Does anyone know whether the anchorage in the small bay on the north side of the channel in Atlantic City is still accessible after Irene did her thing?

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Follow our cruise at http://sanderling2011.blogspot.com/

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this list and not sure of the protocol so bear with me.  I have
signed on as 1st. mate to transit a 75 foot Viking sportyacht from
Rochester, NY to Tampa via the Mississippi.  The Erie is shut down so we are
looking West.  We can make the bridge on the Illinois @ 300.6 or so by
taking down the radar etc.  The boat cruises at 23 knots and eats abt. 110
g/hr.  with short legs...maybe 250nm.  Not your typical trawler.  And like
most glitzy toys doesn't like 4 foot waves on the bow even when running
slow.  Wet, wet, wet.

During route planning I have contacted various marinas along the route and
have found that most in Erie and Huron close down Oct 15 or have shortened
hours.  Every marina ....Colborne, Leamington, Port Huron, Alpena,
Charlevoix, Milwaukee, Calumet, have given thumbs up re: fuel and dockage.
I think we can make Calumet Harbor leaving Rochester for the Welland Oct 3
or 4 with no weather delays, Canadian Thanksgiving, less daylight. etc. in
seven days. I suspect a few weather delays will make that longer.

The captain wants to leave Oct 10.  which I think is nuts.  I have discussed
the main issues but having never done this route...all my deliveries have
been Erie /  outside East Coast runs...I don't have an appreciation for
weather on Huron and Michigan in mid/late Oct.  BTW, the captain has never
done this route either.

Any suggestions, warnings.

Thanks in advance.
Terry

Hi Terry,

First, you'll need three people to lock up the Welland Canal. With a day or
two advance notice they can find a former (sometimes) canal worker to ride
up and handle lines with you. Erie can kick up fast when winds come from the
west down that long fetch. We took 8 to 10 footers off and on the bow for 9
hours with NOAA still saying "seas 2 feet."

If you plug in for electric check what you're actually getting. Except for a
few marinas, we mostly got severe under-voltage and chose to run the genset
rather than burn up motors.

Just remember, you'll have more "lay days" than "travel days" after
mid-October so make the most of the ones you get. The folks who live on the
lakes can provide more information here. Once you get into the Illinois, all
will calm down.

Lake Michigan will give you glassy days and when the wind is out of the
North, you'll have it on your stern and can surf nicely in 3 footers or so.
We stayed 7 days in South Haven (it was great) to wait for a weather window
and then we got several in a row, but only needed three. Don't mess with
Lake Michigan! www.Windfinder.com cross referenced with NOAA marine weather
will give you a starting point.

I sense winter is coming early this year. So take care out there.
Bob

Bob & Kemba DeGroot
Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer, DeFever 49 CMY
MTOA # 1896; DFCruisers # 857; AGLCA # 427; Lakewood Yacht Club
www.BoaterSites.com, Cell :713-876-8787, Skype: 1-281-506-2676 or
dr.bob.degroot
www.SalesHelp.com, www.MarinaCustomerServiceTraining.com

-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf Of Terry Allen
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 3:12 PM
To: T-GL
Subject: GL: Transit Great Lakes Starting Oct 10

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this list and not sure of the protocol so bear with me.  I have
signed on as 1st. mate to transit a 75 foot Viking sportyacht from
Rochester, NY to Tampa via the Mississippi.  The Erie is shut down so we are

looking West.  We can make the bridge on the Illinois @ 300.6 or so by
taking down the radar etc.  The boat cruises at 23 knots and eats abt. 110
g/hr.  with short legs...maybe 250nm.  Not your typical trawler.  And like
most glitzy toys doesn't like 4 foot waves on the bow even when running
slow.  Wet, wet, wet.

During route planning I have contacted various marinas along the route and
have found that most in Erie and Huron close down Oct 15 or have shortened
hours.  Every marina ....Colborne, Leamington, Port Huron, Alpena,
Charlevoix, Milwaukee, Calumet, have given thumbs up re: fuel and dockage.
I think we can make Calumet Harbor leaving Rochester for the Welland Oct 3
or 4 with no weather delays, Canadian Thanksgiving, less daylight. etc. in
seven days. I suspect a few weather delays will make that longer.

The captain wants to leave Oct 10.  which I think is nuts.  I have discussed

the main issues but having never done this route...all my deliveries have
been Erie /  outside East Coast runs...I don't have an appreciation for
weather on Huron and Michigan in mid/late Oct.  BTW, the captain has never
done this route either.

Any suggestions, warnings.

Thanks in advance.
Terry

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I am currently in Lake Huron heading south. By watching the weather it
certainly is doable albeit without setting a schedule. I can assure you not
to have a schedule that precludes common sense.  These Lakes have a very
very nasty side, hence the huge dive industry up here on the 1000's of
wrecks.
There will be weather days to make hay (watch fuel consumption vice
available open pumps) but days requiring you to hide in one of the many
Harbors of Refuges (most of which are starting to close now but still offer
a protected secure dock) scattered around the lakes.  Get the Michigan
Harbors guide and call them to see when and if they will still have fuel.
Also check Skipper Bob guides and Active Captain. But others should have
some available.
The run down the Mississippi and up the Ohio to Green Turtle Bay could be a
problem. Top off fuel at Hoppe's and carefully conserve by doing hull speed.
The Kaskaskia River off the Mississippi mid way down (up River thru the
lock) may be able to get a truck delivery but check first.  Cairo, has no
facilities and I know of none till GTB.  Someone else may I don't.  After,
GTB there will be regular opportunities for fuel.  I know of a slow trawler
that doesn't leave Detroit until mid Oct every year and has made this trip
20+ times but has much much greater range then the Viking.

Good Luck

Joseph C. Pica
411 Walnut Street, #8227
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043
Ph 301-904-9122
M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37
MTOA# 3813
AGLCA# 5485 (Gold Looper)
CarolynAnn-N37.blogspot.com
Joseph.pica@gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf Of Terry Allen
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 4:12 PM
To: T-GL
Subject: GL: Transit Great Lakes Starting Oct 10

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this list and not sure of the protocol so bear with me.  I have
signed on as 1st. mate to transit a 75 foot Viking sportyacht from
Rochester, NY to Tampa via the Mississippi.  The Erie is shut down so we are

looking West.  We can make the bridge on the Illinois @ 300.6 or so by
taking down the radar etc.  The boat cruises at 23 knots and eats abt. 110
g/hr.  with short legs...maybe 250nm.  Not your typical trawler.  And like
most glitzy toys doesn't like 4 foot waves on the bow even when running
slow.  Wet, wet, wet.

During route planning I have contacted various marinas along the route and
have found that most in Erie and Huron close down Oct 15 or have shortened
hours.  Every marina ....Colborne, Leamington, Port Huron, Alpena,
Charlevoix, Milwaukee, Calumet, have given thumbs up re: fuel and dockage.
I think we can make Calumet Harbor leaving Rochester for the Welland Oct 3
or 4 with no weather delays, Canadian Thanksgiving, less daylight. etc. in
seven days. I suspect a few weather delays will make that longer.

The captain wants to leave Oct 10.  which I think is nuts.  I have discussed

the main issues but having never done this route...all my deliveries have
been Erie /  outside East Coast runs...I don't have an appreciation for
weather on Huron and Michigan in mid/late Oct.  BTW, the captain has never
done this route either.

Any suggestions, warnings.

Thanks in advance.
Terry

http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address,
unsubscribe, etc.) go to:
http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

Just a note of thanks for the input from everyone regarding the late transit
start.  I've e-mailed the captain indicating the general level of concern
and restated my recommendation to start 3 Oct giving us plenty of buffer for
weather days.

We'll see what happens.

Thanks again,
Terry