Great Loop Day 021 Sept 18, 2016, Mackinaw City to Charlevoix City Marina
Mackinaw City to Charlevoix City Marina
On particularly rough days when I am sure I can’t possibly endure I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days is 100%…
…and that’s pretty good. ~Unknown
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Day 21 Sunday, Sept 18, 2016. Pulling out of Mackinaw City Mackinaw Straits State Harbor and the sun greets us with a sunny smile. The waters are calm but do not let that be a distraction. Enjoy while it is there for later this morning it will change.
Said goodbye to the Mackinaw Bridge this morning heading west as I am now officially on Lake Michigan.
Under the center of the bridge.
I have been advised by the locals that 15 miles out from the strait is a nasty shoal. It was advised to round the old abandoned lighthouse further out toward the west. Using my skill and the electronics onboard I plan to cut inside staying in recorded 10 feet of water the entire crossing. The lakes are at high water and my reference contours placed me 5 to 8 ft above the charted depths. Cut through with plenty of depth and no problems. The screen of a shoal passage on the Chartplotter/fishfinder showed I had 10ft to spare. Saved me 3- 4 miles and 30 to 45 minutes. Good thing as the winds were increasing from the west with waves building. Waves were smashing my starboard bow as I blasted through them at 20 to 40 degrees. Still, they slowed my travel to 6mph at 3/4 throttle.
Thankfully the lake levels were much higher this year. There were many symbols for submerged wreckage on this chart not to mention the submerged rocks out of sight.
Refueled the main tank twice in rough seas. That's a challenge, the siphon pump made that easy but was unable to fill the tank full as the tank sloshes fuel out when it's 2/3 full. 53 miles in 8 hours. Used up about 8-10 gallons. I will know for sure when I fill up.
Video of the bumpy ride.
Safe in Charlevoix City Marina. Got the draw bridge (Bridge St Bridge, Route 31) to open at 4 pm and docked 15 minutes later. Met Hal the Dockmaster and I will register in the am. Roughest crossing yet with winds out of the west and seas building 2- 3ft with a few 4 to 5-footers just to keep me on my toes. Thought of bailing out several times to Petrosky as quite a few waves sent buckets of water in my face. Out came the shorter rain curtain I made and it made a dandy spray skirt. The binder clips all held the torrent of water coming aboard. High and dry. I can continue in reasonable comfort. My only concern was trying to pee without wetting myself on a rocking boat. Try it sometime, it's not easy. Another lifelong skill mastered.
That clear shower curtain velcroed to the bimini was doing what I had hoped for, keeping the spray out of my face.
Entering Pine River. That will lead to the town of Charlevoix past the lift bridge. And yes that water was really that blue! The bridge opened on my VHF radio request. Just like downtown!
While sitting safely within the Charlevoix marina., a small inflatable Coast Guard patrol boat docked on the other side of my dock with 4 crewpersons. These Coasties are serious sailors. Just watching and listening to the teamwork each member participates in was a study in the art of choreography. The skipper calls out a command, the subordinate replies with an acknowledgment, and another call out when the task is completed. One crewmember at the bow the other at the stern. The precision the crewman exhibited with the dock lines was remarkable.
A male and a female crewperson stepped off on the dock, both with a “Don’t mess with me, I'm on a Mission from God” look on their face. Soon returned with… Subway footlongs for the skipper and the rest of the crew. By the way, these patrol boats have no heads. I wouldn't make a good Coastie.
Coast Guard on patrol.
Mickey as usual missed all the action as he was sleeping below. But that’s alright. He will be on the night watch later this evening.
Now for Mickey’s dinner, check the weather and explore this town. Fair winds and gentle seas...
Comments from 2016:
Pogo Bob Well done, Sir. Enjoy your stay at Charlevoix. It was a favorite stop and Hal (a fellow picker), was one of my favorite people. He introduced me to the music of Pat Dailey. He made a copy of Pat's album "Freshwater" and in return, I helped him find the chords to "Great Lakes Song" from that album. He took good care of us and even hauled us down the road to the laundromat when we were there in Sep. '07. Tell him the crew of Pogopelli said "Hi".
Henry Krzemien RN A great story will gladly share with Hal. He's a funny guy. He said Hemingway should write a story about me.
Henry Krzemien RN Hal said I should have called him on Channel 9 but I told him Josh answered the phone and was leaving at 4. Since Hal was there now I had to impress him with my great boat-handling skills tying up to the leeward side of the dock single-handed. Becoming second nature to this seasoned sailor.
Diane Lamoreaux Keep safe.
