Getting GUSTO: Day 2 ~ Sea Trial

Up early this morning with coffee in the room before making our way down to breakfast at the Copperleaf Restaurant inside the hotel. From there it was about a 25-minute drive to Johnnys Dock and Marina where we met Conner for Sea Trial Day aboard the Ranger Tug.

The weather had turned in our favor overnight — cool and clear with patches of sun expected through mid-afternoon — a welcome change from yesterday’s gray drizzle. After yesterday’s system training, both Sonya and I were feeling much more comfortable. Truthfully, the systems were more straightforward and intuitive than I had expected.

We met Conner and Aaron at the dock around 9 AM. They installed the grill while we got organized, and by 10:45 we were underway. The next several hours were spent working through nearly every major system on the boat — autopilot, anchor operation, navigation controls, thrusters, and general handling. Sonya did a great job getting familiar with the helm, especially testing the direction lock and learning the feel of the controls.

I spent time practicing docking maneuvers in three different locations, which was probably the most valuable part of the day for me. There’s no substitute for actually putting the boat where it needs to go and getting a feel for how she responds. Little by little, the Ranger is beginning to feel less like “the new boat” and more like our boat.

We wrapped up around 2 PM, stopped by U-Haul to pick up a hitch receiver for the trip home, then headed back to the Cedarbrook Lodge. Supper was simple — a burger and grilled cheese while watching the PGA Championship on television.

A full but satisfying day. Tomorrow, we point the truck east and begin trailering the Ranger home.