Entry #100: N45.58.134, W81.30.482
Sunday, August 11th (Day 97) – I estimated Killarney to be over 300 nautical miles from Lake St. Clair. Storms and heavy winds from the south west were forecast for the late afternoon, through the night and into tomorrow. I didn’t want to be exposed in open waters finding no evidence of potential no safe harbour(s) along the Georgian Bay eastern coastline. These factors together served to make the decision to take the most direct route south towards Tobermory.
Tobermory was located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula some fifty-five miles to the southeast of Killarney. Given light winds projected to come from the west and south for most of the day, it was unlikely that I would make Tobermory today. Additionally, the waters around Tobermory were known to be dangerous often with fog with winds clocking at over 50 knots during heavy storms. I had had enough in those conditions and was not willing to take on the risk and challenge.
I found James Bay on Manitloulin Island as the only potential safe harbour between Killarney and Tobermory. It was located only 25 miles south of Killarney again offering good anchorage and potentially adequate protection. However, should the forecast prove to be inaccurate James Bay would offer little to no protection with winds coming from the north or east! With my only other option to stay and wait for better weather, I decided to leave early. And my strategy would leave me with a shorter distance with a potential reasonable arrival time in Tobermory the following day.
I reached James Bay around 1 pm and initially contemplated going on to Tobermory. I re-checked the weather forecast, assessed the conditions and decided to play it safe. I anchored as close to the southwest corner of the bay around 2 pm. The winds from the west began to build in the late afternoon to over 20 knots. I decided to drop a second anchor as the winds shift to the south as a second sailboat arrived anchoring just west of NTL. It was re-assuring to me as I must have made the right decision and had selected a good spot for anchoring.
I found there to be no internet or phone service so I began to read. I fell asleep reading as I could hear a wolve howling into the night.
Never Too Late For 