Day 2 - 12 hours at sea

 

Leaving just before sunset at 6 a.m. was amazing. The fog, the twilight, the massive grain docks growing out of the water. The harbor was calm which led us to believe we'd have a smooth low wave day as NOAA predicted.

Coming through the Superior exit was a little choppy. But it always is choppy there, we told ourselves. We weren't wrong. But it just didn't get better. The energy built up in the waters from yesterday's wind hasn't subsided. It fostered and manifested itself in waves with no outlet, no direction. The result was cross-direction waves at a constant 2' height, frequently going to 3, and occasionally going to 4. 

Low level clouds soon covered the lake and created a 14 knot wind.  This made it colder. At best guess it was 41° when we left. This means it felt like 32°. So, cold + choppy.  On a personal note, I got little sleep, making matters worse. That said, we dressed really warm...warm gloves, hats, many layers ending up with rain pants and jacket that really acted as a windbreak. 



Tom put out the jib which did a great job of leveling out the waves and increasing our speed a bit.  

More later...



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