Storm clouds gather over the fleet at PIB.
Mayflies actually come in June... go figure...and this weekend was the peak of the mayfly season. Connie and I decided to sail to Put-In-Bay Friday evening since the weather forecast called for thunderstorms on Saturday morning. Upon arriving around 8pm we picked up the last mooring, learning that it was Freeman-Eckley's Beneteau Rendevous. Nearly 60 boats were in attendance.
Connie and I grabbed the water taxi to get a bite to eat. At dusk we noted that there must have been a fire somewhere on the island since a large black cloud of smoke was hovering over the tree tops. We checked the radar on the cell phone and saw a large line of thunderstorms approaching so we quickly finished eating, hailed the taxi, and made our way back to the boat. From the water taxi, we could see that the black smoke, almost as thick as fog, was now covering the entire island as well as nearby islands. It was only now that we figured out that this wasn't smoke... it was a swarm of mayflies....millions of mayflies.
Back on the boat, we nervously watched the radar and waited for the approaching storm. Just after dark, the wind arrived without the rain. Sudden gusts that must have been 40 to 50 mph blew into the harbor had each boat bouncing wildly about straining against their mooring restraint. Just then, the sloop two balls in front us lost its jib to the wind. The flapping sail could have filled with the full effect of the gale which would have given the small boat the effect of a wrecking ball in a china shop. Thankfully the owner finally realized the best solution was to release the jib halyard, thus dropping the sail. Surrounding boats tried to lend a hand by shining spot lights on the offending sail but could do little else. I was very glad that Connie suggested putting a second line on the ball before the storm hit.
The rest of the weekend was great for sailing. Wind from 10 to 15 knots gave us and the fleet a great ride home. Can we do it again?
Connie and I grabbed the water taxi to get a bite to eat. At dusk we noted that there must have been a fire somewhere on the island since a large black cloud of smoke was hovering over the tree tops. We checked the radar on the cell phone and saw a large line of thunderstorms approaching so we quickly finished eating, hailed the taxi, and made our way back to the boat. From the water taxi, we could see that the black smoke, almost as thick as fog, was now covering the entire island as well as nearby islands. It was only now that we figured out that this wasn't smoke... it was a swarm of mayflies....millions of mayflies.
Back on the boat, we nervously watched the radar and waited for the approaching storm. Just after dark, the wind arrived without the rain. Sudden gusts that must have been 40 to 50 mph blew into the harbor had each boat bouncing wildly about straining against their mooring restraint. Just then, the sloop two balls in front us lost its jib to the wind. The flapping sail could have filled with the full effect of the gale which would have given the small boat the effect of a wrecking ball in a china shop. Thankfully the owner finally realized the best solution was to release the jib halyard, thus dropping the sail. Surrounding boats tried to lend a hand by shining spot lights on the offending sail but could do little else. I was very glad that Connie suggested putting a second line on the ball before the storm hit.
The rest of the weekend was great for sailing. Wind from 10 to 15 knots gave us and the fleet a great ride home. Can we do it again?