Door County cruise

LDBSA Club Cruise 2019 Report
Waters: Green Bay (Menominee MI – Door County WI)
Fleet: Blew Boat (Mike Koss & Chuck Jagodinski) Catalina 22
Luna (Bob Swoboda) CLC Pocketship 18’
Distance sailed: 70 NM
Tuesday, June 25 – We arrived with our trailered boats at the Marina in Menominee MI shortly
after noon on a beautiful day. After we got rigged, launched and stocked with some groceries
we had dinner at a local pub. Sleeping conditions on the trip were good throughout with few
bugs and cool open cabins. The Menominee Marina is very nice. Their lounge offers clean
private showers/restrooms, TV and complimentary beverages.

Wednesday, June 26 – What would a cruise be without a little engine drama? As I poured gas
into Luna’s outboard Mike and Chuck saw that my fuel line was leaking badly. Fortunately,
Chuck had it fixed within minutes and by a little after 9:00 AM we were running away from the
Marina before a leisurely west wind. As we neared the middle of the bay the wind came more
from the South and the waves became confused, resulting in a rather bumpy ride for a while.
Once we rounded the buoys off the SE side of Chambers Island we turned NE, passing Fish
Creek and had a nice run up the very scenic peninsula. Bending around Sister Bluffs, the wind
freshened and allowed a fast reach to the harbor entrance.

Mike had already radioed ahead
and reserved slips at the Sister Bay Marina which were very convenient, being close to
everything. Once settled, we crossed the street and had food and libations at an open air
restaurant. The place had great energy, with live music, good food and we could see our boats
from our table as it was on a shaded veranda overlooking the water. Conversation was lively
and the subject matter broad. Later we walked to a place up the street for ice cream. It was
great fun. Sleep, feeling well deserved, came easily. 21 Nautical Miles 6+ hours

Thursday, June 27 – Creeping up the coast close hauled in a light wind caused us to
eventually motor for a while. Getting beyond Death’s Door Bluff we could sense Lake Michigan
proper. The wind and waves picked up and a slight swell could be felt. It was an exhilarating
ride crossing “Death’s Door,” then blowing into the harbor entrance and following the channel
markers into Detroit Harbor on the South end of Washington Island. Again, Mike was able to
get us slips at a Marina (Shipyard Marina). We walked up the road a bit and had dinner while
sharing bottles of wine on the porch of the “Washington Hotel” est. 1906. The only rain of the
trip fell briefly that night, but sleeping was still comfortable. 14 NM 4 – 5 hours

Friday, June 28 – We woke to some fog. Knowing the weather was predicted to only get drier
we allowed ourselves a late morning start. After following the channel markers out of Detroit
Harbor we had a nice wind for a close hauled course past Death’s Door Bluff as the fog lifted.
Under a blue sky we rounded the bluff and headed SSW. With the wind on our nose, we
motored. In time the wind slowly favored us so that we could make Sister Bay on a reach
where again, Mike was able to get us slips. 14 NM 4 – 5 hours
Side Note: A schooner runs excursions out of Sister Bay every few hours. It’s was nice seeing
that out on the water.

Saturday, June 29 – A light south wind caused us to motor until we could round the buoy
before heading west across the bay at which point we raised sail, but kept our motors on.
The light wind freshened throughout the day so that it was quite nice by the time we entered
the marina at Menominee for our last night. 21 NM 6-7 hours

Sunday, June 30 – At morning coffee, phones showed some weather approaching so we got
the boats on trailers and road ready in short order, beating the rain with room to spare.

Thoughts:

1. It was really nice having a non-sailing day at the beginning and end of the trip. Getting a
   fresh and early start for the long first leg happened because we woke up in our boats –
   likewise for getting the boats ready for home at the end.
2. I was surprised and delighted that we were able to get slips each night. Although prepared
   to anchor out (we had dinghies and food), it was nice to be able to get showers and meals
   out). Anchoring has its own charms, of course.
3. Menominee MI makes a wonderful base for Green Bay/Door County excursions.
   a. It’s very clean and well run.
   b. It’s almost directly across from the heart of Door County.
   c. There’s plenty of slip space.