Still in the water ; a warm october Michigan day sail ...

[hockeyfool]

    Real warm for us, not entirely unusual though as last 2 seasons octobers had 70's-80's ,
     so after a stressed day, we set out with a reefed main at the dock, getting blow to leeward, but motored
  back on course for setting up the storm sail sized jib. winds were SW 14-17, gustin go 28 mph,
    but as we got out , I trimmed my reefed main to look wrinkle free and pretty, then even my wife was
    getting bored, winds perhaps settled a little, so I pulled main back to full, and we gained speed, in 74-77 degrees
    of warm delight. Now I know If I read 20-25mph SW'ers, I will go out and have fun. Sorry my NOAA
       is set for land lubbers, no knot measurements for windage. I can definitely see I will be either shopping for
a gentle used main with 2 reef points, of go to SailCare to transform her into one. Then , yes I will be the first sailboat
out on our lake during those hot, sunny, tropical, but gale strength afternoons. We had MANY days like that this summer;
  with numerous 2-3 day bouts of 85-92 degrees and 20-30mph sustained southernly blows.     

[Eagleye]

Hey Hockey,
Good for you!  Here in upstate New York we often get your weather a day or so later.  NOAA predicts 10 to 15 from the SW today and 75 degrees.  YES!!!!  So it's 5 am and I'm about ready to hook the "Madame" up to the Highlander.   I suspect that we will hang on as long as we can, grabbing every warm day left in this season.  That is another nice thing about keep her on the trailer. 

Last week we had a half inch of ice covering the Eclipse from a hail storm.....but, can you say "Indian Summer"? 

Ok, coffee is done. Time to hit the road.

Later Guys,

Allen

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(/               eagleye
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[Bob23]

Sounds great, Hock:
   Down here in NJ, we still have prime sailing weather. Winds are dryer, temps are down from the blistering summer we had, and the crowds have all left. Officially, when "the season" is over, "The Real Season" begins for us locals. I can usually leave my 23 in the water until end of October but I've been known to go into early December. Of course, by then the air and water are getting cold so that must be taken into consideration.
   Ooooh...Ice... don't want to think about that yet!
bob23

[Cevin c Taylor]

hockeyfool - where in Michigan do you sail at?  I'm in the Ann Arbor area.

[hockeyfool]

 Really, Ann Arbor ?
     I sent out an all points bulletin hailing all CYOA members whom sail or reside in Michigan, last spring !
     Well  I'm in the next town over to the east ..... Ypsi township; on Ford Lake untill next season,
  where I will take her up north to either my favorite water in Grand Traverse Bay( Lake Michigan )
  or in Lexington Harbor, back in my hometown waters of Lake Huron.
         I wish my profile pic had that info . What /where do you sail ?

[Cevin c Taylor]

Really, Ann Arbor ?
     I sent out an all points bulletin hailing all CYOA members whom sail or reside in Michigan, last spring !
     Well  I'm in the next town over to the east ..... Ypsi township; on Ford Lake untill next season,
  where I will take her up north to either my favorite water in Grand Traverse Bay( Lake Michigan )
  or in Lexington Harbor, back in my hometown waters of Lake Huron.
         I wish my profile pic had that info . What /where do you sail ?

I must have missed the apb!  I'm actually in Superior Twp, and I've sailed on Ford Lake several times with my son - as late as Nov. 12th last year, and in early March this year.  I've been going to Sterling St. Park in Monroe the last few times I've had her out.  I'd love to see your boat.  Send me a PM with your contact info if you don't mind.