We finally pulled out of JBM around 4:45 PM Thursday and headed up the St. Clair River. Following us and gaining was another huge front. We could see the rain falling heavily on the lake and river and knew it was going to catch us. The Saint Clair River has about a 7 knot current and our headspead was only 16 knots. The storm was approaching at 25 mph according to weather. So, given the late hour of departure and the approaching storm we pulled into the ever pleasant Algonac Harbour Club for the evening just in time to get docked up and dumped on by the front that finally caught us. We knew our good friends Mike and Laura Adam were there in their 47 flush deck Commander, a splendily refurbished 1967 version, and after the rain we enjoyed a few Capt'n Morgan and Vernors. Vernors, for you non-Michiganders is a bastardized ginger ale that complements the Capt'n quite nicely.
On Friday we awoke to a beautiful morning. Plenty of sun and the humidity and heat were gone. Praise all Gods, great and small. After a couple cups a java, I make for the front head and the morning constitutional. Note to self - always test prime the toilet before use, because as luck would have it, the macerator decides to lock up. Yes, and that is with a full bowl. Now we have a decision and some plumbing to do before we can leave. It is 8:45 AM. AHC is within walking distance of West Marine, so off we go looking for solutions. New pump, replacement part, new toilet are all considerations. They have nada, nothing that will help us. On the way back, I stop at the Marina and talk with Al, the resident yard Guru and he suggests reversing the polarity to see if the impeller will break loose. Good idea, but does not work. It is now 10:00. I decide to push off and go to gas dock for a pump out of the toilet bowl, then decomission the front head. We say our good byes to Mike, Laura and the kids and proceed to said dock. Once that was accomplished we head out to the river and are finally on our way. Its north to Port Huron then Lake Huron and we see what the water is like before deciding on our direction.
The river is fantastic, weather is beautiful, life is good. Bella is running without flaw and standing tall. Almost every boat we pass is giving us the thumbs up. Did I say, "Life is good?" Well, all that is about to change. At 12:45 we make the Blue Water Bridge and head into Lake Huron. It is flat with just the faintest hint of swell. Out of the current our speed increases to 20 knots and we are running fine. What with the late start and good weather forecast we decide to take the counter clockwise route and go to Kincardin. Well underway, Donna is reading in the cockpit while I man the watch on the bride. It is now 2 PM and we are 46 miles from Kincardin. I notice a few whitecaps forming and think this is typical. At 3 PM we are in a 1 meter chop and things are beginning to get nasty. We slow to 15 knots, but the seas are building. By 4 PM the waves are a consistent 3 to 5 with the occasional 6 - 8. We slow to 10 knots and we are 13 mile from the Marina. At 6:30 we pull into Kincardin having had to slow to 8 knots. The entry to the municipal dock is a bit tricky and with the wind and waves it was a bit harry, but we lost no paint or gel coat.
Damage report for Day One:
1 incompacitated head
1 spilled refrigerator - contents displayed on galley floor
1 leaking window in main salon head - easy clean up and tighten
1 cracked windshield on port side due to a mistep by the captain during a paricularly bad wave
1 mystery leak in the forward stateroom that has the floor wet and both bunk mattresses wet/damp. And we have no idea where the leak is coming from. Window hatch is secure.
Today, we are as yet undecided if we are staying here or going north. Anyway, attached are a few photos.
Mike Adam doing the morning ritual aboard his 1967 47 Flush Deck Commander, the Laura Marie
Donna Jean at the Helm
A blue wake on a blue lake
Two Commanders
Donna Jean making ready
The Bella loaded and ready to go
Edit comment: photos resized to 750x500 and 150K