Cheboygan
We did not have the storms that were predicted in Cheboygan during the evening. The historical radar in the morning showed that there were storms over night, but we slept though them so they couldn't have been too bad.
Coast guard ship docked across from the marina
We got a late start out of Cheboygan since the trip to Mackinaw City was short. We had good winds but out of the wrong direction so we had to tack the whole way. We sailed almost the entire way, tacking back and forth across the desired bearing. This takes about twice as long but we had the time and because we had done so much motoring, it was refreshing to sail. Winds varied from 8 to 15 knots most of the way. The waves were low early but grew and the wind speed increased later in the morning/early afternoon. All was going well until we made the last tack to point to the harbor from about 4 miles out when the wind just died. It reminded us of Cayuga lake when we get up the lake as far as we think we can given the prevailing winds and then turn to go home and the wind ends and have to motor back. So we had to motor that last tack to the Mackinaw City Municipal Marina.
Mackinac Island zoomed in on the Grand Hotel
This is what sailing against 2-3 foot waves is like. Note that this is not a power boat going 15+ MPH but a sailboat going 5. The splashing is caused by the waves and the boat hitting the valleys between the waves. The waves reek havoc on trying to keep a course. The waves will push the bow of the boat and cause you to point in a direction other than you want.
Hope the autopilot is getting his daily washing...
ReplyDeleteSorry to be missing all the fun.
GB