Back to Work

Well I got a surprise less then 2 weeks ago. I got a email from an Engineer I use to work with asking if I wanted to come back to work for 6 months doing what I use to do for GM. So it was one of those deals you can not pass up. So I am back paying uncle Sam once again and building the cruising kitty. As usual in the winter we are doing home projects and a few for the boat. One thing that is so nice about meeting people over the internet and in person that they are out there cruising already as we are preping for it,is the ideas they give you.

I have been asking a few about if they have cruising spinnaker. Most have said no because of the storage room they take up. Well a friend of mine suggested one of the space saver bags. So here is a before and after picture. What a difference it makes.

Grand Parents Day

Today was grand parents at my grandson's school. So I was surprised by Jay asking me if I wanted to come to his school on this special day. It was such a good time that I will not forget it for a long time. His teacher had many plans for both the students as well as the grandparents that attended. During the 2 hours I was there I took a tour of the school to see all the neat things he does during his half day there. It is kindergarten so a 1/2 day this year. One of the parts of the tour was to the library where they were having a book sale and yes grandpa had to buy a book that Jay picked out. To my surprise he wanted to get one on octopuses, go figure.

Then off to the computer lab and other parts of the school. Wow how times have changed from when I was in school. After getting back in his room we had a list that had a few projects to make.One was a 24 link chain made out of red and green construction paper which represented how many day until Christmas in December.

Then the other project tested my skills in design and creativity. There was a table set up with Oreo cookies and candy corn, frosting, chocolate chips , and a few other treats. So being that it is Thanksgiving time well lets make a turkey.
Here is what a turkey looks like made out of what we had to work with. Just like any turkey. It had to be ate, thank god. As we sure did not want it for a center piece for the table. We then went and played a word game where you pick a card and using pipe cleaners, you place a letter that is like a dice on to it so it spells the word.

It was a very nice day in all to be able to spend time with Jay at this age as I know he will grow up so fast. To end the day the teacher had each student do a poem and a hand photo of there right hand and present it to the grand parents as away of thanking them for coming. It was a tearful time for Jay and I both as Jay had to go back to his school class and the grandparents had to leave.

Boat less Days

Now that the boat is out of the water, projects have started at home. If it is not projects at the boat it is projects at home. I will admit it is easier now as I have settled into a routine as having the full day to do things does help. Some of the things that are getting done is just from a aging home (21 yrs) Each day I try and do something that is on our list of things to do.

This first part of November has been very mild for us and that does make it hard to work inside. So I try and take advantage of the good weather as we all know how soon it can turn to shit for us. Last night we had the grandson over and had a bonfire with hot dogs and marshmallows and all the fixings. Explored the woods at night looking for deer and all. You know how young boys are. It was in the 50's which made for a perfect night for it. Not everyone has a granddog either. We have joint custody with our daughter and she stays with us a lot once the boat comes out of the water. So last night it was a tough decision as we could not have both. So we traded Jay for the granddog.

Holloween Party

Boo, Yes the time of year that some of us hate but yet others look forward to. It is when the kid in us come out. Now that the boat is all wrapped up it gives us time to focus on other events. It is our first time going to one of our friends Halloween party they have had the last few years. I know I was thinking of raping and pillaging. Yet Jeannie had a different idea. She wanted to show off her very shapely body and hopes for a Vegas gig. Hey no one never knows. The good , bad and the wicked witch of the west teamed up here. One of the events was a pumpkin carving contest in which we had never done. Well other then the ole eyes and nose thing you did growing up as a kid. It was interesting as using the stencils that are in the carving kit and the various sizes of the pumkins. It was rather cool to see what turn out as we had many of laughs. Jeannie and I have to thank Red Green for helping us with our pumpkin. We had never did it with the stencils until tonight as long behold Red pulls out his trusty old duct tape to help us hold the stencil sheet in place. As you can see Richard Simon was showing off his physic and showing us some new exercise moves

End of Season

Well the season for us has officially ended. Yesterday I was up covering the boat with the winter cover and removing things that need to be varnished or changed out. One of the items was our shelf that I had made for us as we found out that lights are needed over the sink and our dray storage compartment.

One of the items we are getting is a new mattress for our v-berth. Something we have put off for years but Jeannie said if we are going to live on the boat we need a better bed. Ah she is right. Dam! Our toilet needs new hose also as it is the old black hose and is over 19 yrs old. As it does smell, yuck!

Now the winter can set in as the waiting and planing has started for next year. There is much to think about as I am one that something on this magnitude I am trying to think way ahead. From friends many couples we have that are out there cruising now are telling us you can plan all you want but it will change once you start cruising.

Trip to Annapolis Boat Show

The trip went fast for one thing. I had Ken meet me at our home and we drove out there Thursday night. Took us 9 1/2 hours which went by not to bad. Had rain going out most of the way but the temp kept climbing so that was a good thing for us at is was in the 40's when we left Michigan. We had a motel in Glen Bernnie MD for Friday and Saturday night. As we arrived around 12:30 am Friday morning. We needed a place to sleep. So after tooling around Annapolis for a bit we had to ask if there was a Denny's around. Yep we found one. So after Ken and I got filled up we went back to an area that we had known in advance that we could sleep in the car, Yes the car. Told Ken this was like my younger years. I told him if anyone knocks, just tell them we are on a all night stake out.

The trip was kind of a 2 part adventure. 1 part was looking for a few pcs of equipment and seeing what it was like out there and scouting around to see where to come to next year. I had never been in that part of the country before and was surprised by it. The town is very laid back and was not to bad to get around by car. But each time we came int the town it seemed like we came in at different points.

The 2nd part of the trip was to meet some friends that I have been chatting with for over a year on SeaKnots. It is a boating web site that has many great people on it that is out there living the dream or wanting to. A couple that left Whitehall a few years back Mike and Kathy we were able to hook up with a couple of times for drinks at the Fleet club. They have been helpful in helping us prepare our self for the same trip they took to get to the east coast.

The other group of people we got to finally meet were the ones from SeaKnots. Some came as far as Texas. One couple lived in North Carolina and one other Lady was working the show and using it as a stop over. She is in route to Cuba via a Irish flagged vessel. Were all sailors and over the year have gotten to know each other well, It was finally nice to be able to put a face with words we see typed.

Things that go Crash in the Night

Last we had a cold front go through which produce winds of 30 to 40 kts. While not at the boat but all snug in our bed at home. I was listening the wind howl and the trees whoshing out in back of our home. We back up to our wood lot here in the country. Well just as a big gust came so did the craaaaaaack and then the big ole thuuuuuud. I thought oh shit one of the big trees out back went down. Sure enough, our biggest right out back went down.

Kind of reminded me when I was lot younger and camping in a tent up in northern Michigan. I had the same thing happen as a tree fell very close to us in the night and we knew it was close, but not until we woke up did we realize that it was right next to our tent. So the grandson came over tonight and he had to go see it as grandma had told him. So looks like we got our firewood for the season and then some all in one tree.

End of the season

This the time of year we start thinking haul out. This year we are striping the boat of many things that we normally leave on. What we are doing is going over everything and making sure we really need it. Each year we always take off whet we do not use trying to trim down items aboard.We always have so much food to take off in the fall.

Changed out the antenna cable that went from the tuner to back stay which use to be a braided flat cable unshielded, well in a plastic cover. But from reading on the net I needed to go to GTO-15. It takes the help of some one to crank me up in the chair so as always Marvin is there to lend a hand. Were still sorting out details of going south as many are starting to ask us many questions. As I have asked of others that are already gone south. We all learn from each other.

Getting Caught Up

Ah it has been a while since a post. Life goes by so fast it seems like at times. Jeannie and I had a wonderful vacation after the guys departed our boat. We left Charlovix that same afternoon en route to Beaver Island. A place I wanted Jeannie to see, It is just a laid back place. Something we like. We spent a few days there and then onto Garden Island for a night which is a place out in no where's land.

After that we then started working back down the coast back to our marina 9 days later. Weather was not the best but cool for that time of year. Here at home our roof is in dire need of replacement and that has been my project lately. I am finding out how out of shape I am as I have woke up sore many a mornings. I am half way done as all is coming off and new going back on.

September here is when our marina hands out our winter contracts and the contract for next summer. A few around the marina know we are taking off next summer and this made it that much closer. When we gave them the deposit for our winter storage I had to let them know our plans for next year. At this point we have to give up our slip for next year and go on a month to month basis. It is exciting but scary. Knowing it is one step closer to leaving. We have had a few asking us if we are really leaving. We say yes with a smile. We tell them it is 98 % a done deal but we all know how life is and what it can toss at us.

I am planing on going out to the Annapolis boat show in October to talk to a few vendors and see what is out there. But leaving the credit card at home. Also hope to meet a few people that I have met over the net and finally see them face to face.

Guys Trip Reunion

July 30th 2009


11 years ago when we got our first boat which was a 1987 Catalina 30 a good friend of mine had invited our boat along on what is known as a guy trip . All that was required is that I had to get a crew gathered up as we sailed to different ports for a week on Lake Michigan.

Since that 11 years has past many things have changed in different lives. So this year a reunion trip was in the planning in the late winter months. Bill use to have a Catalina 34 and was the other boat we use to sail with so what was planned was we would use his past crew.

We started out on Thursday the 30th of July as Greg and Dick arrived at the boat we readied it with provision and filled up with water. We left Whitehall @ 11:50am headed for Pentwater, Mi. Weather was overcast / 11kts wind /out of s/w. Rained on and off. Total distance was 36.9 N/m’s Moving average was 5 kts

Friday the 31st we left our anchorage @ 8:10am as we headed out for Manistee Mi. We sailed for a few hours then motored sailed as the winds were to light to make good time. We arrived at Manistee city Marina @ 4 Pm. The weather was forecasted to have storms later that night and the next day which caused us to layover a day in Manistee. Total distance was 38 N/m. Moving avg was 4.8 kts




Sunday the 2nd of August we left @ 6:45am headed to Arcida Mi. in which we picked up Bill. This now was our total crew of 4. We finally was able to sail most of the way without using the diesel. It is not often as it seems in Lake Michigan when you have a destination to go that the wind is in the right direction or you have enough wind. We arrived in Arcida @ 10:00am and dropped anchor. We then ferried gear and more supplies via dingy along with Bill. Total distance was 16.8 N/m. Moving average was 5.1kts Waves 2 to 4 feet with a west wind.

Monday the 3rd we left @ 10:50am after a front went through that night and winds shifted to the s/w which would push us up to South Manitou Island. When we left winds were 15 kts with waves 3 to 4 feet. Further north we got the winds increased as well as the waves which were 5 to 8 feet as we ran wing and wing most of the way to South Manitou Island. The top wind speed we had seen was 26 kts out of the s/w. Our top speed was 10.2 kts It was a fantastic sail in which was a good day to cover ground.


We arrived at South Manitou @ 4:27 pm and anchored for the night. After we had diner we took a dingy ride to shore to do a little exploring of the island and viewing of the Light House. Finally back to the boat we were treated to a fantastic night with a full moon and a nice evening all round. Total distance was 35.7 N/m’s Moving average 6.4 kts Waves 5 to 8 feet with a s/w wind.



Tuesday the 4th we left @ 6:50am leaving South Manitou Island. As we no more got under way we had a light rain for about 1 hour as we continued sailing for about an hour longer. When we got out of the lea of the island the winds changed and was out of the n/w 15 to 20 kts as we had to motor the rest of the way to Beaver Island St James Bay. Arriving in St James Bay we only had 5 other boats anchored for the night with us.
Everyone in the crew is so easy to get along with that it has been very easy to cook and feed. After dinner the captain allowed shore leave for all those going a shore. The stop was non less then the Shamrock bar. Which the crew was entertained by the island people.
Total trip was 57.6 miles. Total time was 11:34 hours. Moving average was 5.0 kts.

Wednesday the 5th we awoke to a sunny and not yet a summer like day. Cool but yet nice. We decided to head for Lake Charlevoix and spend the last day and evening sailing the lake. We had west winds so we sailed most of the way there. The ferry from Beaver Island Emerald Isle passed us a few times during the day as it is a 26 mile trip over to the island for the main land of Michigan.



To have some fun a couple of us dressed up as pirates as we approached the channel coming into Lake Charlevoix. It was a big hit by many as we got many thumbs up and the cameras were flashing. Of course we had the jolly rodger flying also. Lake Charlevoix is one that is 13 miles long and looks like it is the home of the rich and famous. Many beautiful homes and other places as we all wondered what some are because of being so huge.


With the new GPS installed it has so many settings and buttons that it is very intriguing to see what they all do. So the crew loved it and figured out what the heck lets push all the buttons and change the settings. Well I believe now it was in there plan to test me. Well slowly the nav system was not functioning as it use to but hey they came to sail so that they did.


We sailed for the day within the lake and finally spent the night in Hortons bay. As it seems every time you anchor if you look around you will see something that you will remember always. Ours was watching a lady getting into a canoe in about knee deep water. Well you guessed it. Once she stepped in over she went. Totally wet, but she did not give up and succeeded to get back in as she paddled about 100 yrds to get firewood that was in a waiting suv. Once loaded with a few stacks of firewood and 1 dog. Her friend got back in and drove the suv someplace by there camp as she showed up to help unload the wood. We just sat there trying to figure out why they did what they did. Oh Well!




After dinner we all swam and cleaned up as finally the water was 69 degrees. The warmest we have seen so far. Then it was time for lies and memories over many drinks. Total trip miles:40.5 n/m Moving avg 4.2 kts total time 9:35hrs. Mtr hrs 1137.75

Thursday awoke to a still and a touch of morning mist. Had one other boat coming and anchor by us during the night. For breakfast we all got into the dingy and went ashore and walked to the Horton’s Bay general store which as a lot of history as Hemmingway use to live in the area and this was a poplar place for him. It was like taking a step back in time when you walked in. Naturally we got some fine cinnamon rolls and other pastries to take back for breakfast

We were on a waiting list for a slip at Charlevoix City Marina as it is usually a place many stop over for a few days. So it is always full. Lake Charlevoix has a couple of arms of the lake that separate the main lake so we went down the south arm to have a look at all the homes.

Some have been there many years and some are just being built. But many for sale also. Getting down into the south arm one has to go past the Ironton ferry. This is a cable ferry and was told it makes the most runs in the country. It departs about every ten minutes or what ever it takes to unload and load 4 vehicles.



For lunch we had to stop at the Landings which is right next to the Ironton ferry dock. I can see that it would be a busy place during the weekend. Food was great and even the wait staff was great, It is always fun to meet new people and hear their stories as we all have them. Later that day we arrived back at Charlevoix City marina for our slip as it is a crap shoot if you get one. One never knows how long you will be on the waiting list.
Total trip was 19.8 n/m Avg spd 4.3 kts Moving time 4:34 hrs. Mtr hrs 1184.40

To summarize it all for the whole trip with guys that I have not seen in quite a while. It was a very good trip, one that will be remembered for years to come. But one thing I will never do again is to say “ Go ahead and play with the instruments you can not hurt them” It was like having a 55 plus year old kid on board. Lol.

Just a good weekend

Finally after 7 years we had to put new batteries in Mutual Fun. We had trojan t-105's but went with t -125's as they are the same foot print but more amps. Well close. After a little sawing and grinding with the dremil and many on lookers, they were in and ready to go. After doing a hydrometer check a few weeks back on the old batteries. It was discoverd a few cells were bad as now having an inverter it is critical to have good batteries.

The weather is finally starting to be more like summer but is still on the cool side for this time of year. But we will take it still. Saturday was a nice day with winds out of the NW 10 knts so it made for a nice day. Jeannie and I went out sailing after I went to Muskegon to look at a little electrical job on a boat. Gota support the cruising kitty somehow so I need to start now.

We had a few boats from the marina that was planing on anchoring out last weekend so we took of and sailed Lake Michigan for 7 miles up the coast then back to Indian bay in White Lake to anchor for the night. One of the things we did Friday night is that a lot on the dock had never seen the space station go over. So it was a good clear night Friday night and at 10:45 pm here it came. Many were very impressed as we got a 5 min viewing.

Once we got anchored and relaxed some. It was time to cook dinner. So I thought it would be a good time to try the inveter with our small microwave, as that is our biggest load we have onboard. Turned the inverter on and then the microwave and dam it, the alarm on the invert went off for low battery power. Now I was pissed and had to think what the h-ll. Now I was truley scratching me head and after shelling out over 700 buck for batteries and Jeannie would be asking I know what was going on. Afer resetting the invert a few times then it dawned on me tha the hot water heater was on. Click it goes off and then back to retrying the microwave, ahh yes no alam. Life is now good.

The July 4th Weekend

We decided to get out of the marina this past weekend and headed to the next port which is 32 miles to the north. One would think that being the 4th of July that it would be warm and sunny. Na, we had a Canadian low pressure system parked over us for a week that brought in cooler weather and clouds with rain. We left Whitehall @ 6 am Friday morning and motored the full distance to Pentwater for the fire works that night.

We went up with 2 other boats as we all had on warm clothes and some were even wrapped up in sleeping bags just to stay warm. We had fog most of the way as the water had turned over and was 45 to 50 degrees making for a foggy motor. While entering the channel into Pentwater which is not that big, we were already behind one of the sailboats that were in our group and long behold here comes mister ash@*%@ on half plane needing to get in between us for some ungodly reason. Well if one has ever been in a sailboat and to have a huge power boat come by you on half plane. Hang on! Well it did piss me off so as I closed in on his stern with my anchor about almost in his rear, I think he got the idea what he had done. I sure hope so.







Our youngest daughter and her hubby joined us for the day as we went into town and ate and walked around then dingyed back out to the boat for the fireworks that evening. They were not the best but better then nothing as it is nice to have them to view. One of the 2 boats that went up with us Friday asked if we wanted to have Breakfeast Saturday morning with them on there boat so we agreed. We cooked the saussage links and brought the OJ. Well dumy me I wanted to get the dink ready to go over so I untied it and was going to get in it, as I was doing that I kicked it and yep, away it goes by it's self drifting off. So I had no way to get it but swim. Ah it was refreshing but we managed.

Going back to Whitehall was pretty much the same but we had rain for about a hour as i was still cold and no wind. But you could see that the finally the weather pattern was starting to change as a high was starting to arrive which we knew was going to bring warmer weather in the coming week ahead.

Pelican's in Michigan

Bet you never figured you would see this. Over the last few years we have heard others say they have seen them off and on in different ports in northern Michigan. Friends of ours Pat and Craig finally proved it to us. They were in Frankfort Mi. that last few days due to a low pressure system setting over Michigan which kept many in ports.


It is an American White Pelican and we have read up on them and the do now and then get this far north.




Being home and not at the boat this week was interesting as a Ken which was anchored at South manitou Island had no internet connection but cell phone. To show what technology has done I was his weather man for a few days having access to the net and able to tell him daily what was coming his way.


South Manitou is a stop over for many that are going north and wishing to anchor as it is only a hiking and camping island is owned by the park service. In the cressent shore line in the photo one can almost go right up to shore and anchor but if the wind is out of the east is is wide open.

Grandson Weekend

Ah yes, trying to make him into a future sailor. Being almost 5 now he is so much more fun to have around the boat as he is always wanting to help in what ever we do. Saturday morning was wash day for the boat and as usually he wanted to hose. He almost got our neighbor Bob wet as he got a little carried away in seeing how far the water could squirt. Friday we had to go up the White River in a dingy trip as he got to help run the motor and steer. Glad no one was in the way as there was no such thing as going in a straight line with Jay driving. We had a full day of swimming as he is now finding out that his new life jacket will hold him a float.

Saturday we ended up going out to Lake Michigan and anchoring and swimming. Water was 65 degrees , a bit on the chilly side. But we managed for a while then returned back to White Lake and anchored where it was 78 in the water. Both Jay and grandpa were tired after hours in the water.









Later that night there was a going away party for some friends Dean & Katie that use to have a boat on our dock as they are moving to follow Deans job. They will be surely missed on the dock by all. Sunday was a busy day as well as more swimming and dinging around White Lake as the winds were around 25 kts most of the day.
Sunday was also a day Grandma took him up to a local shopping place that everyone loves. He hit the jackpot with her as he came back with new toys and a new sweat shirt.

New shelf

We finally got the hardware made from a friend of ours that does stainless work who we had do it for the shelf. I am not so sure that it might be to high as Jeannie will need to see it yet. I do know it will help with storage and it is very solid as it will be something we all hang onto if weather is ruff.

The weather here in Whitehall has been very hot and humid 96 yesterday and 90 % humidity. Makes for a bad night of sleeping if no a/c. Hey but real sailors don't have a/c or do they? Carp are spawning also as they were thumping the boat all night and you can hear them splashing all over the place.
Next project will be wiring up the SSB as all the hardware is in but needs finished wiring.

More Power

As one knows that being on the hook will require more power. Hopefully we have done our home work as adding the Kiss wind generator and 3 - 80 watt solar panels that it will keep our batteries topped up with out to much of running the diesel. I was hoping to get the systems all installed this summer as it will give me a full summer to get things tweaked as I know they will need it.

One of the things that help the most is understanding how everything works on board and how to repair or trouble shoot the system if they develop trouble. It is not if but when as we all know over time it will happen. Right now I am spoiled by being in fresh water. Once into the salt air and water, things will change for sure.

Making Changes to MutualFun

Over the winter plans were made to make a few upgrades to MutualFun. Over a year ago we acquired a few pieces of corian from friends Jim and Jane. We took the pieces and redid our galley in given it a new look that we both love now. As you will see the work that was required to do the project was intense and interesting. Also we decided we needed a freezer space as well and incorporated a regular freezer now along with a frig side.

We use to just have a regular frig with a tiny space for a few frozen items that would have to be eaten soon within a week as it would never really freeze well enough. Now we store so much more and are glad we made the choice to do it.

Being on a boat one has to make do with what is around them and what they can find. Here is one picture you will see that weight was needed to hold down the galley sink while silicone dried over night. As well in a different picture, storage and space is hard to come bay as when working in a boat things get shoved from one place to the other or where ever you can put them. I was just glad we were not living on it yet.

We are almost done as the last picture shows the galley before our over the sink shelf will be installed. It looks so much better and cleaner.

Lake Mich in the winter

Here are a few pictures of what Lake Michigan looks like in the winter