Almost July 4th, have not sailed yet

[sawyer]

Hey all;

It has been a tough and busy spring this year, no extra time for anything, just a ton of overtime at work, extra money, no time to use it.  Unfortunetly I was unable to make the Midwest Rendezvous, it sounded like a great time, nice writeup by Marcus. I actually put the boat up for sale; it's still in the classifieds, (only because I can't find time to sail). I'm not very motivated to let it go, maybe I can get out soon and get the wind back in my face and enjoy it again........  Maybe will see some of the W Michingan sailors out on the water..........   

                   Take care all....           Doug

[sailingdaze]

Don't give up, Doug. Some summers are better than others. Get the boat back in the water.
Rick

[sawyer]

Well, even though I knew the lake would be busy and loud, I took Siskiwit over to Brooks lake in Newaygo Co, Mi and got her wet, first time since my spring trip to the Gulf.  It was breezy but lumpy, lots of water skiiers, tubers, and jet skiiers, but everyone was reasonbly courteous considering the crowds.  I anchored in front of the cottage and watched the boat bounce widely at anchor, (actually tied off to a huge concrete block that was used for a raft years back, real solid anchorage.) thankfully I was not trying to sleep on it.....  probably would have gotten sick down below in that water. My brother in law said it looked so nice anchored there that we ought to just leave it in the water, but that is not my favorite sailing destination, a little too small, but fun nonetheless.  It was good to get back on the water, and I wonder now why I had thoughts of selling it.  So, anyway, I did get out before the fourth and will probably wet it again this week on my day off............  Good sailing to all, I'm, about to go to the last post, sounds like Kevin got his wet too.........................                    Doug   

[K3v1n]

There ya go Doug!
You get a good karma for not giving up your boat.
Ain't they fun?!



-Kevin

[Craig]

I know what you mean about no time to sail. I finally got my boat out of storage last Friday. I hoped to go sailing today, and wouldn't you know it, my pickup broke down so I have no way to tow! ARGGHH!!

Craig

[Gil Weiss]

Hi Craig,

Sorry to hear about your truck and lack of sailing. We have had a very good season so far. Today looks like major T'storms however. Sat and Sun look very good, so it's chores today to clear the deck for the weekend . . .Best regards . . .

[Mercrewser]

I was out for only the second time on Sunday.  Rainy weekends and 2 other boats have made it a busy summer for me.  I dont like being on the sailboat whens its really hot and humid.  Sunday was so gusty, the boat was becoming a real handful .

[TroyVB]

Hi Doug,

Good to here from you.  I was worried that the boat in the classifieds was Siskiwitt.  Glad to here you got her on the water. 

One thing that I have found is that you have got to strike a balance.  Even if you cannot get out and sail today, without the boat you can't get out and sail tomorrow.  These little boats will wait for us and while they are waiting they aren't eating any of the hard earned cash. 

Keep her around she'll wait to take you sailing.

[GrFa]

One thing that I have found is that you have got to strike a balance.  Even if you cannot get out and sail today, without the boat you can't get out and sail tomorrow.  These little boats will wait for us and while they are waiting they aren't eating any of the hard earned cash. 

Keep her around she'll wait to take you sailing.

Thats one of the best things I've heard in recent times, rings so true. Our CP16 has been in storage going on three years. So many different reasons, first was no working outboard, then it was no working tow vehicle, then it was no time, then it was no working outboard anymore.

In addition to that the family has a larger sailboat that stays in the water. But the Com-Pac will NEVER be sold. I am keeping it for my kids and my grandkids, its thats simple. We have had ours 8 years already, had it out maybe ten times if that. But for that one day you want to take it out, its definitely worth it.

[sawyer]

Thanks to everyone for encouragement, sometimes a little jolt of it goes a long way, and it is from fellow sailors, those that really understand the doldrums.  I did get out on the pond twice now, second time Thurs, beautiful 10-12 kt wind until 2pm and then the horse latitudes the rest of the day.  Batteries must have been down, took forever to get back with the little electric, so I dropped the sails and raised the boom and dragged a spinnerbait for 3 miles, narry a bite except for occasional weeds. Lots of big stinkboats out flexing their muscles, noising up the place, making big waves which are ok when underway by sail, but not that great motoring. The sun was merciless, but I think I needed it soaking into my bones, spend way too much time inside at work, fake sun from the full spectrum lights, but nothing like being out in it. It's the vitamin "D" that we really need soaking into our eyes.  It was an easy off, easy on launch and I must be optomistic since I paid the yearly fee of $20 instead of spending the $3 for each launch, that will help me get the boat back out, I hate to waste the money.......  Sat, I am working again, a 12 hr shift, but have 3 off starting Sunday.  Sweetie wants me to take her to see Pirates at the movie tomorrow, supposed to get some rain here, but that leaves Monday for another sail, maybe the winds will kick up with the storms and I'll have to reef and it will kick up some spray, that is just the best sailing for me.  Again, thanks to everyone, you CP'ers are a good bunch...

Doug

[sailingdaze]

Hi Doug,
I missed you last Thursday. I had too much to do here in GR (see the last paragraph). It is good to hear that you got out on the water, and that you caught some wind. We are going camping at Silver Lake for the next two weeks; however, it is not too far from Hardy so I will hopefully make the drive over a couple of times. In a different thread, you asked me a few questions, and I thought I would post the answers in two locations since I am not sure where you are looking.
The name of my boat is not on the hull. I took it off when I installed the ladder, and never got around to replacing it. However, if you put in at the state park my boat would be downstream -not up. So, you probably saw someone else. I am actually not too far from the dam.
I agree with your assesment of Hardy. I have been out on Lake Michigan with friends and their much larger boats, and although it is always fun, it really is not for me. You sail out - you sail in. At Hardy, I can pull up close to shore, anchor the boat, get out and eat lunch, take a swim, climb a dune, walk along the shore and then climb back into the boat. And many days, I can do this with little boat traffic.
I usually put in at a place called Reynolds Landing. It is not in a protected cove; however, I have had good luck there. The water gets deep quick and the landing is broad and flat. Oh, and it's usually not busy. When I put in several weeks ago, there was not another trailer in sight. They ask for $5.00 which is a bargain for me considering that I only use it twice a year.
We just bought a new house which the previous owners neglected for years. Much of the past three weeks has been spent getting the painting and the yard under control. I think it is time to do some serious vacationing. Perhaps we will bump into each other as we sail across the pond.
Rick