Thursday, Day 8, we slept in to 8, awaking to a fine WNW wind. With coffee in the thermos from the night before, we ate a quick breakfast, and were under weigh at 9:10 for Leamington. Once we got the sails up, we were on a beam reach, sailing around 6 knots. When we are that close to hull speed of 6.2 knots, the stern wave rises up and we get a little water up through the cockpit drains. It’s a sure sign we are really moving!
After about an hour, the wind piped down a little, and we were making 4 to 5 knots under sunny skies. Another great sail, all the way to Leamington. We were greeted at the dock by marina staff at 11:50. Ken, an organizer of the Great Lakes Cruising Club (“GLCC”) welcomed us, a let us know of the impromptu pizza dinner for early arrivals. We settled in had some lunch, then Joanne, the Admiral, took our stash of Canadian coins and headed for the laundry while I set up our bikes.
Soon, Ken arrived after a 5 hour sail from West Harbor, Catawba Island, in his Catalina 30, happy to have beat his buddy Alansails with Eileen on their Catalina 310. They tied up on either side of us, and we have continued this and many other conversations since then.
We shared pizza and lots of sea stories with the 9 early arrival boats ( of the 18 boats and 43 folks expected.) Then it was off to bed and peaceful sleep.
After about an hour, the wind piped down a little, and we were making 4 to 5 knots under sunny skies. Another great sail, all the way to Leamington. We were greeted at the dock by marina staff at 11:50. Ken, an organizer of the Great Lakes Cruising Club (“GLCC”) welcomed us, a let us know of the impromptu pizza dinner for early arrivals. We settled in had some lunch, then Joanne, the Admiral, took our stash of Canadian coins and headed for the laundry while I set up our bikes.
Soon, Ken arrived after a 5 hour sail from West Harbor, Catawba Island, in his Catalina 30, happy to have beat his buddy Alansails with Eileen on their Catalina 310. They tied up on either side of us, and we have continued this and many other conversations since then.
We shared pizza and lots of sea stories with the 9 early arrival boats ( of the 18 boats and 43 folks expected.) Then it was off to bed and peaceful sleep.