Voyages of S/V Dash: Munising to Marquette

Departed Munising at 0615, well before sunrise, to try and beat a frontal passage due to go through Marquette about 1400-1500. There was a breeze blowing from the SW pushing me against the dock so I was afraid that I would have trouble getting away by myself and there was no one around to help. However, I got a lull in the wind and pushed off and backed out without a problem.

It was cloudy and fog was threatening to the south. I motored out passing Grand Island to starboard and then up to the main lake with a light breeze from the SW. Once I passed Au Train Point the wind picked up and I was making good speed with Main and Genny. I kept the engines at slow idle to keep my speed up since I was on a time line to beat the front.


Munising to Marquette - 09/05 - 34.2 NM

Heavy T-Storms, Wind, & Waves Last 15 NM

Once I passed Laughing Fish Point on a straight course for Marquette at 15 NM I observed on Sirius Weather a large Thunderstorm headed my way. It would not be a direct hit but would give me a glancing blow. I wasn't too worried since I figured after it passed the winds and seas would quiet down. However, that was not to be!

The storm hit with heavy rain and winds to 31 knots. The wind stayed steady afterwards at 18-20 knots right on the bow. The seas built and Dash was slamming into the troughs, jarring the whole boat. It would almost come to a stop and then the backwash of a wave would flow over the engine cowlings so I was afraid the engines would drown out.

I had the main up helping the engines and could have fallen off for better speed and less slamming but I was afraid I would lose too much ground and just pay for it later trying to come upwind from someplace south of Marquette, so I held course.

Finally rounded the light at the Marquette harbor entrance and worked my way up to the marina. I was worn out, the rain was coming down hard, and the wind was still brisk in the harbor so I chose to anchor in a mooring field near by and get some rest and something to eat.

The front finally passed about 1600 but it was a non-event. The skies cleared up, the sun came out, and the wind went calm! Not what you expect with a cold frontal passage in this neck of the woods! So I called the marina and went in and docked, got a shower, and went to "Latitudes" for a nice dinner in the outside seating overlooking the sparkling harbor in the late afternoon sunlight. Very beautiful and an extreme contrast from the tempest to the peacefulness of the harbor, in just a few hours time!

Sorry no pictures of the storm, I was too busy trying to keep the boat moving and stuff from being broken with the jarring impact of the waves. However, I have some nice pics of Marquette in the afterglow. Marquette is one of the nicest towns on Lake Superior. Northern Michigan University is located here and most of the old downtown is still very active with many beautiful old buildings. Enjoy!