Log of sv 'French Connection'

15 August 2012
11 August 2012 | Sarnia
10 August 2012
08 August 2012
07 August 2012 | Pt Elgin
03 August 2012
31 July 2012 | Beardrop
30 July 2012
24 July 2012 | Presque Isle, Michigan
22 July 2012 | Harrisville
21 July 2012 | Harbor Beach
21 July 2012 | Sarnia, Ontario
19 July 2012 | Sarnia, Ontario
16 July 2012 | Harsens Island, Michigan
16 July 2012 | Middle Bass & Grosse Isle
28 June 2012 | Catawba Island
31 July 2009 | Catawba Island

Meldrum Bay

13 July 2009
July 13th Finally in the North Channel

We arrived in Meldrum Bay at 2:00 today. Weather is more of the same - although it started out as a beat and turned into a reach - and then one with following seas. Winds were averaging about 18 apparent and temp was 56 (did I mention it was 49 last night) - so what else is new! It did feel warmer though since it was sunny - not a cloud in the sky. To the 'Huron Bash team' Kat wanted to know if it was this cold when we brought the boat up to Presque Isle. I explained to her that we all prayed for the temps to get into the 50's.

The story on the two racing sailboats in trouble yesterday was that one - a Farr 40 was towing the other one (a much larger custom job) into the harbor when the larger boat ran aground next to the breakwall and of course the wind was pushing both of them onto the rocks. The Farr 40 breaks free and in turn tows the other one outside the channel. Obvious to only us on the gas dock is that the boat in tow has a long line that's dragging. Yup you guessed it - no sooner than they get out of the channel than the line gets wrapped around the Farr 40's prop. Back to the breakwall for both of them - totally disabled and even closer to the rocks. Fortunately they were able to cut the line (they had SCUBA gear on board) at the same time the Harbormaster was able to deploy a small powerboat to pull them off. We talked to the captain of the bigger sailboat - apparently everything had gone wrong with the boat including leaking fuel tanks - guess the bilge was filled with diesel, leaking thru-hulls bad alternator, etc. Interesting that neither boat had a sail out. A small jib on the bigger boat and it would have been able to maneuver to the gasdock. Hindsight is always perfect!

OK for those of you dying to know about Vixen's first sail - it was let's say mixed. We intentionally motored sailed so that she wouldn't get scared with the noise of flogging sails. She handled herself pretty well out of the harbor - but the red can a mile out had a bell, that of course scared her. So she proceeds to sit on Kat's lap for the next 4 hours. Just before we hit Mississagi Passage - she get's real comfortable and starts playing with her toys in the cockpit - 10 minutes later when we tuck in behind Cockburn Island, the main luffs with a loud bang and of course that scared the 'pee' out of her and she is down and out barking at the boom as if it were the devil incarnate. Once inside Meldrum bay she calmed down and is back to her usual self of craving attention. Our trip tomorrow is only about 3 hours - we're headed out to Long Point where we will anchor for the night - all of this provided that the wind is from the right direction - then on to two other nights of anchoring at different spots before we hit Gore Bay.

Mechanically the boat continues to run well. I don't want to jinx the repair to the swim locker - but it does look like it's holding - no water in the bilge.

Comments
Vessel Name: French Connection
Vessel Make/Model: Beneteau 423
Hailing Port: Catawba Island, Ohio
Crew: Tony & Kat
About:
We started sailing 27 years ago on a 17' boat in Chicago. Once we found out small boats and big lakes don't mix we quickly upgraded to a 30' then progressed through 34, 38 and our most recent acquisition is a 42. [...]

Who: Tony & Kat
Port: Catawba Island, Ohio
NAVIGATION HELP Note the links on right sidebar, you'll see a photo gallery. Click on it and you'll see photos from our trips. If you'd like to see a larger image just click on the photo. Also there's a link to our email. Current Position: Click on the map and it'll show FC's current position along with where we've been. At the lower left you'll see a link to Google Earth, free software that will show a satellite photo of the same map. You'll need to download the free Google application first. Also on the side links you'll see Sam and Dan's links plus individual links to all of the blogs we've written up. Cheers Tony & Kat
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