Sheboygan - Manitowoc

7.09 

Sheboygan  WI    

At least our docking skills keep us in the harbor ...

Warm fuzzies…

The passage was very chilly.  Sweaters on the whole way.  We motor sailed for a couple of hours, then flew the new spinnaker for a couple of hours.  Motored the the last leg, 10 + miles.  Flies continued to build all day, the chilly temps kept them at bay for the most part.  We secured the lines and quick hopped to the next finger pier to help another couple, Larry and Kelly.  They are on a Passport 40 (1983 / S.V. Escape)) also. We agreed to meet up later, swap stories and get / give each other tours of our boats.  Passport sailboats are made in Taiwan but they designed by an American, Bob Perry.  They are crafted with lots of lovely wood below, rare to find on the newer manufactured boats.  

We cleaned up, hosed the boat (flies!) and set off for town.  The community here is great.  You can easily walk to town by road or the board walk.  There was not a person who did not greet us!  Hi, hello, have a nice day…  We wandered about, it was already going on 7pm.  Lots of really interesting restaurants and shops.  We decide to go to GM’s… our marina welcome packet included flyers from many local establishments.  Gm’s offered free happy hour appetizers and 2 for 1 drinks… no brainer!  It is a real saloon type establishment.  Very reminiscent of the Sand Bar in Saugatuck.  The bar tender, J.P., was super friendly, and honored our 2 for 1 drink coupon… as it turns out, apparently everybody gets 2 for 1… happy day!  Our drink of choice tonight was Jameson neat… 2 healthy pours each, chicken wings and all the popcorn you could shovel in and I had a warm fuzzy for the rest of the evening. We settled up the bill… always an anxious time when it comes to Jameson tabs… the bartender say’s “ that’ll be 8 bucks…. whaaaaa ? !!! happy day again…

Heading back we pass a woo fired pizza place… smells good, looks good… eat it (aka Andrew Zimmerin / Travel Channel)… More adult beverages and a fantastic pizza: we were totally stuffed… Jim was very accommodating to his slightly inebriated wife.   Held my hand all the way back and tucked me in… J.P. at GM;s said come back Thursday… he makes his famous Sloppy Joes… I have to find another coupon for drinks :)

7.10

Comercial fishing boats on the harbor wall

morning was cool, pleasant and sunny.  Fog along the lake shore.  Seagulls everywhere making their presents known.  A huge flock of white pelicans live here…only in the summers though.  We were getting ready to head to town  to explore when we saw that Larry and Kelly (the Passport sailboat) next to us were up and about.  We toured each others boats and compared notes.  They are in love with their boat as much as we are with ours and find it has the qualities we were both looking for for off shore sailing and comfort.  They were heading north with another couple hoping to make the North Channel this summer.  Unfortunately they couldn't start their engine! Jim went over to help and after some trouble shooting they discovered water in the engine, Yikes!…. It seems the engine syphoned some water after shutting down.  good news, their mechanic is only a few towns south of here, bad news delay in departure.  The diagnose was correct and the mechanic was able to fix the problem.  We took off to town and had a nice tour.  what a lovely place.  We walked around town some more. I highly recommend a stop here if you are in the area.  Town is clean, people could’t be friendlier.  We met another couple on a sailboat across the dock, Larry and Jolene.  They offered their car so we could get a few groceries.  We are now well provisioned.  We invited Jo and Larry for dinner to thank them for the car.  Great visit.  both retired, living here on the boat in the summer and winters in Iowa… They have a lovely Bayfield 40 / (SV.Samaria).  Wood interior, great layout, very comfortable.  We walked to town for a night cap to meet with the other 2 couples traveling north.  We are keeping quite late nights lately.  I think we will adjust quite well to retirement!  

7.11

We saw Larry, Kelly, Jerry and Joan off this morning, then had a nice chat with the Larry and Jolene before we headed out.  Long pants, sweaters, hats, even a blanket.  Typical July weather … for Alaska maybe.  

20 miles 3.5  hours later we are in Manitowoc, WI.  Sailed all the way at average of 6 knots.  At least the flies did’t come aboard.  The Coast Guard however did.  We were in the breakwater heading to the marina in Manitowoc.  They were doing vessel checks on boats. First question, “do you have weapons on board?”  No, we don’t.  Somewhat intimidating but they were very courteous and professional.  I circled the inner harbor with the Coast Guard boat following closely while 2 crew members boarded, 1 went went below with Jim, the other stayed in the cock pit with.  Divide and conquer?  They requested to see documents, flares, safety equipment, etc.  Bilge check, proper signage for waste water, a few questions and we were given an all clear, no citations… 

Manitowoc 

Wind is just a howling in the harbor, 20 knots on the Lake.  Temps say 73 but I guess that is in the office at someones desk where they send info out by wifi.  So, we are having a hot beverages… warms the sole and the tummy.  Dinner in town.  Should have eaten on the boat.  We did not find this stop as friendly or tasty as Sheboygan.  We will tour the Maritime museum today and the submarine USS Cobia.  28 subs like it where built here during WWII.  Then off in the rain / fog to Kewaunee, 25 miles north.