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October "Sleigh Ride"

kapnkd

kapnkd
Here in Michigan, as the boating season regrettably comes to a close, there are always a few of us trying to squeeze in that one last sail. Our Ford Yacht Club hosts such an activity for the Die Hards called the "Frost Bite Race". It's a simple but most often blustery race from the bottom of Grosse Ile out to the Detroit Light and back (about an 8.5km course). ...THIS YEAR WE DID IT ALL IN ONE HOUR and 20 MINUTES!!!

Detroit Light.jpg

Today's race was a 'frost bite' event for us to fondly remember onboard CaryOn, our '73 E-32! Getting out of our slip was a real challenge right from the get-go! With heavier winds out of the West consistently for the past couple of days, Lake Erie waters went with the winds to East end of the lake! That left us with about a 3' drop in normal water levels dockside. We kept bottoming out in the mud simply leaving the dock only to finally break free just before almost giving up! ...Such was the case for the only other competing boat a similar aged Cal 29.

(For those who don't know, the Great Lakes do NOT have traditional ocean tides - BUT DO - have 'tides' dictated by hard winds blowing consistently from one direction or another.)


On our way out of our club marina channel, we prudently motored slowly over the now shallow path and on past the service slip where members were very busy helping each other pull their boats. We were greeted with a few envious waves and some just shaking their heads in disbelief as we headed out into the extremely blustery cold winds still blowing steadily from the West.

Both points of sail were but slightly off the wind yet still kept our rail way down and wet both ways - given the heavier cold air! The Cal had a reefed main and we went with a full main but reduced roller furled head sail. The Cal slightly led the way to Detroit Light but after the Detroit Light rounding, we took the lead heading back home. It was an extremely close race with constant speeds in the mid 7 knot range and occasional long lasting bursts into the mid 8's!! ...We actually were surprised and excited to see one hard steady gust push us up to 9 knots briefly!!! ...Talk about a TRUELY exhilarating October "SLEIGH RIDE"!!!

Frost BIte 2022.jpg
(In a brief period of somewhat calmer air off a point of land ...and able to snap a photo)

Admitted, we should have reefed the main and were perhaps a bit overpowered, the CAL barely got us by a boat length at the finish as we rounded up once. ...Plus, we had a roller furling that should have corrected our times for a win by 6 seconds a mile but wasn't declared. ...For but a two boat race between good friends and good sailors - it truly didn't matter at all!

Perhaps shared shots of Makers Mark back at the dock and stories of each of our rides was an even better highlight to wrap up our final season sail!!

(As a footnote, my son Cary and his lifelong sailing friend did ALL the work! ...My friend Stan and I have too many aches and pains at our age anymore to be more than just "Rail-Meat" (ballast). It was equally as much fun for both Stan and I to watch these two, once pre-teens we took on as crew, become the competent and confident knowledgeable sailors they are!!! (Cary has won the Boat of the Year Award at Ford Yacht Club now for 10 years in a row!!! ...BOTH of their skills were early on honed onboard our Ericson 32!)

Cary and Rich.jpg
 

kapnkd

kapnkd
Thanks! …Just the results of an incredible day of truly exciting/challenging fun on the water!
 

klb67pgh

Member III
Regarding wind tides, several years ago at Presque Isle in Erie, on Friday afternoon we waded out across a cut to a duck blind that had hip deep water not too far from the blind. We returned on Saturday before sun up to hunt again and found dry ground in front of the blind.
 

kapnkd

kapnkd
As a follow-up to our blustery October Sleigh Ride, we sadly pulled our Ericson today - so - she is sitting comfortably and securely “on the hard”.

Ironically, today was (one of the very last) summer days with warmer temps and perfect breezes that makes for perfect sailing adventures and envious stories to be remembered.

So VERY difficult to have passed on that yet potential one more sail, but then too - it’s NO FUN to be pulling the boat, winterizing and putting covers on in the inevitable coming freezing cold, spitting rain with fingers so cold they refuse to work properly enough to zip up your jacket like when you were a kid!

Our boat club is such that we help each other pull boats so actually there is comradery in our chores and later shared laughter at the clubhouse bar. Today was such a day. Not as good as being on the water, yet still….a VERY GOOD DAY!

….Just being around boats is perhaps the BEST of things to be doing and sharing - regardless of whatever it is you are doing!
 

Saverio

Member III
never sailed on lakes, would like to, too bad it is very far, in any case, you have made a beautiful navigation. Hello
 
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