Entry #91: N45.59.868, W83.53.974
Tuesday, July 30st (Day 85): It was 7:00 am when I left my slip in De Tour heading north on the St. Maries’ River for George Kemp Marina in Sault Saint Marie. The forecast called for north northwest winds over 20 knots with 2 to 4 foot seas. In addition to the head winds, I would also be heading into the St. Mary River current. It was going to be a long working day even under both power and sail.
Whenever possible, I utilized the lee side of an island to buffer the winds or snug the west shoreline to reduce the strength of the current and heights of the waves. My progress was slow and by noon I had made only a dozen miles while averaging 2 ½ mph. In the afternoon the wind and seas continued to pick-up and my speed was down to under 2 mph. I wasn’t going to reach George Kemp Marina and began looking for a place to anchor. It was now approaching 3:00 pm and the closest available anchorage was at least 5 hours away. With the winds continuing to climb, I wasn’t sure that I would make it before dark.
I had no safe option but to turn around. I remembered passing Raber Bay about 2 miles southwest and headed for anchorage. It didn’t take long at over 5 ½ knots with the wind, seas and current on my back. Unfortunately, Raber Bay shoreline depth was too shallow to provide protection from the wind. I finally gave up after three anchoring attempts. Round Island was about a mile southeast from me. I headed for the island hoping to anchor on its lee side. I gave up after two attempts as the island was too small and the current would take NTL into the rocky shoals. OK lets try Round Island another mile south. Round Island offered a breakwater pier, it didn’t offer much in protection from the winds but at least the water would be flat! I gave up after several failed attempts to anchor. The anchor would not secure to the bottom and thus would not hold!
In the last 1 ½ hrs., I lost 50% of the days progress and was still without a place to rest. Exhausted and angry, I decided to sail back to De Tour and into a slip. With the winds blowing over 20 knots and both current and seas on my back, I was back in my same slip in less than two hours. Still fuming having made no progress, I still had to admit enjoying sailing at over 7 knots!
I fell asleep thinking come hell or high water I am going to make Sault Saint Marie and sail Lake Superior.
Never Too Late For 