Voyages of S/V Dash: St. Ignace to Soo

The kids left early Monday morning and I departed within minutes for Detour Entrance. The winds were generally calm in the morning but I got good sailing toward the end as I approached Detour Reef Light.

Turning north I was able to hold the main sail for awhile but eventually it was directly on the bow at 15 knots with gusts to 22 knots. My progress closed to a crawl of 3.5 knots for the last five miles or so.

Anchored SE of Lime Island in the St. Mary's River for the night. Poor protection from the north winds so I had some rock in roll in the evening. Holding was good.

St. Ignace to Detour to Lime Island - 08/27 - 43.3 NM

Approaching Martin Reef Light - About Midway to Detour

Detour Reef Light - South Entrance, St. Mary's River

Heading Upwind Inside Detour Reef Light

St. Mary's River - Red Outbound/Green Inbound Satellite Tracks

Anchored Lime Island - Red Outbound/Maroon Inbound

Departed at first light and headed up river to the Soo. A tug pushing a barge passed immediately as I was pulling out behind Lime Island. Met two other ships, but none passed me. One ship mid-morning, the other on arrival in the Soo.

Tug Pushing Barge Down Bound Near Lime Island

1000 Footer Down bound - Intimidating!

Prop Wash

The Largest Ships On The Great Lakes

Ship Makes The Terrain Look Small

Technician Servicing Light

Large Turning Marker

St. Mary's River Leg - 08/28 - 33.9 NM

Gull Resting On Buoy

Though A River, It Has Wide Areas More Like Lakes

Front Range Next To Church

The Channel Is Very Narrow In Places With Rocks Just Outside

Osprey On Nest Built On Marker

Very long day with current and winds to 15 or 16 knots on the bow. Forward progress with the wind and current dropped to 3.5 knots at time. I was very glad to arrive in late afternoon at the Soo. Docking was routine.