Monday, May 29, 2017

Our Second Post Owning Bel Sito due (2)


Peter, Ron, Andy, Eric, Shelley, Sue Anne,  Jim, Anne,
Jim Michelle, Drew,
Pam, Jim, Mark, Rick, Gerry and us.
Photo by Andy Hoyt
This blog has been neglected since we assumed ownership of our 53' Selene. We've spared you the details of the anxiety we felt moving up to bigger boat with all new systems (to us) and I'm delighted to report we now feel confident ('fairly confident,' inserts Richard) we can manage all 100,000 lbs of her. For now. Until the unexpected occurs. Which it always does on a boat.

We have the good fortune of having Andy Hoyt, owner of the concierge boat maintenance company, Dock Call, guide us every step of the way of our boat purchase. He made us walk away from the first Selene we put an offer on once it was pulled out of the water during sea trial and inspection. Andy came with us when we brought this boat from Virginia Yacht Brokers in Chesapeake, VA to our old stomping grounds of Annapolis and taught us the fundamentals of how she operates.

Holy Moly! 


Upon arrival, we slowly headed into the marina where the boat would be docked. By then, I had just enough confidence to be dangerous, and told Andy I was ready to dock her. When we pulled up to the slip Richard and I were certain it was too narrow to ease a 16.5' wide boat in comfortably, but Andy assured us he measured the slip and it would be fine.  Andy calmly told me which thruster to use when and we had a successful first docking experience.




Over time, we've fallen into a comfortable pattern for both of us around docking and anchoring. Richard handles the lines, which he always had to re-do anyway after I botched the first go around, and I drive the boat in tight quarters.  Jason, a dockhand at the Jib Room in Marsh Harbor, taught me how to maneuver 'little' Bel Sito using her twin engines by doing the twist dance step. I think of him often and fondly when approaching a dock.


Andy helped us move the boat to a mooring ball in downtown Annapolis Harbor, where we stayed and stayed and stayed, hesitant to make our first solo move. Eventually it became time to put water in the tanks and Andy hopped aboard to guide me to the fuel dock (Richard was in Baltimore for a board meeting).

We have two mantras gleaned from others regarding docking:

  • Slow is pro. 
  • Always approach the dock at the speed you intend to hit it. 

So I creeped up to the dock and discovered how easy it is with bow thrusters stern and aft! Really!

Andy admonished me not to tell the dock hand it was my first time, but I couldn't wait to tell him.

Above Deck


Elly and Hank
We've been in and out of Annapolis since her arrival and have hosted several dinner parties, a boat naming ceremony, overnight guests, and a party of 20 to watch the Blue Angels flyover for the Naval Academy graduation.


Removing the former name, Passage






Pat Winkler prepares to feed Poseiden, God of the Sea, to which all yell 'oh no' as the champagne is poured into the water to appease him and keep newly named Bel Sito safe.
First boat gift...


Boat Naming Ceremony, Richard, Julie, Tom, Beth and Ruth


Look! Up in the sky! It's the Blue Angels!