longer trip in the new boat

On Sunday, Steve took me on a ride down to Pam's house, my longest trip in this new boat yet. It took 20 minutes instead of 50, which was great. We went down the Braden River and crossed over the larger Manatee River to get to Pam's canal. The weather was good and the the Manatee River was not choppy, phew. Most of the time we could go 18-20 mph/knots and the breeze was lovely. We had to go slower under the bridge & in the Manatee Zones. That was fine -just hot! We have a Bimini Top on order. 

I've made this same photo of Steve, my desktop background :o) He looks very happy and so in his element, plusI love the water spraying out behind the motor. The small device mounted on the side of the boat is his GPS. It is handheld, but can be mounted that way so it's easy for him to see while piloting. 

I had seen Pam Sunday morning for a Nia class, but she and her husband were still happy to see us when we pulled up to their dock that afternoon! While we were there we saw a pair of ducks with at least a dozen babies swim past us! I will add an "extra photo" of them. They were really something! 

We are still thinking of a name for this boat . . . pondering something to do with the number 27 (all time total boats steve has under his belt) OR perhaps "Mr. Nibbs" for the Cribbage games we are playing!!!