Cruising Lake Michigan 2007
The first tip of the season was a weekend hop to Kenosha, June 16-17.  We were joined by old friends, Ron and Kay Yoder. Both were new to sailing and had never spent a weekend on a boat. Ron and Kay came from Indianapolis Friday night. Saturday we were up early and at Waukegan Harbor by 9 am and underway at 10. We set our genoa and main on a broad reach in 10 knots of wind.and had an enjoyable sail up the coast past the Zion Nuclear Power Station. Lunch was served underway and we arrived at Kenosha at 1415. We had reservations at Southport for the evening. Southport is the artificial harbor south of the main harbor in Kenosha.The harbor has undergone several improvements in the past two years with the addition of new slips and a new office building with a swimming pool. After stowing our gear we went for a walk around the waterfront. This was followed by dinner ashore and an early evening aboard. After breakfast the next morning we got underway at 9:30 in a light easterly breeze. Our departure was complicated by Kay accidentally standing on a dock line as we backed out of the slip. Things went well until we reached the end of the fouled line when we came to a sudden stop. Fortunately we were able to motor forward and release the line. Once out of the harbor we set the genoa and main and had a quick sail home arriving at 1345.
The next cruise was a weekend trip sponsored by the Waukegan Yacht Club to Racine June 30-July 1. We had 6 boats participate. The trip started with a skippers meeting at the harbor house at 8 am. We all got underway at 10 am. The wind initially was NE at 10-12 knots in two foot seas. By 1300 we had only made it as far as Illinois State Beach with a long way yet to go. After consulting with the rest of the boats by radio we elected to start the engine and motor-sail. We tied up at Reefpointe Marina in Racine at 1630. The marina had arranged slips for the group so we were all together on the dock. After check-in we had drinks and hors d'oeuvres on the dock and then walked into town for dinner at the Yardarm. Sunday we awoke to wind out of the northeast at 20 knots with 2-4 foot seas. Getting the boats out of the slips was a challenge.The wind was coming down the fairway and was pushing the boats towards a walkway at the end. Two of the boats tried to get their bow into the wind with great difficulty.  We were the second to last to leave. We elected to back out and got out without difficulty until we got to the main channel. We put the engine in forward and the bow immediately was blown around in the wrong direction. Fortunately there was no boat traffic and we were able to make a wide U turn and get out of the harbor. We elected to just set the genoa and sailed home without incident and were tied up in our slip at 1410.
Drinks on the dock in Racine.
Our main cruise for the year was for two weeks starting July 7. Our plan was to sail overnight to Ludington Michigan and the sail south along the Michigan coast.  My wife, Kathy does not enjoy night sailing. My son John and his friend Jim agreed to go with me overnight with Kathy driving with my grandson Mac to meet us.and Jim and John would drive home and Kathy would sail the rest of the trip. We could not have asked for better weather for the departure. We got underway at 0900 in 9 knots of wind out of the southwest. We motor sailed for the first two hours and the shut down the engine as the wind increased. It was a clear sunny day and the miles clicked away quickly. The seas built to 4 feet but were on our stern and the boat rode comfortably. After dinner was prepared and eaten, we reefed the main at sunset. Just at dusk, we saw the rapid ferry that runs from Milwaukee to Muskegon pass a couple of miles astern of us. Once dark, we were startled by what first looked like a red flare on our starboard side. It turned out to be fireworks from Muskegon. We saw several other displays along the coast. About midnight we saw a laker off our port side making her way down the lake. It was quickly clear that he would pass well astern of us so we maintained our course. At midnight we had to start the engine to charge our batteries but continued to sail at 5.5 knots. By dawn, we were off Ludington and after dropping sails we motored into the harbor. We had reservations at the Municipal Marina which is the first marina after entering the harbor. We were tied up at 0730 just as they opened for the morning after a 133 nautical mile run. After cleaning up the boat, we walked up the street to a restaurant recommended by the marina staff and had breakfast. On the walk back to the boat we encountered Kathy and Mac driving to the harbor. After a family reunion, Kathy moved aboard and John, Jim and Mac headed for home. Kathy and I planned to spend two days in Ludington to explore the area. That evening the car ferry Badger arrived and we had a great time watching her dock in the strong winds.
Ludington Light
Jim and John mid-lake.
Monday morning after breakfast we inflated our dingy and took a tour of the harbor. We found the cross that marked where the explorer, Pierre Marquette, died. After spending the afternoon aboard, we went to the James Street Brewing Company for dinner.
The forecast for Tuesday was for thunderstorms so we got underway to Pentwater at 0800. The wind was out of the southwest and built as we motor-sailed south.; We got to the harbor entrance at Pentwater at 1130 and motored into Pentwater Lake. It was our plan to anchor however the sheltered areas were filled with permanent moorings. We found an anchorage in the north-east corner of the lake. We initially anchored but I was concerned that we were being set on a lea shore and after discussion we called Snug Harbor Marina and got a slip. The marina puts two boats on each slip with the first facing bow in and the second stern in. We were the second boat so I had my first experience backing into the slip. Fortunately the folks at the marina were very helpful and we docked without difficulty. We loved Pentwater. The town was quaint and we explored the lake in our dingy.  We spent two days there exploring.
Snug Harbor Pentwater
July 12, we got underway from Pentwater to White Lake. The wind was 12-20 knots out of the west and the seas built from 2 feet to 5 feet. We got underway at 0830 with a reefed main and jib but shook the reef out later in the morning as the wind moderated. By the time we rounded Little Sable Point, Kathy was significantly seasick. The rest of the passage was taken up tending the boat and caring for her. While below with the boat on autopilot, I was thrown against the open door to the head and ripped it off the hinges. It was an exhilarating sail and if it had not been for Kathy being sick it would have been a perfect day. We arrived at White Lake at 1500. Since I had repairs to do and Kathy demanded dry land we got a slip at the Municipal Marina. The northeast portion of White Lake is shallow and care must be taken to stay in the channel. We had no difficulty and tied up without problem. We stayed in White Lake until July 15 exploring the towns of White Lake and Montague. We also took our dingy and motored several miles up the White River though a marsh area.  The area has the charm of the north-country with a slow pace and beautiful scenery. While in port I fixed the head door.
Early Morning White Lake Municipal Marina.
July 15 we left White Lake bound for Grand Haven. The wind was westerly at 10-15 knots with 2 foot seas. After motoring out of the lake, we set the genoa alone for the first hour then set the main and genoa. We had a great sail averaging 5.5 knots. We had reservations at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina and were tied up by 1400. We absolutely loved Grand Haven. This was our first visit to the harbor. Across the street from the marina were a number of restaurants and stores and we enjoyed exploring the area. Nightly, during the summer, Grand Haven has a water and light show. We were positioned such that we could watch the show each evening in port from the cockpit of the boat with a nightcap. We stayed in Grand Haven until July 17.
On July 17 we got underway to Saugatuck. There was a 70% chance of thunderstorms and the wind remained out of the south so we were forced to motor-sail most of the way to beat the weather. We passed Port Sheldon which is purported to have a good anchorage. I was tempted to go in for a look but given the forecast elected not to delay. We arrived at Saugatuck at about 1500. I always enjoy the passage up the river to Kalamazoo Lake past majestic homes and scenery. We were able to get a slip at Tower Marine in Douglas. We have stayed there before and like the marina and the area. It is close to the nightlife in Saugatuck but much quieter than the marinas on that side of the lake. We spent our time in the area dining out in Saugatuck and Douglas as well as exploring the area. While at the marina we met Dick and Shirley Newsman from Chicago. After the trip we have kept in touch with them and have visited them at Burnham Harbor. On July 14, the wind was 25-30 knots with 5-6 foot waves we walked over to Douglas Beach and were glad not to be out on the lake.
Kathy at the Grand Haven Light
All good things have to come to an end so Saturday, July 21 we got underway in a light northeasterly wind for the 77 nautical mile trip back to Waukegan. Kathy was under the weather so I elected to motor sail home to get back as quickly as possible. We left the river at 0900 EDT and were home at 1945 CDT. It was a glorious day and I would have been happy to take all the time it took to sail back. Despite wind out of the northeast, the lake remained calm and thankfully fly free. We saw only two boats all day both power boats that crossed ahead of us on a course towards Chicago. Late in the afternoon we picked up our first sign of land when Sears Tower came up over the horizon. We arrived at dusk at Waukegan to be greeted by our neighbors on the dock.
We had hoped to get one or two more short cruises in but weather and family obligations intervened. Even with this, we had the best cruising season yet. We visited four new ports and revisited three. We met several new friends and gained additional confidence.Our total distance cruised was 364.9 nautical miles.
Surf of Douglas Beach
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