Tom's Sailing Adventure

Here's my latest retirement project:  a 1980 Catalina 27 sailboat that I bought on eBay.  

It needed a bit of work - painting, etc.  

And, of course, naming.  Gary insisted on a French name.  

La Belle Vie was put in the water May 8th in Sandusky Ohio, and I sailed for Toledo Beach Marina, just south of Monroe Michigan with the former owner of the boat Andy who graciously offered to come along and show me the workings of the boat.   

On May 30th, I left with my friend Joe on the start of the trip to Lake Charlevoix.  That day we went up Lake Erie into the Detroit River and made it to Kean's Marina in Detroit, right next to Belle Ile.

The day started out nicely, but ended in rain.

We saw a lot of industry along the Detroit River.

We finally arrived at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.

Downtown Detroit, with a passing freighter.

Sunday May 31st was extremely windy and stormy.  Joe and I tried to get the boat out onto Lake Saint Clair, but only made it two miles.  We spent that day at a marina in Gross Point Park.  That afternoon Matt arrived to replace Joe, and we sailed together for the next three days.  

Monday morning the weather was beautiful.  We got onto Lake St Clair at 5 am to see a beautiful sunrise.  

It was chilly, but Matt still enjoyed himself.  

After Lake St. Clair, we got onto the St Clair river.  We continued to see freighters every 10 minutes or so.  

We made it to Port Huron by 8 pm, just in time to fuel up before the station closed.  I had fun comparing my bill with the neighboring pump.  You can guess which is which.  

Sarnia, the Canadian city right across from Port Huron, was an interesting contrast of industrial and urban decor.

We had a beautiful sunset, followed by a shrouded full moon.  

We continued under the BlueWater Bridge and onto Lake Huron.  The water under the Bluewater Bridge was very fast and turbulent, with water from three major Great Lakes draining into that one narrow point.  We were slowed down to 2 MPH (normal for the boat was 6 MPH).  We continued up the coast of Lake Huron in the night to Lexington, making it there at 1 am (for a 19 hour day).  The water was very choppy, and I got seasick - fortunately, the only time in the trip.  

Tuesday we got up again at 5 am, and had another long day going up the thumb of Michigan.  Matt was very game about it, recognizing that our mission was to "Get the boat delivered!".  I had a deadline, needing to get back by Wednesday June 10th for Gary's graduation from 8th grade.

Going around the thumb, we ran aground in a sand bar, but managed to get unstuck.  That evening we arrived in Port Austin.  There were many shallow spots around the port, and we were guided in by this lighthouse.  

We had another beautiful sunset in Port Austin.   

The next day (Wednesday) we had a leisurely crossing of the Saginaw Bay.  In the center of the Bay, all we would see was water around us, as witnessed by this 360 panorama.  (click for full effect).  We arrived in Oscoda, where Matt was replaced by David.  

David and I had a calm morning going up the lake the next morning.  Later in the morning we were able to sail, although the pin holding the cable for the jib came loose.  Fortunately I was able to find the pin and even more fortunately the mast did not fall!

Later in the afternoon, we started the motor back up.  I noticed a exhaust smell and attributed it to the breeze coming from behind us.  Then I notice smoke coming from the cockpit.  We turned the motor off and called a marina in Alpena, which was nearby.  They suggested that we not use the motor and instead sail in, which we were able to do for most of the way.  

The folks in the marina were very helpful, but needed some time for repairs to the exhaust manifold.  We were very fortunate to find someone in the marina from Ann Arbor who was driving back that day!

So we left La Belle Vie for rest and restoration in the harbor.  Adventure to be continued!