Amanda, Joe, First Mate Connie and Captain Mike in Marblehead.
This summer has been the hottest on record and, as luck would have it, our trip brought cold, windy and rainy weather to the North Shore. We arrived at Herl's Harbor on Friday after a long drive and got ready for our weekend sail. Amanda and Joe were at his Grandparent's cabin in Marblehead for a little R&R when we stopped by on Saturday morning. Truth be told, we were waiting for the 25 knot winds to die down a little. NOAA was forecasting 3 to 5 foot waves and the high temperature for the day was only 65.
We left Amanda and Joe and traveled through Marblehead looking for an antique car show. Instead, we happened into the annual Humane Society's Cardboard Boat Race at Anchors Away Marina.
We left Amanda and Joe and traveled through Marblehead looking for an antique car show. Instead, we happened into the annual Humane Society's Cardboard Boat Race at Anchors Away Marina.
Another ill-fated entrant of the Cardboard Boat Race.
The Race had twelve entrants, each of whom built their own boat made entirely of cardboard. The objective was to be the fastest across the finish line... about 50 feet. Most didn't make it.
At 2pm on Saturday, we decided to venture out. The channel out of the West Harbor is being dredged so it's temporarily narrow and the water level of the Lake is down about 2 feet. On our way out, a stinkpot (noun: a not so affectionate name for a motor boat) was on its way in, coming right at us, on the wrong side of the channel. I moved after as I could and narrowly missed the channel marker by a foot and he still almost hit us. At that instant I felt the sickening feeling of our forward motion coming to an abrupt stop. Our keel was stuck in the mud.
At 2pm on Saturday, we decided to venture out. The channel out of the West Harbor is being dredged so it's temporarily narrow and the water level of the Lake is down about 2 feet. On our way out, a stinkpot (noun: a not so affectionate name for a motor boat) was on its way in, coming right at us, on the wrong side of the channel. I moved after as I could and narrowly missed the channel marker by a foot and he still almost hit us. At that instant I felt the sickening feeling of our forward motion coming to an abrupt stop. Our keel was stuck in the mud.
I goosed the throtle and managed to slowly get the boat moving again, freeing ourselves from the mud after 30 seconds which seemed like 30 minutes. We were now on the Lake and the 15 knot wind became 20 which then became 23. With full sails, we were flying averaging 7 to 7.5 knots on our way along the eastern side of South Bass Island to our anchorage at School House Bay on Middle Bass Island. Suddenly a large wave and a gust of wind heeled the boat at a 45 degree angle. The First Mate was not happy. We reefed the main and continued on. Once we were on lee side of Ballast Island, we furled our sails, turn on the engine and motored to safety. We dropped on anchor in 19 feet of water, opened a bottle of wine, watched the stars, and waited for what tomorrow would bring.