Anchoring Near Boblo

Entry # 62:  Beginning to input pictures!

Monday, June 17:  If you have never been to Kelleys Island think about the TV series ‘Murder She Wrote’ and the atmosphere of a typical sea coast New England village.  Friendly, relaxing, quaint in a good way with down to earth folks.  Hourly ferries bring cars and passengers to and from the mainland.  Very nice and I would not hesitate spending a relaxing visit or even summer in the future.

I left the sleepy nearly empty marina around 8 am.  The cool winds were coming from the north east at 8 knots.   I set course for the mouth of the Detroit River.  I was relaxed and enjoying the warming sun and beautiful views of islands and motor cruisers.  By late morning the winds had picked up to 15 knots with 2 to 3 foot seas – AS FORECASTED WOW!

My autopilot seemed to enjoy the conditions as well as the incessant whistling had ceased.  With sails set and course laden, it was time to make arrangements for repairs and maintenance on NTL.  I needed to repair my damaged dodger & bimini canvases as well as the bimini frame.  I incurred damages and lost part of the frame during the storms in the first week.  As a temporary measure, I had secured the remaining portion of my bimini frame unto the cockpit with tape.  And, I had shock corded the bimini canvas.  It didn’t look pretty but it was functional.  I called a good friend who new someone who had a heavy duty sewing machine.  I was able to schedule repairs during my layover in JBM.  Heaven sent!  I contacted another friend who owns a machine shop in regard to making necessary modifications to my (new) back-up auto-pilot.  My starboard and port bow light bulbs had apparently burnt out and I was using my back-up the past several weeks.  Every marina I had stayed at did not have it or could not get it in time.  So I began making calls.  It took me nearly a dozen phone calls to locate and order replacements.  $24.99 EACH!  For A Bloody Light Bulb!  Highway robbery!   They are scheduled to be at a marina supply store near JBM when I arrive.  And finally, you may recall the incident were I had my mainsail halyard failure.  What I was able to do was use my boom halyard for raising and securing my mainsail.  I need to figure out a way to get up to the top of my mast evaluate what repairs needs to be made and complete the repair before leaving JBM.  It remains a TBD.

Back to my sailing.  I had made good time and was approaching the mouth of the Detroit River in the late afternoon.   The winds were dying down, the water was like glass and my sails were flapping.  I chuckled thinking that a month ago I was nearly in the exact spot in 37 knots winds and 8 – 9 foot seas coming from the east and northeast!

As I was motoring up one of the three channels, I received a call from a golfing friend who lives on Horse Island.  He generously offered me a slip at his place for the night.  Unfortunately I had passed his place over an hour ago and graciously declined.  Tired, I anchored in a little cove about half an hour later and fell asleep.  I made 45 miles today.  It was a good day.

Portside Marina on Kelleys Island.