Great Loop Re-Runs

Linda and I have taken off again, headed for the Florida Keys to spend the winter on Q's End. I am using my old broadcast lists from our first Great Loop trip and by popular demand, will be starting up the blog once again. We are taking the same route as before. I will try not to repeat all the same things but I make no promises. If you find the updates boring or tedious, please let me know and I will remove your email address from my list. I will also be keeping the Looper Locator up-to-date on my position but for now I am having trouble separating the original trip from the current trip so it is very confusing. Once I get that issue resolved, I will send out more comprehensive instructions on how to use this very neat tool to track us.

We are supposedly experienced Loopers but one would never know by the way our preparation has progressed for this trip. To begin with we departed 5 days later than planned. It seems that everything that needed to be done had complications that took 2-3 times longer than normal to resolve. Everything from a leaking roof on the condo to a seized steering mechanism on the dinghy to a broken (and evidently nearly impossible to replace) door handle on the main door to the head. Even as I write this on Monday (Day 3) the water heater is not working. I am used to cold showers but Linda is not impressed. We await parts at our most favourite place to get stranded, Mackinaw City, MI.

Let me add the Day 1 Update to this notice.

Taking on Water

(Sat. July 21 - Dist: 161.4 mi; Avg Speed: 18.8 mph; TTT: 9:05 hrs)

We were supposed to depart on Monday but I had to deal with the roof on that day. We were going to leave on Tuesday but Linda called a time out on Monday about 6 PM saying she would not be ready and that she was taking a break... for the rest of the day. We did move on board the boat on Tuesday only to discover late Wednesday that the hot water tank was not working and the satellite PVR was still not yet connected and not working. Fortunately, Wayne and Betty rescued us and made us forget, not only the frustration, but the fact that we wanted to leave in the morning. Thursday, I searched for parts, got the water heater working but was frustrated with the PVR set up only to discover that the $20 connector that I had purchased was defective. Friday the winds were up over 25 km/hr and a barge and tug had sunk earlier in the morning and the Coast Guard was asking boaters to stay away. That area was only 4 hrs away along our path. So we had another BBQ and party at the Marina.

2012 Homeport Send Off

Saturday we got an early start in perfect weather. Got across Lake St. Clair and then Linda screamed: we are taking on water.   The water in the cockpit was over my shoe tops. It was bubbling out of the starboard scupper. I immediately cut the power and it fortunately drained away. We apparently are too heavy. One would think that we would have learned. After bailing about 6 pail fulls of water out of the compartment in our cockpit, I went below to investigate. All of the thru hulls and lines were sound. What was happening was the swimplatform went underwater and was pushing water into the cockpit drain with such force that it was bubbling out of the scupper and also overflowing the drains to the cockpit bilge entrance hatch. On closer inspection, I also discovered that I had done an excellent job of balancing the boat for this trip. For 9 years Q has always listed to port. When we went up on plane, I adjusted the trim tabs as usual until I thought that the boat was level. When I took out a level, my level by eye was not level. We were now leaning to the starboard. That combined with the fact that we were travelling a little slower than normal meant that we were not fully on plane... the result: taking on water.

I got everything figured out and continued on our/my merry way. Linda was stressed. No amount of explanation or re-assurance would convince her that the boat was as safe as before. So she kept a watchful eye on the drain and would not take the helm for me to do some of my Captain's duties (eg. my afternoon nap).

Despite the panic, we made good time and reached Lake Huron in about 4.5 hours. The Lake was flat so we pushed on and decided to go to the tip of the thumb. Since we have a broad selection of followers let me explain. Lower Michigan is shaped like your left hand. Put out your left hand plam facing away from you. Saginaw Bay is that area between your thumb and your fingers. We spent the night at Port Austin which is located.... at the tip of the thumb just in Saginaw Bay.

This is different from the first Loop.... we did NOT have a Happy Hour. I was too busy moving a bunch of stuff from below the cockpit to other places more forward on the boat. I filled the bow locker and moved 18 liters of wine to the master stateroom. Hopefully we will ride higher in the stern.

I took Linda to dinner in the hopes of improving her spirits and I think that and a couple beers did her good. We will see what Day 2 throws at us.

Thanks Chris; At least I am not totally neglected.

Scene at the sunken barge and tug site.

Found Memories from 2010