Gale winds, waterspouts, and one engine down, OH MY!

 

   We had a great start to the day, 50 miles of smooth water with a following sea. That all changed when tried to cross the Saginaw Bay. We were greeted by six foot waves and halfway across our port engine started to overheat. We were three hours out of Harrisville Harbor (with two engines running) when the engine went down. That was the same time the U. S. Coast Guard issued a small craft advisory with gale force winds, 6 to 9 foot waves, and waterspouts heading our way. Operating on one engine we limped into the narrow opening of the harbor just at dark. That was a long 30 miles!

   This morning Jeff got into the engine room and found that the port engine through hull water cooling valve had closed in the high waves (same problem we had on stbd 2 days ago). The mechanic had assured us he had tightened both valves before we left Catawba. Lesson learned. Fortunately we shut the engine down before the impeller was damaged and all we had to do was open and tighten the valve then replace the seal on the impeller. This morning I caught tonight's dinner off the bow of the boat, FRESH Michigan Salmon.

   We are holed up here Harrisville Harbor until tomorrow when the weather is supposed to clear and still expect to reach the Mackinac Straits by Thursday, Sept 20th.

Red sky in morning, sailor take warning!

A great start to the day, 20 miles out.

Smooth sailing so far.

Shit, we are still 3 hours out, with one engine down.

Two miles was the closest we could get to shore. All the little +'s are submerged rocks. 1/4 mile further out and we are in 100 feet of water.

Entrance to Harrisville Marina. Tight, especially on one engine with gale force winds.

This is why your along Jeff.

Just a little off season.

Denny, the mechanic's helper.

OK boys, I just caught dinner. Fresh Michigan Salmon.