Leg 10-Presque Isle to Harrisville, MI (Day 16)

0430-Got up to alarm, I was already awake thinking through my departure from the dock in the gusty winds.  

Made coffee, read, then made breakfast.  Granola, toast w/PB, and OJ. Prepared to leave, stowed power cord and hose.

0600-Got away with no problems, no one up and around that I saw. There was a little lull in the wind that allowed me to hold the boat while I untied and pushed off.

0630-Almost immediately out of the harbor I had ships on AIS. One, as it turned out was anchored in my track off Stoneport.  The other was in Stoneport unloading, or loading?

SHIP AT ANCHOR IN MY PATH

YOU CAN SEE THE ANCHOR CHAIN

THIS IS ACTUALLY A TUG PUSHING A BARGE

0700-Another ship further offshore, upbound.

UPBOUND SHIP

0730-I hope my fuel holds out with all the rain yesterday I never got around to filling the main tanks.  Middle Island Light coming up.

MIDDLE ISLAND LIGHT

LIGHT KEEPERS QUARTERS

THE LIGHT

0750-Washed dishes, turned off furnace, trip so far 10 NM.

0845-Trip 14 NM, OAT 62F, Cabin 71F, Seas 2-3', WT 61.3F.

CABIN LOOKING FORWARD FROM MY CHAIR

UNDERWAY I USE THE CHAIR ON THE RIGHT SO I CAN SEE FORWARD BETTER

NOT USING THE PC TODAY, AIS AT THE HELM IS SUFFICIENT, BUT IN BUSY AREAS I HAVE THE PC RUNNING AIS OVERLAYED ON THE PC CHART SO I CAN VIEW IT BOTH INSIDE AND AT THE HELM.

1100-Put up main, a little wind aft of the beam does help.  6.2 kts.  Getting hungry, may make lunch early.

THUNDER BAY ISLAND LIGHT

1145-Made grilled cheese, chips & beer for lunch.  Wine & chocolates for desert. Washed dishes.  SOG 6.7 kts.  Power at idle, under full sail.  Listening to audio book "King & Maxwell" by David Baldacci.

STURGEON POINT LIGHT-JUST NORTH OF HARRISVILLE

1445-Docked, tried once but it was upwind and no go.  Had to switch fenders to starboard and try again.  Went much better except for the dock master who wanted to be captain and was waving his arms demonstratively to get closer to the dock and otherwise seemed agitated. I yelled out to just let the wind do its thing, it will drift right to the dock, which it did.  Maybe he is used to power boats who tend to force their way around instead of using finesse? 

APROACHING THE MARINA FROM DOWNTOWN

HARRISVILLE HARBOR

It will be a quick overnight and then on to Harbor Beach tomorrow.  The city has a band playing in the harbor area tonight, may go listen for awhile after dinner.

A FITTING END TO THE DAY!

Stats: Trip 42.96 NM, WT 63.1F, Log 7207.4, Max wind 21.5 knots, Max speed 7.63 knots.