First Forty Arrives in Port

Trip Start Dec 01, 2007
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9
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Trip End May 31, 2008


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Flag of United States  , Florida,
Friday, December 21, 2007

While no fire boats streamed water into the air and there were no bands playing on shore, motoring into our (shhhhh) real home port of North Palm Beach Florida felt really good.  We bought the boat in St Pete Florida in late spring of 2006.  Now with over 5,100 nautical miles under the keel we have brought her safely back to North Palm.  We have seen many things from tieing up near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC to the rocky coast of Maine.  Its been a new adventure every day. 

We own a slip here and also a small condo so this is our adopted home port.  Were it not for hurricanes and exorbitant insurance rates, we would surely keep here here.  For now, its a 2-3 week stop before we head to the Keys.

The trip the rest of the way down was uneventful except for the inlet at Jupiter.  There was a junction of the ICW and the inlet and I mis-read the buoy system.  Instead of leaving the red nun to starboard, I passed it to port and *&^%....I was on again.  But the current is so strong there, I was able to muscle the boat off and the current turned us toward deep water. 
Winds were building and I anticipated having a hard time backing into our slip.  Its a big  50' slip, but it is a fixed dock with some concrete so its harder than most to get into.   Because of the way it is set up, we have to back in.  And with the wind yesterday, I had to back somewhat "beam to wind".  Docking a 25 ton. 18' high boat in cross wind is not like putting a car in a slot a t the mall.  So after about 4 tight go-arounds, Sue told me "you're in the slip"! on the walkie-talkies we use to communicate when we dock.    See, First Forty is a great boat, but there is no (zero) visibility astern from the helm.  Imagine driving your car blindfolded on ice with someone in the backseat telling you "more to port"..."more to starboard"...."stop!".  That is kind of the sensation. 

It took me many times to learn to keep my cool.  This one was pretty tense, but not overly dramatic.  It takes patience and confidence in your ability to move the boat back out of dangerous positions....such as hitting other boats, docks etc.  I'm still not expert, but getting better. 

More soon.  We are safe and sound!
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