Destination:
New Buffalo, MI – 4th leg
Guests Onboard:
Kyle & Kara
Departure
Port:
Ludington Municipal Marina
Date/Time:
08/21/23 @ 6:25 AM ET
Arrival
Port:
Grand Haven Municipal Marina
Date/Time:
08/21/23 @ 3:55 PM ET
Length:
61.6 nm
Duration:
9:30 (engine = 9.7 hours)
Weather Conditions:
Cloudy morning and very calm in the harbor, similar in the lake
Temperature
69 but felt warmer than expected
Wind (speed + Direction)
4 – 7 knots N, picked up to 11 – 16 knts and died to 1-7 knts
Wave Height
1 – 1.5’; picked up near harbor entrance
Notable Places, Experiences & Events
Kyle was so nervous about leaving the dock at Ludington that he didn’t sleep well, and visualized how to leave for 2 days. He wanted to redeem himself from the Muskegon exit. Fortunately, the winds did calm down, and we were able to leave the dock with no problems.
SV Zeke E Boy turned exactly the way we wanted, and Kara didn’t need to push off the dock or the posts. The bowline did fall overboard and got stuck on a sail block and ripped, which was unfortunate because it was one of the new lines. 🙁
We were a bit nervous about the engine and praying that it would work the whole way. Kyle kept hearing phantom sounds but she kept chugging along with no problems. We had a very calm morning leaving the dock, and the winds from the north didn’t have big waves.
Just before we were past Little Sable Point lighthouse, the winds did pick up to 10 – 14 knots, but died down after we got around it to 1 – 7 knots.
Just before we got to Grand Haven, the winds picked up again to 11 – 16 knots, and there were bigger waves too. Entering Grand Haven harbor was beautiful, but also a washing machine sloshing back and forth.
The entrance is very large even though there was a lot of boat traffic going out for afternoon / sunset cruises. Kyle was able to dock us with no problems, and one of the dock hands helped catch the bowline to assist. We even impressed our neighbor docking without issues.
We tied up the boat, and went out for dinner to The Kirby House. We broke our rule and had 1 beer to celebrate the journey home.
Kyle and I walked the South pier to the end of the dock and came back for a quick nap before watching the Grand Haven Musical Fountain show. Weather permitting we’ll be home tomorrow night in our own bed!
