Fifth (and final?) sail of the season

[Cevin c Taylor]

Just thought I would update everyone on my continuing sailing education in my '83 CP 16.  Friday I decided to take the day off work since it's a bit slow, and the kids didn't have school.  The last two sails went very well, and so I had enough confidence to take the family out.  Unfortunately it was a bit cold (mid 50's), and cloudy, but Sat or Sunday were not going to work, so Friday was the only option.  We went to Kent Lake, here in SE Michigan - about 25 min away.  The launch was pretty easy, and I got the outboard (4.5 hp Ted Williams) fired up and it took up out about 100 yards or so into the lake, and then stalled when it got caught in some weeds and I didn't throttle up fast enought.  No problem, we were far enough out.  In general things went well.  I was pleased to see that the boat can fit us all, though it was tight.  I'm about 5'10, 175, and my two teenage sons are about the same weight, one of them a bit taller.  My wife and 11 yo daughter sat in the cabin.  The low point was when we got into the wind shadow of a little island, and started drifting toward it.  At one point the mast hit on an overhanging branch.  I then broke out the two paddled we had brought, and we paddled about 10 yards or so out until we caught a breeze.  The launch is in a place that doesn't get much wind, and so we paddled the last twenty yards or so into the ramp.  I was surprised how easy it was to paddle it.  I'm definitely keeping a paddle on board.  I just wish the weather had cooperated to make it more enjoyable.  On Saturday we took the kids to Cedar Point, an amusement park off Sandusky, Ohio, on Lake Erie.  The weather was beautiful, and from the ferris wheel I could see out to Kellys Island, and beyond.  My hope is to sail out there next spring.  On the way home I did some scouting of launch sites for future expeditions.  It's definitely a doable overnight or even day trip from where I live - about an hour and 45 minutes of driving. 

[skip1930]

Pulled my CP-19 last Friday. On the hard for the next 6 or so months.

skip.

[Salty19]

Me too, skip.   This living in the north thing is really getting old!!!

Wolverine..keep me in the loop with tentative plans, maybe I'll meet you up there.

Did you notice the public ramp area on Catawba, kinda close to the Miller Ferry (forget the road number...the one that curves along Catawba island (really a peninsula)?  Looks nice to me...straight shot out to Middle Bass, Kelley's, etc.  There is a launch in Port Clinton too, but last time I was there it was extremely busy.

Also Sandusky Bay looks like a great place to go too...probably a lot safer than Erie when the wind is blowing hard.  We'll be trailering the 19 up to the bay sometime next year for sure.

[Cevin c Taylor]

Salty:  I checked out the ramp at East Harbor State Park.  There was no one there when we stopped, but I guess that's not surprising since it's October.  It appears that you launch out into a protected area and then head through a channel into Lake Erie.  I'll let you know if I decide to make the trip next year. 

[rmotley]

Midway Marina has a state ramp right next door to it on Catawba on 53 - plenty of protection and water - about a 20 minute idle to the inlet then you are about the same distance from Kelly & South Bass.  Midway has great shower house and slips.
The thing about Lake Erie; she has a mind of her own - sometimes very quickly - makes you feel ALIVE!  Especially when you look around and realize you are the only boat that you can see on the water.  Feeling alive is a great thing - I love that feeling on the water.

[Cevin c Taylor]

I've read that because it's the shallowest of the Great Lakes, it's conditions can change the quickest.  I'll definitely watch the weather closely before heading out.  Oh, I forgot to mention that the ramps at East Harbor can only be used by campers at the state park campground, according to the sign.