6 July, 2021 Island time

 

26 SM; 3.9 hours

Safe sleep in Vermilion but hot and muggy.  Stayed warm all night.  We assessed weather and on the edge of a go.  Wind biggest factor but according to the weather apps, should improve as day progressed.  We were going to be a three looper boat convoy on the water today.  Sea Moor, Curt’s Dream and Serenity.  Serenity the shortest boat.  Underway 0725 and headed to the harbor inlet in short order.  Turning a southwest direction it was pretty rough and obvious  a direct course to Kelly’s Island would not be fun.  So we turned more toward the south to get closer to the lee of the shore.  Pretty bumpy ride in 15 mph SW breezes and a healthy swell.  Closer to land the wind chop decreased but the wind swell stayed in the 2-3 foot range for a good hour.  Then with some blocking from the land as we approached Huron, OH swell and wind chop decreased and ride was not too bad.  As we parallel the coast up to Sandusky, OH the ride was actually pretty good, but flags ashore were pretty stiff in a SW breeze.  Crossing Sandusky bay it got sporty again as we tacked a bit to take the chop more on the bow and not the beam.  At Marblehead it was time to turn north and make the 4 mile run across the lake to our destination, Kelly’s Island.  Pretty decent swells from the port quarter aggravated by impressive wakes from the nearly constant ferry crossing to/from the island.  

Ferry service

Thirty minutes later we entered the protected harbor at Seaway marina and we were promptly directed to a slip.  All secure at 1115.  (Map). Sure would not have wanted to continue in those conditions for several hours, but we got’er done.

Kelly’s Island, OH.  After lunch, the six crew members rented a six passenger golf cart and toured the island and the local attractions.  Glacial grooves state park

Kelly’s Island

Main Street

One of the main attractions

Limestone carved by glaciers

Totem pole on lake shore

We had a fun afternoon touring with two other looper boats.  Winds have not settled down this afternoon as forecast.  Unsettled weather next few days with showers and thunderstorms and frontal passage.  We are planning to get underway early tomorrow and try to make it back to the western shore of Lake Erie and get in a few more miles before the really bad weather arrives.  Island video

4793 SM traveled; 1861.4 hours hobbs