Not long ago, an Italian friend of mine - whose family had been making pleasure craft for generations of European elite - asked me to represent his company in America. The first order of business was to deliver an 85-footer from Viareggio, to the scion of a vast industrial empire, who had a home in Miami. The yacht arrived as scheduled, and a date was set for a sea trial in Biscayne Bay.The vessel was equipped with powerful turbo-charged German diesels and was capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots. The engines were quickly put to the test, and the sleek craft proceeded to stun nearby boaters by making a series of high speed passes, and dizzying figures of eight.The sea trial was conducted under the watchful eye of a professional captain, and my friend, the builder, was also on board, along with two mechanics. The owner was so impressed with his new toy that he asked the captain to let him take the helm. What could possibly go wrong? The owner was so thrilled with the boat's agility and apparent ease of handling, that he decided to navigate the yacht all the way back to his dock. Returning to his palatial home required maneuvering through a series of channels, delineated by alternating port and starboard day-markers.
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