Several of you (off list) have requested hearing about our experience. So, for everyone, here is a summary of our learning to drive a boat: Background: We wanted to learn about driving a power boat. We saw the article in Motorboating & Sailing (10/97) about Southwest Florida Yachts (SFY). We talked to them, it sounded like what we were looking for, and we made a reservation. Details: Essentially, we were chartering a boat and buying a captain. That is, we provisioned the boat, stayed on-board, fed the captain, etc. The difference being that SFY had developed a curriculum for their captains to use in training. This, incidently, is the same place that Ken Fergusen charted the K42 that he recently wrote about. Arrival: We flew in to Ft. Myers and drove to Marinatown. Lots of parking, two restaurants, and a small ship's store on site. A 7-11 about a ten minute walk and a super market (Publix) about a 1/4 mile drive. We checked in, ate dinner at Sneakers (if you're ever there, order one of the German entrees), went to the super market, unloaded, and crashed. The Boat: It was a 40', twin diesel, 12 year old cross between a trawler and an ACMY, made in Taiwan (I guess). There were lots of GBs, MTs, a K42, and a Nordic Tug in the fleet. I suspect that SFY prefers novices like us start on the boat we were on (OK with us). Day One: Captain Gene showed up at 9am. We began by discussing what we'd be doing. Each day would have some instruction and some doing it. We went over all the systems on the boat and then began in earnest in the engine room. Gene showed us how to check everything (!). After this, he said let's take the boat out. We were somewhat surprised. So, we (not him) motored out of the slip and down the channel to a cove where Gene threw a weighted buoy in. We then practiced pulling up to it, stopping, backing up, and trying it again. Then we did the same thing only backing up to the buoy. Oh, yeah, there was a 5-10 wind. We did this using only forward and reverse. I know this must sound like old hat to a lot of you, but it wasn't to us. We saw an alligator in the cove, presumably because of all the rain they've had there. We then went to some unused slips and practiced backing in. The day was pretty much over by now (and Sherri & I were tired, frankly), so we went back to the slip where I got the honor of backing in. I managed to get the boat in OK after a couple faux approaches (I would slow down too much and the wind would get us - back up, try again) without smashing in to anything (like the GB36 next to us!). Spring lines, bow lines, stern lines, plug-in, etc. and we were in place. Gene went home and we had dinner that night at the other restaurant (The Mariner). The fresh grouper was wonderful. We were asleep before 9:30pm. Day Two: Gene was there again at 9am. This time he watched as we did the engine room checks. From then on, we would do the engine room before he arrived. On this day, we went over navigation and charts. Then we headed out into the Caloosahatchie River (Okeechobee Waterway) which is a couple miles wide at this point and again practiced with the buoy (out of the channel, of course) in about a 15 K wind. Challenging! At this point, we learned about anchoring. The boat had no windlass in order that we learn the manual way. Close coordination (and hand signals) between Sherri and I. She volunteered to be on the bow and do the anchor first. I think that was the only time that Gene was surprised. (I wasn't surprised, of course he didn't know Sherri like I do!) After that, we went across the river and parallel parked at a restaurant with the wind blowing off the dock. After lunch, it was more buoy and slip practice along with determining our Estimated Position by chart and hand bearing compass. (Gene said we could learn to use a GPS on our own - hand bearings will always work, if you know how.) Back to the slip where Sherri backed in (also with several approaches). We went to an Italian restaurant and then back to the boat. Asleep by 10pm. I hear work calling me. End of Part One.