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Old 04-30-2010, 08:20 AM   #60
skipperdude
Guru
 
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City: Whittier AK
Vessel Name: Apache II
Vessel Model: 1974 Donald Jones
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,147
RE: Getting Used to Fear

Getting over the fear is all about time spent on the water. You get to know how*your boat*feels taking a following sea.*How she rolls and heel when the waves are coming off the aft port quarter. She talks to you as you listen to the engine(s)

Think of it. You park the car and head down the ramp to the float. You walk along looking at other boats, dodging the bow pulpits and the deck boxes along the*way. Then you see her. Your eyes take in her lines you catalog everything out of place. That line is not tight. Those two snaps have come undone again.* there is that little scuff you have been meaning to take care of.
*It's ok she is beautiful. You step off the dock and feel her roll to*take you on.*It's like she is welcoming you on. You open the*door and step inside. *You smell her perfume A little salt a little sweet a little sour. She's ready for you . You check her fluids and turn the key. She comes to life under you hands. You hear and feel that first rumble as she springs to life and then that comfortable vibration as the idle settle out. She's ready to go you can almost feel her straining at the dock lines.
You cast off and slip her into gear.* Out past the break wall. You throttle up a bit and feel her dig in as she takes*those first waves.* *As she warms she sings to you.**You feel the throb and sway as she responds to the wheel. She's a fine lady and you're *the skipper. The adventure *begins. If you've treated her right, She'll take you where ever you want to go and home safe again.*
Fear not my friend all things will come to you with time spent*and water moving under her keel.

SD
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