Port Elgin Canada

Today was an unplanned long day on the boat. We discovered that our next stop didn't exist when we tried to call for a slip reservation and none of the phone numbers worked. So we had to go to our next stop since there were no other marinas in between. It was a 55 mile trip. The day started with moderate winds but pretty high waves. The worst thing was the direction of the wind was straight from where we wanted to go. We didn't want to tack since that would make the trip longer. We tried to power sail but the sails were no help with the wind directly over the bow. We took the sails down and just powered straight to our destination. Because of the waves coming straight at us like the wind, the motor could not make a fast enough speed. We had thoughts of turning back, but where would that leave us? We had to make this leg and we couldn't wait for perfect conditions. Also, storms were predicted for tomorrow so it would have been two days lost. We had to compromise and do a very close tack in with the sails to get speed. The sails also settle the boat in the waves.  By tacking we were adding distance, but not as much as sailing alone, but by using the sails we were getting much more speed through the waves. Our straight line progress doing this was sufficient to make it. The compromise worked well, then around midday the wind died and better so did the waves. We lowered the sails and just motored straight to the marina. Overall it was a long day but it turned out as well as we could have expected.

Approach to Port Elgin. In the center to the right of the hotel are two lights, on behind the other. They are used to line up your approach. If the back one is above the front one, you are lined up to enter.

Entrance marker.

Marina Office.

An old sailboat used for training teens in sailing. Anyone of the right age can take the course.

A beach. We had seen nothing but rocky shores. It has the same soft sand as Lake Michigan on the Michigan side. The winds blow the sand to the east shores of Lakes Michigan and Huron.

We ended up cooking and eating on the boat while underway. The lack of waves late in the day allowed for this. When we arrived we just stopped at a close place for a beer. We had Creemore Springs Amber Lager that was OK. They did have any other craft beer choices.

The marina was pretty nice. The showers were large. It didn't have laundry but the WIFI worked at the boat.

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