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Traverse Bay Coming Home Sunday

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Author	Topic: Traverse Bay Coming Home Sunday
Tom D CL16 Member	posted October 15, 2002 04:27 PM More sailling drivel from Tom about his cruise on Grand Traverse Bay. Saturday night I slept very well. As all of us mature people I woke up a few times for relief, I used the head. The wind was howling/whistling through the rigging. I was thinking what a storm. We were secured deep in the marina and near breakwall so there was minimal wave action. In the dawn wake up I went to the onshore facilities. The weather did not look good. A hard wind and very gusty with drizzle and an occasional snow flurry. DAMN I don't want to sail in this. We turned on the weather report and NOAH was predicting bad stuff. Winds from the north at the mid 20 knots. Northern Lake Michigan and Traverse Bay 4 - 6 foot waves with expected gusts much higher. The lower bay to have only 3 - 5 foot waves. Traverse City weather expected to much milder. We went to breakfast, only one place open. The food and service was good and very homey. A local place in the off season. OK we had to return the boat and Grant had to work Monday. We would motor until the weather cleared farther south. We motored out and passed Gull Island it appeared that the weather might be clearing in the south. As we motored south with the big waves pushing us along the sky began to clear. NOPE not my luck. As we continues south the wind picked up and was coming from the west. We continued hoping the wind would die down. Well it didn't happen the wind increased and coming from the west. Now I have minimal experience on a big boat and I get off the water with any wind that with that much power. Gusts were now getting up in the 32 knot area directly broadside. Well at least the sun was shining. We rocked and rolled for 3 more hours and arriving and red #8 headed directly into the wind for the marina. Entering the wind was blocked by the hills on shore so it was a gentle sunny docking. I had a great time and would do this again hopefully earlier in the season. The boat was very stable and well equiped. The boat was a Dufour GibSea 33 2002 model. All controls from the cockpit and very user friendly. At the morning start I was worried if this may be my last sail or even my last. But as the cruise continued through the rough sea I became very comfortable with the boats ability to ease on home. As we were approaching red #3 I began to feel sorrow that the trip was almost over. Oh well another year is coming and maybe I will cruise again. Hey wait I have several friends in Florida that have Keel boats and they race and cruise a lot. Now with some current experience I can say yes. Good sailing and on with my modifications to KatieAnn. Thanks for listening or reading my drivel but I enjoy talking about sailing. Tom D
Celtic Kiss unregistered	posted October 15, 2002 04:57 PM Tom; Good story. I'm glad to hear that you had a good time. I have one observation though. Those big boats are designed for the rough weather. More often than not a storm is usually a test for the skipper and crew rather than a well maintained boat. Two years ago I was crossing Chedabucto Bay in an Alberg 37 in 56 knots winds (just short of a hurricane)and the boat handled like a dream. In fact it was some of the best sailing I can remember. I hope you get some rides in Florida !!! Robert Celtic Kiss #2120
Tom D CL16 Member	posted October 16, 2002 02:05 PM Robert I agree about big boat design. I am just a dinghy sailor and that much wind would have had me in the drink or on the oposite shore. As I got used to the boat the ride was not bad. A smooth ride would not make a good story. Neither of us has a lot of experience with wind and big boats. Tom D
Celtic Kiss unregistered	posted October 16, 2002 04:11 PM Tom; " The big boats get the glory, but the small boats make the sailor" Robert

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