and replace most of the income I was going to make on the delivery.

That’s another example of how kind St Petersburg has been to me. Even when something goes wrong, it still turns out okay.