Friday morning we're casting off from Mackinaw City to head south down Lake Michigan. Time to get going. Took care of a few chores while we were here.
We're going to try an overnight all the way to Holland. We can bail out anywhere along the way as there are plenty of easy access harbors. Our only concern is the cold...upper 40's Friday night. Weather reports are excellent for calm seas. Only problem is that we may have to motor a fair bit of the way.
Chris made up a batch of stew and a batch of chili so we'll eat easy & well. Always good stuff from her galley.
We'll be cruising under the Big Mac. Not a hamburger, the Mackinac Bridge! Should be a great view. I have a video in the works that includes this, stay tuned.
Spot should be active all the way.
Casting off around 7:30AM Friday.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Hookin Up
We stopped at Hammond Bay harbor of refuge Tuesday afternoon. It was howling overnight in Presque Isle but the trip to Hammond Bay was quiet. We had moderate wind to sail the first half of the trip but it died and we motored the rest of the way. Hammond is closed for the season so we got more free dockage. Yea!
But hookin up to the internet was impossible. Hammond Bay harbor is not close to anything. The smart phone would occasionally pick up some e-mails but then nothing. The place was empty and at night it got DARK. We forget how much light pollution there is anywhere near a city.
Wednesday we departed for Mackinaw City. We sailed fast in a stiff breeze with following seas for about half the morning. A very good ride. Then as we closed on Bois Blanc Island, the wind slacked off and the rain started. But we had enough breeze to continue sailing at an easier pace. We went from 7 knots early to 4 to 5 knots later in the morning. But it was a short trip so we still got in by 1pm. Gave us time to fuel up and pump out the holding tank and try to resolve connectivity issues. The wifi here isn't working so I have to use my Verizon tethering to connect.
We're trying to balance the "get there" pressure with some enjoyment of the locations. Sometimes the schedule push gets on our nerves. We'll feel much more relaxed once we get off the Lake by October.
The battery combiner has gone Tango Uniform. I removed it this afternoon & will ship it out to be replaced by a larger unit capable of handling my alternator output. Meanwhile I have to manually switch from start battery to house battery as appropriate. No big deal.
But hookin up to the internet was impossible. Hammond Bay harbor is not close to anything. The smart phone would occasionally pick up some e-mails but then nothing. The place was empty and at night it got DARK. We forget how much light pollution there is anywhere near a city.
Wednesday we departed for Mackinaw City. We sailed fast in a stiff breeze with following seas for about half the morning. A very good ride. Then as we closed on Bois Blanc Island, the wind slacked off and the rain started. But we had enough breeze to continue sailing at an easier pace. We went from 7 knots early to 4 to 5 knots later in the morning. But it was a short trip so we still got in by 1pm. Gave us time to fuel up and pump out the holding tank and try to resolve connectivity issues. The wifi here isn't working so I have to use my Verizon tethering to connect.
We're trying to balance the "get there" pressure with some enjoyment of the locations. Sometimes the schedule push gets on our nerves. We'll feel much more relaxed once we get off the Lake by October.
The battery combiner has gone Tango Uniform. I removed it this afternoon & will ship it out to be replaced by a larger unit capable of handling my alternator output. Meanwhile I have to manually switch from start battery to house battery as appropriate. No big deal.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Talk Like a Pirate!!!
In honor of "Talk Like A Pirate Day" we bring you the cutest pirate on the water. AAARRRGGG MATEY!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Free is GOOD!
We pulled up stakes in Harrisville at 7:30am, headed for Presque Isle harbor. We needed to head east out of the harbor to find deep water. That was into steep 6' seas. We finally turned north and set sails. Under reefed main & reefed jib we easily made 6+ knots. The rolling beam seas were not too uncomfortable because the sails keep us from rolling. A slow moving power boat would have become a vomitorium.
When we rounded the corner at Alpena/Thunder Bay we were sloshing around from following seas and wind on the stern. So we fired up the motor & made tracks west. Kept the main up to steady the ride. The fish nets are heavy in this area. We had to keep a sharp lookout for the small flags and try to avoid them.
We planned on anchoring in Presque Isle harbor for one or two nights. But the bottom is weed covered and we couldn't get a bite. The fact that the wind was gusting well over 20 didn't help. Discretion and valor and all that meant it was time to take a dock for the night. We kept calling in to the harbor master with no answer. I'd heard it is very shallow on approach and wanted info. No response. So in we went. With the cross wind blowing 20+ we managed fine at docking. We had our choice as the marina is almost empty. Then we found out why...they are closed for the season! Another cruiser stopped by to help take a line and gave us the news. Water is shut off but the power is on!! Yea; free dockage AND free heat!
Rain in the forecast so we'll likely stay put Monday.
Still trying to upload video. Need a faster wifi connection. Or I'll start to use FTP for file uploads.
When we rounded the corner at Alpena/Thunder Bay we were sloshing around from following seas and wind on the stern. So we fired up the motor & made tracks west. Kept the main up to steady the ride. The fish nets are heavy in this area. We had to keep a sharp lookout for the small flags and try to avoid them.
We planned on anchoring in Presque Isle harbor for one or two nights. But the bottom is weed covered and we couldn't get a bite. The fact that the wind was gusting well over 20 didn't help. Discretion and valor and all that meant it was time to take a dock for the night. We kept calling in to the harbor master with no answer. I'd heard it is very shallow on approach and wanted info. No response. So in we went. With the cross wind blowing 20+ we managed fine at docking. We had our choice as the marina is almost empty. Then we found out why...they are closed for the season! Another cruiser stopped by to help take a line and gave us the news. Water is shut off but the power is on!! Yea; free dockage AND free heat!
Rain in the forecast so we'll likely stay put Monday.
Still trying to upload video. Need a faster wifi connection. Or I'll start to use FTP for file uploads.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Ever Onward
The siphon loop was an easy fix. The hardware store had just what we needed so I bought a replacement & 2 spares. We still had time to visit the Saturday morning street market. Bought some fresh goodies for the pantry and then headed out for Harrisville. Since we want to make good time, we motored the whole way. There was no wind in the AM. We could have sailed the last few hours but we wanted to get in early and get settled for the evening.
Fried up a few burgers on the cast iron skillet. We'll be keeping warm this evening with fresh hot cider and cinnamon and Pandora on the stereo.
I finished editing the latest video last night but the slow internet connection at Port Austin prevented my uploading it. I'll upload this evening. Hope you like it. Your comments would be appreciated. And feel free to send a link to this blog to anyone you think might be interested
.
Fried up a few burgers on the cast iron skillet. We'll be keeping warm this evening with fresh hot cider and cinnamon and Pandora on the stereo.
I finished editing the latest video last night but the slow internet connection at Port Austin prevented my uploading it. I'll upload this evening. Hope you like it. Your comments would be appreciated. And feel free to send a link to this blog to anyone you think might be interested
.
Friday, September 16, 2011
I told ya
Yesterday I said we have no schedule...we're sticking to it. Decided to pull up stakes at Harbor Beach and head for Port Austin. It will get into the 30's tonight so we splurged on a slip at the marina and get plenty of juice to power electric heaters.
It was a lumpy day of motoring into 3' to 5' seas. No big deal for the boat but tiresome and tedious for us. We'll continue on to Harrisville tomorrow...IF...I can fix the engine siphon loop. I noticed a drip in the fitting so I tried to put a new hose clamp on the hose. The corroded hose barb snapped off!! Hopefully the hardware store has a replacement. Just part of keeping an old boat running. No duct tape and bailing wire, but constant 'stuff' to keep me on my toes.
Got the Spot Messenger working. Just took an application of $$ to get the instant tracking feature. So follow along in real time when we are on the move...Tracks to Freedom
It was a lumpy day of motoring into 3' to 5' seas. No big deal for the boat but tiresome and tedious for us. We'll continue on to Harrisville tomorrow...IF...I can fix the engine siphon loop. I noticed a drip in the fitting so I tried to put a new hose clamp on the hose. The corroded hose barb snapped off!! Hopefully the hardware store has a replacement. Just part of keeping an old boat running. No duct tape and bailing wire, but constant 'stuff' to keep me on my toes.
Got the Spot Messenger working. Just took an application of $$ to get the instant tracking feature. So follow along in real time when we are on the move...Tracks to Freedom
We have no schedule, and we're sticking to it!
It was howling all day yesterday while we sat firmly hooked to the bottom with our Manson Supreme anchor. Love that tool! We were planning on heading to Harrisville from Harbor Beach today. The winds have subsided but the waves take longer to calm down. We don't mind 6 foot seas, we don't mind setting out in the dark and we don't mind (too much) temps in the upper 30's. But combine all of those and we're sitting tight for another day.
We'll take some time to work on the endless list of projects. Today will include finishing the bike bag and editing my St Clair River video. Stay tuned for that!
We'll take some time to work on the endless list of projects. Today will include finishing the bike bag and editing my St Clair River video. Stay tuned for that!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First day is in the books
Monday, we pushed off from Jefferson Beach Marina at 5:15AM. We had a surprise visit from Pam & Pete to help us cast off. VERY nice of them to show up at such an early hour.
The plan was to cover 70 miles to Port Sanilac. That is across Lake St. Clair and all the way up the St. Clair River and up the Lake Huron coastline. The river flows down against us at 3 to 4 knots so we loose quite a bit of speed, especially at the mouth under the Bluewater Bridge at Port Huron. Sanilac was chosen because there is sufficient room to anchor (free!). Anchor down at 5:45pm.
We had one bad thing and one good thing happen. The engine drive refrigeration compressor wasn't working right and was actually warming the freezer! The 12 volt system was fighting the good fight and trying to keep it cold. In the process the 12 volt system was consuming a LOT of battery juice. Fortunately I installed a BIG battery bank, 900 amp/hours of wet cell golf cart Trojan batteries. It took me until Tuesday morning to realize what had happened. Overnight everything settled down because the engine was not running and I'd turned off the engine drive compressor. Called Cleve at Seafrost to confirm the diagnosis. Now all I have to do is find the leak in the engine drive system and fix it, then recharge that system. Great to have redundant refer systems!
The "good thing" is the Manson Supreme. Our 45 lb. primary anchor. We anchored in Sanilac harbor with winds of 12 to 20 knots with a 5:1 scope of chain. We had a 180 degree wind shift this morning with more gusty wind into the low 20's. Didn't budge an inch! Good? GREAT!!
I thought I activated my Spot Messenger tracking feature. Evidently something did not work right so we did not record a track of the first day trip. Bummer. More confusing techno gadgets to figure out. Hopefully we'll be able to post maps with tracks of our journey here on the blog.
This entry sent courtesy of free WiFi at the Port Sanilac Municipal Marina!
Still looking for time to figure out my new camera...stills & video to come.
The plan was to cover 70 miles to Port Sanilac. That is across Lake St. Clair and all the way up the St. Clair River and up the Lake Huron coastline. The river flows down against us at 3 to 4 knots so we loose quite a bit of speed, especially at the mouth under the Bluewater Bridge at Port Huron. Sanilac was chosen because there is sufficient room to anchor (free!). Anchor down at 5:45pm.
We had one bad thing and one good thing happen. The engine drive refrigeration compressor wasn't working right and was actually warming the freezer! The 12 volt system was fighting the good fight and trying to keep it cold. In the process the 12 volt system was consuming a LOT of battery juice. Fortunately I installed a BIG battery bank, 900 amp/hours of wet cell golf cart Trojan batteries. It took me until Tuesday morning to realize what had happened. Overnight everything settled down because the engine was not running and I'd turned off the engine drive compressor. Called Cleve at Seafrost to confirm the diagnosis. Now all I have to do is find the leak in the engine drive system and fix it, then recharge that system. Great to have redundant refer systems!
The "good thing" is the Manson Supreme. Our 45 lb. primary anchor. We anchored in Sanilac harbor with winds of 12 to 20 knots with a 5:1 scope of chain. We had a 180 degree wind shift this morning with more gusty wind into the low 20's. Didn't budge an inch! Good? GREAT!!
I thought I activated my Spot Messenger tracking feature. Evidently something did not work right so we did not record a track of the first day trip. Bummer. More confusing techno gadgets to figure out. Hopefully we'll be able to post maps with tracks of our journey here on the blog.
This entry sent courtesy of free WiFi at the Port Sanilac Municipal Marina!
Still looking for time to figure out my new camera...stills & video to come.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
From Chris:
Part of our preparations for leaving has been to inform everyone about our plans and to say goodbye so we arranged a 3 day long open "house" for family and friends. It was a chance to show off our new home including all the improvements we have made. What a great time we had, but the Labor day weekend was as variable as my emotions. Saturday was so screamingly hot that I was afraid our guests would just melt away. By evening we had little storm bursts, off and on and by Monday, it was really chilly! Sunday evening my sister threw us an incredible going away party at her house, complete with pirate eye patches, Hawaiian leis, beachcomber hats, fish nets and even a live green parrot. Very emotional, lots of fun and with the assistance of gift cards we splurged and purchased a spot messenger so that our loved ones could feel better about our sailing away into the unknown.
So here we sit, scrambling to finish projects. We've sold our final land-based items and are waiting for a weather window to begin our trip. Tropical Storm Lee sat on top of us for several days; rained buckets and winds howled. Lee seemed like he was in no hurry to leave. Right now, it looks like Monday is the day, but this is subject to change.
It is rather amazing how things fell into place. We sold our house at almost the last possible moment to leave this year. Our vehicle sales went very smoothly and happened at the very last moment. We were even able to trade some large house sized Persian rugs this week for new boat sized ones.
Part of our preparations for leaving has been to inform everyone about our plans and to say goodbye so we arranged a 3 day long open "house" for family and friends. It was a chance to show off our new home including all the improvements we have made. What a great time we had, but the Labor day weekend was as variable as my emotions. Saturday was so screamingly hot that I was afraid our guests would just melt away. By evening we had little storm bursts, off and on and by Monday, it was really chilly! Sunday evening my sister threw us an incredible going away party at her house, complete with pirate eye patches, Hawaiian leis, beachcomber hats, fish nets and even a live green parrot. Very emotional, lots of fun and with the assistance of gift cards we splurged and purchased a spot messenger so that our loved ones could feel better about our sailing away into the unknown.
So here we sit, scrambling to finish projects. We've sold our final land-based items and are waiting for a weather window to begin our trip. Tropical Storm Lee sat on top of us for several days; rained buckets and winds howled. Lee seemed like he was in no hurry to leave. Right now, it looks like Monday is the day, but this is subject to change.
It is rather amazing how things fell into place. We sold our house at almost the last possible moment to leave this year. Our vehicle sales went very smoothly and happened at the very last moment. We were even able to trade some large house sized Persian rugs this week for new boat sized ones.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Car-less in Deetroit!!
Sung to the tune of "Panic In Detroit", by David Bowie!
We sold Chris' car Wednesday and now I've sold my van today. We're car-less! That was the last big step before taking off. We have a few last minute projects to attend to before casting off Monday.
We hauled the boat out this morning to clean the bottom, change the "zinc" and check the running gear. Everything looks good and went smoothly.
Here is a snap from my crappy Verizon phone:
We sold Chris' car Wednesday and now I've sold my van today. We're car-less! That was the last big step before taking off. We have a few last minute projects to attend to before casting off Monday.
We hauled the boat out this morning to clean the bottom, change the "zinc" and check the running gear. Everything looks good and went smoothly.
Here is a snap from my crappy Verizon phone:
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Final preparations
After years of planning & prep, we're almost there! I started thinking about buying a boat & going cruising in 1998. Chris bought into the idea around 2004. We sold our express cruiser power boat in 2005 and bought the sailboat in 2007. We were almost departing in 2008 when the poop hit the fan. We finally sold the house this summer and promptly sold off just about everything. No storage unit, no house; a few boxes at the relatives is all we kept that we aren't taking with us.
This last month has been extremely hectic trying to get rid of the last of our stuff, finish boat projects and sell the cars. But the end...and the beginning...is near!!!
We were planning on cruising from the Great lakes to Buffalo & the Erie Canal to the Hudson River and down to the Atlantic. But hurricane Irene did significant damage to dams on the Erie and they have closed it for the rest of the season. It's questionable if they will even open the canal next year. So implement plan B. We'll be sailing north up Lake Huron, under the Mackinac bridge into Lake Michigan and down to Chicago. We'll harbor hop along the way as weather permits. Don't need to give Gordon Lightfoot more material.
In Chicago we pull the mast for low bridge clearance down to the Mississippi River, up the Ohio and into the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The Ten-Tom is a series of locks, dams & canals, built in the Great Depression by the TVA. It will take us to Mobile, Ala. and the Gulf of Mexico. From there we'll sail down the west side of Florida to the Keys and hopefully make the Bahamas by January.
We hope to post regular updates here on this blog along with photos & videos. We also have a Spot Messenger tracking device that will plot our course on Google maps. All I need is to find the time to configure all this stuff!!
Hope you enjoy following our cruising adventure!
This last month has been extremely hectic trying to get rid of the last of our stuff, finish boat projects and sell the cars. But the end...and the beginning...is near!!!
We were planning on cruising from the Great lakes to Buffalo & the Erie Canal to the Hudson River and down to the Atlantic. But hurricane Irene did significant damage to dams on the Erie and they have closed it for the rest of the season. It's questionable if they will even open the canal next year. So implement plan B. We'll be sailing north up Lake Huron, under the Mackinac bridge into Lake Michigan and down to Chicago. We'll harbor hop along the way as weather permits. Don't need to give Gordon Lightfoot more material.
In Chicago we pull the mast for low bridge clearance down to the Mississippi River, up the Ohio and into the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The Ten-Tom is a series of locks, dams & canals, built in the Great Depression by the TVA. It will take us to Mobile, Ala. and the Gulf of Mexico. From there we'll sail down the west side of Florida to the Keys and hopefully make the Bahamas by January.
We hope to post regular updates here on this blog along with photos & videos. We also have a Spot Messenger tracking device that will plot our course on Google maps. All I need is to find the time to configure all this stuff!!
Hope you enjoy following our cruising adventure!
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