Author Topic:   Bad Day at the Lake (Wordy) Tom D CL16 Member posted July 26, 2003 03:28 PM             This has not been my summer for sailing!I tried again yesterday to go to the local lake. A 450 acre pond with several shallow areas. A good stiff breeze of 15 to 20 MPH was perdicted coming from the SW. I rigged the boat and was almost ready to head for the ramp. There were 2 guys rigging a wooded boat. I had to go over and check them and it out. It was a Raven that one of them restored. We talked for a while and they were ready to launch. They were at the ramp a long time so I took my tool box to the ramp thinking maybe I had some parts they may need. Opps the boat had a lot of water in it. A major leak near the centerboard trunk and they were pulling the boat out of the water. We discussed some options to repair the boat and I gave them one of my bottomless milk jugs for a bailer. Back to my boat. Backed down the ramp unhooked KatieAnn and tied her to the dock. Parked the truck and trailer and walked to the dock. I turned the boat around heading to sea. A very good steady wind was blowing and I became somewhat excited about a great afternoon for sailing. I knew the lake level was low. Because the wind was blowing directly at the short dock I felt it safest to motor out to deeper water. This would not work. The ramp depth was so shallow that I could not lower the motor. The centerboard would not lower and of course the rudder would be even more useless. The problem was how to get KatieAnn away from the dock so I could sail. After much playing and bottom scrapping with all parts including the hull small keel. I sad &*^*(&^it I can't get this boat off the dock with the shallow water and wind direction. I sat on the dock musing my misfortune and helped several fishermen land there boats, even the small aluminum boats had problems docking because of the shallow water. I talked with a nice lady about my age in a kayak. Maybe I should get a kayak and give up sailing. The lake here is deep enough for a kayak. It also reminded me of the summer at Lake Michigan near Pentwater. While sailing half asleep heading back to the channel I heard a soft voice. Looking aroung a mature lady was passing me in her kayak on Lake Michigan. Yesterday may have been an omen. I hope not. But I have decided to give up on my local lake and now I must travel to larger water at least deeper. My son has a few vacation days he must use before Sept. WE WILL OVERCOME. Gull Lake 3000 acres and Deep is only 1 1/2 hours away and we are planning a trip there. I will rig the spinnaker et al. Hopefully before I go south I will have a good sailing story for you all. Good luck and great sailing to all. Tom D.

Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45b