Entry 42: One Storm after Another _
Sunday, May 19th: Left my slip around 8 am with a favorable forecast for the morning and early afternoon of 5 – 10 knot winds from the southwest, 1-2 foot seas and temperatures in the low 50’s. I wanted to beat the severe thunderstorms and lightning forecast to arrive around 5 pm. Run little one run.
It started pleasant enough as I set-up my auto-pilot and enjoyed a comfortable sail in the following winds in the morning. The winds and seas began to pick-up in the mid-day and I could see menacing clouds to the west and north. I checked the forecast and found to my surprise that the severe weather moved forward from the original 5 pm forecast to 2 pm! No way am I going to make Rochester. I started to look for a safe harbor. I decided upon Wilson, NY. I reset my waypoint for Wilson with a projected 1:30 pm arrival.
I arrived just in time at Wilson with winds at 20 knots gusting to near 30. I safe harbored at the TYC. I only made about 25 miles but at least NTL or its skipper were safe. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with tea and a Symphony chocolate bar – the whole thing. Winds howled that evening and into the night with rain, thunder and lighting.
Monday, May 20th: Left my ‘Wilson’ safe harbor around 7 am. Forecast for today was sunshine, a high of 68 degrees with winds coming from the SW at 10-12 knots. Yes….but not to be. As I set course for Rochester, it became overcast, winds initially at 10 knots climbed eventually to 20 knots and temperatures may have hit 50 degrees while I was out in the lake! (Again with the exclamation point.) By the way water temperature was 45 degrees.
Inexplicably both my auto-pilots went out forcing me to take hold of the tiller in the early afternoon. (Each has two different power sockets but are on the same circuit. With both not working, I’m hoping its a fuse.)
Additionally, I had been running at a solid 6 1/2 mph but found water climbing up my cockpit from the drain holes. When I slowed down below 6 knots, the water began to drain. Yet another challenge and problem solving opportunity to put on my to do list.
I was getting tired, cold and found myself ever focused on the looming grey clouds building behind me. Around mid-day, the Coast Guard announced marine warnings for all of Lake Ontario. I reefed in my main and furled my jib to 50%. Time to find safe harbor again. Run little one, run.
Looking, still looking as cold rain began and winds steadily rose to above 25 knots. I took down my main and continued to find a safe harbor. I finally found a tiny inlet and with the assistance of two hearty souls tied up at Brockport Yacht Club. All I can say is I never met more friendly and accommodating people in my life. I can’t express the degree of my gratitude and appreciation to my hosts. After sharing a beer, the commodore gave me open access to their clubhouse and left his home number to call should I need anything while I stayed overnight.
The BYC has been around since 1904. The marina probably would not be able to accommodate boats longer than 30′ or with drafts much deeper than 5′. Like many marinas along the shores of Lake Ontario, the unprecedented high water levels are creating havoc for both lake home owners and marinas. For example, BYCs docks where under water by several inches. NTL was slipped on the leeward side of the clubhouse – protected from the howling winds and storms that passed through the night.
Never Too Late For 