North Star's Sea trial #3

Master Skipper: Leonard

Apprentice Skipper: Chee Wai
Deck man#1 - Dave Ang
Deck man#2 - James Chan
Weather: Rainy again! Choppy waves
Start Point: Punggol Marina
Route: Changi SAF club and back

Start time: 3pm

End time: 7pm without dinner, 10pm with dinner

I think we are really cursed because all of our sea trials were greeted with rain...

Anyways, this was our best sea trial so far and Chee Wai was the most 'stressed' one coz he has to learn a crush course to drive and berth North Star in just 4 hrs...But he did a fantastic job!!! All of us enjoyed the ride and reached MCC in one piece. Of course, all thanks to the great 'shi fu', Mr Leonard.

Lesson #1-Cruising in straight line

Launched North Star into the waters

Shi Fu giving Chee Wai the tips to drive her straight.


















Met Alex and another kayakist near Punggol jetty...not bad, they got some nice size catches.

Lesson #2 - Refuelling (very important)

Lesson #3 - Anchoring

No pictures taken and I was the unofficial one appointed and I must admit that this is the toughest! Though the anchor was not very heavy but pulling the 15ft anchor line under choppy wave conditions is no joke!

We decided to take a break at Changi SAF yacht club and went to Shi Fu's boat, a super chio 39 footer Harrestas. Beautifully refurbished with aircon, beds, toilet with shower 'room', mini kitchen and living room with sofa set...I can live onboard full time man.
Here I am trying to be the skipper of the beauty at the fly bridge...

Finally, it's time to head back for the final lesson at the marina...
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And half way thru, we needed to do a emergency break for the 2 'uncles'...



















Lesson#4 - Berthing (Toughest)

This is the hardest part and Chee Wai has to practice it during night, kilat man!
He tried his best and shi fu said he needed more practice!


















We met Ian, Merv and Jimmy who came back from Tekong trip at the dock. They are super seow on man, started from 8am till 8pm. Super hardcore.
All of us had a good time at the Punggol kopitiam, sharing sea stories and lots of beer...Grrrreat company!!!
The night ended with some of the guys pushing Jimmy's car which needed 'human starter'...