With the ominous sail masts clanging in the background, we set out at 6:30 a.m. hoping to make a northeast beeline across Lake Michigan to Manistee, but once outside the breakwall, it was clear we had some thinking to do -the beeline was now definitely out of the question. Waves were 3-5 feet on a short chop (after a 1-3 foot forecast that held out for two days prior to departure) and winds were about 20-25 knots. We slowly bounced, bumped and crept our way north to Sheboygan, about two hours up the Wisconsin coast. We got fairly wet up on the bridge, and it was really nice to have that lower helm - and three fully functioning windshield wipers!
With the sun now up and shining nicely on downtown Sheboygan, it was either put into port and wait out the weather - which could have been a matter of 2-4 days - or take a hard right and head east to at least keep our nose off the wind and give the weatherman a second chance and hopefully get the boat home by Labor Day.
Turns out we made the right call, as the seas started to let up a bit after about an hour and a half. We held the nose down and plowed through a short, 3-foot chop with an occasional 4 tossed in just for kicks, and it only got better once we hit the midpoint of the lake. While ALL the Wisconsin folk we encountered were all very nice, their water wasn't quite as welcoming to us last Saturday morning. After starting out at 6:30 a.m, we pulled into Manistee around 1:15 p.m with the families waiting and waving on the north pier. What a sight!
I'm happy to report that after only one relatively minor glitch that temporarily left us without a port motor in mid-lake (and also taught us a little something about the fuel system piping and valve controls - nice catch, Aaron) the boat ran very, very well after being out of the water for the last two years.
While I'm excited as all get out at our new, floating home away from home, this week has been what I described earlier to Jamie as an odyssey, and I'm damned glad to be home. Fun, yes, but a stressful fun from a logistical standpoint.
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to Jamie and Aaron for sticking with me and making the trip, as making that crossing at this time of the year in a vessel of (relatively) unknown quantity is not something one might typically be quick to sign up for. They both earned their stripes in a lot of ways.
I've attached a couple photos of the vessel; she looks even better in the water, so thanks also go out to my 11 year-old son Louie for his sharp eye and proficiency with the camera from the Manistee north pier!
And last but not least, my thanks for all the support and good wishes I've gotten from some of you here, most notably Aaron and Prowlersfish. You guys are great, and I'm sure I'll have more questions and photos for you as long as this site is operating - I'm no short timer!
With that, I'm going to bed!
Regards,
Hart
