Captain Clint had come to my rescue at the end of April when I needed help moving the boat from the marina to the yard for haul out. Since then, I had dinner with Clint and his wife, Courtney, I joined them at the local Saturday Farmer’s Market, and I signed up with him for training! I had spent months of angst looking for a captain who I could hire to give me some practical training on MY boat. I found 2 excellent captains in Florida but since the surveys uncovered some issues that required haul out, the logistics of having them travel to Norfolk without knowing when the boat would splash had proven to be difficult. When Clint answered the call, I was so relieved. He and Courtney live aboard their gorgeous Mainship 430 and are planning to do the loop in 2027. He is a navy captain and has piloted boats many, many times bigger than my little 31 foot Camano so he was more than qualified, but the part that hooked me was his confidence that I would be handling this boat with ease in no time. I signed up for three three-hour sessions.
https://c2bluewater.com/
While waiting for the boat to splash, I settled into the Best Western on the beach, explored Norfolk, and found a cute little dog park where Kali made friends (and so did I).
I was also spending time with my favorite trainers! Courtney and I had dinner and she came and graciously helped me organize and clean my new little home. Her expertise in boat living was a huge help when figuring out how to fit an entire household into such a small space. We spent Training Day 1 doing some out-of-the-water training and covered engine anatomy and maintenance, electrical and mechanical checks, and safety equipment. We checked my anchor, chain, rode, and windlass to make sure they were in working order and that I knew how to use them. We also covered navigation and weather forecasting. I even learned why I should care about the dew point! On Mother’s Day, they invited me for a cruise with some of their friends and their little dog, Meatloaf, on their Mainship around Norfolk – I mean how many training captain teams go as far as to invite you into their home on their day off??! Amazing.
When Splash Day finally arrived, Clint and Courtney made themselves available and were with me every step of the way. Clint got The ‘Nati Nomad to her temporary home at Bay Point Marina and we planned the next few days.
Later that day, Peggy arrived!! Yay!!! Peggy and I replaced and re-wired 2 new 8-foot antennas for the AIS and VHF systems, replaced fire extinguishers, replaced the windlass switch for the anchor, fixed the kitchen faucet, replaced the propane gauge, installed Nebo, reset the air conditioner, took off the old letters and put on new, and organized every inch. I love my Peggy!!
It was time to get behind the helm and figure this shit out. I have no idea how anyone would be able to do this without a Captain Clint and a Courtney. Backing into a dock stern first is fucking HARD!!! I feel like I did okay with the open water cruising, bow in docking (especially with no wind), navigating, and anchoring… but the reverse docking…no bueno. I am glad to have the option to anchor!
Training Day 2 consisted of pre-departure checks, navigation and docking from the lower helm and from the flybridge, docking bow-in and stern-in in wind, and building good habits.
Training Day 3 consisted of weather and visibility, route planning and traffic, channel maneuvering, no wake zones, anchoring, and safety practices.
Clint and Courtney also came back for a bonus session to do some extra practice docking, simulate locking, and helped me with my first super gross pump-out. During each training session, Courtney took notes and typed up super detailed notes that she emailed to me every night for review.
When the time came for the boat renaming ceremony, naturally Clint and Courtney were the perfect ones to join us. Clint was the Master of Ceremonies for the traditional purging of the old name and appeasing Poseidon and the 4 Wind gods to recognize her as The ‘Nati Nomad. Everything bearing the old name must be removed and the name must be written on a piece of metal and dropped in the sea during the purging ceremony. After, you pour champagne into the sea from East to West.
“Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, I implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as “The ‘Nati Nomad”, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm. In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation, and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.”
The full renaming ceremony script is here: https://unitedstatesvessel.us/boat-renaming-ceremony-pdf/.
To finish, we placed a twig with green leaves on the bow and toasted to fair winds and following seas. The twig was eventually taken by the Wind gods (I’m not sure which one) and it was official! We celebrated with Skyline dip and snacks on the flybridge on a beautiful night. We did experience one small glitch – Kali Bong ate “Ohio” so a new one is on order. Brat!
Let it be written and let it be known that she is now The ‘Nati Nomad!
What started out as three 3-hour sessions turned into well over 20 hours of information-packed training and the start of a beautiful friendship. They started out as kind strangers who threw me a lifeline and became the catalyst that helped me launch. I don’t know how I can ever repay their kindness but I will try. When Captain Clint, Courtney, and Meatloaf are starting their loop from Jacksonville in 2027, I will be on the home stretch of mine back to Norfolk so we will likely cross paths. I am hoping I am better at docking by then!
”I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” Louisa May Alcott
To support the adventure or to track The ‘Nati Nomad’s progress, visit greatloop.thenatinomad.com.
It is AMAZING to see how much goes into this and how much you are learning! Unbelievably impressive!!!!