Great Loop Day 015 Sept 12, 2016, Redefining the Doody Roster
East Tawas to Harrisville MI
“Sometimes there is no time to wait for the sea to calm down! If you have to reach your target, let your voyage start and let the storm be your path!” — Mehmet Murat ildan
<Day 14 Previous Post | First Post | Next Post Day 16>
Day 15 Monday morning, Sept 12, 2016, …and the seasoned Captain bellows loudly in that unmistakable gravel voice, “All Hands On The Poop Deck, On the Double!!!”.
So much for a quick exit out of East Tawas State Park Marina this morning. Mother Nature is playing some nasty games with my insides. Why? Why can it not give me a longer warning? The state park docks where I am tied up are literally 1/4 mile from the restrooms. That's a hell of a long run! Not going to get too graphic here. But it was a narrow miss. Good thing I'm a retired nurse and have been there, done that. For me, it's no problem. No doubt hours spent being inactive sitting on the boat. My body just has to get used to this, it’s a long boat ride to Mobile, Alabama. “Cleanup in aisle A!” Good. Bathroom duties completed. Now on to the Sea Marie and get underway while the weather is still in our favor.
Winds are out of the south but will be building from 10 to 20 mph later this afternoon. Going North to Harrisville and we will be sailing in following seas. Long rollers will toss us up in the stern and we will race down the face of the wave. Much like yesterday's roller-coaster ride into Tawas Bay. But getting in late last evening meant we need to get gas this morning. Our next stop will be the fuel dock here at East Tawas State Park Marina Just plan on topping off the main 6-gallon tank. Dan the dockmaster was at the fuel dock ready for me. I backed out of the slip under power with the wind in my face and decided to continue going in reverse. Then forward right on the port side where the fuel dock is lower for smaller boats like mine. Lifted the gas tank up on the dock and filled it with 4.4 gallons of marine gas. I am using about a gallon an hour at full throttle. The manufacturer claimed 0.8 gallons at full throttle. No doubt their calculation didn't include pushing a 2-ton boat through rough seas.
My port dock lines untied Dan helps to push me off, outboard on low idle then WHAM!!! The outboard engine stops dead. What the heck? A quick glance at the prop and I see the problem. The starboard stern line is tightly wrapped around the prop. And I can't reach it! I find myself drifting toward some floating docks and a sandy beach. If I could meander my way to the dock I can get my hands on the line and remove it. Dan sees my predicament and gets in a small johnboat to oar his way over. I now have the motor up on the motor mount tilted back and can get my hands near the prop to try and unwind the dock line. Stuck in the hub I yank harder and harder with the wind pushing the Sea Marie closer and closer to the beach. Dan is getting closer and within the length of 2 johnboats, I manage to free the line. With very few moments to spare I lower the engine and start her up. Varoom! She starts up. Swinging both motor and tiller I avoid the shallow beach and then I steer for the deeper water of Lake Huron. Thanking Dan for coming out we say our goodbyes and safe travels.
That twisted feeling when something isn't right.
Mary Jo Cartledgehayes That can't be good.
Out in the bay with only the sounds of the engine humming her sweet symphony of internal combustion...
...into two-foot waves. We struggle as we round the Red Buoy "2" and turn East. Waves are now behind us giving that familiar rock and roll. A little more East than North staying a half mile to a mile off the Michigan rocky shoreline. At half throttle, the GPS is reading a good 7 to 8mph. Ahh now to settle back and enjoy the scenery. But what's that smell? Does the Kitty litter pan need cleaning? OK, got that done but the smell is still there. My eyes followed my nose to the bottom of my sweatpants. There it is! This morning's mishap followed me aboard. My mind recalls an old episode of McHale's Navy where they had a laundry service business going behind the backs of the officers in command. They put dirty laundry in 55-gallon drums with holes cut out and towed them behind their PT boat. Clever idea. But I do not have a 55-gallon drum but I do have a 5-gallon bucket. Some lake water and dish liquid. Swish around with a plunger I have onboard for this purpose and there you have it.
I just hung on the waistband and let Lake Huron do the rinse and it worked. Hung them on a line across the cockpit and dried in a few hours by the time I made it into port. These clothes will get a thorough washing later today as it is laundry day.
There is a sense of freedom when all alone with no one around that sailing in your skivvies affords. After all, Mickey refuses to wear pants so why should I? It is a joyous feeling one has to experience for themselves.
Adding to my sail inventory.
Entrance to Harrisville Municipal Marina, Michigan. I had to stay pretty far offshore to avoid the rocks just below the water.
We are close enough to put out a channel 9 call to Harrisville Marina. A woman that goes by the name Ally answers and she says she will be waiting at the gas dock ready to tie me up. The boat not me. At least knowing I wouldn't offend anyone, she allowed me to dock as close to the restroom/shower as possible and no quarter-mile hike. This marina is nice with clean showers and laundry with washing machines and dryers that one can easily understand the directions. Laundry done. Now a trip to the grocery store for a few items. Ally said they had bikes available for guests. They had 4 bikes, 2 blue and 2 pink ones that have baskets on the back perfect for bringing back some groceries. I got an old blue Schwinn bike with balloon tires and coaster brakes. Haven't ridden a coaster brake bike since I was a kid. There was a small uphill getting out of the marina that posed no problem and on my return had to remind myself this bike has coaster brakes, not hand brakes. Made a second trip for ice which the marina hasn't had for some time. The prices at the market were higher than back home but for some reason, the dog and cat food were half the price. Bought Mickey something new to try, Purina cat chow and he likes it. Tiffany another employee here at the marina showed up later and we had a nice chat before it got dark. Probably won't see Ally or Tiffany as I'm leaving first light. Another trawler arrived this afternoon with a couple doing Loop up from the Arkansas River. They took the Lake Erie route like I did. Didn't get to talk much about their travels as we were settling in for the night. They did get my boat card. Still got charts to study for tomorrow's route to Presque Isle some 50 miles away. Note: Not the Presque Isle in Pennsylvania. Looks to be the longest leg yet. So to all Fair winds and gentle seas...
Gas dock at Harrisville.
From the marina, I borrowed a bike to the Harrisville Harbor Grocery Store.
Rose Fox, I think that's the bike I rode when Greg and I were in Harrisville!
About the neatest store ever visited. Kudos to the stock person! Great Job!
Rose Fox, The staff is very friendly as well.
The bike ride back to the marina was downhill and forgot I had a coaster brake, not hand brakes.
Rose Fox, I enjoyed going down that hill.
Saw this Trawler. They left early in the morning before I got to say goodbye. Flying the American Great Loop Cruisers Association Burgee on the bow.
Rose Fox, Trawler from Arkansas River flying AGLCA Burgee.
Mickey was the top pole cat at the marina.
Lake Huron was pretty good to me.
Comments from 2016:
Bob Meredith Round the Horn and beyond! Glad to hear that it all came out in the end! Fair winds, and calm seas!
Stan Joseph Cwik Lol, Henry. Just following your adventures makes my stomach unsettled. Me, boats, and waves really don't mix too well. Stay safe and have fun!
Pogo Bob Sounds like you're settling in nicely on your grand adventure! Keep it up and stay safe!
Scott Stanley Sikorski, We docked at the Presque Isle Marina, very nice. They say that the lighthouse is haunted. Brenda and a couple of the other boaters' wives walked up there, and said it was creepy...lol ask the dockmaster about it..safe travels Henry.
Pogo Bob BTW, I didn't know there were two Presque Isles until now (where you're headed and Erie, PA). Learn something every day...
Camille Sandrock, I was thinking the same thing; we sailed from Catawba Island to Presque Isle, Erie, PA about 6 years ago! I was confused about where you were!! Safe travels!!
Sad to report, the grocery store is closing this spring.