Friday was a good day. I was bored like always but unlike normally I started bugging the engineer for things to do. I was suppose to go out on the op that day, but didn't feel like getting into the Zodiac. I really do need to get use to that damn thing. I know there isn't isn't anything to cruising through the bay, I'm just not comfortable about the going over the breaker from the beach. So since I was a pansy that day I was around to learn another useful skill, and that would be driving the tractor. For those people out there that have been driving since they were twelve years of age this wouldn't be a big deal, but I grew in suburbia and those weren't as common in my neighborhood. It wasn't as bad and scary as I had thought it would be, I still need to practice being gentle with the clutch but it isn't as bad as working a automobile. Not that I have problem with standard tranny, shit the hell I don't. That's why don't drive anything but an automatic. If I could drive a standard I wouldn't have to pay as much for car. I have no problem of course with towing an empty boat cradle around, even while using the pickup. I'm just not comfortable with a boat on it. Without a boat I can see over it for cars that may be following, but with an ACB on it I can't see shit. That includes backing down ramps. I can't figure what I'm going to use as a reference while backing down. That would be a great help, especially for those of us that would rather not drive over the edge of the ramp and spill the boat and boat driver over the edge. I did tow a boat out of the water though it too was kind of nifty. The backing down was a little tricky I had to learn not to over correct when I steer. just a little at a time is all you need. Of course next time I do this I'll have to remember to put the truck into 4 wheel drive and lock the hubs BEFORE I head down the ramp so I won't have to get my feet wet after I hook up the boat. Cristal would have been happier also if I had done that since when I tried to pull the boat BEFORE locking the hubs he got splashed with water as he leaned on the window sill of the truck. Of course it was just his day, I splashed him with fuel earlier when he was showing me how we refuel the tractor.