Voyages of S/V Dash: End of Season 2012

Departed Marquette in the the dark at 0515 got about 10 NM before the sun came up. The winds were blowing so I was able to carry both the main and genny using some power to keep speeds up. Up to a max of 8.5 knots. I had at least 60 NM to go and did not want to tarry.

Marquette to Houghton - 1st Part Of Leg - 09/10 - 72 NM

Wind was just forward of the beam most of the way and then continued to move more forward as I approached the last leg to the south entrance of the Keweenaw Waterway. Wind and waves moved unto the bow so it was slower going. Still, I arrived at the entrance by 1530 so decided to continue up to Houghton rather than anchor. Arrived Houghton Pier and tied up at 1745. Great time for the nearly 72 NM in 12.5 hours!

Marquette to Houghton - 2nd Part Of Leg - 09/10 - 72 NM

Turtle Bay, Part Of Huron National Forest

Huron Mountains

Huron Island Lighthouse

Perched On Top Of The Rock!

South Entrance Lighthouse - Now Privately Owned

South Entrance Breakwall Light - Keweenaw Waterway

Interesting Private Home On The Waterway

Ideal Waterway Home - Boat Parked In Boat House

A Wilder Area Of The Waterway

Primary Isle Royale Park Passenger Vessel
Ranger IV

Dash At Public Pier - Houghton, MI

Showered on the boat and went up for a quick dinner at the Ambassador. Next day, breakfast at Suomi (Finnish) Restaurant, always great blueberry pancakes!

Pier Facilities

Ranger Upbound For Isle Royale National Park
This Is One Of The Heaviest Lift Bridges In The World

Rested on Tuesday the 11th. Then waited...waited...and waited for weather until finally on the 14th the there seemed to be favorable conditions but it looked like I would have to leave late in the day and do the passage at night because the weather window would close quickly.

I planned to anchor for a few hours at the Upper Entrance and leave late in the day, but on approach the winds seemed to have shifted more NNE and the waves did not look too bad. I stuck my bow out of the entrance and decided it was good enough to continue.

There was a lot of rock and roll but the winds gave me a good reach I could live with and I made good time. Speeds to 8 knots at times. I kept power on to ensure arrival before dark. I was at the dock by 1800 with time to spare. The end of the trip has not quite registered yet.

Last Leg Of Trip - Houghton to Ontonagon - 09/14 - 45.8 NM

Ontonagon Lighthouse - Dash's Winter Port

Docks Ontonagon Marina

Lifted the boat out today, the 15th, and started packing. Will drive home tomorrow, the 16th. Total distance for the summer trip was 1299 NM and the log turned over 6000 NM since "Dash" was built. I departed Ontonagon June 1 and returned September 14th for a total of 106 days onboard the boat without a break ashore.