Beaver Island

 

We had a pretty short leg planned for today, so we didn't need to hurry in the morning. It was very windy and were lucky to have help getting away from the dock. Because of the wind, we took both reefs in the mainsail (there are two points up the sail where you can tie it down to the boom to make the sail smaller for high wind conditions) and let out only a postage stamp size foresail.

Waiting for the draw bridge to open. The ferry to Beaver Island is docked at the end of the channel.

Passing under the draw bridge as we leave Charlevoix. Notice the ferry following us in the upper right.

Further down the channel with Lake Michigan in the background.

The ferry leaving the channel right after us.

Today's sail was not a pleasure sail. I'm no expert, but I think we were at the limits of what the boat could reasonably take. The wind started out at the high end, but not extreme; around 15 knots coming in at a broad reach (120-175 degrees off the centerline of the boat). The waves were pretty high, 4-ish feet and were coming into the side of the boat. We were making good time but it was a bit bumpy. One thing about being on Lake Michigan with strong breezes/winds over the last few days is that we don't feel the heat wave that has been going on. We get it in port, but not while sailing. Today it was downright cold especially after I got wet when water splashed over the side. I had to wear a windbreaker. Then at mid-morning the winds picked up to over 20 knots gusting to 30 and the waves grew commensurate with the wind increase.  Thank goodness we had reefed the sail. We would not have been able to do it in these winds. These were probably the toughest conditions that we've ever sailed in successfully; we'd been in bad conditions and had to scramble to make the sails right. The large waves were coming mostly from the side making the boat rock and heel a lot. At one point as the boat was heeled way over, the wave popped up and dumped water into the cockpit. That was a first for us. It was so rough that I got seriously seasick for the first time on this adventure. I guess 4 foot waves are my limit.

A bell marker upon entering the cove on Beaver Island. It had a little cowbell clanging.

The Central Michigan University boathouse.

View of the marina. Our boat is on the left of the picture.

This is a very small island about 30 miles off the northwest shore of mainland Michigan. There is a permanent population here but they must be hearty people and the ferry does not run all winter. I was surprised how much of a town was actually here. We ate at Shamrock Bar and Restaurant. The food was pretty good but not great. They did have a very good selection of beer. There is a brewery on the island that is only a tap room that we were going to go to but it was only open Thursday through Sunday.

We stayed at the municipal marina, which was quite nice considering where it is. It had a sitting area and nice showers. It wasn't as fancy as the ones in Charlevoix, Leland or Manistee.