Focus
Focus
Relaxation is a highly valued part of the boating experience for most people, sail boaters and power boaters alike. Importantly, there are certain times when alertness is required to ensure captain and crew safety. You can probably think of many examples – swimming around those sharp stainless steel propellers; fending off dockside; picking up a mooring ball in a crowded anchorage; traversing a river packed solid with weekend boat traffic, etc. One time, unique to fast powerboats, is piloting at high speed. Above 40 knots it’s critically important to keep your eye on the ball.
In contrast to driving quickly down a straight flat highway in a modern vehicle, a captain has to contend with a constantly shifting irregular surface. At that speed, if you catch a bad angle coming off a steep wake, things can get dicey very quickly. Without solid focus, particularly by the captain, the result will not be a good one.
So, enjoy your time on the water and relax. But be sure to be vigilant when necessary. Don’t let things go bad on your boat due to inattention. Your crew will thank you for your vigilance
