Bristol-Blue Lake Michigan Sailing Adventures

 The major reason we sold or Cape Dory was to spend more time on board and to do some weekend trips. To this end, the Mirage has really been a great boat for our family. This last weekend we took off from our house Friday night and spent the weekend aboard.  Upon arrival, we started with hoisting a few flags.  Friday night we hung out at Tower Marine. Myles literally with the hanging spent a good part of the evening in the hammock. After months of cooking at home, we decided this would be a carry-out weekend. We decided to go with Blue Star Cafe for dinner. If you are in Saugatuck you should check this place out.  They have great food and really do a wonderful job giving back to the community.  Saturday Morning we ran home and grabbed our dingy. Then stopped off at Penny Royal Cafe for Breakfast. The weather was not looking promising so we stayed in Lake Kalamazoo playing with the dingy and went for a swim at the pool. Saugatuck's Harbor is super boater friend...

Sometimes refinishing is not the way to go. Our Mirage 24's teak handrails have been in pretty rough shape and I decided it was time to do something before I get a splinter in my hand. While they seem sturdy enough they are starting to crack and show their age I removed one and started to sand it but by the time I get it looking good, It will be pretty thin in some areas. It is time for them to go. One of the things about owning a boat is sometimes you can't just find the part you need right off the shelf.  I went down to Wolf's Marina and they had several of these grab handles in stock but none of them fit my boat so It's time to fabricate something.   For $15.00 I found this teak block in Wolf's scrap area. A crazy bargain for this bock. I was able to get my brother to rip it down on his table saw into pieces for me.     Next, I set up my belt sander and band saw and got to work. The pieces started taking shape pretty quickly.  To get the hand grip...

This season has been super hot and short on wind especially these past few weeks.  Last week we finally got a day that looked good so I took Woodstock out single-handed. I had a great sail but cut it short as I watched the Southern gray skies moving North. A quick check of the radar app on my phone confirmed my suspicion the storms that were heading due East had started migrating North. Halfway between Holland and Saugatuck I decided it was time to head back to port.  As I headed South the wind completely dropped off. The literal calm before the storm.  With no wind, it was time to start up the motor and head the rest of the way in.  The storm never made it as far North as Saugatuck but I suspect South Haven the port just South of me got hit.  Some days it's best to just call a short sail good enough and not press your luck.  This was that day. 

This past week has been super hot and there has been a significant lack of wind. Today we finally got a light breeze and Myles and I took the boat out. We were not exactly screaming along but made good time.  After a while, we decided to take a swim. BB meant us after work at the beach and I brought Woodstock back single-handed. There is some question as to whether it was a Mutiny of the Crew or a Marooning of the Crew Member. 😂

Over the last few weeks, we have been sailing at least once a week. We are really just starting to get the feel for Woodstock. We are also really just starting to organize and make things our own.        Using the leftover Sunbrella from the sail cover and a mesh laundry bag I did a little cutting and sewing to make a few stow bags for all the lines coming back to the cockpit.   I also made two new winch covers, the Self-tailing Winchards I installed last season increased the size of the winches heads so the old covers no longer fit. I used velcro wraps on the bottom to secure them.  I know a lot of people use elastic but with Covid-19 it can be hard to come by and I like the way these came out better.   Here are some weird people, you might see in the channel.          Asymmetric Spinnaker Day 2  We have loved this sail in light winds. On this run, we caught up with a cruising catamaran. They gave us a nice...

We could not have asked for a better day for a shakedown. We set off to Lake Michigan in the early afternoon to a smooth lake and winds between 5 and 10 knots out of the north. We made several passes straight out and back. Trying out the new roller furler. Wow, I don't know why we didn't put one of these on our boats sooner.   Then we flew the asymmetric for a bit.  Video of a Tack Master of the Cleats.  Helm works. The Red Hot Challenge continues.  How long can you keep it on your tongue?  Lazy feet. Bow Watch Man An amazing first run for the season. Happy faces and all the new rigging and sail changes worked great.