posted 09-02-2014 09:07 AM ET (US)        

Nine boats attended the 2014 Little Current (Ontario) rendezvous, planned for Saturday, August 9, 2014. The means of travel to and from the rally point are interesting in themselves, as well as the week of cruising in the vicinity of Little Current. In total, the rendezvous spanned 11 days of boating, which is described in brief below.

Three boats arrived on their own bottoms. On Thursday, DEFIANCE (Defiance aluminum hull 30-footer) came from Chambers Island, Wisconsin, across Lake Michigan, through the Straits of Mackinaw, to Cheboygan, Michigan.

On Friday at Cheboygan, the LUCKY TWO (Whaler 25 Walkaround) joined them, the two big boats setting out at 9 a.m. for the False Detour Passage and then on to Meldrum Bay, arriving in time for lunch. At the real Detour Passage on Friday, the 23 Walkaround MANIC MOMENT also departed, sailing on her own for Meldrum Bay.

On Saturday morning, the three boats left Meldrum Bay for Little Current, arriving about 4 p.m., after making a lunch stop in Kagawong to visit Bridal Veil Falls. The weather was fair, winds were favorable, and waves were very small throughout this segment of their trip.

Five boats arrived via highway and trailers. OUTRE (Outrage 22) left Midland (Michigan) on Friday, arriving Little Current late that day, and was already at the dock on Saturday. CONTINUOUSWAVE (Revenge 22 W-T Whaler Drive) left Beverly Hills (Michigan) on Friday, but stopped overnight at Carolyn Beach near Thessalon (Ontario) to split up the 530-mile drive, and arrived Little Current 1 p.m., Saturday.

EASTPORT (Eastport 21), in tow behind a motor home and still in her on-the-road adventure phase, HOLLY MARIE (23 Walkaround Whaler Drive), in tow behind a 1-ton dual-wheel-rear-axle truck and departing from the Minneapolis area, and OUTLIER (Pursuit 235), in tow behind a Ford Expedition and departing early from Lake Orion (Michigan), all happened to meet on the highway at Sault Ste. Marie. OUTLIER passed through Canadian Customs and Immigration first, and arrived in Little Current about 6:30 p.m. EASTPORT was delayed at the border, and HOLLY MARIE, behind them, loitered there with them. They arrived about 7 p.m. in Little Current, The brake on the left front trailer axle on HOLLY MARIE malfunctioned on the drive, but the big dually truck proved to be able to handle the load without its assistance.

One boat, WHITEWATER (Revenge 25), arrived by a combination of highway towing and ferry. Departing Port Huron on the highway on Saturday, they were loaded on the early ferry crossing on Sunday morning aboard the Chi-Cheemaun, sailing Tobermory to South Baymouth, and then drove on to Little Current and arrived about 10 a.m. Sunday.

The six trailered boats all launched at Spider Bay Marina, and also left their trucks and trailers there. A week of parking and the ramp fee totaled about $35.

With eight boats gathered on Saturday evening, docktails and hors d'ouerves were consumed on the fine floating docks of the Port of Little Current, to such an extent that dinner cooking was cancelled. The weather was fair, and all the boats were in close proximity on D-Dock. With taxes added, dock fees came to about $2-per-foot. At the East docks, showers and bathrooms were scarce and under heavy use. An impressive rendezvous of Ranger Tug boats filled A-Dock with about twenty nearly matching blue-hulled vessels at the western end of the port.

Sunday morning continued fair weather, light winds, and calm seas. Departure was delayed slightly to permit WHITEWATER to launch and join the fleet, and we were underway about 11 a.m., heading East toward Baie Fine. Only a few cruising boats were in Marianne Cove, and our nine-boat fleet found room there to anchor in three rafts for lunch. After lunch a climb was made to CASSON PEAK by a large group. The 600-foot ascent was arduous but the view from the summit was rewarding. The fleet remained in Marianne Cove, had an excellent dinner cooked mainly on the grill mounted to HOLLY MARIE's bow railing, and settled in for the night. The moon was a full moon in perigee, often called a supermoon, and this was the closest approach of the year, thus a super supermoon. I awoke at 3 a.m. to make astronomical observations; the illumination by moonlight was spectacular, with the sky completely free of clouds and our boats silent and still in the dark water of the high-sided cove.

On Monday morning we were greeted with more fair weather, light winds, and no waves. Counting from Thursday, when DEFIANCE set out, that made five straight days of fair weather, light winds, and very calm seas. We departed Marianne Cove and proceeded up Baie Fine to The Pool. A nine-boat raft was anchored, followed by swimming and lunch. A large shore party went off to make the climb to Topaz Lake. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall this summer had turned Topaz Lake into an emerald-green lake, and the magnificent blue color was not seen. When the shore party returned, the raft was broken up, and the fleet headed back to Fraser Bay, unwilling to anchor overnight in The Pool due to the very poor holding of its weedy bottom.

WHITEWATER split off and went to Little Current, and the other eight boats went to Killarney for the night. Excellent dockage was found at SPORTSMAN'S INN, about $2-per-foot after taxes, although the fleet was somewhat spread among the several docks. The showers and bathroom facilities were abundant and excellent. For dinner we enjoyed take-out fish and chips from HERBERT'S, who have removed the famous red school bus and are constructing a new, three-storey building to house their fishery and restaurant businesses. There was a very big line at the temporary van serving as the take-out window, and we had to wait almost 45-minutes for our orders to be filled.

Overnight Monday and into Tuesday a massive low pressure storm system moved into the Great Lakes region, bringing heavy rain and high winds. The forecasts called for wave heights of 2-meters. RADAR from internet weather sites showed an enormous low-pressure system, centered just about on our position, and rotating counterclockwise, with very high rainfall. A brief interlude in the rain on Tuesday afternoon permitted an exploratory trip in LUCKY TWO to test conditions in Georgian Bay. Six-foot waves were encountered at the harbor exit, and the boat ride was cut short. Tuesday night a large group went to dinner at KILLARNEY MOUNTAIN LODGE, which seems to have a new chief. The food was excellent. Unfortunately, fresh fish was not available as it had been too rough for any local fish to be taken in. It was very pleasant to sit indoors, at an historic old resort, and be served good food at reasonable prices.

Wednesday the stormy weather continued, with high winds, rain, and large waves. We again decided to remain in Killarney's shelter for the day. A hike to the lighthouse was organized in the afternoon, during another respite from rain. The trail was very wet and the distance to the lighthouse proved too great for most of us. We did reach a tall overlook that permitted a great view of Georgian Bay from a rocky headland. For dinner, dockside hors d'oeuvres satiated our appetites so well that we never did get to cooking much at all.

Thursday began with more overcast skies, rain, and strong northwest winds, but we could tolerate being harbor bound in Killarney no more. OUTRE went further East to explore Collins Inlet. DEFIANCE and OUTLIER set out together directly for Little Current. In strong head seas, OUTLIER slowed while DEFIANCE steamed on. MANIC MOMENT departed Killarney some time later, also bound for Little Current. The remaining EASTPORT, CONTINUOUSWAVE, HOLLY MARIE, and LUCKY TWO departed about 11 a.m. and visited Covered Portage Cove and Snug Harbor, finding both of them remarkably unfilled with boats. They then set out in earnest for Little Current, taking a southerly approach, staying in the shelter of the lee of Badgely Point, Centre Island, Partridge Island, and Heywood Island as much as possible. They made their Northing in the lee of Strawberry Island, and had only a short run in head seas to Little Current, where they arrived for a late lunch. Approaching the docks was an exercise in boat handling, as there was a very strong current flowing through them from West to East at about five-knots. To find the best protection from the wind and current, tie-ups on B-dock were sought, and, fortunately, all were able to take open slips in very close proximity.

At Little Current the fleet was re-united with WHITEWATER, but only briefly. Tired of all the rain and wind this week, WHITEWATER found space was available on the afternoon ferry sailing, and went to the launch ramp to get on the trailer. OUTLIER was similarly motivated, and they, too, went to the ramp to head for home. DEFIANCE, needing to make some progress toward home, continued on, first turning North to the Wabuno Channel, then running West through the McBean Channel, Little Detroit, Aird Island, and John Island. There she turned Southwest, crossed the North Channel, and made it all the way to Drummond Island, a remarkable day's run into four to five foot head seas. EASTPORT went to the ramp, hauled out, and slept in their motor home for the night. OUTRE, CONTINOUSWAVE, MANIC MOMENT, HOLLY MARIE, and LUCKY TWO remained at the docks. A fine dinner cookout under the shelter of the West pavilion was conducted, and a magnificent red sunset was observed, promising fair weather for Friday.

Friday morning the weather was beautifully fair with clear skies, but the wind was blowing a near gale from the West. OUTRE left very early to haul out and head home, gone by 8 a.m.. At 10 a.m. the remaining fleet departed Little Current, heading west, with EASTPORT having relaunched. CONTINUOUSWAVE joined, but only for a few miles, before returning to the ramp to haul out. Obligations at work required a one-day early termination to her cruise.

LUCKY TWO and MANIC MOMENT stayed together, heading into the big westerlies, transiting the Clapperton Island passage, and aiming for Gore Bay. EASTPORT and HOLLY MARIE went North via the Wabuno Channel to gunkhole in the relative calm and shelter of the Bay of Islands.

By Friday evening, the fleet was completely scattered. OUTRE and WHITEWATER were on the highway (or ferry) and would reach home. A flat tire on the trailer slowed OUTLIER for a while, but she was home by late evening. CONTINUOUSWAVE stopped in St. Ignace for the night about 7 p.m., too tired to drive on.

HOLLY MARIE was at anchor somewhere in the Bay of Islands. EASTPORT was back on her trailer in Little Current and her crew were in the motor home.

In the big seas West of Clapperton Island Passage, sloshing fuel in the tank of LUCKY TWO stirred up old sediments, disabling one engine due to a restriction in its fuel filter. She proceeded to Gore Bay on her remaining engine, accompanied by MANIC MOMENT.

DEFIANCE continued West, through the Straits of Mackinaw, and pressed on to Chambers Island (See more details below.)

Saturday brought more rain. CONTINUOUSWAVE drove home on the highway from St. Ignace in the rain. MANIC MOMENT reached home in Detour Village. LUCKY TWO sat out a rainy day in Gore Bay, awaiting a mechanic to service the fuel system. He arrived in the late afternoon, but was missing a crucial tool. HOLLY MARIE enjoyed a beautiful yet solitary cruise back to Little Current in light seas and overcast skies, and was hauled out and on the highway by 2 p.m. She joined EASTPORT's crew for a dinner together in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Later, just ten miles from the Wisconsin border, one of HOLLY MARIE's trailer tires blew out rather spectacularly, with tire debris taking out the entire trailer brake system.

posted 09-02-2014 12:41 PM ET (US)            

August 7th we departed Chambers Island at 10:30 a.m. (all times will be EDST) for a brief stop at the Fish Creek town dock to take on fuel. With a full 250 gallons on board we departed at 11:30 a.m.. We traveled NE up the Door Peninsula to Rock Island Passage then east across Lake Michigan to Beaver Island, conditions were flat calm and we cruised at 32-knots. After a brief stop at St. James on Beaver Island we departed for Cheboygan, Michigan, passing through Grays Reef shoal and then east under the Mackinaw Bridge to the Cheboygan River where Don met us at the town dock and we were able to refuel. Elsa dropped Don off and returned to their marina further up the river. Don joined us on the boat for the short cruise to their marina where he had arranged a slip for us that night. After securing the boat we drove to a local restaurant on the water for a great dinner. Total distance travel by water was 162.4-nm and we burned 127-gallons of fuel.

August 8th we departed Cheboygan for Meldrum Bay, total distance 66.8-nm.

August 9th Meldrum Bay to Little current with a stop at Kogawong, total distance 58.2-nm.

August 14th Kilarney to Drummond Island was 105.4-nm with a crossing of the western half of the North Channel with 2 to 4-foot waves and winds gusting to 25-knots. Cleared customs and spent the night at Drummond Island Yacht Harbor.

August 15th departed Drummond Island at 8 a.m. and headed for Mackinaw Island,. The winds were west and forecasted to turn south throughout the day. As we approached the Mackinaw Bridge the waves began to build to 4-feet. As we traveled West of the bridge the conditions worsened and we were slowed to 10 to 12-knot pace with regular water up and over the windshield. We arrived at Beaver Island at 12:30 p.m. after 4-hours and 38-minutes and 83.6-nm. We were very tired and our initial plan was to stay the night, however, after checking weather and seeing that conditions would likely deteriorate the next day, we opted to push on for Chambers Island that afternoon. Conditions remained the same for the rest of the trip that afternoon until we entered Rock Island Passage into Green Bay and were in the lee of the Door Peninsula. We arrived at the Chambers Island dock at 6:15 p.m. and enjoyed some well deserved beverages with some friends on the dock. Total distance for the day 167.6-nm and 9 hours 25 minutes on the water.

Total distance for the trip 586.3-nm  

posted 09-02-2014 04:22 PM ET (US)            

View from CASSON PEAK looking to the Northwest. Marianne Cove is just visible, mostly concealed by the trees on the next ridge. It was a hot and hazy day, and visibility was limited. We are standing about 600-feet above Lake Huron. Baie Fine and McGregor Bay are seen, and the LaCloche range is on the horizon.

LUCKY TWO and WHITEWATER on a still morning in Marianne Cove. Both are called 25's.

Shore party of ten returning from Topaz Lake climb. One motorized dinghy tows two un-motorized dinghies at The Pool. Topaz Lake is a rain-fed lake atop a large white quartzite hill in the background.

Sam takes the helm of OUTRÉ as we exit The Pool.

Red skies at night foretell fair weather tomorrow. The crew wraps up dinner at the pavilion in the background at the Port of Little Current docks.

HOLLY MARIE leaving Little Current heading West on a blustery day

LUCKY TWO heading west. Note Canadian pennant flying in stiff breeze.

posted 09-02-2014 04:43 PM ET (US)            

EASTPORT, 21 Eastport, Hal and Margaret aboard.

OUTRE, Outrage 22, Bob and Sam aboard.

OUTLIER, 235 Pursuit, Kevin and Debbie aboard.

MANIC MOMENT, 23 Walkaround, David and Kathy aboard.

CONTINOUSWAVE, Revenge 22 W-T Whaler Drive, Chris and Jim aboard.

WHITEWATER, Revenge 25, Don and Gail aboard.

HOLLY MARIE, 23 Walkaround Whaler Drive, John, Holly, and Emmarie aboard.

LUCKY TWO, Whaler 25 Walkaround Whaler Drive, Don and Elsa aboard.

DEFIANCE, Defiance 30, Craig and Karen aboard.

posted 09-02-2014 05:44 PM ET (US)            

http://s18.photobucket.com/user/johndraby/media/ go%20pro%20August%202014/GOPR0169_zpsfa43909f.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0

posted 09-03-2014 09:14 PM ET (US)            

Jim thanks for the writeup and the pics. Despite the weather Sam and I had a good time.

posted 09-04-2014 12:02 AM ET (US)            

These incidents point up the difficulty of trailering larger boats long distances on the highway. In my case, I hauled CONTINUOUSWAVE about 1,100-miles to get to this rendezvous and return home. We did not have any trailer problem or truck problem this trip, but we had several rather serious problems within the last year. Maintaining the trucks and trailers for these larger boats is a constant chore.

posted 09-04-2014 01:09 PM ET (US)            

--Burt Lake, Mullet Lake, and Crooked Lake

--Torch Lake

--Petoskey

--Beaver Island

--Charlevoix

--Frankfort and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore

posted 11-08-2014 04:42 PM ET (US)            

https://app.photobucket.com/u/dfmcintyre/a/287c35ab-84fe-4024-b08a-0af3b3330a14

posted 11-08-2014 08:45 PM ET (US)            

Thanks!

That little Cannon, with proper adjustment can shoot decent candid shots with acceptable depth of field...