Leg 16 - Put In Bay to Lorain (Day 23)

0330-Got up to T-storm and rain coming through the hatches. Closed them all, not too much got wet but it definitely interrupted the nights sleep. Hard to sleep because of the heat and a drum beat ashore.

0430-Alarm went off. Went through routine. No more news on email, still not sure where I'm going? Raining, muggy, wind gusting, generally nasty! Does not bode well for docking...I need calm.

0615-Off the mooring, rolled out the Genoa only but did rig the main halyard just in case. However, with the wind clocking southwest to the north it will go across the stern and the main will block the Genoa. Based on wind strength and direction I stuck with just the Genoa.

0730-Batteries were way down so I'm idling the engines and running the generator to regain the batteries voltage.

Making 6.0 kts. w/Genoa and power at 2800 RPM. Wind up to 20 kts. seas ok so far, but will build. 

0800-Speed to 6.6 kts. SOG Genoa and engines at 2000 RPM.

0845-Wind still SW 15-20 kts., seas now building to 3 ft., side roll from time to time. 5.6 kts SOG at 2400 RPM. ETA noon. OAT 74F, cabin 78F. 

0900-Small vessel on AIS will pass within a mile. Nope, I was wrong it is a cargo vessel "Manitowoc".  

SMALL VESSEL TURNED OUT TO BE A SHIP

1015-Tried to call Beaver Park North on VHF, cell coverage is not good so I can't call. Winds to 26 kts., will prove challenging for the entrance to Beaver Park. Would not be good with north winds and seas, especially with marginal depth. Lakeside Marina in Lorain will be better.

1130-Arrived Lakeside Marina in Lorain and asked for NW facing port side tie due to no reverse on the right engine and high winds. Wouldn't you know the dock master gave me the opposite which meant working the boat up against the wind which would not work. Had to haggle back and forth with a less than helpful dock master. Eventually, she gave me a starboard tie which was at least downwind but still not good since it was a right turn in which was is my weak direction without reverse on the right engine. It was not easy or pretty but I managed to crab it in some what side wise and the wind along with a stern spring line brought the boat to the dock with no incident. Help was crucial.

1200-Finally settled in the slip. Huge marina! Turns out the dock master is in an office no where near the docks and had no clue what the wind was doing. She did not seem to like what she was doing.  

1230-Had lunch at marina restaurant and called Bob at the other marina to let him know I was in.  Mike and Josh (mechs.) came to look at the engines and give me a ride over to look at their facility and where I would tie up.  

The hoist well was too narrow and would not work but there was a wall along the channel where boats come in for pump out that would work. Maneuvering space was limited, glad I did come in on today!  

Although it is called a marina it is more of a fisherman's boat yard, most of the boats are smaller boats. They have a large dry storage warehouse with hundreds of boats on racks they just put in the water on demand.

1600-Finally got back to the Lakeside Marina and the guys made some more measurements and finally took off. Topped up the fuel tanks, cleaned and changed water filter. I'm bushed!

1830-Finished spaghetti dinner, with hot roll, red wine, and some chocolates for desert. May read and hit the sack early since there is no internet.

LARGE MARINA 400-500 BOATS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TRAFFIC TO KEEP THE GULLS FROM ROOSTING! 

Specs: Trip 32.13 NM, WT 79.8F, Log 7433.8, Max speed 8.17 kts., Max wind 26.1 kts.