12 July, 2021. Into Lake Huron to Port Sanilac, MI

 

34 SM; 6.2 hours

Early morning weather check.  Marginal for us.  Coffee,study and prayer.  Our loop friends in Sea Moor got underway at 0700 with another looper in a 40 foot Mainship.  Steady Winds at 15 and gusts to 18 along with wave heights above two feet did not meet our criteria.  However, several of the forecasts predicted decreasing winds and wave heights around noon and wind shift more easterly and decreasing below 10 mph.  So we chilled and then went for a walk through town.  

Port Huron about town walk

Port Huron about town walk

Rechecking weather numerous times it appeared favorable for later in the day, beginning about noon.  Two bridges to open between our marina slip and the St Clair river so we planned for an on the hour opening per published notices.  We made ready for rolling and rough sea state; everything secured or put away, we fired up the diesel, untied the lines at 1055 and backed out of the slip.  Hailing the bridge tender requesting next opening at 1100, we were informed bridge would open at 1115.  Go figure.  

Waiting for the bridge

So we waited in the river until the bridge opened.  Once it opened we scooted through, then once it is closed, then the next bridge 1/2 mile away opened and we were clear into the St Clair river.  Huge current ahead.  I checked this morning river gauge and at our entry to the river current was at 3 mph.  Ouch…will be a slow and slower movement to Lake Huron three miles ahead.  At Serenity’s normal cruise RPM we move at 7.2 MPH.  Nearing Lake Erie we were down to 3 mph.  Almost an hour going from the dock to Lake Huron.  

Cruising in Canadian waters with less current

Setting course on Lake Huron

Entering the lake the rollers were easy to see and while there were white caps, not too numerous.  Our planned route was first to Lexington, MI having a safe harbor and marina slips but no anchorage.  We would assess boat and our health and update weather—winds and radar before continuing.  1st hour was about as uncomfortable conditions we have been in.  Not unsafe but clearly standing and holding on.  No water was breaking over the bow, but occasions sprays on the windshield.  Our on course heading had us entering the swell on the starboard forward quarter.  About 30 degrees off.  These were NE swells of 2-3 feet with about three second period.  Not slamming the bow and not rolling us side to side, but definitely hang on rough.  We considered options but winds were as forecast, while the previous wave models predicted the swell smoothing.  Pressing ahead the second hour did smooth some and winds begin to shift and decrease below 10 MPH.  At Lexington everything was good to go.  Radar app showed no thunderstorms developing. Next stop was Port Sanilac, MI.  Twelve miles ahead on course almost into the swell which was smoothing and no smashing.  Winds improving too.  We arrived safely into the protected waters of Port Sanilac.  No severe weather forecast for tonight so we sought an anchorage.  Took a bit of wandering in the harbor and two anchor tries due to poor holding and grass fouling the anchor.

Track looks like a drunken sailor

Finally got the anchor to grab hard and we were secured at 1630.  (Map). Not a long day on the water but fatiguing.  Glad to get our first day on Lake Huron behind us.  Anchorage video. Winds appear doable tomorrow but increasing risk of thunderstorms and some elevated risk of severe weather.  Will assess tomorrow morning.

4974 SM journeyed; 1891.5 hours hobbs