Sunday - September 5, 2010

The wind died down overnight and it was calm in our little lake and marina this morning. We checked the NOAA site and it indicated the small craft warning was going to be withdrawn at 4:00 in the afternoon but the waves and wind were dying down. The winds were 15 to 20 knts and the lake was 2 to 4 footers. We all considered our options and decided to make a run south because tomorrow the winds build up again to 40 knts by Monday night. Our friend from Muskegon who was in the next slip drove out to the lake to check on the wave action for and reported the waves at around 3 feet. We left at 10:45, crossed the little lake and out the inlet which was fun. It faced west and the winds were blowing from the west which set up some interesting rollers inside the channel some of which were 6 feet. It is often said that inlets are very dangerous because of the various actions that take place - water going out and wind blowing in. However we fought our way out and once we got into about 50 feet of water, the wave action was around 2 to 4 feet. Problem was it was a west wind and we were going south< which meant we take the sea on our beam. So we headed out on an angle to the waves and it wasn't too bad. Every once in a while, we would turn 45 degrees and ride the waves back towards shore with the waves hitting the back quarter of the boat. Since the ride was not too bad we passed by Muskegon and went on to Grand Haven about 10 miles further on. Saw some more Indian fish traps and had to avoid them.

Entering the channel into Grand Haven was very interesting. As this was Labour day weekend, there was lots of water traffic - most did not know boating rules or show common courtesy. Entering into the channel which again was choppy, a sailboat which I am sure was partly under power but did have its sails up cut directly in front of us. A go-fast boat ran up beside us to pass without slowing down, obviously wanting to get into the channel first throwing up a big wake. Boats with four five lines out were fishing in the channel. It was crazy.

Anyways we got into the marina we had booked, with a little difficulty. Couldn't find the slip and had to turn around, go out again and come in a different way. After a while you do learn to control the boat without hitting something. Finally found the slip and tied up.

The group then all had a great spagetti dinner over at Windsong and we talked about the day. It now looks like we will be here until Wednesday at the earliest. The winds and waves are going up again.