Centers

1.  Pass Thru;

2.  Face Out

(turn 1/4 in place away from the center of the set); EN: 20

3.  Partner Trade;

4.  Pass Thru.

Ends

Walk forward (using Circulates) to Pass 3 dancers (right-shoulders) and immediately after passing the third dancer EN: 30

Face In

(turn 1/4 in place towards the center of the set). EN: 40

From Facing Lines:   before Load The Boat         after Centers Pass Thru as Ends Pass 1st dancer EN: 70 (1/4)   after Centers Face Out as Ends Pass 2nd dancer EN: 80 (1/2)   after Centers Partner Trade as Ends Pass 3rd dancer EN: 90 (3/4)   after Centers Pass Thru as Ends Face In (done)

From Inverted Lines:   before Load The Boat         after Centers Pass Thru as Ends Pass 1st dancer EN: 100 (1/4)   after Centers Face Out as Ends Pass 2nd dancer EN: 110 (1/2)   after Centers Partner Trade as Ends Pass 3rd dancer EN: 120 (3/4)   after Centers Pass Thru as Ends Face In (done)

• The caller may have just the Ends or just the Centers do the call. For example, EN: 130
  • Just the Centers Load The Boat EN: 140
  • Ends (only) Load The Boat while Centers do something else EN: 150
• When the starting formation is other than Facing Lines, don't necessarily expect to end facing someone at the completion of the call (i.e., the ending formation could be T-Bone). EN: 160
• The Ends can not start in Columns. That is, Load The Boat can not be done from formations such as a starting Double Pass Thru. EN: 170
• Normally Load The Boat is done without touching hands. However, when learning the call or dancing with inexperienced dancers, it often helps if the Centers touch hands after each part, especially after the Face Out. EN: 180
• The Ocean Wave rule applies to Load The Boat. For instance, Load The Boat can be done from a R-H Wave of 8. EN: 190
• Hint for the Centers: After the Face Out, lightly touch hands with your new Partner (this makes your new partner aware of you and helps to orient them!) before doing the Partner Trade. EN: 200

Variations:

• Load The Boat, Centers To A Wave: Load The Boat, but Centers go 7/8 (i.e., Pass Thru, Face Out, Partner Trade, and 1/2 Pass Thru (i.e., Step To A Wave)). EN: 210

Load The Boat But (Centers) anything [NOL]: