Jul 5, 2010
Next Official Event,
August 14th at 6PM, Corn and Weiner Roast
Jul 3, 2010
Karen Brenneman has written a log of their journey (John and Karen) on "Faith" from upper Michigan to Sandusky Harbor. You can read her depiction of the event by clicking on the following link, or visiting the last page on the SBYC site, enjoy! I'm sure we will get a follow up on the "Rest of the Story"
Jun 15, 2010
Gary Lenhart has sent us photos from the 2010 Atwood Cup Regatta. These were taken from the Committee Boat before and during the race. They are there for your use if anyone desires to reproduce/print them for personal use. They are the last Album in the Main Gallery.
Jan 21, 2010
Our Club number for Boat US is GA81287Y. Their web site is www.boatus.com.
Our membership allows SBYC members to join for $15.00 rather than $30.00.
They would like us to put a link from our site to theirs.
The Board Planning Meeting is Saturday Feb 13 at 6 PM at Wahls.
Jan 13, 2010
Amy has prepared a new Invoice for 2010. It was converted to a PDF file and is available for your use as well as printing at the following URL:
John & Karen Brenneman's Voyage on Faith of the Great Lakes
June 14, 2010 - Left the house around 8:30am with the truck packed to the gills.
John drove, Al (John's Dad) in the front seat and I was tucked in the back with
the "stuff". The trailer we were pulling, so Al could bring home the cradle,
had a flat around Akron, Ohio. We were delayed about 2 hours and arrived in St
Joseph around 4 pm. Unpacking was the agenda for that night. All provisions
and cloths had to find their rightful place.
June 16, 2010 - The boat went into the water today. She looks good floating!
We worked on reading the boat until 8pm. Al worked on packing up the trailer
and headed for Sandusky around 9; 30am. John and I went to spend some time with
Walter, an old salt of sorts, who docks at St Josephs and has sailed the Great
Lakes for many years. He imparted his local knowledge below in his 40' Peirson
(1979) and we listened intently.
June 17, 2010 - Sailed out of St Joseph, MI headed to South Haven going 29.9
miles and taking 7hrs 19min. We had a sunny day in easy less than 1 foot waves.
Prior owners Bob and Marilyn Moist were on board for final instructions of the
boat.
What an eventful day! The prior owners, Bob and Marilyn Moist, John and I were
anxious to get under way. We had very much discussion about how to back the
boat out of the slip at St Joe's. There was a strong river current and wind
both heading down to the lake. The marina "guys" suggested backing it down to
the first (of two) draw bridges. This was about 300 yeards....nothing like
backing a boat out when you have never handeled it before in a strong current!
Marilyn wanted to back it out up the river against the current and then go
forward to the draw bridge. In the end we decided to back it out. With John at
the helm, we took a deep breath and jumped! It wasn't with out some drama.
John later said "it was a wild waltz down river but we came out unscathed narrow
end pointing towards the lake". We only had about 80 foot of the river to work
with due to a large sand bar in the middle....and we had to time the draw bridge
which opens on the quarter hour. We left slightly before 10:30am and made it
through both draw bridges and into Lake Michigan. It was a pleasant slow sale
(about 3 knots). Shortly after we left, John realized that at the very moment
we started our adventure, Bart was being commisioned. We got pictures and phone
calls from Bart and Jed (John's friend who stood in) after lunch of Bart's
commissioning. John was so proud his chest actaully puffed up. Bart also
delivered some bitter sweet news....he has orders to leave for Virginia July
6th. What no party. No reinactment of the commissioning....John suddenly
realized that he was never going to see his son get commissioned. "But it is
not about me" John said. We arrived at South Haven abot 6:00pm. With John at
the helm we attempted to dock at #87. We again were fighting strong current and
a bow spirt 5 foot long we are not use to. It also happened to be a very busy
palce due to a local festival going on. Lots of eyes were watching....not good.
So faith landed at #87 a new scratch on her port side and we were all ready for
a drink. We toasted Bob & Marilyn and wished then luck and joy in their future.
Just then the band at the festival started to play the star spangeld banner.
All four of us stood in the cockpit with our hand over our heart. What a way to
end our 1st day of voyagewith Faith on the day of Bart's commissioning. We said
goodbye to the Moist by taking a picture on the bow and going to dinner in town.
Exhausted we were out by 11pm.
June 18, 2010 - Sailed out of South Haven, MI heading 0 degrees North to
Muskegon, MI. Winds were at about 20 knots rolling waives 4-6 feet t 8:30am.
Coudy turned to sunny and 20 knots turned to 5 knots. Waives lessened to 1-2
feet. We went 49.2 miles for 9 hours and 34 minutes.
Started the day with a 6:45am thunderstorm which had cleared out by 8:00am. We
departed the dock around 8:30am. Just a small current and wind this morning but
still had some trouble and a few more scrapes for Fatih. The lake was windy and
choppy after the storm. We put up the mizzen sail and jib and were happy at 6
knots. Mid mornong gave way to more sun and light winds changing from SE to E.
It did get up to 84 degrees today. So we could get to a destiation and keep
cooler, we motorsailed at 6 knots. Question: What do you do for 5 hours while
motor sailing on autopilot? Answer: Kill 20,000 flies. I am not kidding we
were ATTACKED by flies today. John put on his killer face and swatted at every
one. He looked like a mad man. They are the ones that bite. After several
hours you just wanted to scream. 5 hours later hundreds of flies dead. Fly
guts, blood and carcases all over the decks. Eventually we gave up on the sails
and put them away for the day. We noticed a severe storm popped up on the radar
and we headed into Muskegon Lake by 5:30. We had considered trying to get to
White Lake but it would be another 2 hours. We did our 1st ancorage in the SE
corner of the lake in 40 foot of waeer with a sandy bottom. Everything was
stowed before the winds started. We were on the north side of the storms on the
very edge. We got very little rain but lots of 50-60 mph wind guts. The anchor
held! We had our first meal aboard Faith consisting of shrimp sauted in butter
and garlic, rice and asparagus with a glass of Pinot Grigio. We popped in a
Jimmy Buffet tape (yes I said tape....this will have to be changed) and took
showers on board. The sunset was spectacular black clouds highlighted in pink
to the north and a full rainbow off to our south. The winds blew all night.
June 19, 2010 - Still very windy this morning. Cooler temperature due to cold
front moving in. Winds were variable <5 - 15. We departed for Ludington at
9:00am. Went 46.1 miles for 9 hours 45 minutes at an average speed of 5-6
knots. We again did both sailing and motor sailing.
The flies were back, but deminished in population....ha....ha. We got in a
couple hours at 6 knots sailing, but motor sailed inbetween. We started playing
with some sail settings. I am not sure I quite have it figured out yet. Got
the staysil up today. I am definatley getting with Rick & Marsha when I am back
to learn how to pack and store this sail. Arrived in Ludington about 6:30pm.
This is a pleasant little town. We chose to anchor in the SW corner of the lake
to avoid the large freight ships that take cargo to Wisconson. It was a sunny
pleasant evening; we ate dinner in the cockpit whie watching 5 white swans swim
around us. It is a very peaceful place wih only light boating activity. We did
have on nosy neighbor go past his marina to come by our boat and check it
out......we just smiled and waived.. I had a great night rest...first on since
this trip started.
June 20, 2010 - Happy Father's day! Leaving Ludington and headed to Frankfort.
About a 45 mile trip today. Winds are supposed to be light 5-10 knots from the
north.....not good whan you are going north.....we shall see....... Left
Ludington at 8:30am, sky was clear, wind was light.
We motored north directly into the wind for the first two hours....A good time
to have a Sunday service on board. Once we reached Sable Point light house we
put up the sails and pointed the boat north west. The 1.5 to 2.4 knots we were
getting out of Faith was not going to get us into Frankfort today.....so again
we motor sailed. Observed a few freight vessels. The lake was flat so I played
with the staysail...still haven't quite got it right yet. Pulled into Frankfort
at around 6:00pm and tied up to the municipal docks. There was a couple, about
our age, on our port side in a 38' motor boat. They were new live aboards out
of Sturgeon Bay, WI. He lost his executive job, they sold their home and ere
living on the boat for the summer. Several slips down to the right was our
little sistership. A Bayfield 25'.......still a beautiful boat. The marine
showers were in good condition and felt great. Walked to town and had a good
dinner at Coho's. Talked with the new young owner. She seemed very excited to
have her own business. Back at the boat, we charted a course for Charlevoix and
hit the rack anticipating a long day tomorrow.
June 21, 2010 - No wind. Departed Frankfort headed to Charlevoix at 7:00am.
Flat seas. Motoring all day. Went 59.3 miles for 11hours 15 minutes.
Left Frankfort docks without a scrape! It is much easiers with no current and
no wind. We knew it was going to be a long day. The wind did pick up once we
got around Sleeping Bear Point but it was still on our nose so we continued to
motor. With time on our hands we decided to get out the radar and learn how to
use it. I read ½ the book before John stopped listening and started just
pushing buttons. To enter Charlevoix you have to go through a narrow 80 foot
wide channel with metal walls on both sides and through a draw bridge that opens
on the ½ hour for 5 minutes. So we waited out in the main part of the lake for
about 25 minutes or so and started pointing down the channel. There of course
was a current pushing us down the channel toward the bridge. We waited what
seemed like for ever for 5:30pm...then it came and went.....5:31......5:32
finally the bridge opened and we were in! We anchored at the south end of the
lake in front of the $9m boathouse. It is extramely beautiful and friendly
here. John's quote of the day is "that was 10 hours of boardem followed by 30
minutes of pure stress". John found the anchor sail and figured out how to rig
it. Call it a long day. Dinner on board and to bed.
June 22, 2010 - A day off from sailing. We got up late, cleaned up the cabin,
fussed with the rigging of the staysail......really need your help with this
Marsh and Rick....so we could get it out of the cabin and got items ready to
take to shore. Our first lowering of the dingy went well and we headed to shore
to do laundry, shower and reprovision. Hal the dockmaster at the municipal
marina was an ambassador to the city. He showed the facilities, which were
fantastic, and gave the low down on the city sites. Although the day started
out pretty cloudy by 3pm it was sunny and warm and so we took the opportunity to
walk around town and the neighborhoods around the lake. Wow you would want to
live here. Hard to imagine, but we found a bar with happy hour looking out over
the lake and had a beer...or two and some oysters (Whitney's) and then to dinner
across the drawbridge at the Weatehrvaen Terrace.
June 23, 2010 - The weather was suppose to be stormy today so we ellected to
stay put and not attempt the Machinaw straits in a storm. We will meet Jed at
Machinaw Island tomorrow at our reserved dock. Chores were the subject of the
day.....cleaned the cabin, polished brass, prepared Jed's cabin, reorganized,
got out the riding jacks to see how they worked and defrasted the refrigerator.
Had dinner on board and hit the rack early in preparation ofr a long day
tomorrow to Machinaw.
June 24, 2010 - Left Charlevoix at 9:00am and arrived in Machinaw Island at
5:45pm averaging over 6 knots, traveled 49.7nm. Winds were 10-15 and waives at
2-4 feet in the am building to 15-20 knots and 4-6 feet in afternoon.
A little overcast but a good looking day ahead. We headed to the gas dock to
refuel (used ¾ of a tank already), add fresh water and pump out the waste. Left
the gas dock at 8:55 just in time to make the 9:00am draw bridge. There was
plenty of wind even though the forecast said 5-10 today. We struggled to take
off the sail covers and attach the halyards due to the waives (note to
self....do before going out of the harbor....we weren't expecting to sail
today), but they were up and we motorsailed for the morning. By early afternoon
we turned the boat toward the northeast to go through the channel and the winds
became stronger. Turned off the motor and was on wind power going 6.5 - 7.0
knots......yeah. Eventually we turned to head due east and the winds became
gusty and we had to put 2 reefs in the main and pull in the jib....still
traveling at 6.5 knots. The winds shifted to the northwest again and we were
able to have a pleasant run under the Machinaw Bridge. Arrived at slip #35 at
Machinaw Island Marina and with some assistance from the dock hands settled her
into the slip. We looked up and here was Jed! He came to greet us at the dock.
It was a welcome sight to see his smiling face after a long tiring day at sea.
We finished stowing the boat, showed Jed around the cabin and walked the town
for dinner and drinks...and drinks...and drinks. Topped the night off with
coffee back at the boat and went down hard for a nice sleep.
June 25, 2010 - Departed Machinaw Island for Roger City. Light rain and little
wind in the forecast. Departed at 9:00am. Motoring at 6 knots traveling 40.6
nm and taking 8hours 3 minutes.
It started raining as we were leaving the docks and continued to rain with cold
wind in our paces all day except for the last ½ hour of the day. Jed was a
trooper and thought it was great. Me not so much. We pulled into a slip at the
marina, showered and were ready for a walk downtown when it started raining
againand just didn't let up. My 8:30 I was hungry and tired of waiting on the
rain, so I cooked dinner on board and we sat and talked. Jed and John smoked
their cigars (in the rain) on deck and I curled into bed.
June 26, 2010 - Leaving Roger City at 8:45am and heading to Harrisville. There
were 10 knot winds and 1-2 foot waives. Light rain was falling. Arrived at
6:45pm and traveled 58.0nm.
Well the weather wasn't looking like a sunny day. All those back in Ohio have
been telling us how hot and dry they have been. We all put on our rain suits
again and casted off to head south. Winds are from the southeast just 10
degrees off our nose so we put up the sails and motorsailed for awhile. Not too
much longer afer that we found ourselves in some pretty think fog. Visabiality
about 100 yards. We watched the radar and the GPS. It let up after about 2
hours and the sun is trying to come out. We found the entrerance to Harrisville
and decided to anchor. It is a simple marina, more of a port of refuge. We
lowered the dingny and oared our way (didn't look as far as it felt) to the
beach headed for town. Three blocks from the marina was Main Street. A quaint
little town with a couple restuarants, a bank, an electrical store and a grocery
store. We had pizza at "The Old Inn". Very tasty.
June 27, 2010 - Looked at the weather which indicated rain and storms most of
the day, so we stayed at anchor today. The weather is suppose to change for the
better on Monday. At about 1pm the rain stopped so we put on our rain gear and
were going to go to town for provisions (mainly beer). As soon as we lined up
to go out the companion way it started raiing again. We took a nap for an hour
and attempted again. John decided to oar the dingy over to the harbor master's
dock instead of the beach and pulled the oars a little too early and we were
adrift just short of the destination. So John and then Jed begin to hump back
and forth to make the digny glide into the dock. I am sitting in the front of
our little digny laughing so hard I can't see. I can only imagine the comments
in the harbor masters office. Heading down Main Street again I got the
funniest feeling. Here are the three of us walking down the street in our rain
gear. It is a Sunday afternoon and the street is deseerted. I felt like the
movie High Capperrell. Jed made the famous music sounds and I wished we had
brought our boat hooks. Of course it rained on our way back from the grocery
store...we just laghed.
June 28, 2010 - Left Harrisville heading to Harbor Beach. There are 1-3 foor
waives 5 -15 knot winds just 10 degrees off our bow. We traveled 55.4nm for
9hrs 58 min.
The sun is out today...what a great sign of brightness and warmth. This is
going to be a great sailing day at last. There is a 30% chance for an isolated
shower in the afternoon but all else is clear. Jed made the coment that we were
30% kinda people and we laughed. On the lake the winds were perfect and we put
up all the sails. Got her going over 6 knots on a nice even heel. Things are
going so wonderfully that I decide to take a nap on the high side of the rail.
The snooze felt great. Suddenly there is an odd waive that catches the bow and
sprays a ton of water on me. I wake up, look around and to my amazement behind
the boat (I think I could of touched it) there is the very black and gray cloud
about to succom us. I look at John and Jed who said " we are trying to out run
it".....men.......my next words were "holy shit we need to get some sails down".
Jed took the wheel and turned us into the wind. I got the staysil down and the
rain and wind came hard and fast. Needless to say we struggled for the next 20
minutes getting everything tucked away and I am soaked to the bone because I had
no time to get rain gear on........men............
The sun came out 30 minutes later and we eventually put all the sailes back up
and continued on our day. We pulled into the Beach Harbour around 5:30pm.
This place is very basic. It is mostly a port of refuge with a small breakwall
and a coal plant off the shore. We find an anchor spot and begin boat drinks
and dinner. The wind picks up suddenly and we are looking outside...all looks
okay. Suddenly a neighboring boat blasts 5 horns and we all come pilling out of
the boat. We have brken loos form our hold. So in the very windy weather
(gusting to 30) we try twice more to set an anchor and finally got one to hold.
The wind blows constantly that night from 15 -30 knots. All are sleeping but
me....I am staring at a coal plant all night to see if we are moving. We didn't
and the winds lightened at about 2:00am.
June 29, 2010 - Left Hatbour Beach at around 9:00am headed for Port Huron at the
mouth of the St Clair River. Seas are 6-8 feet and winds are 10-20. We went
49.5nm for 8 hrs and 45 minutes arriving at 5:10pm.
It was a difficult time pulling the anchor after it had dug in from the previous
night. It was also a little challenging becase it was still blowing pretty
strong and I am tryin to hold the boat in position to ease the burde no the
windless. I am wondering what it is going to be like on the other side of the
breakwall, but I am also anxious to get out of this port. The winds just howl
through there. It is sunny out and the waives are large and rolling and to our
fortune are pushing at our stern. We get to surf the whole way to the end of
Lake Huron...yeeehaw!. The waives did calm down about half way through the day
and we motorsailed with Jib and Jigger (mizzen). The bridge to the enterence of
the St. Claire River is a pretty sight and the lighted channel markers are
getting much bigger, indicating the large freight ships we will be dealing with
over the next few days. A short distance down the river is a tributary called
the Black River and home of the Port Huron Yacht Club. We passed two draw
bridges on the Black River to get the our port, Port Huron River Street Marina.
We refuel....a lirrle too much. Excess fuel overflowed into the bildge and we
spent some time clearing it out and airing out the cockpit. John's landing of
the boat along the wall was without incident and I think we are getting the hang
of the boats' manuvering (not yet expert class). In town we had dinner on the
poarch of the Quay Street Brewery (guess what attracted the guys to this place)
and enjoyed the surroundings. We visited the Vintage for a night cap and we
were headed back to the boat for bed.
June 30, 2010 - Attempted to leave Port Huron for Detroit. We got up early and
plotted our course and doubled checked the bouy markers for the correct
tributaries in the rivers. We are headed for Detroit today. Hailed the 7th
street bridge for access........hailed again when no bridge was
opening......bridge engineer reports back to us that he is having a major
malfunction of the bridge. We trun around and reattach ourselves to the wall.
Checked back at noon and still no work is being done on the bridge. John took
the opportunity to do payroll checks and some other work since it is now clear
we will be delayed another day. We walked to town in search of a post office
and looked around town. Had lunch at the Raven, a very interesting décor of
gargoles and famous poets, but the lobster bisque was to die for. We hung out
at the boat the afternoon, The draw bridge went up permanently. It will remain
this was to they get it fixed so it looks like we will be able to get out
tomorrow. The sun was warm so we took the opportunity to wear our tee shirts
and shorts and bask in the sun. Decided to eat at the Vintage tonight. The
owner was adding on a roof seating area and telling us about his plans. We also
discussed Port Huron's economic struggles but he felt they were coming back.
Jed and John decided to drink wine and smoke their cigars back at the
boat.....men......
June 14, 2010 - Left the house around 8:30am with the truck packed to the gills.
John drove, Al (John's Dad) in the front seat and I was tucked in the back with
the "stuff". The trailer we were pulling, so Al could bring home the cradle,
had a flat around Akron, Ohio. We were delayed about 2 hours and arrived in St
Joseph around 4 pm. Unpacking was the agenda for that night. All provisions
and cloths had to find their rightful place.
June 16, 2010 - The boat went into the water today. She looks good floating!
We worked on reading the boat until 8pm. Al worked on packing up the trailer
and headed for Sandusky around 9; 30am. John and I went to spend some time with
Walter, an old salt of sorts, who docks at St Josephs and has sailed the Great
Lakes for many years. He imparted his local knowledge below in his 40' Peirson
(1979) and we listened intently.
June 17, 2010 - Sailed out of St Joseph, MI headed to South Haven going 29.9
miles and taking 7hrs 19min. We had a sunny day in easy less than 1 foot waves.
Prior owners Bob and Marilyn Moist were on board for final instructions of the
boat.
What an eventful day! The prior owners, Bob and Marilyn Moist, John and I were
anxious to get under way. We had very much discussion about how to back the
boat out of the slip at St Joe's. There was a strong river current and wind
both heading down to the lake. The marina "guys" suggested backing it down to
the first (of two) draw bridges. This was about 300 yeards....nothing like
backing a boat out when you have never handeled it before in a strong current!
Marilyn wanted to back it out up the river against the current and then go
forward to the draw bridge. In the end we decided to back it out. With John at
the helm, we took a deep breath and jumped! It wasn't with out some drama.
John later said "it was a wild waltz down river but we came out unscathed narrow
end pointing towards the lake". We only had about 80 foot of the river to work
with due to a large sand bar in the middle....and we had to time the draw bridge
which opens on the quarter hour. We left slightly before 10:30am and made it
through both draw bridges and into Lake Michigan. It was a pleasant slow sale
(about 3 knots). Shortly after we left, John realized that at the very moment
we started our adventure, Bart was being commisioned. We got pictures and phone
calls from Bart and Jed (John's friend who stood in) after lunch of Bart's
commissioning. John was so proud his chest actaully puffed up. Bart also
delivered some bitter sweet news....he has orders to leave for Virginia July
6th. What no party. No reinactment of the commissioning....John suddenly
realized that he was never going to see his son get commissioned. "But it is
not about me" John said. We arrived at South Haven abot 6:00pm. With John at
the helm we attempted to dock at #87. We again were fighting strong current and
a bow spirt 5 foot long we are not use to. It also happened to be a very busy
palce due to a local festival going on. Lots of eyes were watching....not good.
So faith landed at #87 a new scratch on her port side and we were all ready for
a drink. We toasted Bob & Marilyn and wished then luck and joy in their future.
Just then the band at the festival started to play the star spangeld banner.
All four of us stood in the cockpit with our hand over our heart. What a way to
end our 1st day of voyagewith Faith on the day of Bart's commissioning. We said
goodbye to the Moist by taking a picture on the bow and going to dinner in town.
Exhausted we were out by 11pm.
June 18, 2010 - Sailed out of South Haven, MI heading 0 degrees North to
Muskegon, MI. Winds were at about 20 knots rolling waives 4-6 feet t 8:30am.
Coudy turned to sunny and 20 knots turned to 5 knots. Waives lessened to 1-2
feet. We went 49.2 miles for 9 hours and 34 minutes.
Started the day with a 6:45am thunderstorm which had cleared out by 8:00am. We
departed the dock around 8:30am. Just a small current and wind this morning but
still had some trouble and a few more scrapes for Fatih. The lake was windy and
choppy after the storm. We put up the mizzen sail and jib and were happy at 6
knots. Mid mornong gave way to more sun and light winds changing from SE to E.
It did get up to 84 degrees today. So we could get to a destiation and keep
cooler, we motorsailed at 6 knots. Question: What do you do for 5 hours while
motor sailing on autopilot? Answer: Kill 20,000 flies. I am not kidding we
were ATTACKED by flies today. John put on his killer face and swatted at every
one. He looked like a mad man. They are the ones that bite. After several
hours you just wanted to scream. 5 hours later hundreds of flies dead. Fly
guts, blood and carcases all over the decks. Eventually we gave up on the sails
and put them away for the day. We noticed a severe storm popped up on the radar
and we headed into Muskegon Lake by 5:30. We had considered trying to get to
White Lake but it would be another 2 hours. We did our 1st ancorage in the SE
corner of the lake in 40 foot of waeer with a sandy bottom. Everything was
stowed before the winds started. We were on the north side of the storms on the
very edge. We got very little rain but lots of 50-60 mph wind guts. The anchor
held! We had our first meal aboard Faith consisting of shrimp sauted in butter
and garlic, rice and asparagus with a glass of Pinot Grigio. We popped in a
Jimmy Buffet tape (yes I said tape....this will have to be changed) and took
showers on board. The sunset was spectacular black clouds highlighted in pink
to the north and a full rainbow off to our south. The winds blew all night.
June 19, 2010 - Still very windy this morning. Cooler temperature due to cold
front moving in. Winds were variable <5 - 15. We departed for Ludington at
9:00am. Went 46.1 miles for 9 hours 45 minutes at an average speed of 5-6
knots. We again did both sailing and motor sailing.
The flies were back, but deminished in population....ha....ha. We got in a
couple hours at 6 knots sailing, but motor sailed inbetween. We started playing
with some sail settings. I am not sure I quite have it figured out yet. Got
the staysil up today. I am definatley getting with Rick & Marsha when I am back
to learn how to pack and store this sail. Arrived in Ludington about 6:30pm.
This is a pleasant little town. We chose to anchor in the SW corner of the lake
to avoid the large freight ships that take cargo to Wisconson. It was a sunny
pleasant evening; we ate dinner in the cockpit whie watching 5 white swans swim
around us. It is a very peaceful place wih only light boating activity. We did
have on nosy neighbor go past his marina to come by our boat and check it
out......we just smiled and waived.. I had a great night rest...first on since
this trip started.
June 20, 2010 - Happy Father's day! Leaving Ludington and headed to Frankfort.
About a 45 mile trip today. Winds are supposed to be light 5-10 knots from the
north.....not good whan you are going north.....we shall see....... Left
Ludington at 8:30am, sky was clear, wind was light.
We motored north directly into the wind for the first two hours....A good time
to have a Sunday service on board. Once we reached Sable Point light house we
put up the sails and pointed the boat north west. The 1.5 to 2.4 knots we were
getting out of Faith was not going to get us into Frankfort today.....so again
we motor sailed. Observed a few freight vessels. The lake was flat so I played
with the staysail...still haven't quite got it right yet. Pulled into Frankfort
at around 6:00pm and tied up to the municipal docks. There was a couple, about
our age, on our port side in a 38' motor boat. They were new live aboards out
of Sturgeon Bay, WI. He lost his executive job, they sold their home and ere
living on the boat for the summer. Several slips down to the right was our
little sistership. A Bayfield 25'.......still a beautiful boat. The marine
showers were in good condition and felt great. Walked to town and had a good
dinner at Coho's. Talked with the new young owner. She seemed very excited to
have her own business. Back at the boat, we charted a course for Charlevoix and
hit the rack anticipating a long day tomorrow.
June 21, 2010 - No wind. Departed Frankfort headed to Charlevoix at 7:00am.
Flat seas. Motoring all day. Went 59.3 miles for 11hours 15 minutes.
Left Frankfort docks without a scrape! It is much easiers with no current and
no wind. We knew it was going to be a long day. The wind did pick up once we
got around Sleeping Bear Point but it was still on our nose so we continued to
motor. With time on our hands we decided to get out the radar and learn how to
use it. I read ½ the book before John stopped listening and started just
pushing buttons. To enter Charlevoix you have to go through a narrow 80 foot
wide channel with metal walls on both sides and through a draw bridge that opens
on the ½ hour for 5 minutes. So we waited out in the main part of the lake for
about 25 minutes or so and started pointing down the channel. There of course
was a current pushing us down the channel toward the bridge. We waited what
seemed like for ever for 5:30pm...then it came and went.....5:31......5:32
finally the bridge opened and we were in! We anchored at the south end of the
lake in front of the $9m boathouse. It is extramely beautiful and friendly
here. John's quote of the day is "that was 10 hours of boardem followed by 30
minutes of pure stress". John found the anchor sail and figured out how to rig
it. Call it a long day. Dinner on board and to bed.
June 22, 2010 - A day off from sailing. We got up late, cleaned up the cabin,
fussed with the rigging of the staysail......really need your help with this
Marsh and Rick....so we could get it out of the cabin and got items ready to
take to shore. Our first lowering of the dingy went well and we headed to shore
to do laundry, shower and reprovision. Hal the dockmaster at the municipal
marina was an ambassador to the city. He showed the facilities, which were
fantastic, and gave the low down on the city sites. Although the day started
out pretty cloudy by 3pm it was sunny and warm and so we took the opportunity to
walk around town and the neighborhoods around the lake. Wow you would want to
live here. Hard to imagine, but we found a bar with happy hour looking out over
the lake and had a beer...or two and some oysters (Whitney's) and then to dinner
across the drawbridge at the Weatehrvaen Terrace.
June 23, 2010 - The weather was suppose to be stormy today so we ellected to
stay put and not attempt the Machinaw straits in a storm. We will meet Jed at
Machinaw Island tomorrow at our reserved dock. Chores were the subject of the
day.....cleaned the cabin, polished brass, prepared Jed's cabin, reorganized,
got out the riding jacks to see how they worked and defrasted the refrigerator.
Had dinner on board and hit the rack early in preparation ofr a long day
tomorrow to Machinaw.
June 24, 2010 - Left Charlevoix at 9:00am and arrived in Machinaw Island at
5:45pm averaging over 6 knots, traveled 49.7nm. Winds were 10-15 and waives at
2-4 feet in the am building to 15-20 knots and 4-6 feet in afternoon.
A little overcast but a good looking day ahead. We headed to the gas dock to
refuel (used ¾ of a tank already), add fresh water and pump out the waste. Left
the gas dock at 8:55 just in time to make the 9:00am draw bridge. There was
plenty of wind even though the forecast said 5-10 today. We struggled to take
off the sail covers and attach the halyards due to the waives (note to
self....do before going out of the harbor....we weren't expecting to sail
today), but they were up and we motorsailed for the morning. By early afternoon
we turned the boat toward the northeast to go through the channel and the winds
became stronger. Turned off the motor and was on wind power going 6.5 - 7.0
knots......yeah. Eventually we turned to head due east and the winds became
gusty and we had to put 2 reefs in the main and pull in the jib....still
traveling at 6.5 knots. The winds shifted to the northwest again and we were
able to have a pleasant run under the Machinaw Bridge. Arrived at slip #35 at
Machinaw Island Marina and with some assistance from the dock hands settled her
into the slip. We looked up and here was Jed! He came to greet us at the dock.
It was a welcome sight to see his smiling face after a long tiring day at sea.
We finished stowing the boat, showed Jed around the cabin and walked the town
for dinner and drinks...and drinks...and drinks. Topped the night off with
coffee back at the boat and went down hard for a nice sleep.
June 25, 2010 - Departed Machinaw Island for Roger City. Light rain and little
wind in the forecast. Departed at 9:00am. Motoring at 6 knots traveling 40.6
nm and taking 8hours 3 minutes.
It started raining as we were leaving the docks and continued to rain with cold
wind in our paces all day except for the last ½ hour of the day. Jed was a
trooper and thought it was great. Me not so much. We pulled into a slip at the
marina, showered and were ready for a walk downtown when it started raining
againand just didn't let up. My 8:30 I was hungry and tired of waiting on the
rain, so I cooked dinner on board and we sat and talked. Jed and John smoked
their cigars (in the rain) on deck and I curled into bed.
June 26, 2010 - Leaving Roger City at 8:45am and heading to Harrisville. There
were 10 knot winds and 1-2 foot waives. Light rain was falling. Arrived at
6:45pm and traveled 58.0nm.
Well the weather wasn't looking like a sunny day. All those back in Ohio have
been telling us how hot and dry they have been. We all put on our rain suits
again and casted off to head south. Winds are from the southeast just 10
degrees off our nose so we put up the sails and motorsailed for awhile. Not too
much longer afer that we found ourselves in some pretty think fog. Visabiality
about 100 yards. We watched the radar and the GPS. It let up after about 2
hours and the sun is trying to come out. We found the entrerance to Harrisville
and decided to anchor. It is a simple marina, more of a port of refuge. We
lowered the dingny and oared our way (didn't look as far as it felt) to the
beach headed for town. Three blocks from the marina was Main Street. A quaint
little town with a couple restuarants, a bank, an electrical store and a grocery
store. We had pizza at "The Old Inn". Very tasty.
June 27, 2010 - Looked at the weather which indicated rain and storms most of
the day, so we stayed at anchor today. The weather is suppose to change for the
better on Monday. At about 1pm the rain stopped so we put on our rain gear and
were going to go to town for provisions (mainly beer). As soon as we lined up
to go out the companion way it started raiing again. We took a nap for an hour
and attempted again. John decided to oar the dingy over to the harbor master's
dock instead of the beach and pulled the oars a little too early and we were
adrift just short of the destination. So John and then Jed begin to hump back
and forth to make the digny glide into the dock. I am sitting in the front of
our little digny laughing so hard I can't see. I can only imagine the comments
in the harbor masters office. Heading down Main Street again I got the
funniest feeling. Here are the three of us walking down the street in our rain
gear. It is a Sunday afternoon and the street is deseerted. I felt like the
movie High Capperrell. Jed made the famous music sounds and I wished we had
brought our boat hooks. Of course it rained on our way back from the grocery
store...we just laghed.
June 28, 2010 - Left Harrisville heading to Harbor Beach. There are 1-3 foor
waives 5 -15 knot winds just 10 degrees off our bow. We traveled 55.4nm for
9hrs 58 min.
The sun is out today...what a great sign of brightness and warmth. This is
going to be a great sailing day at last. There is a 30% chance for an isolated
shower in the afternoon but all else is clear. Jed made the coment that we were
30% kinda people and we laughed. On the lake the winds were perfect and we put
up all the sails. Got her going over 6 knots on a nice even heel. Things are
going so wonderfully that I decide to take a nap on the high side of the rail.
The snooze felt great. Suddenly there is an odd waive that catches the bow and
sprays a ton of water on me. I wake up, look around and to my amazement behind
the boat (I think I could of touched it) there is the very black and gray cloud
about to succom us. I look at John and Jed who said " we are trying to out run
it".....men.......my next words were "holy shit we need to get some sails down".
Jed took the wheel and turned us into the wind. I got the staysil down and the
rain and wind came hard and fast. Needless to say we struggled for the next 20
minutes getting everything tucked away and I am soaked to the bone because I had
no time to get rain gear on........men............
The sun came out 30 minutes later and we eventually put all the sailes back up
and continued on our day. We pulled into the Beach Harbour around 5:30pm.
This place is very basic. It is mostly a port of refuge with a small breakwall
and a coal plant off the shore. We find an anchor spot and begin boat drinks
and dinner. The wind picks up suddenly and we are looking outside...all looks
okay. Suddenly a neighboring boat blasts 5 horns and we all come pilling out of
the boat. We have brken loos form our hold. So in the very windy weather
(gusting to 30) we try twice more to set an anchor and finally got one to hold.
The wind blows constantly that night from 15 -30 knots. All are sleeping but
me....I am staring at a coal plant all night to see if we are moving. We didn't
and the winds lightened at about 2:00am.
June 29, 2010 - Left Hatbour Beach at around 9:00am headed for Port Huron at the
mouth of the St Clair River. Seas are 6-8 feet and winds are 10-20. We went
49.5nm for 8 hrs and 45 minutes arriving at 5:10pm.
It was a difficult time pulling the anchor after it had dug in from the previous
night. It was also a little challenging becase it was still blowing pretty
strong and I am tryin to hold the boat in position to ease the burde no the
windless. I am wondering what it is going to be like on the other side of the
breakwall, but I am also anxious to get out of this port. The winds just howl
through there. It is sunny out and the waives are large and rolling and to our
fortune are pushing at our stern. We get to surf the whole way to the end of
Lake Huron...yeeehaw!. The waives did calm down about half way through the day
and we motorsailed with Jib and Jigger (mizzen). The bridge to the enterence of
the St. Claire River is a pretty sight and the lighted channel markers are
getting much bigger, indicating the large freight ships we will be dealing with
over the next few days. A short distance down the river is a tributary called
the Black River and home of the Port Huron Yacht Club. We passed two draw
bridges on the Black River to get the our port, Port Huron River Street Marina.
We refuel....a lirrle too much. Excess fuel overflowed into the bildge and we
spent some time clearing it out and airing out the cockpit. John's landing of
the boat along the wall was without incident and I think we are getting the hang
of the boats' manuvering (not yet expert class). In town we had dinner on the
poarch of the Quay Street Brewery (guess what attracted the guys to this place)
and enjoyed the surroundings. We visited the Vintage for a night cap and we
were headed back to the boat for bed.
June 30, 2010 - Attempted to leave Port Huron for Detroit. We got up early and
plotted our course and doubled checked the bouy markers for the correct
tributaries in the rivers. We are headed for Detroit today. Hailed the 7th
street bridge for access........hailed again when no bridge was
opening......bridge engineer reports back to us that he is having a major
malfunction of the bridge. We trun around and reattach ourselves to the wall.
Checked back at noon and still no work is being done on the bridge. John took
the opportunity to do payroll checks and some other work since it is now clear
we will be delayed another day. We walked to town in search of a post office
and looked around town. Had lunch at the Raven, a very interesting décor of
gargoles and famous poets, but the lobster bisque was to die for. We hung out
at the boat the afternoon, The draw bridge went up permanently. It will remain
this was to they get it fixed so it looks like we will be able to get out
tomorrow. The sun was warm so we took the opportunity to wear our tee shirts
and shorts and bask in the sun. Decided to eat at the Vintage tonight. The
owner was adding on a roof seating area and telling us about his plans. We also
discussed Port Huron's economic struggles but he felt they were coming back.
Jed and John decided to drink wine and smoke their cigars back at the
boat.....men......