Aboard a Gib Sea 37'. Distance 65 miles.
Journey time 10 hrs. approx.
4 man rotation, (2 hr, Helm, Watch, Stand by) night sail.
( 1 Seasick caused a 3hr helm 3hr watch for 2 of us.)
My turn 2100hrs. to 2400hrs. Helm, 2400 to 0300 Watch.
North star at 1130 thru left spreader.
No moonlight, black as can be.
Compass heading 185*
No GPS. on this boat.
Seas 4-6 ft some rain, NW wind gusts 17-20 knts.
changing to WSW reduced to 10-15 knts.
Head sail reefed 75%
Engine running rpm 2400.
Speed 7.5 knts.
Crossing Shipping lanes on my Navigation class 104-105,
it was then in the middle of Lake Michigan that I realized,
that I was a mere speck on this planet. I was no longer so important,
and I knew it. The vastness needs explored, and I was hooked even more on sailing.
I know, way to go Magellen! The epiphany, the inner peace, truly changed me.
Early morning light brought in to view St. James Harbor, 530 hrs.
I have since sailed to Beaver Isle, with the Shelly and the girls along.
My first charter, I just wanted to see if I could do it alone, this time from Charlevoix.
A 27 mi. trip took 4.5 hrs under sail the whole way, in day light.
Rough sea 4-6 ft. with a beam reach wind 17 knts.
But when you have to do this at night, not knowing, only a compass and a star,
That's when you learn what adventure is. That's a self worth discovering.
That's really living!
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