Tower Marine in Douglas

Saugatuck is a major fun-seekers boating  destination, but it can be noisy and expensive. One solution is to anchor at the channel near the mouth of the River or just off the channel near Singapore Yacht Club. Another option is to bypass Saugatuck and follow the channel markers to Tower Marine in Douglas on the other side of Kalamazoo Lake.

Friends from our Club in Chicago have moved their boats to Tower and one of them was away, so we asked for their slip. The marina has about 300 slips on very wide lanes so it's easy to get a slip and maneuver to it. The pool is very comfortable and the showers are first rate. 

It's a half mile to the center of Douglas where there is fine farm-to-table dining at Everyday People Cafe and other eateries on Center Street. Walk up and down Center Street to shop, buy stamps at the Post Office, buy a used book at the library, or fetch supplies at the grocery. 

On the way back from town, follow Union Street toward Hamilton and stop at the Summertime Market for fresh fruits and vegetables. The market also has meat for the grill and pie for dessert.

Perhaps you'll decide stay awhile like the family in the tiny house boat in the image. 

The worst night in 30 years.

We had lots of surge up the Black River and into our marina in South Haven last night. It was the "worst night in 30 years of cruising" according to one of our fleet members. Speakeasy was rolling from side to side. We had to put Java in a life jacket to get her up the ladder and off the boat. I had to assist anyone coming our going from Speakeasy. Sleeping was a rock-a-bye event. Java was not amused. That and the fireworks that seemed to go on for days. Just when you thought it was safe to take a late night pee in the grass, Kaboom, and it's a mad dash back to the relative safety of the rolling boat.

Even this morning the wind howled and the surge rushed up the river. The wind changed about 1100 and the the fog rolled it. We left through a fog bank that was about a mile wide. By 1400, the sky had lifted and the wind blew on our beam. Things started to look better. The sun came out. Perhaps we'll survive after all.

Weather to Go or Stay 7/5/14

On Saturday, waves were building in the Lake again and were to by 3-5 feet by Sunday—our check-out day. Some captains decided to leave a day early so we bid farewell to Chicago-bound boats Celestial, Kali, and Whisper. Northbound boats could leave on Monday including Kaleidoscope and Speakeasy. Allegro was waiting until Tuesday to cross the Lake. 

The art and craft fair was going on at the Park, so all had a hearty breakfast to fortify them for the art throng and subsequent crossing. Many cutting boards, made from recycled virgin hardwoods, were taken home to boats including Speakeasy. 

That evening, cruisers met at the South Haven Yacht Club for an early dinner of perch followed by a trip to Sherman's Dairy. Unfortunately the Dairy had a line stretching twice across the facade of the building. Dejected, we bid goodbye to our Douglas friends, MJ and Phil, and retired to Speakeasy. 

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Mark Gillingham | @markgillingham | 773-797-9560 | loftnet.com | 101010scholoarship.info

Independence Day July 4, 2014

There is a parade in South Haven on Independence Day. It's an old-fashioned parade, animals, princesses, and fire trucks. Most of the village that wasn't in the parade came to watch and get treats thrown at them. Of course, there were also tourists who came by car and, like us, by boat.

Dogs were very lucky in the parade because pet stores and shelters threw treats to their masters. Masters even traded treats among them. Salmon was traded for alternate flavors like chicken and veggie. Dog recipes were traded too--carrots and yogurt, for instance. All-in-all a win for the canines. 

Following the parade the Columbia Yacht Club Cruising Fleet prepared a potluck dinner for themselves. Red white and blue streamers were hung on picnic tables and tiny flags were stuck in candle pots as center pieces. Ham, pork, and corn were placed on the grill and salads and pies were set out. Drinks were drunk, stories were told, and food was eaten. A fine time. 

After dinner Dorothy showed her fantastic documentary if her trip with Susan to the Subantarctic New Zealand across the river at the North Boaters Lounge. This lounge is only 100 yards away from the South Boaters Lounge next to our boats and dining. However it is on the other side of the river and in the next county. To save time walking across the bridge (about a mile), Dorothy rowed her new dinghy across and tucked it away beneath the pier. All agreed that the documentary was National Geographic quality. 

The Lighting of the Sky 7/3/14

After a night sail, especially one as rough as last night, it's difficult to be clear on things. I know without doubt that there were fireworks in South Haven although I admit I saw none if it. I was with a tired Beth in the aft berth of Speakeasy half asleep after "napping" after dinner. There must have been dinner but I couldn't tell you when or where it was. Perhaps I'll remember before I post.

I wonder if there was lunch or breakfast? I vaguely recall having apple juice on a bench outside of Captain Nemo's with Java. Could that have been breakfast?  

I did learn that the fireworks was called The Lighting of the Sky and one could follow a musical accompaniment on the radio. This I learned the next day when I saw a banner near the harbor grounds. 

The Devil in the Sea 7/2/14

It was a cold and wet night as dark as the devil. He was at his work piling up waves and pounding our nose with wind so we could not sail an inch. The engine moaned the whole night through. 

It was a cold and wet night as dark as the devil. He was at his work piling up waves and pounding our nose with wind so we could not sail an inch. The engine moaned the whole night through. 

About midnight Robin got ill and while paying attention the her bodily need, the Devil sent a wave to throw her off her perch, slamming her cheek into the hard settee on the other side of the boat. Beth was already comforting Java who was shivering with fright, but sprang into action to applying ice to the injured and help her below. 

Soon, yours truly was sick as well making a mess of the aft regions beyond the rail. It was the Devil, I tell you. 

I needed rest, so our only able crew, Beth,  took watch and she saw the most terrific hallucinations between the sky and sea. 

By 0400 she could take no more and I, rested and alive in spite of Himself, took to the helm and relieved our capable mate. 

By 0900 we were safely in harbor, greeted by the fleet and awaiting Whisper and Kali who were just behind. All agreed it was the Devil's night. 

To be put to music ala Edmund Fitz. 

Mark

On Sunday, July 6, 2014, Mishaum <mishaum51@aol.com> wrote:

Just checking in to make sure you guys got across safely.  And did you freeze mid-lake?

Peg

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Mark Gillingham | @markgillingham | 773-797-9560 | loftnet.com |101010scholoarship.info

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Mark Gillingham | @markgillingham | 773-797-9560 | loftnet.com | 101010scholoarship.info

Solar Controller and Battery Monitor

This sailing season, Speakeasy is getting solar power. One of the advantages besides the obvious one that batteries get charged when the sun shines is that I can monitor the charging system more easily. The Remote Meter reads the voltage and power use of each battery bank. It also monitors the temperature in the battery well and at the meter. 

The SunSaver Duo serves two battery banks either equally or in a 90% - 10% ratio. I have it set to give most of the power to the house battery (90%) and less power to the starting battery. This arrangement ensures that the starting battery is topped off and that the house is actively charging or floating. See Battery University for a good description of the battery charging stages (charging, topping, floating) and the importance of temperature monitoring. 

More about the Speakeasy's solar power in a subsequent post. Following are images of the meter and controller. 

List of Materials

Morningstar SSD-25
Kyocera 140W 8amp
Cable length is 5-6 m
Cable 2.5 sq-mm
Fuse = 20amp
Cross brackets and mounts.