Summer on Lake Michigan.
June 14 2008
Reflections
Dear Friends and family,
Francie and I are in Hammond Marina in Hammond Indiana. It is about 2 miles from the Illinois border. A gambling casino is on the other side of the harbor. Our neighbors are nice, but it feels odd to be surrounded by power boat people. It is like a floating trailer park.
Reflections
Dear Friends and family,
Francie and I are in Hammond Marina in Hammond Indiana. It is about 2 miles from the Illinois border. A gambling casino is on the other side of the harbor. Our neighbors are nice, but it feels odd to be surrounded by power boat people. It is like a floating trailer park.
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But to get here we had to take the “river trip” from the boat yard to Lake Michigan. This is always an adventure, lots of boats – not lots of room -as boats are jammed into the spaces between bridges that are opening and closing, not in any smooth synchronized fashion!
River Trip 2008
And then east to Hammond, Indiana!
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June 13, 2008
We have had a wonderful day. We arrived Friday night and had a dinner and just sat on the deck not believing this could be real. This morning we got up early to complete some chores and went sailing. Everything feels so new and we are once again learning how to sail our boat. We have it rigged and decided to sail to Chicago. We went to see if we could find Fineline, the race boat that we used to crew. This week is the Noods. It is a big deal. There are 5-7 races in 3 days. The sail to the city was like a dream. The wind was 12-18 knots and we were cruising at 7-8 knots. We put on the autopilot and sat back enjoying the view and the idea that we were really on the boat in Lake Michigan. We were in Chicago in 2 hours and watched the race boats round the downwind mark. I must admit I missed the racing for just a moment, but I would rather sit on Anam Cara and watch the race. The city from the water never fails to impress me. After sailing south we decide to head south to the marina. The wind picked up and we had gusts of 20 knots but the boat handled like a dream.
We have had a wonderful day. We arrived Friday night and had a dinner and just sat on the deck not believing this could be real. This morning we got up early to complete some chores and went sailing. Everything feels so new and we are once again learning how to sail our boat. We have it rigged and decided to sail to Chicago. We went to see if we could find Fineline, the race boat that we used to crew. This week is the Noods. It is a big deal. There are 5-7 races in 3 days. The sail to the city was like a dream. The wind was 12-18 knots and we were cruising at 7-8 knots. We put on the autopilot and sat back enjoying the view and the idea that we were really on the boat in Lake Michigan. We were in Chicago in 2 hours and watched the race boats round the downwind mark. I must admit I missed the racing for just a moment, but I would rather sit on Anam Cara and watch the race. The city from the water never fails to impress me. After sailing south we decide to head south to the marina. The wind picked up and we had gusts of 20 knots but the boat handled like a dream.
Francie is on the deck reading and I started to reflect about our day and all that it took to get here.
It is probably a good thing that we really had no idea what we were doing when we bought the boat because if we did, we wouldn’t have done it. When we finally got the boat to Chicago, I decided I was going to strip the bottom and repaint it. I worked like a dog in the 90 degree heat to sand the bottom. When I was done I was told that it had to be all of the way to the gel coat. I started to have dreams at night because I needed to grind out the blisters in the fiberglass, but I had no idea how to do it. I read everything I could get my hands on but was reluctant to start. I talked to the man who does the fiberglass work in the boat yard. He was so kind. He spent an hour helping me get started and even came back to check on me. Later in the week he showed me how to fiberglass and compound the areas that I had ground out. I finished the grinding and Francie and I fiber glassed all of the blisters. It looked pretty good.
Francie, our friend Tim and I replaced all of the plumbing on the boat. It took us into the beginning of November but we finished it. We replaced all of the pressurized water lines, all of the sanitation lines and all of the gray water lines. We replaced the water tanks with bladders and ran new hoses to them. In addition we replaced the sinks in both heads and added new fixtures. November through the end of February we left the boat alone although it was all we talked and thought about.
Both Francie and I spent the month of January recuperating from surgery. I had mine first and she had his a few days after mine. We had to make sure that we would have the spring and summer free to work on the boat.
In early Spring, it finally warmed up enough to begin working. A friend and I rewired the mast while Francie finished up the plumbing details and rewired some of the lights. She has become quite the handy woman. Our friends have been teaching her the finer points of plumbing and electrical. We both are enjoying our new hobby. Tim and Francie designed a new navigation station layout and rewired it. We also pulled miles of wire that has been abandoned and just left to rot. Each weekend we spent both Saturday and Sunday working. It truly is a labor of love.
Originally we didn’t do a journal this year because we didn’t want to bore people. Who chronicles their vacation? Recently we have had several people want to know why we haven’t sent out a journal. So......
Lake Michigan in June
July 7th, 2008
We left Chicago on July 7th and made our way to New Buffalo, Michigan. We were told not to head out because of bad weather. After stowing all of the gear and food, we looked at the weather on the radar via our computer and decided to go anyway. There are three of us on the boat, Francie, Tim and Mike. Tim worked with us during the fall and spring on the new plumbing and electric. He was going to spend two weeks with us.
We had a great sail with lots of wind and 2 to 4 ft waves. It was a good start. Mike managed to get us into the slip although it was obvious that he was a bit nervous. He is still counting the number of times that he has docked a boat. Life is always an adventure and sailing certainly has its obstacles big and small. We arrived at the marina around 6 PM and because the marina people had left for the day, we were locked out of the bathroom. Duct tape to the rescue. Tim stood outside the bathrooms until some one opened it and he duct tape the door open. He said he felt like a pervert hanging outside the bathrooms, but at least we had options.
The weather the next day made us decide to stay another day. Francie’s sisters came from Chesterton which is 20 miles away and they went to the outlet mall in Michigan City. I don’t think Francie was upset about our day off.
We left Chicago on July 7th and made our way to New Buffalo, Michigan. We were told not to head out because of bad weather. After stowing all of the gear and food, we looked at the weather on the radar via our computer and decided to go anyway. There are three of us on the boat, Francie, Tim and Mike. Tim worked with us during the fall and spring on the new plumbing and electric. He was going to spend two weeks with us.
We had a great sail with lots of wind and 2 to 4 ft waves. It was a good start. Mike managed to get us into the slip although it was obvious that he was a bit nervous. He is still counting the number of times that he has docked a boat. Life is always an adventure and sailing certainly has its obstacles big and small. We arrived at the marina around 6 PM and because the marina people had left for the day, we were locked out of the bathroom. Duct tape to the rescue. Tim stood outside the bathrooms until some one opened it and he duct tape the door open. He said he felt like a pervert hanging outside the bathrooms, but at least we had options.
The weather the next day made us decide to stay another day. Francie’s sisters came from Chesterton which is 20 miles away and they went to the outlet mall in Michigan City. I don’t think Francie was upset about our day off.
July 9, 2008
The next day brought good wind and 3 to 5 foot waves. We were flying and it was a great sail. We managed to get to Holland which was about 70 miles. We arrived in the late afternoon after getting an early start. Tim experience his first really wave experience. We dropped the anchor right outside a marina. It is so peaceful and relaxing feeling the motion of the boat as it swings on the anchor. It was a pleasant change from the marina. In the morning we went to get some fuel. Francie was filling one of the new water tanks that we put in during the fall. She commented that it seemed to be losing a great deal of water. I decided to check the bilge and sure enough the water tank was leaking. We went to the marina store to find parts but they had nothing we could use. One of the employees offered to let Tim use his care to go to the local hardware. An hour later Tim had the repair made and we were off. We decided to make some additional adjustments to the other tank just as we had made to the one we repaired. Was this going to be shades of Florida?
The next day brought good wind and 3 to 5 foot waves. We were flying and it was a great sail. We managed to get to Holland which was about 70 miles. We arrived in the late afternoon after getting an early start. Tim experience his first really wave experience. We dropped the anchor right outside a marina. It is so peaceful and relaxing feeling the motion of the boat as it swings on the anchor. It was a pleasant change from the marina. In the morning we went to get some fuel. Francie was filling one of the new water tanks that we put in during the fall. She commented that it seemed to be losing a great deal of water. I decided to check the bilge and sure enough the water tank was leaking. We went to the marina store to find parts but they had nothing we could use. One of the employees offered to let Tim use his care to go to the local hardware. An hour later Tim had the repair made and we were off. We decided to make some additional adjustments to the other tank just as we had made to the one we repaired. Was this going to be shades of Florida?
July 10, 2007
We arrived in White Lake that evening to find out that there was going to be a big storm. Francie showed Tim how to set the anchor. It took us a couple of tries but it met Francie’s satisfaction. Tim and I took the dingy in to get ice. The plug was in wrong and it was leaking water inside. Fortunately we only had a short distance to go. I bailed and drove at the same time since the water was at my end of the boat. The store was closed but we knew someone was around because the keys to the place were in the door. Tim found the owner upstairs. He didn’t want to come down because he was having a beer so he told Tim to take the ice since it was open. We left a little money and tried to get our leaking dinghy back to the boat. I was soaked by the time we got back but was able to fix the plug. There is a lot to remember from last year.
We arrived in White Lake that evening to find out that there was going to be a big storm. Francie showed Tim how to set the anchor. It took us a couple of tries but it met Francie’s satisfaction. Tim and I took the dingy in to get ice. The plug was in wrong and it was leaking water inside. Fortunately we only had a short distance to go. I bailed and drove at the same time since the water was at my end of the boat. The store was closed but we knew someone was around because the keys to the place were in the door. Tim found the owner upstairs. He didn’t want to come down because he was having a beer so he told Tim to take the ice since it was open. We left a little money and tried to get our leaking dinghy back to the boat. I was soaked by the time we got back but was able to fix the plug. There is a lot to remember from last year.
July 11, 2008
We discovered the next day that the refrigeration that ran off the engine was not working. We figured out that the compressor was not functioning. Great another problem!! We decide it couldn’t be fixed so we can only anchor for one day at a time and then back to the marina to plug in to run the shore power refrigerator compressor. Our other big finding for the day was that after running the engine for a while it would just shut off. A half hour later it would start. We were not sure of the nature of the problem, but we changed the fuel filter that night. We were sure it would be fine the next day even though the filters didn’t look very dirty. I must admit I kept thinking of Florida and the problems with the engine.
We discovered the next day that the refrigeration that ran off the engine was not working. We figured out that the compressor was not functioning. Great another problem!! We decide it couldn’t be fixed so we can only anchor for one day at a time and then back to the marina to plug in to run the shore power refrigerator compressor. Our other big finding for the day was that after running the engine for a while it would just shut off. A half hour later it would start. We were not sure of the nature of the problem, but we changed the fuel filter that night. We were sure it would be fine the next day even though the filters didn’t look very dirty. I must admit I kept thinking of Florida and the problems with the engine.
We stopped several times and anchored out as we headed to Ludington. It is so peaceful and we are frustrated that we can’t stay as long as we want because of lack of refrigeration. We have decided that it is going to be the project for this year as well as several other things. Our boat is certainly a work in progress.
Ludington is by far the nicest municipal marina we have experienced. The people are friendly, and the facilities are pristine. They even had flowers in the bathroom. Because of weather, 6 to 8 foot waves coming out of the north we decided to stay longer. Francie walked 4 miles to her favorite store, Meijers. She had lots of goodies in the cab when she returned. We enjoyed the town and went for several walks but were anxious to continue our journey.
7/14/2008
Finally we got a break in the weather and headed for Arcadia, a tiny town with a lake for us to anchor. We were greeted by a couple who own a Gulf Star trawler. They told us if we wait our boat will grow up and become a boat like theirs. All we have to do is feed it a lot of fuel. It is the first Gulf Star trawler that we have seen. There are very few Gulf Stars in the Great Lakes. By the way our sailboat is a Gulf Star. They have not been made for a number of years but have a good reputation. Gulf Star owners look for each other just to observe the differences in the boats.
It was beautiful anchoring off Arcadia. We could hear the waves on the other side of the sand dune that protected us from the wind on the lake. We took the dingy into town which was only 4 blocks from the municipal marina. It consisted of a motel, gas station, bar, restaurant, boat service place and much to Francie’s delight, an ice cream store.
We spent the evening watching the fish jump as the sun set in front of us and disappeared behind the sand dune.
Finally we got a break in the weather and headed for Arcadia, a tiny town with a lake for us to anchor. We were greeted by a couple who own a Gulf Star trawler. They told us if we wait our boat will grow up and become a boat like theirs. All we have to do is feed it a lot of fuel. It is the first Gulf Star trawler that we have seen. There are very few Gulf Stars in the Great Lakes. By the way our sailboat is a Gulf Star. They have not been made for a number of years but have a good reputation. Gulf Star owners look for each other just to observe the differences in the boats.
It was beautiful anchoring off Arcadia. We could hear the waves on the other side of the sand dune that protected us from the wind on the lake. We took the dingy into town which was only 4 blocks from the municipal marina. It consisted of a motel, gas station, bar, restaurant, boat service place and much to Francie’s delight, an ice cream store.
We spent the evening watching the fish jump as the sun set in front of us and disappeared behind the sand dune.
We are headed for South Manitou Island in the morning. It is a harbor but has no facilities. Campers are taken by ferry to the island from Leeland. It is another pristine area. There is a light house that can be toured. Tim took the dingy and went for a walk. The next morning we all walked along the beach. The island is rich in Lake Michigan history. Someday we hope to return and explore the island more.
7/16/2008
The next morning we pulled the anchor and anchored off Sleeping Bear Dunes. The sand dune wall is 400 feet up. We again took the dingy to shore and walked the beach. Tim explored the dunes. It seemed strange to see the boat sitting at anchor and we were not on it. It made both of us uneasy so we went back to the boat and left Tim to explore.
The next morning we pulled the anchor and anchored off Sleeping Bear Dunes. The sand dune wall is 400 feet up. We again took the dingy to shore and walked the beach. Tim explored the dunes. It seemed strange to see the boat sitting at anchor and we were not on it. It made both of us uneasy so we went back to the boat and left Tim to explore.
7/16/2008
We arrived in Leeland and got the last slip for our size boat. There is only one marina and we are in with the huge 70 foot power yachts. I feel like the Jods from Grapes of Wrath. It is like going to a black tie affair in jeans and a tee shirt. The town is cute, but a bit touristy for us. We had ice cream and listened to 3 guys playing our type of music. Some may call it oldies.
We arrived in Leeland and got the last slip for our size boat. There is only one marina and we are in with the huge 70 foot power yachts. I feel like the Jods from Grapes of Wrath. It is like going to a black tie affair in jeans and a tee shirt. The town is cute, but a bit touristy for us. We had ice cream and listened to 3 guys playing our type of music. Some may call it oldies.
7/17/2008
We are headed back to Manitou Island for the night. The waves are large and the wind is blowing us around. We decided to pull in the front sail and use the motor since the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and all we are doing is tacking. Once again the motor shuts off and we are struggling with the mainsail but we are making progress toward the island. After a half hour it starts again and we get into the harbor but it stalls again as we anchor. This has happened several times and it is time to get it fixed before something tragic happens. We decide to head south to Muskegon, rather than continue north.
We are headed back to Manitou Island for the night. The waves are large and the wind is blowing us around. We decided to pull in the front sail and use the motor since the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and all we are doing is tacking. Once again the motor shuts off and we are struggling with the mainsail but we are making progress toward the island. After a half hour it starts again and we get into the harbor but it stalls again as we anchor. This has happened several times and it is time to get it fixed before something tragic happens. We decide to head south to Muskegon, rather than continue north.