The BIG test

In two days, we will fly to St. Petersburg, Florida and set sail for 8 days.  We won't be alone. A Captain will, apparently, make sure we don't die...or crash the boat.  The four of us, plus one Captain, for 8 days on a 40 foot catamaran should at least let us know if we can handle the tight space.  This isn't just a boat like the boat we'll be on. This is THE boat we'll be on:

I think there are several ways this will be a "good" test and a few, important ways that it won't. We'll definitely figure out if we like this idea.  Do we like it enough to try it for real?  I think that's a question we can answer.  And we'll definitely figure out whether the space is adequate.  This is about the size we can afford. Finding out how the sleeping arrangements work out ahead of time is a serious luxury.  And can we cook and to what extent will be decided.    Even with all of the reading I've done on provisioning, I still feel clueless about it.  I know that this experience will give me a handle on what we can reasonably carry and how long it will last. And seasickness - how bad will it be?  Will I be able to acclimate or will I be wretchedly ill any time the tide kicks up a bit?  These are my questions I think we can answer. 

The biggest question this can't answer, though, is how it will really be.  This isn't our boat.  So there will certainly be big differences there. There will also be an additional person on board.  As unobtrusive as he can undoubtedly be, we will still be "on" to some degree.  Having that fifth person on board ensures, perhaps, that we won't be able to fully relax. Then again, maybe it's like reality television. You get used to the cameras being around 24/7 and eventually you just learn to ignore them. 

Stay tuned....