Swoosie
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 33
- Points
- 52
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2012
- Boat Model
- SX
- Boat Length
- 21
...I said as I did a mental eye roll at my co-worker over lunch when she eyed me worriedly over her salad and said "are you SURE you want to do this?!!!"
Before I share this tale, a few caveats (I'm not an attorney but it gives texture to the story and some background into my personality). I also do not think my mental struggles during the crossing were any worse than anyone else's. In fact I think I probably faired better because I had no idea what to expect and I didn't have family or kids to worry about on the boat with me, just a crazy Greek Captain. Maybe I should have been more worried.
Caveats
You know how when you're young, making friends seems easy? Most of my close friends are from high school. Personally, as I get older it's rare to make new friends where I feel a strong bond. I met such friends in the Jeffersons. The second time I met Claire, we sat across from each other and talked all through lunch. She felt like a sister to me. At one point we were sharing our travel adventures and all of a sudden she said "Hey! We're crossing to Bimini on a jetboat with the family, want to come?!!!" I didn't hesitate. I live my life as a collector of experiences and had a feeling in my gut this would be a doozie. Either that or my salad had gone bad. Regardless, I agreed immediately.
Fast forward to the time gap between the invite and the trip.
- I spoke with Betik about the modifications he was making to the boat and safety precautions. I nodded as if I understood what it all meant. Trim tabs?!! Doesn't everyone know what they are?!!!
- He sent me a five (or was it six) page email detailing plans, backup plans and backup to backup plans. I tend to trust people who are that OCD.
- I went out with them on Lake Roberts to get my feet wet.
- I make bad jokes, especially if you understand them.
- I joked to my friends and family about disappearing into the Bermuda Triangle.
- I made a will (I really did. I texted it to a close family friend).
The Crossing
I felt no nervousness as I got up at 5am to be ready to push off by 6:30. It's hard to be nervous and sleep deprived at the same time so I was more in zombie mode. It started to drizzle and I was annoyed my hair was getting wet. We push off and the breeze felt amazing. There's an air of excitement, energy and anticipation as groups were called in the darkness among the twinkling lights of the boats, we were group 1.
Our group gathered at the mouth of the channel. I don't remember if it was still raining but I do remember it was a bit choppy as we waited for others to join. This was the first moment where a slight worry crossed my mind. We heard Bruce over the radio saying to push off so we did. The boat surged forward.....and the engine cut out.
Wait what?!!! My head whips around, my eyes huge (which in itself is quite a feat) and I stare at Betik.
He's bent over the steering wheel staring intently at the controls, trying to figure out what just happened. The engine roars back to life. I take a deep breath and settle back into my seat.
The engine cuts out a second time. My head whips around and my eyes bug x 2.
"We're dead in the water! We're dead in the water!" Betik yells into the radio.
Ummmm.....the warm fuzzies dissipate and the worry in my mind blossom but I stay put and process silently since there's nothing I can do. The engine roars back to life again, but the warm fuzzies stubbornly refuse to come back. I feel a bit queasy. I am officially very awake and focused now. Only 5 more hours to go...
Personal Thoughts
I won't go into a blow by blow account because I don't want to be banned from this forum for writing the most boring first post ever, so I'll highlight some items of "interest". These are both observations and lessons learned that I'm sure many of you seasoned Captains and Crew will shake your heads and go "ummmmm ayup":
In Conclusion
Would I do this crossing again? Yes
Would I do this crossing again with the Jeffersons? Yes
Do I have an amazing and crazy Bermuda Triangle story to tell? YES
Will I ever forget this trip? HELL TO THE NO!!!
I mean, at the end of the day what is life but a culmination of memorable adventures? So...thank you Betik. Without you, I would not have this to add to my repertoire of unforgettable stories to relive over and over and over.....
Thank You
A HUGE thank you to everyone on the trip for the work you put into planning this and your camaraderie.
One Last Thing
If you would like to read the "he said, she said" version of this account, you can access Betik's novella here:
Betik's Novella
p.s. I have no idea if I tagged people correctly. If there's an error, you'll know who to blame:
@Betik <------
@Bruce @MrMoose @Julian @BigAbe75 @swatski @Valerie @Bill D @kthrash @Amar Nanduri @Water Girl
THE END
Before I share this tale, a few caveats (I'm not an attorney but it gives texture to the story and some background into my personality). I also do not think my mental struggles during the crossing were any worse than anyone else's. In fact I think I probably faired better because I had no idea what to expect and I didn't have family or kids to worry about on the boat with me, just a crazy Greek Captain. Maybe I should have been more worried.
Caveats
- This is my first post on this forum so thank you for inviting and humoring me
- I have never EVER been on a jetboat in the ocean before much less partook in a crossing. The longest crossing I've ever done was to ride on a boat from Santa Barbara to Catalina Island (I don't count the one cruise I was on either)
- When I agreed to this crossing, I had met Claire twice and Betik once
- I was aware of Betik's inexperience
- I'm afraid of waves (which I shared with Betik after the trip of course)
- I'm not familiar with boating terminology so will most likely use the wrong terms in my post
You know how when you're young, making friends seems easy? Most of my close friends are from high school. Personally, as I get older it's rare to make new friends where I feel a strong bond. I met such friends in the Jeffersons. The second time I met Claire, we sat across from each other and talked all through lunch. She felt like a sister to me. At one point we were sharing our travel adventures and all of a sudden she said "Hey! We're crossing to Bimini on a jetboat with the family, want to come?!!!" I didn't hesitate. I live my life as a collector of experiences and had a feeling in my gut this would be a doozie. Either that or my salad had gone bad. Regardless, I agreed immediately.
Fast forward to the time gap between the invite and the trip.
- I spoke with Betik about the modifications he was making to the boat and safety precautions. I nodded as if I understood what it all meant. Trim tabs?!! Doesn't everyone know what they are?!!!
- He sent me a five (or was it six) page email detailing plans, backup plans and backup to backup plans. I tend to trust people who are that OCD.
- I went out with them on Lake Roberts to get my feet wet.
- I make bad jokes, especially if you understand them.
- I joked to my friends and family about disappearing into the Bermuda Triangle.
- I made a will (I really did. I texted it to a close family friend).
The Crossing
I felt no nervousness as I got up at 5am to be ready to push off by 6:30. It's hard to be nervous and sleep deprived at the same time so I was more in zombie mode. It started to drizzle and I was annoyed my hair was getting wet. We push off and the breeze felt amazing. There's an air of excitement, energy and anticipation as groups were called in the darkness among the twinkling lights of the boats, we were group 1.
Our group gathered at the mouth of the channel. I don't remember if it was still raining but I do remember it was a bit choppy as we waited for others to join. This was the first moment where a slight worry crossed my mind. We heard Bruce over the radio saying to push off so we did. The boat surged forward.....and the engine cut out.
Wait what?!!! My head whips around, my eyes huge (which in itself is quite a feat) and I stare at Betik.
He's bent over the steering wheel staring intently at the controls, trying to figure out what just happened. The engine roars back to life. I take a deep breath and settle back into my seat.
The engine cuts out a second time. My head whips around and my eyes bug x 2.
"We're dead in the water! We're dead in the water!" Betik yells into the radio.
Ummmm.....the warm fuzzies dissipate and the worry in my mind blossom but I stay put and process silently since there's nothing I can do. The engine roars back to life again, but the warm fuzzies stubbornly refuse to come back. I feel a bit queasy. I am officially very awake and focused now. Only 5 more hours to go...
Personal Thoughts
I won't go into a blow by blow account because I don't want to be banned from this forum for writing the most boring first post ever, so I'll highlight some items of "interest". These are both observations and lessons learned that I'm sure many of you seasoned Captains and Crew will shake your heads and go "ummmmm ayup":
- For a Greek, Betik was a calm cucumber and my first priority was to try to help keep him as calm as possible. For me, staying calm is the number one in any potentially difficult situation and its gotten me through some pretty sticky ones. Luckily, Betik and I have similar temperaments. There was mostly silence during the crossing except on as as needed communication basis either to each other or on the radio. The only time Betik broke was every time I tried to communicate my support by saying the word "good", we'd hit a particularly nasty wave that would jar our teeth. He finally looked at me intently and said "Please stop saying good". I used "awesome" after that. I also tried to lighten the mood by saying "Hey, look at it this way. You'll have an AMAZING story to tell....once we survive this!". He stared at me. He did not find that funny. M'kay.
- No matter how thirsty you think you'll be, DO NOT leave water bottles in the cup holders during a crossing. Think flying missiles. Less is more.
- Wear the life jacket. Or at least, don't leave them out even by tucking them under or behind the seats. They miraculously grow wings and will attempt a flight for freedom.
- Tag team. Take advantage of more than one set of eyes. Betik tried to steer and watch out for other boats at the same time. Every time he looked away from eyes forward we'd crash into a wave. It did not make me happy, it made me queasy. This was the one time I broke. "Eyes on the prize Betik, eyes on the prize!" I yelled at him. I will be his eyes to make sure we don't crash into or lose sight of the group.
- Being in a boat that is headed into dark clouds with thunder and lightening does not bode well.
- Don't joke about death. Ever.
In Conclusion
Would I do this crossing again? Yes
Would I do this crossing again with the Jeffersons? Yes
Do I have an amazing and crazy Bermuda Triangle story to tell? YES
Will I ever forget this trip? HELL TO THE NO!!!
I mean, at the end of the day what is life but a culmination of memorable adventures? So...thank you Betik. Without you, I would not have this to add to my repertoire of unforgettable stories to relive over and over and over.....
Thank You
A HUGE thank you to everyone on the trip for the work you put into planning this and your camaraderie.
One Last Thing
If you would like to read the "he said, she said" version of this account, you can access Betik's novella here:
Betik's Novella
p.s. I have no idea if I tagged people correctly. If there's an error, you'll know who to blame:
@Betik <------
@Bruce @MrMoose @Julian @BigAbe75 @swatski @Valerie @Bill D @kthrash @Amar Nanduri @Water Girl
THE END
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