One of the things that has to be remembered is that we are quite a way north here and the fall winds are starting to blow. On checking the weather it appeared that the good weather is going to end on Wednesday - winds to start blowing at 25 to 30 knots. We were going to stay in Mackinac for another day and had paid for another night at the Marina. On seeing the change coming for Wednesday, we decided to leave right away. Michigan can get very rough in the high winds. Our next run is to Charlevoix on the eastern side of lake Michigan - about 55 miles. We wanted to go all the way to Charlevois because there are harbours of refuge every 20 miles or sol along the eastern side of the Lake after Charlevois. If it blows up after we start a run it's not too far to the next harbour.
We started out OK, went under the Mackinac bridge, put the auto pilot on and began the run out to the White Shoal light. About 3/4 of the way there, the wind started picking up and we had to go off Auto pilot. To get to Charlevois you could make a run across open water but given the conditions we decided to run inshore and along the shore. It may have taken a little more time but it was definitely smoother as the south east winds were tempered by the shore. However one of the things you have to watch for in Michigan is old fishing net posts in the water. The approximate location is noted on the charts but the specific location is not. The charts warn you that you have to be aware they might be in this area and the warning is not necessarily in shallow water. My conclusion is to stay int he deepest water possible if you have to run through an area where they are located. They are not small posts and could rip the bottom out of your boat.
We arrived in Charlevois about 5 and obtained a berth in the local state marina. Michigan state marinas, are some of the best I've seen - new, well tended, and clean. We were helped in our docking by another Canadian couple from Windsor who are also doing the Loop. They knew about the cruising permit requirement because they traveled to last year's Looper gathering at Joe Wheeler Park. We then had pre dinner cocktails with them and exchanged stories.
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Does Brenda ever relieve you at the helm? What are the biggest wave heights you have experienced thus far?
ReplyDeleteVery cool and windy here today. Definitely the feel of fall, although the coming weekend is supposed to be beautiful. Will be at our boat as well, enjoying the end of August.