thanks for the quick reply!

the problem with this method is that

A) you cant navigate on your own from the start. only travels forward until hitting the land (a bug which i sorted out as the var name needed changing from 'key')

B) you are forced to wait for the boat to turn before being able to navigate yourself again - losing some interactivity and getting frustrating... and also the graphic still goes over the edge of the land....i could possibly extend the hit area so it wasnt as obvious. You can also still turn the boat yourself and thus going over the land again.

I can't have it wait to turn as its a game against the clock

hhhmmm - still not quite what i'm after....i'll keep trying!