Connie by the Vermilion Light
Eventhough we hate to admit it, it's a good thing that sailboats also have engines. We left the Port of Vermilion on Thursday morning and found a nice breeze on the Lake. We set our course towards Catawba Island making 5 knots for the first hour and a half. Then, nothing, no wind. Ahhh, we had to turn the engine on.
We were headed back to Herl's for a pump out and a repair to our head before heading (ha ha) back out on the water. High pressure had settled over the area, clearing out the clouds and killing our wind. No problem. With a southwest wind expected to return after midnight, we motored to our favorite anchorage on the north side of Kelley's Island.
It was an incredibly quiet night at Kelley's but the morning brought a brisk wind out of the southwest. The forecast was 16 knots however once we were out from behind the island, we found that the wind was blowing a steady 20 to 22 knots and the waves were 4 to 5 feet. We kept the sails furled and decided to motor our way to Put In Bay. With the occassional wave breaking over the bow and soaking us in the cockpit, the First Mate broke out the life jackets. I even put on one!
We were headed back to Herl's for a pump out and a repair to our head before heading (ha ha) back out on the water. High pressure had settled over the area, clearing out the clouds and killing our wind. No problem. With a southwest wind expected to return after midnight, we motored to our favorite anchorage on the north side of Kelley's Island.
It was an incredibly quiet night at Kelley's but the morning brought a brisk wind out of the southwest. The forecast was 16 knots however once we were out from behind the island, we found that the wind was blowing a steady 20 to 22 knots and the waves were 4 to 5 feet. We kept the sails furled and decided to motor our way to Put In Bay. With the occassional wave breaking over the bow and soaking us in the cockpit, the First Mate broke out the life jackets. I even put on one!
Moonrise over Kelley's Island
Connie took over the helm at the Bay and we easily picked up a mooring. We used the time to get some lunch at Hooligan's and caught a little bit of Mad Dog's afternoon show at the Round House. Later in the day, the wind had dropped a little and I was itching to take advantage and sail around the islands but Connie was still a little shaken from the morning's battle with the waves and wasn't ready to go back out on the water, so we spent the evening playing Farkle, drinking wine, and talking.
Saturday morning came and with it the clouds associated with the remnants of hurricane Issac. The forecast called for rain all weekend, so the time was right to leave early for Herl's. A good 8 knot breeze was blowing out of the east and once we rounded Lighthouse Point, we flew to back to Catawba doing 6.5 to 7 knots. A great sail to end a great vacation. I haven't left yet but I'm already looking forward to coming back.
Saturday morning came and with it the clouds associated with the remnants of hurricane Issac. The forecast called for rain all weekend, so the time was right to leave early for Herl's. A good 8 knot breeze was blowing out of the east and once we rounded Lighthouse Point, we flew to back to Catawba doing 6.5 to 7 knots. A great sail to end a great vacation. I haven't left yet but I'm already looking forward to coming back.