Leg 3 of our 2022 trip up north
(to read Leg 2, Sheboygan to Manitowoc, click here)
After two days on the boat, we were finally settling into a groove. With light east winds shifting to moderate south winds midday, we figured it was a good time to cross the lake. Additionally, thunderstorms were forecasted for late night and tomorrow, so we wanted a harbor with good protection in all directions. Lake Betsie and the town of Frankfort, MI would make a good stop and was towards where we wanted to go.
Today we motored the first 35nm in swells that were initially a little bigger than I expected, but eventually the winds went south and we sailed for 25 miles. We might have (should have?) flown the spinnaker, but I thought the angle might have been too high to fly it well… with jib and main we still did 5 knots in what had become nice, flat water. Each of us napped a little while underway, as we had left pretty early in the morning (for us!). The wind died before we got to Frankfort, and we motored that last 10 miles for a total distance today of about 70nm.
Overall, it was a nice, easy day.
When making a crossing of Lake Michigan, I usually like to plan on anchoring at our destination. Anchoring doesn’t require reservations, and doesn’t involve docking at an unfamiliar port in the dark. It also makes us more willing to divert to an alternate if things don’t go as planned… it’s said there’s little more dangerous than a “sailor with a schedule.” Betsie Lake is small enough that it’s protected from all directions and shallow enough that anchoring isn’t too difficult. There’s also two marinas there if we need them, as well as lots of shops, restaurants, and a grocery store to replenish supplies.
The sun went down and actually hid behind some clouds that eventually were rain showers. We could hear someone in the cockpit of the boat next to us rolling dice in a cup… Yahtzee on a yacht?