Here we go!! We hung our AGLCA burgee on our bow in preparation for ‘beginning our loop’! Since, wherever you cross your wake is when you complete your loop, our wake will be complete when we return to Lake Charlevoix in a year…(or so ~ “won’t be back ’til fall” ?!) Went to bed knowing Monday weather window looked good for a clear departure day! Skies were blue and clear…until we were halfway across the 13 miles of Lake Charlevoix, where we encountered our first obstacle (of many more to come) heavy, thick FOG with less than 15 feet of visibility. Slow and steady – sound the horn – navigation lights are on – stay in the middle. We made it through Charlevoix and entered the infamous “Washing Machine” aka Lake Michigan. Our float plan called for Leland as our first destination but the weather was so cooperative that we decided to go on to Frankfurt, MI. We covered about 80 nautical miles which is more than we will typically average. All in all, a good day on the water!
The remainder of our shakeout voyage consisted of crossing Lake Michigan to Sturgeon Bay, WI then to Manitowoc, followed by Port Washington, and finally our new home port of Southport Marina in Kenosha, WI. We learned a ton: including handling 15mph following seas, surfing 5 foot waves, auto pilot limitations, staying out of the shipping lanes especially during fog, fine tuning our docking skills, learning all navigation systems including Navionics, preparing meals in the galley, 30 & 50 AMP electrical systems, hailing on VHF radio, how to use (and NOT USE!) our ‘marriage saver 2 way radios, strapping down things/clearing all chairs off outside decks in high seas AND keeping toilet lid closed and back fill the hoses to lessen the odor, keep cash on hand to tip the many people who assist along the way….and much more. One of the most anticipated moments was crossing Lake Michigan, which happened in water more than 900 ft. deep, although…. we were fortunate that it was as calm as Lake Geneva on a Wednesday morning.
Loopin' with Mike n Pam 