Single Handed Sailing in The North Channel of Lake Huron

This Tartan 35 proved to be a challenge to single hand.  An autopilot allowed me to be crew and captain.  Without roller furling or other gear to aid in single handed sailing, she was sailed a bit conservatively, but handled the heaviest of weather with grace.  A storm triggered by Hurricane Andrew caused a sudden blow with winds over 70 mph.  Waves were 8 to 12 feet.  The Tartan got me to shore safely, though a bit seasick from the wild ride.

The Tartan 34 in port.  1971 hull, LOA 34' 5", LWL 25', Beam 10' 2", Displacement 11,200 lbs, Draft 3' 11" (board up) 8' 4" (board down)

There is truly nothing like a sunset on the water.

A view off the bow underway in Lake Huron.

There are many narrow passages in the North Channel.

The dingy takes you further than you expect.  In September, a sailor in the North Channel is quite alone.  The sense of isolation is heightened when looking at the mother ship at anchor from a half mile away.

More exploration around Beardrop Harbor.  Self timers come in handy.

Arriving in Meldrum Bay, this lodge had the telephone to call Customs and check in upon arrival.  The lodge was unlocked and unoccupied.  I sign read "Call (this phone number) for gasoline".  It was on the end of the road on the Manitoulin Island.  The area was so remote, that even the operators had rotary dial phones in 1991.

Trip Summary:  Departure 8/29/92 @ 6:15 am   Arrival 9/14/92 @ 6:00 pm.   Trip Duration 16 days, 11 hrs, 45 min.    Total Distance 625 NM, Singlehanded Distance 391 NM.    Fuel Used 147 gallons (gasoline)

8/29/92 - Mt Clemens to Port Sanilac - 61 NM, 12.9 hours (6:15 - 15:10), 4.72 knots avg, motorsailing, wind 21 knots apparent, WNW, waves 4'

8/29 - 8/30/92 - Port Sanilac to Harrisville - 89 NM, 13.8 hours (15:25 - 9:15), 6.4 knots avg motorsailing.  Wind fell after midnight, climbed 1:30 to 3:00.  Gale force winds from 3:00 to 9:15.  40 knots gusting to more than 55 knots SSW, waves 8' to 12'  Dropped off company.

8/31/92 - Harrisville to Presque Isle - 44 NM, 9.8 hours (9:21 - 15:10), 4.49 knots avg, motoring, winds 21 knots apparent NNW, waves 4' to 6'

9/1/92 - Arrived Meldrum Bay - 46 NM, (8:40 - 16:30), wind 12 knots, NW engine on 8 hrs, 40 min

9/2/92 - Beardrop Harbor - 26 NM, (9:05 - 14:29), Winds 25 - 30 knots E

9/3/92 - Long Pt Cove - 11 NM, (10:40 - 17:20), Winds 25 SW

9/4/92 - Blind River Marina - 12 NM (12:05 - 14:40), Winds 5 SE

9/5/92 - Picked up company, traveled to Turnbull Island, dropped anchor in fog, visibility 50 feet. 

9/6/92 - Beardrop Harbor - 6 NM

9/7/92 - Gore Bay.  Battled 7 foot waves, winds 25 SE, 4 hours, 14 NM

9/9/92 - Return Beardrop Harbor, winds 30 SE

9/10/92 - Return Blind River, Winds 15 NW

9/11/92 - Blind River to Harrisville single handed again - 44 NM, (7:50 - 19:30), Winds 25 S

9/12/92 - Harrisville to Harbor Beach - 56 NM (9:18 - 22:45) Winds 22 NE, met Canadian boaters aboard a Nonsuch 30,

9/13/92 - Harbor Beach to Lexington - 36 NM, Winds 20 S

9/14/92 - Lexington to Mt Clemens.  50 NM, (9:14 - 18:00), Winds 13 S, passed under Blue Water Bridge at 12:17.  Watched lightning during St Clair River passage.