Aw, shucks...

The following is an email to Capt Dave, the President of Sailing Florida, from a recent student of mine.
Hi Captain Dave,

Just a quick note to tell you what an amazing learning experience Tony and I had with Captain Roy this week. As you know, the ASA 104 class is meant to prepare students for bareboat chartering in far off ports so the material to be learned is extensive and detailed. Captain Roy's teaching style was a perfect match for Tony and I. He took us through a complete dissection of our host boat, Pitch and Roll, teaching us about each mechanical, electronic, and life-sustaining system onboard. While underway Captain Roy kept the navigational electronics covered and taught us to navigate our vessel using a chart and navigational tools.

We made our way to the manatee river, found a quiet overnight anchorage, dropped anchor and readied the dingy for a quick trip to shore. After returning from the beach we made a tasty onboard dinner, took a swim and then spent time with Captain Roy preparing for our certification exam in the morning. His sailing knowledge was impressive and he was always able to answer our questions with accurate and complete information...He's the real deal. The next morning we ate breakfast, took our exams (passed with high 90's), and began our day of sailing back to St. Pete. Captain Roy stayed in teach mode all the way back to the dock allowing Tony and I to operate the boat as an independent team but with his guidance when we asked for it.

All in all it was a great experience and we are looking forward to completing our 105 and 106 courses in the future...hopefully with Captain Roy onboard! Below is a link to pictures from our trip.

http://gallery.me.com/your2waves

Thanks for running such an exceptional organization!

Jeff Schmidt

Point DeSoto

Last night I spent the night on this 2011 Catalina 445 anchored off Point DeSoto.  This was part of the American Sailing Assoc Bareboat Sailing course that I teach for Sailing Florida. 

This is the beach along the bay.  This morning while my students were busy with their written exams, I took the dinghy ashore for a stroll along the beach and the National Park nature trails.  It was a fine way to begin the day. 



Sunset sailing.

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Birthday

Today is my birthday, but I'm not going to get reflective on how it feels to be this age or what it means.  Instead I'll say that the Jimmy Buffett concert in Tampa last Saturday was very fun.  We went with four of our friends and had our own little tailgate party before the concert.

At Sailing Florida we continue to be very busy with charters, daysails, sunset sails and lessons.  In addition, the Regata del Sol al Sol begins April 29th.  It's a race from St Petersburg to Isla Mujeres, which is off the coast of Cancun Mexico.  I'm not doing the race, but I am flying to Cancun on May 4 to skipper the return trip for the Jeaneau Lagoon 37 that will be in the race.

So today my mind is on the preparations on the yacht that need yet to happen and preparations for my own trip there and the return trip. 

Moment of perspective

Sitting on the beach looking out on the anchorage, sun on my face, waves lapping at my feet, I know that where I am now is special, but it rings like an echo of the boats I drove and the islands I visited when I was younger.
Those years were truly extraordinary.
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High Season strain

Demand for our charterboats and sailing classes at Sailing Florida has been relentless.  Rarely do either I or Captain Patrick get an entire day away from the marina.  On those few days when none of our boats are going out on charter, we are busy repairing and maintaining them so they're ready to go.  And while I love this work, and count myself incredibly fortunate to be in this position, I admit there have been a few occasions when I wished for a slight break.  That was particularly the case over the previous couple weeks when Cathy and I moved into a new apartment and then had to endure living among and out of boxes while we got slowly unpacked and reorganised.  There's still more to do, but finally this new space has begun to feel like a home. 

Some photos from recent charters and sailing classes.