Re: Long Micro in North Channel of Lake Huron
I'll add my two cents regards towing a dinghy to the excellent description Pat has given concerning your sail.
ROGUE does not have an engine. Where I meant to mount an outboard engine as a "saildrive" will not work. The prop will suck air. I keep debating what to do instead. I have been towing a dinghy to use as a tug. ROGUE will sail in light wind, but not no wind, and the wind on my local lake dies completely as sundown approaches and sometimes stays dead all night.
Towing a dinghy is like towing a sea anchor. Tortoise tows far better than most, but will not accept an engine. An 8' Pram (1952 ChrisCraft) towed worse and should not have a six hp engine mounted on it. Some dinghy I borrowed accepted the engine and would plane with it but it would have been easier to tow a properly sized sea anchor. Small waves would jostle the engine and the prop would drop into the water and provide a very enlightening lesson on just how much water resistance a short shaft six horsepower engine actually has. My father towed the pram behind his 26' Ariel. The Coast Guard called me to tell me it had washed up on the NY coast and did I know anything about it. I asked what sort of wind and waves they had had that week. Upon hearing brief force 6 and six foot waves I said no problem, someone will be around to pick up the dinghy. Thank you. Dad, a very able seaman, tried everything he could think of to keep from loosing the dinghy. It was not possible in the waves. The dinghy would be shoved ahead and then snap back finally breaking the tow line. Phil Bolger says the Gloucester Light Dory will tow well and flip out any water that accumulates, and I am ready to believe that, but it will not accept an engine. Furthermore, "tows well" is a relative term to towing a dinghy, not relative to towing nothing at all. All this has lead to an unwillingness on my part to tow a dinghy. I am of the opinion that even "good towing" is bad.
I own an inflatable to use as a tug. It is too big and heavy 75lbs to bring below as I had planned when I bought it. I've never used it but if I do I plan to leave it deflated on the cockpit sole. And no I don't like the idea of that much weight up that high (3 feet above the waterline). Other ideas: Torqeedo electric mounted on rudder. Inflatable hung from wheelbarrow davits off the stern (whole thing athwartships or fore and aft just the engine and stern out of the water. Neither is satisfactory regarding weight high above the water). Folding dinghy or a pair of kayaks lashed to the side(s). 4cycle engine on a long board like some multihulls do; board and engine raised high when not in use. Gypsy or Crystal securely hung off the side with the lower part of the transom removable to rapidly drain water if filled by wave: On one tack "crew" weight on the rail, on the other tack ama if radically heeled.
I am sure you can dream up a series of solutions for yourself that are better than towing a dinghy. For a long time my father used a very cheap and very light weight "toy" dinghy. That would work in most situations for a boat that can anchor in less than two feet of water.
Could you mount your present dinghy athwart ships at the stern? That would keep weight low. I don't think it would hurt too much if the ends overhung the sides a bit since mounting blocks would bring it up higher than the rail to clear the tiller. I'm only guessing since I don't know long micro dimensions or arrangements.
Hope this has helped.
Let us know what solution you decide on.
Eric
ROGUE does not have an engine. Where I meant to mount an outboard engine as a "saildrive" will not work. The prop will suck air. I keep debating what to do instead. I have been towing a dinghy to use as a tug. ROGUE will sail in light wind, but not no wind, and the wind on my local lake dies completely as sundown approaches and sometimes stays dead all night.
Towing a dinghy is like towing a sea anchor. Tortoise tows far better than most, but will not accept an engine. An 8' Pram (1952 ChrisCraft) towed worse and should not have a six hp engine mounted on it. Some dinghy I borrowed accepted the engine and would plane with it but it would have been easier to tow a properly sized sea anchor. Small waves would jostle the engine and the prop would drop into the water and provide a very enlightening lesson on just how much water resistance a short shaft six horsepower engine actually has. My father towed the pram behind his 26' Ariel. The Coast Guard called me to tell me it had washed up on the NY coast and did I know anything about it. I asked what sort of wind and waves they had had that week. Upon hearing brief force 6 and six foot waves I said no problem, someone will be around to pick up the dinghy. Thank you. Dad, a very able seaman, tried everything he could think of to keep from loosing the dinghy. It was not possible in the waves. The dinghy would be shoved ahead and then snap back finally breaking the tow line. Phil Bolger says the Gloucester Light Dory will tow well and flip out any water that accumulates, and I am ready to believe that, but it will not accept an engine. Furthermore, "tows well" is a relative term to towing a dinghy, not relative to towing nothing at all. All this has lead to an unwillingness on my part to tow a dinghy. I am of the opinion that even "good towing" is bad.
I own an inflatable to use as a tug. It is too big and heavy 75lbs to bring below as I had planned when I bought it. I've never used it but if I do I plan to leave it deflated on the cockpit sole. And no I don't like the idea of that much weight up that high (3 feet above the waterline). Other ideas: Torqeedo electric mounted on rudder. Inflatable hung from wheelbarrow davits off the stern (whole thing athwartships or fore and aft just the engine and stern out of the water. Neither is satisfactory regarding weight high above the water). Folding dinghy or a pair of kayaks lashed to the side(s). 4cycle engine on a long board like some multihulls do; board and engine raised high when not in use. Gypsy or Crystal securely hung off the side with the lower part of the transom removable to rapidly drain water if filled by wave: On one tack "crew" weight on the rail, on the other tack ama if radically heeled.
I am sure you can dream up a series of solutions for yourself that are better than towing a dinghy. For a long time my father used a very cheap and very light weight "toy" dinghy. That would work in most situations for a boat that can anchor in less than two feet of water.
Could you mount your present dinghy athwart ships at the stern? That would keep weight low. I don't think it would hurt too much if the ends overhung the sides a bit since mounting blocks would bring it up higher than the rail to clear the tiller. I'm only guessing since I don't know long micro dimensions or arrangements.
Hope this has helped.
Let us know what solution you decide on.
Eric
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" <kingw@...> wrote:
>
> Pat,
> It's good to hear from you again. You LM looks great! Love the bootstripe.
> 1. Make provisions for two tack attachment points on the mast. The first should be where it's shown on the plans and will be good for the full main. But the second should be about a foot or 1.5 feet (.33 or .5 m) higher and will be better for the tack of the reefed main. When you reef the main the end of the boom (the end over the cockpit) will drop considerably, and there's some head-bashing potential.
> 2. If you use the reef points drawn on the plans, you should be good into the mid-20 knots-of-wind range. But somewhere around 27 to 30 knots of wind and these things are overcanvassed. A third set of reef points will require tying-in a lot of sail, which will be all bunched around the foot. It might work, but that's a lot of baggage. I'd consider (and I have considered) having a storm mainsail made in bright orange. You might also consider making a separate boom for this storm sail as well, b/c the boom drawn on the plans would be "huge" by this point and the aft end would be sweeping the cockpit of unsuspecting heads. Detaching the old boom and attaching the new one would require some foresight and quick connect shackles. But...
> 3. If you like, get your sailmaker to put in the third reef points- if they work that's great, and if they don't than there's no harm in having them. Then you should daysail your LM. I learned all the skills I needed for my adventure by day sailing and I got plenty of practice reefing and unreefing.
> 4. Use two blocks on the snotter (one, with a swivel and beckett attached to the mast, the other with just a swivel on the fore-end of the boom) to get a 2:1 purchase on the snotter. I've sailed it with 1:1 and 2:1 and 2:1 is much better. Make sure you measure the length of line you'll need for the snotter.
> 5. The anchor well easily holds two anchors (I have a Fortress [danforth] and a Delta Quickset [a plow]) and about 70m of rode for each (which I store in plastic containers which sit in the well). I clip both anchors to the well when I sail (just in case I ever dump the boat I don't want two anchors and their rodes dropping into the water). To anchor I sit on the fore deck with one leg in the well and the other dangling over the boat to port (the boom rests on the deck on the starbd side and is thus in the way). Drop the anchor, let it set, and then I secure the rode to the cleat drawn on the plans (it's a horn cleat on the deck, at the fore-most end of the cabin). Thus, my anchor rode is not secured to the center of the boat, but sits off to one side. Seems to work fine. I also have horn cleats at the bottom of the mast, but these secure the main and spare halyards.
> 6. No experience towing a dinghy. I've seen people do it with a micro, however. I drew-up plans for a nesting dinghy which would sit on the foredeck, but never made one. I'd love to hear how it all works for you.
>
> If you want to see pictures of diagrams, just shoot me an email. I found rigging my LM to be one of the most thought-intestive parts of the project bc I had never rigged a big boat before (the main sheet on my Gypsy was a length of clothesline).
>
> As always, good luck with the final stages of building. Please post pictures and describe how it goes. You are about to have some great adventures on your LM.
>
> Bill, LM Pugnacious
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat <patjah@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Bill
> >
> > My name is Pat I talked with you some time ago about the building of your
> > Long Micro.
> >
> > I read with interest your brief description of the North Channel. It is a
> > beautiful stretch of water I stayed in a cottage for the summer on the
> > Canadian side some time ago.
> >
> > Bill I am finally ready to order my sails, rigging and hardware and I was
> > wondering if you have any ideas for modifications to the existing rig. I
> > believe I mentioned to you last time we talked that I would be using my long
> > micro for coastal cruising in the Andaman Sea. Frankly am a bit worried
> > about that huge mainsail perhaps an extra set of reefing points would make
> > it more manageable in a strong wind? Also how do you handle your anchor with
> > the mast in the way? Lastly, I have built the nymph design as a tender but
> > I would not feel comfortable carrying it on deck as it must weigh 40 kilos.
> > Do you have any experience towing a tender?
> >
> > I expect to have the boat in the Andaman by end of the year and will post
> > some pics actually we were thinking of making a movie of the trip which we
> > would post online.
> >
> > If you have any advice you would like to share I would be most appreciative.
> >
> > attached is a pic of my long micro "Loma"
> >
> > Kind regards
> >
> > PAT
> >
>
Pat,
It's good to hear from you again. You LM looks great! Love the bootstripe.
1. Make provisions for two tack attachment points on the mast. The first should be where it's shown on the plans and will be good for the full main. But the second should be about a foot or 1.5 feet (.33 or .5 m) higher and will be better for the tack of the reefed main. When you reef the main the end of the boom (the end over the cockpit) will drop considerably, and there's some head-bashing potential.
2. If you use the reef points drawn on the plans, you should be good into the mid-20 knots-of-wind range. But somewhere around 27 to 30 knots of wind and these things are overcanvassed. A third set of reef points will require tying-in a lot of sail, which will be all bunched around the foot. It might work, but that's a lot of baggage. I'd consider (and I have considered) having a storm mainsail made in bright orange. You might also consider making a separate boom for this storm sail as well, b/c the boom drawn on the plans would be "huge" by this point and the aft end would be sweeping the cockpit of unsuspecting heads. Detaching the old boom and attaching the new one would require some foresight and quick connect shackles. But...
3. If you like, get your sailmaker to put in the third reef points- if they work that's great, and if they don't than there's no harm in having them. Then you should daysail your LM. I learned all the skills I needed for my adventure by day sailing and I got plenty of practice reefing and unreefing.
4. Use two blocks on the snotter (one, with a swivel and beckett attached to the mast, the other with just a swivel on the fore-end of the boom) to get a 2:1 purchase on the snotter. I've sailed it with 1:1 and 2:1 and 2:1 is much better. Make sure you measure the length of line you'll need for the snotter.
5. The anchor well easily holds two anchors (I have a Fortress [danforth] and a Delta Quickset [a plow]) and about 70m of rode for each (which I store in plastic containers which sit in the well). I clip both anchors to the well when I sail (just in case I ever dump the boat I don't want two anchors and their rodes dropping into the water). To anchor I sit on the fore deck with one leg in the well and the other dangling over the boat to port (the boom rests on the deck on the starbd side and is thus in the way). Drop the anchor, let it set, and then I secure the rode to the cleat drawn on the plans (it's a horn cleat on the deck, at the fore-most end of the cabin). Thus, my anchor rode is not secured to the center of the boat, but sits off to one side. Seems to work fine. I also have horn cleats at the bottom of the mast, but these secure the main and spare halyards.
6. No experience towing a dinghy. I've seen people do it with a micro, however. I drew-up plans for a nesting dinghy which would sit on the foredeck, but never made one. I'd love to hear how it all works for you.
If you want to see pictures of diagrams, just shoot me an email. I found rigging my LM to be one of the most thought-intestive parts of the project bc I had never rigged a big boat before (the main sheet on my Gypsy was a length of clothesline).
As always, good luck with the final stages of building. Please post pictures and describe how it goes. You are about to have some great adventures on your LM.
Bill, LM Pugnacious
It's good to hear from you again. You LM looks great! Love the bootstripe.
1. Make provisions for two tack attachment points on the mast. The first should be where it's shown on the plans and will be good for the full main. But the second should be about a foot or 1.5 feet (.33 or .5 m) higher and will be better for the tack of the reefed main. When you reef the main the end of the boom (the end over the cockpit) will drop considerably, and there's some head-bashing potential.
2. If you use the reef points drawn on the plans, you should be good into the mid-20 knots-of-wind range. But somewhere around 27 to 30 knots of wind and these things are overcanvassed. A third set of reef points will require tying-in a lot of sail, which will be all bunched around the foot. It might work, but that's a lot of baggage. I'd consider (and I have considered) having a storm mainsail made in bright orange. You might also consider making a separate boom for this storm sail as well, b/c the boom drawn on the plans would be "huge" by this point and the aft end would be sweeping the cockpit of unsuspecting heads. Detaching the old boom and attaching the new one would require some foresight and quick connect shackles. But...
3. If you like, get your sailmaker to put in the third reef points- if they work that's great, and if they don't than there's no harm in having them. Then you should daysail your LM. I learned all the skills I needed for my adventure by day sailing and I got plenty of practice reefing and unreefing.
4. Use two blocks on the snotter (one, with a swivel and beckett attached to the mast, the other with just a swivel on the fore-end of the boom) to get a 2:1 purchase on the snotter. I've sailed it with 1:1 and 2:1 and 2:1 is much better. Make sure you measure the length of line you'll need for the snotter.
5. The anchor well easily holds two anchors (I have a Fortress [danforth] and a Delta Quickset [a plow]) and about 70m of rode for each (which I store in plastic containers which sit in the well). I clip both anchors to the well when I sail (just in case I ever dump the boat I don't want two anchors and their rodes dropping into the water). To anchor I sit on the fore deck with one leg in the well and the other dangling over the boat to port (the boom rests on the deck on the starbd side and is thus in the way). Drop the anchor, let it set, and then I secure the rode to the cleat drawn on the plans (it's a horn cleat on the deck, at the fore-most end of the cabin). Thus, my anchor rode is not secured to the center of the boat, but sits off to one side. Seems to work fine. I also have horn cleats at the bottom of the mast, but these secure the main and spare halyards.
6. No experience towing a dinghy. I've seen people do it with a micro, however. I drew-up plans for a nesting dinghy which would sit on the foredeck, but never made one. I'd love to hear how it all works for you.
If you want to see pictures of diagrams, just shoot me an email. I found rigging my LM to be one of the most thought-intestive parts of the project bc I had never rigged a big boat before (the main sheet on my Gypsy was a length of clothesline).
As always, good luck with the final stages of building. Please post pictures and describe how it goes. You are about to have some great adventures on your LM.
Bill, LM Pugnacious
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Pat <patjah@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bill
>
> My name is Pat I talked with you some time ago about the building of your
> Long Micro.
>
> I read with interest your brief description of the North Channel. It is a
> beautiful stretch of water I stayed in a cottage for the summer on the
> Canadian side some time ago.
>
> Bill I am finally ready to order my sails, rigging and hardware and I was
> wondering if you have any ideas for modifications to the existing rig. I
> believe I mentioned to you last time we talked that I would be using my long
> micro for coastal cruising in the Andaman Sea. Frankly am a bit worried
> about that huge mainsail perhaps an extra set of reefing points would make
> it more manageable in a strong wind? Also how do you handle your anchor with
> the mast in the way? Lastly, I have built the nymph design as a tender but
> I would not feel comfortable carrying it on deck as it must weigh 40 kilos.
> Do you have any experience towing a tender?
>
> I expect to have the boat in the Andaman by end of the year and will post
> some pics actually we were thinking of making a movie of the trip which we
> would post online.
>
> If you have any advice you would like to share I would be most appreciative.
>
> attached is a pic of my long micro "Loma"
>
> Kind regards
>
> PAT
>
Hi Bill
My name is Pat I talked with you some time ago about the building of your Long Micro.
I read with interest your brief description of the North Channel.It is a beautiful stretch of waterI stayed in a cottage for the summer on the Canadian side some time ago.
Bill I am finally ready to order my sails, rigging and hardware and I was wondering if you have any ideas for modifications to the existing rig. I believe I mentioned to you last time we talked that I would be using my long micro for coastal cruising in the Andaman Sea. Frankly am a bit worried about that huge mainsail perhaps an extra set of reefing points would make it more manageable in a strong wind? Also how do you handle your anchor with the mast in the way?Lastly, I have built the nymph design as a tender but I would not feel comfortable carrying it on deck as it must weigh 40 kilos. Do you have any experience towing a tender?
I expect to have the boat in the Andaman by end of the year and will post some pics actually we were thinking of making a movie of the trip which we would post online.
If you have any advice you would like to share I would be most appreciative.
attached is a pic of my long micro "Loma"
Kind regards
PAT
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" <kingw@...> wrote:
>Bill, I really liked the photos of your Long Micro and would consider doing a post on my weblog, , 70.8% about your boat and adventure, if you agree. I would need more photos, and interior shots, and It'd be geat if you hsd voyage pics t boot. thomas
> Hi all,
> I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/).
> In late June I hauled Pugnacious (my Long Micro) from Texas to the UP of Michigan, put Pug in the water, and sailed east in the North Channel. In 12 days on the water I barely scratched the surface of what the North Channel offers. I ventured from DeTour, Michigan, east to Gore Bay (Manitoulin), then north to Eagle Island, Beardrop, and Blind River, and then SW to Cockburn and Drummond I. I covered 200 nautical miles in 12 days, including three days stuck at the dock in Blind River (due to strong winds).
>
> I was very pleased with how my LM handled- at one point I was sailing in waves so large I could not see over the crests when I was in the troughs. She scoots right along off the wind, hitting 7.9 knots on the knot meter at one point. I have never been in my LM in waves this large. Hope you enjoy the pics.
>
> Bill, now in Texas
> Long Micro Pugnacious
>
Thanks for all the great information, Bill.
The longer range plan is to build something suitable to live aboard for a few months at a time, then leave after deer season but before the harbor freezes and use the great loop route (if they don't close it off at Chicago to stop the Asian Carp) to reach the gulf.
Jon
> Beaver Island would be a perfect location. You will love it up there- when the water isn't solid :-)Our land is a ten minute walk to the harbor, and we're planning to leave one of our boats up there until we build, possibly the Light Schooner or the Long Light Dory. A couple of Michalak Totos are up there now. I'll be interested to see what outdoor storage in a cool damp pine/oak/maple forest does to them. One is glassed, the other not, and they're under a tarp, which will probably be shredded by snow and ice by the time we return. An experiment with semi-disposable boats.
The longer range plan is to build something suitable to live aboard for a few months at a time, then leave after deer season but before the harbor freezes and use the great loop route (if they don't close it off at Chicago to stop the Asian Carp) to reach the gulf.
Jon
Jon,
Sailing in Canadian waters isn't an issue. When I lived in Ohio I would sometimes sail near Pelee Island (a Canadian Island in Lake Erie). It's not a big deal until you drop anchor in Canadian waters or (gasp) set foot on land. The US has a few expedited systems for entering the US, and I think they work reciprocally for entering Canada, but I'm unsure. The requirements are changing, but the US systems is called a NEXUS card (which replaced the I68 system). Basically a NEXUS card lets you phone-in your arrival in the US. The whole procedure is changing, do your research, blah, blah, blah.
Entering Canada is easy. You enter at a port of entry, dock your boat, go to a room with a phone (at Meldrum Bay it's on the dock) and pick-up the phone. A nice Canadian asks you questions and gives you a clearance number (which you must display on your boat). The whole process took about 2 minutes. I didn't need my passport. I have heard they run a "lottery" and randomly check boats, so sometimes they ask that you stay at the dock while an agent comes to inspect you and your boat. Canadians seem concerned with people smuggling booze, cigarettes, and weapons. Last year a poster on Sailing Anarchy got busted by Canadian C+I near Baie Fin (sp) b/c he did not clear into Canada (story was called "Teachable Moments"). In the end he got a stern lecture and a warning, but there's the option of a stiff fine.
In sum, getting to the land of gravy-on-french-fries and excellent beer is easy. I didn't have to mention Nels or Lenihan by name.
Entering the US is a little tougher. Because I don't have a NEXUS card, I had to hit the port of entry on Drummond Island, MI. It's pretty inconvenient (for a slow-poke long micro) coming from the east b/c the two nearest ports (Sassilon, to the north, or Cockburn Island to the east) are about 30 nautical miles away, and you might be headed into the prevailing westerlies. Some websites incorrectly list DeTour Village (MI) as a port. The Customs and Immigration officers (in uniform) travel from Sault Ste. Marie to Drummond each day, so they don't open for business until noon. I docked and had to stay on my boat. A nice officer came over, took my passport (you need one for re-entry to the US), did some paperwork, and then returned to inspect my boat. Americans are concerned with people smuggling people. When the officer said he had to inspect my boat for people, I replied, "they would have to be VERY small." (he laughed).
The season in the North Channel runs from July 1 to the end of August, so I was a little early. I didn't have to reserve a dock and the docks were never crowded. In fact, I spent a few days on the water where I never saw another boat within 2 miles of me (and even then only saw one or two boats the entire day), and never saw a building or person. From what I have read, if the docks get crowded people just raft-up. I have heard, however, that Macinac Island can get full.
Beaver Island would be a perfect location. You will love it up there- when the water isn't solid :-)
Bill, LM Pugnacious
Sailing in Canadian waters isn't an issue. When I lived in Ohio I would sometimes sail near Pelee Island (a Canadian Island in Lake Erie). It's not a big deal until you drop anchor in Canadian waters or (gasp) set foot on land. The US has a few expedited systems for entering the US, and I think they work reciprocally for entering Canada, but I'm unsure. The requirements are changing, but the US systems is called a NEXUS card (which replaced the I68 system). Basically a NEXUS card lets you phone-in your arrival in the US. The whole procedure is changing, do your research, blah, blah, blah.
Entering Canada is easy. You enter at a port of entry, dock your boat, go to a room with a phone (at Meldrum Bay it's on the dock) and pick-up the phone. A nice Canadian asks you questions and gives you a clearance number (which you must display on your boat). The whole process took about 2 minutes. I didn't need my passport. I have heard they run a "lottery" and randomly check boats, so sometimes they ask that you stay at the dock while an agent comes to inspect you and your boat. Canadians seem concerned with people smuggling booze, cigarettes, and weapons. Last year a poster on Sailing Anarchy got busted by Canadian C+I near Baie Fin (sp) b/c he did not clear into Canada (story was called "Teachable Moments"). In the end he got a stern lecture and a warning, but there's the option of a stiff fine.
In sum, getting to the land of gravy-on-french-fries and excellent beer is easy. I didn't have to mention Nels or Lenihan by name.
Entering the US is a little tougher. Because I don't have a NEXUS card, I had to hit the port of entry on Drummond Island, MI. It's pretty inconvenient (for a slow-poke long micro) coming from the east b/c the two nearest ports (Sassilon, to the north, or Cockburn Island to the east) are about 30 nautical miles away, and you might be headed into the prevailing westerlies. Some websites incorrectly list DeTour Village (MI) as a port. The Customs and Immigration officers (in uniform) travel from Sault Ste. Marie to Drummond each day, so they don't open for business until noon. I docked and had to stay on my boat. A nice officer came over, took my passport (you need one for re-entry to the US), did some paperwork, and then returned to inspect my boat. Americans are concerned with people smuggling people. When the officer said he had to inspect my boat for people, I replied, "they would have to be VERY small." (he laughed).
The season in the North Channel runs from July 1 to the end of August, so I was a little early. I didn't have to reserve a dock and the docks were never crowded. In fact, I spent a few days on the water where I never saw another boat within 2 miles of me (and even then only saw one or two boats the entire day), and never saw a building or person. From what I have read, if the docks get crowded people just raft-up. I have heard, however, that Macinac Island can get full.
Beaver Island would be a perfect location. You will love it up there- when the water isn't solid :-)
Bill, LM Pugnacious
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "adventures_in_astrophotography" <jon@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bill,
>
> > I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/).
> ...snip...
>
> That looks like a great boat and cruise! I have similar adventures in mind someday, sailing out of our eventual homeport on Beaver Island, MI, just west of the Strait of Mackinac. Currently high and dry here in CO, we have no experience cruising to anything other than shore campsites on reservoirs. I'm curious - did you have to clear customs within some period of time after crossing into Canadian waters? What about on returning? I've been to Canada many times in cars (grew up in Detroit), but never did it in a boat. My dad and his buddies used to motor across the Detroit River to their favorite bar on the other side without formalities, but things were more relaxed back then. Did you have to reserve slips in advance at the marinas you visited, or can you just show up and dock, then arrange to pay?
>
> Jon
>
Hi Bill,
That looks like a great boat and cruise! I have similar adventures in mind someday, sailing out of our eventual homeport on Beaver Island, MI, just west of the Strait of Mackinac. Currently high and dry here in CO, we have no experience cruising to anything other than shore campsites on reservoirs. I'm curious - did you have to clear customs within some period of time after crossing into Canadian waters? What about on returning? I've been to Canada many times in cars (grew up in Detroit), but never did it in a boat. My dad and his buddies used to motor across the Detroit River to their favorite bar on the other side without formalities, but things were more relaxed back then. Did you have to reserve slips in advance at the marinas you visited, or can you just show up and dock, then arrange to pay?
Jon
> I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/)....snip...
That looks like a great boat and cruise! I have similar adventures in mind someday, sailing out of our eventual homeport on Beaver Island, MI, just west of the Strait of Mackinac. Currently high and dry here in CO, we have no experience cruising to anything other than shore campsites on reservoirs. I'm curious - did you have to clear customs within some period of time after crossing into Canadian waters? What about on returning? I've been to Canada many times in cars (grew up in Detroit), but never did it in a boat. My dad and his buddies used to motor across the Detroit River to their favorite bar on the other side without formalities, but things were more relaxed back then. Did you have to reserve slips in advance at the marinas you visited, or can you just show up and dock, then arrange to pay?
Jon
Eric,
There is good sailing in the North Channel. Certainly, some of the areas are so full of rocks and islands (the Benjamins) that it would be imprudent to carry sail and maneuver. But the water is wonderfully clear (visibility of 15 to 20 feet) in most places. I have read that the winds start in the morning and peter-out by noon. Because I was on a schedule, I ended up motoring quite a bit. In 12 days I put 31 hours on my outboard. That's just the nature of wanting to be somewhere on a schedule. I did not need to tie to shore (a common technique in the North Channel) b/c I was there in the pre-season. I think a dinghy would be very handy for running a line ashore and for exploring and if I were to be there during the season I would want a dinghy. But I was OK without one in the pre season.
Bill, Long Micro Pugnacious
There is good sailing in the North Channel. Certainly, some of the areas are so full of rocks and islands (the Benjamins) that it would be imprudent to carry sail and maneuver. But the water is wonderfully clear (visibility of 15 to 20 feet) in most places. I have read that the winds start in the morning and peter-out by noon. Because I was on a schedule, I ended up motoring quite a bit. In 12 days I put 31 hours on my outboard. That's just the nature of wanting to be somewhere on a schedule. I did not need to tie to shore (a common technique in the North Channel) b/c I was there in the pre-season. I think a dinghy would be very handy for running a line ashore and for exploring and if I were to be there during the season I would want a dinghy. But I was OK without one in the pre season.
Bill, Long Micro Pugnacious
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Eric" <eric14850@...> wrote:
>
> Very nice looking boat.
>
> North Channel is on my short list. I "dipped my toe in" long enough to know it is easy to get lost among the islands, and to wonder whether it is actually possible to sail in amongst those islands where they lie thick on the water. Are the winds as fluky as I suspect? How much did you need to rely on your engine? Did you find places where you needed a dinghy despite wading draft?
>
> Eric
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" <kingw@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> > I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/).
> > In late June I hauled Pugnacious (my Long Micro) from Texas to the UP of Michigan, put Pug in the water, and sailed east in the North Channel. In 12 days on the water I barely scratched the surface of what the North Channel offers. I ventured from DeTour, Michigan, east to Gore Bay (Manitoulin), then north to Eagle Island, Beardrop, and Blind River, and then SW to Cockburn and Drummond I. I covered 200 nautical miles in 12 days, including three days stuck at the dock in Blind River (due to strong winds).
> >
> > I was very pleased with how my LM handled- at one point I was sailing in waves so large I could not see over the crests when I was in the troughs. She scoots right along off the wind, hitting 7.9 knots on the knot meter at one point. I have never been in my LM in waves this large. Hope you enjoy the pics.
> >
> > Bill, now in Texas
> > Long Micro Pugnacious
> >
>
Very nice looking boat.
North Channel is on my short list. I "dipped my toe in" long enough to know it is easy to get lost among the islands, and to wonder whether it is actually possible to sail in amongst those islands where they lie thick on the water. Are the winds as fluky as I suspect? How much did you need to rely on your engine? Did you find places where you needed a dinghy despite wading draft?
Eric
North Channel is on my short list. I "dipped my toe in" long enough to know it is easy to get lost among the islands, and to wonder whether it is actually possible to sail in amongst those islands where they lie thick on the water. Are the winds as fluky as I suspect? How much did you need to rely on your engine? Did you find places where you needed a dinghy despite wading draft?
Eric
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "William" <kingw@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/).
> In late June I hauled Pugnacious (my Long Micro) from Texas to the UP of Michigan, put Pug in the water, and sailed east in the North Channel. In 12 days on the water I barely scratched the surface of what the North Channel offers. I ventured from DeTour, Michigan, east to Gore Bay (Manitoulin), then north to Eagle Island, Beardrop, and Blind River, and then SW to Cockburn and Drummond I. I covered 200 nautical miles in 12 days, including three days stuck at the dock in Blind River (due to strong winds).
>
> I was very pleased with how my LM handled- at one point I was sailing in waves so large I could not see over the crests when I was in the troughs. She scoots right along off the wind, hitting 7.9 knots on the knot meter at one point. I have never been in my LM in waves this large. Hope you enjoy the pics.
>
> Bill, now in Texas
> Long Micro Pugnacious
>
Hi all,
I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/).
In late June I hauled Pugnacious (my Long Micro) from Texas to the UP of Michigan, put Pug in the water, and sailed east in the North Channel. In 12 days on the water I barely scratched the surface of what the North Channel offers. I ventured from DeTour, Michigan, east to Gore Bay (Manitoulin), then north to Eagle Island, Beardrop, and Blind River, and then SW to Cockburn and Drummond I. I covered 200 nautical miles in 12 days, including three days stuck at the dock in Blind River (due to strong winds).
I was very pleased with how my LM handled- at one point I was sailing in waves so large I could not see over the crests when I was in the troughs. She scoots right along off the wind, hitting 7.9 knots on the knot meter at one point. I have never been in my LM in waves this large. Hope you enjoy the pics.
Bill, now in Texas
Long Micro Pugnacious
I have posted some pictures of my 12 day adventure in the North Channel of Lake Huron, between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23898186@N02/).
In late June I hauled Pugnacious (my Long Micro) from Texas to the UP of Michigan, put Pug in the water, and sailed east in the North Channel. In 12 days on the water I barely scratched the surface of what the North Channel offers. I ventured from DeTour, Michigan, east to Gore Bay (Manitoulin), then north to Eagle Island, Beardrop, and Blind River, and then SW to Cockburn and Drummond I. I covered 200 nautical miles in 12 days, including three days stuck at the dock in Blind River (due to strong winds).
I was very pleased with how my LM handled- at one point I was sailing in waves so large I could not see over the crests when I was in the troughs. She scoots right along off the wind, hitting 7.9 knots on the knot meter at one point. I have never been in my LM in waves this large. Hope you enjoy the pics.
Bill, now in Texas
Long Micro Pugnacious