7.22.11  Friday:  Little Current to the Benjamin Island group

Little Current

We left Little Current under pleasant weather and light winds.  An hour into the run we were able to sail.  Felt good. Had to briefly change course to avoid another sailboat.  They were motoring and didn't remember the rules for right of way.  Made the waypoint for the Benjamin's late afternoon, sails down and on deck to watch for obstacles.  20- 30 boats in the bay but plenty of room for anchoring.  Deployed the CQR... did I mention she was my nemesis?  Several tries and nearly 2 hours with no luck, she just continued to give way on the rock bottom.   Finally gave up and headed across to Croker Island, a 15 minute motor.   We scouted out another bay.  Pretty crowded.   So we are both nose down in the chart looking for another spot  and... an abrupt, sickening crrraaaack!  Yep, one of us should have been looking ahead and down as it turns out.  Fre-ickin rock a good 6 feet under on which we have just  left our calling card.  Good thing we were only doing 2 knots, barley above idle.  We backed off and swung out,  got our bearings.   I jump below to make sure the water is outside not inside the hull.  Luckily the bark was worse then the bite but don't think we didn't take notice as well as our neighbors. We tried two more times to set the fr#*kin' anchor.  I must have mentioned, she's my nemesis, right?  We finally got a grab on the bottom then took a line to shore for insurance as well as set a second anchor.  Jim dove under to inspect the keel and indeed all was fine although our confidence is a bit bruised.  Then, while digging for a  stronger line to tie to shore which of course is UNDER the mattress, we discovered a leak... hearts pumping!  But thank goodness turned out to be a lose fitting from the shower.  When it rains it pours.   4 hours after entering the Island group we are snug and having dinner and a beverage.  

Larry may remember the mantra,  "Terror at Dawn"  during the Atlantic Crossing, it seemed that was when all  h*##   broke lose... I'm hoping this is as close as we get.  

"Sow and Pigs" off the Benjamins

We would have climbed this had we stayed...

7.23.11  Meldrum Bay

Having spent so much time trying to anchor we did not get to shore other than to secure the landline.  We have to keeping heading west so up with the ground tackle and off again.  You can be sure I am on the bow!  Motored all day.  Around 10 am met the sail race "Mackinaw to Little Current" coming out of Gore Bay en route to Little Current.  The previous day they sailed from Mackinaw to Gore Bay, this is the second and last leg.  Too far away to get a good picture.  Made Meldrum Bay early evening.  Called and called but not response from the marina. The building is abandon and marina appears vacant except for a few boats near shore in slips, so we are on the hook.  Tonight "she" has no problem setting... do you suppose she has PMS?... She may not know it but I have decided it stands for Pre Metal Salvage.... 

What a difference a day makes.... tonight we are dancing and singing to "Saturday Night At Sea".    

Meldrum Bay

The anchor held strong last night even though the wind and waves had built enough that the boat had a jolly old time swingin' and bouncing long after the music quit.

7.24.11    the States / Drumond Island

We had a fabulous sail today although it was quite chilly.  Sweaters and pants back on.  The winds from last night continued out of the east at a  good clip. With the waves coming from aft and the seas up, we were able to hit 8.5 a couple times while surfing down the wave trough.   Average was 7, wing on wing for 4 hours then had to douse the sails to make the waypoint for the entrance to Drumond Island.  

4 pm on Drumond Island.  Can't get off the boat till the customs officers arrive.  We are 7th or 8th in line and they are off to the other side of the island checking in a commercial vessel.   Good time to catch up on the blog writing, take a nap and regroup.  Cleared customs and we are free to roam about the country.  

We've been following the advise of fellow boaters, Bob and Linda, and ask the locals where the best food in town is at each port... here it's pizza at the bowling alley.  Too far to walk so we have to rent a truck, more like borrowing for a small fee.  No lease agreement, leave the keys in it when you're done.  Pizza was quite good.  Very filling. Good thick "up north" crust.... I do miss northern Michigan pizza.

sails set : wing on wing

7.25.11  Drumond to St. Ignace

 Wow.... the waves have built overnight and are coming out of the west with the wind.  We are nose into them as we make our way slowly pounding along the southern shores of da U.P. ( don't ya know) off from the Les Cheneau Islands. The decks are getting polished clean every few minutes when the bow takes a plunge into the first of the 3 sisters, not to be outdone by her siblings.  New word for the day:  cavitate.   Jim gave me a very technical multi minute explanation of this.  Here's my interpretation: The motion of the waves and the boat are mixing water with air in and around the prop... it creates a kind  of vacuum which causes an "interesting" sucking noise from the prop, which can be heard below deck.  

The weather today has been the most interesting we have had.  We had to motor the whole trip, 10 hours.  The pictures to follow will tell the tale.  We are now safe in St. Igmace for the night.  Took on 50 gallons of diesel.   Continuing toward home in the morning.  Not sure of the next port, have to listen to the weather.

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FYI : if you want to see what it's like aboard and to sail a Passport 40 and you can't join us, check out the video made by John Kretschmer.  He has sailed the world extensively, written several books about sailing and does boat reviews.  The video was filmed aboard a Passport , same year and very similar to ours. A slightly different interior but it gives a nice overview of the boat.   google "  passport 40 review w/ john kretschmer "  (you tube).   enjoy!