Additional Cruise update

We had a great time and met many new people.  The days flew by and we wished we could stay in the cruising mode but reality intervened and we had to get back to Indiana to do necessary stuff.  In the process of returning we stopped by our summer post office and a lady hit our car.  This necessitated getting a quotation for repair so our trip back was delayed a few hours.  I write this from my nice desktop computer that has lots of bandwidth.

The crossing of Lake Michigan twice ranks as one of our greatest accomplishments of this boating season.  If the reader does not think this is significant just imagine being out of sight of land for 5 or more hours each way.  That is 5 hours of being exposed to whatever nature has to offer and you put your lives in the hands of the boat you are on.  I have new respect for those that cross the Atlantic of any other large body of water.

SAM is a much more confident sailor.  I know what it means to be on the deck of a sailboat in 25 knot winds trying to get the sail down.  We are both more relaxed at sea but continue to fear the unknown.  However, we are willing to tackle those fears and we expect to face them bravely.

Lake Michigan Cruise 2009

We had been planning the “big” cruise for sometime and we departed Saugatuck Harbor on 26 July bound for Ludington, MI – about 82 miles away.  This segment started in the nice sunshine with fair winds and we were under sail with SW winds going NNW.  Our flotilla – Moon Dance, Southern Cross and Inspiration – passed by Holland quite nicely but quickly encountered overcast skies, 22kt winds and confused 4- 6 waves.  As we were approaching Grand Haven after sailing in following seas for 4 hours the flotilla leader called it a day and we made for the harbor.  With the First Mate and the autopilot in the cockpit the Deck Monkey (me) struggled to tame the sails at the mast amid severly rolling and pitching deck.  My cardiovascular rate far exceeded the recommended rates by the time this was accomplished.  We finally secured transient slips at the Holiday Inn Grand Haven and spent the night.

On day two we made for Pentwater about 40 miles away and as I recall it was a reasonably pleasent sail for day 2.  We had slips at Snug Harbor – which is a pleasent private marina for $ 68/day.  The next morning we left at 0800 for the Lake Michigan crossing to Sturgeon Bay 82 miles away.  Fortunately the winds were fair and pushed us along at 7+ knots with engine running at idle.  I was afraid to shut the engine off as we were having trouble with the start battery.

On day three, we lead the flotilla all the way across but slowed down so they could catch up and we all entered the cut into Sturgeon Bay just after dark.  We had no accomodations so we dropped the anchor and it held first try for us (Inspiration).  Our shipmates were not so lucky and after a few hours trying to get a set they found moorings and attached to them.  First Mate and Myself took turns on watch all night because we were anchored very near the main channel.  We found out at first light that we were just at the edge of the green channel markers and that is why the traffic was so close to us.

Day four dawned and we crossed the river to CenterPointe Marina which had slips for us.  CenterPointe is a very nice upscale marina with floating piers and all the accommodations of a luxury hotel.  We enjoyed our two days here and First Mate was all over the town shopping, much later I joined her and we walked the Main Street.  We had a group meal during this time and it was much fun and comradry.

On day 6 we left CenterPointe bound for Fish Creek (pronounced locally as Fish Crick).  We arrived but there was no space at the Municipal Marina so we set the hook once again facing a 14 knot wind. Moon Dance was experiecing over temperature alarms and had to shutdown the engine and brought the boat in using the dingy.   After a bit we did find a spot on the wall at Alibi Marina so we weighed anchor and docked at Alibi where we spent day 6 & 7.  We had a lot of fun in this small quaint town when we attended a Fish Boil (White fish, potatoes, onions and spices boiled over an open fire).  SAM and I walked the town.  The rest of the group had bicycles so they ranged farther.  Moon Dance was repaired with a new impeller and removing all the seaweed collected in the strainer.

As day 8 dawned we had a choice to make – go to South Manitou Island via Deaths Door passage or go back to Sturgeon Bay.  The forcast was for rough water on the lake and we all did not relish a long passage across the lake with large seas and high winds.  The alternative was to motor back to Sturgeon Bay punching through 3 foot and more waves.  It was a rough day and the going was slow – 5 hours – but we made it back.  Later in the day the seas calmed and it was quite pleasent.

Day 9 was spent at the CenterPointe Marina and as day dawned on day 10 we started our passage across Lake Michigan bound for Ludington.  Our passage took 8 hours and we motored and used sails to best advantage to make Frankfort, MI.  We slipped at Jacobson Marina Resort and celebrated with an anniversery dinner at a bistro which was our most expensive meal of the trip ($100+).  SAM was happy with her meal gift.

Inspiration was the fist on the water of day 10 as we made for Luddington, MI.  We arrived at Harbor View Marina’s Wall in good time.  This was the cheapest slip fees of the journey at $58/day.  SAM & I ate onboard and retired early.  They next day saw our flotilla seperate as Inspiration remained behind so we could visit some old college buddies.  We met them on day 11 and had a great time reminiscing about TSC.  The two ladies got along very well too.  We might meet them in Saugatuck next week, schedules permitting.

Next day Inspiration was off to Pentwater or farther but we decided on Pentwater because of the wind and thought we would have better weather the next day.  Not. Nor the next – Not.  Nor the next.  On day 15 we headed out into stormy seas and headed for Saugatuck 66 miles away.  As the day progressed the waves were good at 1-2′ but the wind backed from SW to SSE and we had to motor from Grand Haven onward.  The day was very nice and lots of sun – we spent the day chasing flies with the swatter to counteract the boredom.  We made the harbor at Saugatuck at 2000 hrs local time and we all ready for bed by 2100hrs and were very tired.