Sailing season surprise on Lake Superior.

[John Danicic]

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Larry DeMers's DeLaMer CD 30 got caught at the dock in the first of the season snow fall on the big lake.

Looks like the season is over.
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Mariah was hauled the day before but her cover was not in place. I found that a dust pan works as a very good snow shovel on a boat. It gives a sailor a better appreciation of one facet of what rounding the Horn could be like.

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Sail on

John Danicic
CD36 - Mariah - #124
Lake Superior - The Apostle Islands
CDSOA # 655

[mike ritenour]

Thankfully LaVida is under cover and inside this wonderful marina called Schooner Bay.

What an awesome place, every CD'er needs to place the Apostle Islands on your must sail too list.

John, I can only imagine Al's skill in pulling those boats in the snow.

Did Paul pull the same day?

sea u,
Rit

[John Danicic]

Mike:
Paul's boat came out Thursday while I was having a last mainsail ripping, upwind romp from Julian Bay in 20 to 45 kt winds. Cold it was and I happily let the auto helm stand the watch while huddling under the dodger. It is always fun to do 7 to 8 knots under reefed main and staysail alone and thank the stars, (and Carl Alberg) for the self tending staysail. Yes, I did really rip the main sail, always a satisfying occurrence when it happens on the last sail of the season. The seams will need re-stitching but I have the winter to do it.

I am glad that I got the systems winterized as the temps on Friday night dropped into the mid 20's. The hose to another on-the-hard boat, (Bob's) froze.

Gales and Nor Easters have replace the relatively balmy September. More are forecast for this week through the weekend. I am sure that Mariah will be covered in leaves when next I see her.

I patted LaVida's bottom for you. She was safe inside.

Sail on

John Danicic
CD36 - Mariah - #124
Lake Superior - The Apostle Islands
CDSOA # 655

[Larry DeMers]

John and Mike,

We didn't come up to the marina this past week, due to us trying to finish up with residing and painting our home before it was too cold to paint. We started in mid- Sept. but ran out of nice weather at the end.

We did get out to Stockton Isl. as you did, but a week or so ago, and in Presque Isle.
Weathered up to 45k gales from NW, and snuck home in a 25 kt "lull". We used reefed main and reefed staysail, and had a lot of fun with 7 ft' seas and rollers from the NE that we could surf when they coincided. DeLaMer was great in these winds. Predictable good behavior seems a trade mark of Carl Alberg projects. They all seem to ride well, and take heavier conditions in stride.

So then, we decided to stay home this week and clean up the millions of small things that need doing yet..and missed the boat with that snow, although we had a similar amount here at home (we are in the extreme limit of the lake effect snow fall at about 100 miles). Too dang blasted early!

Heh, shovel on.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
CD30 Sailing Lake Superior

[GB]

I'm still in at La Pointe. You know that it is rough when a 1,000 footer is sheltered off Madeline. Did just move off my mooring in front of the town. Now tucked in nicely in the marina (shore power is nice this time of the year). Take out at the end of October. Hopefully warmer this week.[/img]

[GB]

My boat should be pulled today, if the boys at La Pointe need something to do. I sailed Saturday and Sunday, for the last sails of the season. I surprised I could keep in this long. Saturday afternoon sailed in some pretty good waves close together. Had the bow under water to almost the mast, a first for me. That was interesting. Yesterday morning, sunny 40"s and decent wind. Good last sail. I still have a lot to learn about this Lake and sailing on her, but it is great.

Greg

[John Danicic]

Greg:

Good for you! November has been the complete opposite, weather wise, of October but in any event, congratulations on a successful and long season. Put-in is now all that much closer.

Sail on

John Danicic
CD36 - Mariah - #124
Lake Superior - The Apostle Islands
CDSOA # 655

[GB]

I see that you are at Al Holzers, Schooner Bay. I have meet him a few times. I like him. I'm starting the construction of a wooden sailboat and will buy my rebuilt engine from him (probably this winter). I was going to use his marina, but now stay on a mooring in front of the Island and then then cheap slip rent after the main season when the weather is more unpredictable on the mooring. I watched Al dredging a couple of years ago and he damn near put the crane in the water a couple of times, crazy! Just checked the weather, a couple more days of sunny and high 40"s. Should have stayed (except I'm sure I would have been forcefully pulled any how).

Greg