Friday 21 June 2013

Lake Erie Interclub - Port Dover to Erie

Thursday morning (9:30am) Zatarra left from Port Dover for the lake crossing to Erie. My first crossing was a number of years ago. It was on a 26ft boat, overnight, in thunderstorms and blinding rain. This crossing could not have been more different. There was little to no wind. Zatarra is a 36 foot cruising boat. It was a beautiful sunny day and we could see other Port Dover boats ahead and behind us. I spent some time on a lounge chair on the foredeck rather than huddled, soaking wet in a dark cockpit, looking for freighters.
A fishing boat heading home passes Sea of Dreams heading out.
Long Point Lighthouse
After we passed "The Point" we tried to fly the asymmetrical sail but there really was not enough wind so we snuffed it and carried on motoring.
Our big excitement came when the US Customs boat pulled alongside us to enquire about our destination and the number of us on board. They had an extremely impressive and fast boat.

We sailed down the channel into Presque Isle Bay with Kestrel, Simon and Danielle's new J29.
Kestrel
Before docking at the Erie Yacht Club we still had to check in at the Customs Video Phone at Perrys Landing.
Perrys Landing
We were docked at the Erie Yacht Club by 4pm, in time for their Patio Party and to socialise with the crews of other Port Dover boats who come, like us, a day early, to be well rested before the race on Saturday.
Erie Yacht Club at sunset

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