Not All Work

Getting ready to sail isn’t all work. We played golf on Thursday and Saturday at Apostle Highlands Golf Course which is a very nice golf course that overlooks Madeline Island. The views are spectacular, particularly with the all the ice floating in the water surrounding the islands.

Putting In

Before having Summer Snow put into the water I had the major task of polishing the “top sides” which is defined as the part of the hull between the waterline and the deck. Last year I had it done by the marina but this year I wanted to do it myself. It’s kind of like washing and polishing your car, that’s when you find all the scratches and dings and that’s what I wanted to do, find the problem spots so I could do the appropriate repairs. I used Turtle Wax and applied it by hand for very satisfying results.

 I decided that the bottom paint was OK for another year. It sure pays to buy good quality bottom paint although the fresh water of Lake Superior is quite friendly to the bottom of any boat. The ablative type bottom paint has to be renewed every few years but the “good stuff” I used before going to the Bahamas has lasted 3 years, going on 4. Boats that stay in the water all summer need bottom protection or they get a thick growth that slows you down although we don’t have the barnacle problem they have in saltwater.

These photos show Summer Snow being transported and then put into the “well”. Then I started the motor and motored over to our traditional slip. It is sweet to be back in the water! Now the interior cleaning begins in earnest. 

The 2014 Sailing Season Is Here

The 2014 sailing season is here so I loaded up my pickup and headed for Cornucopia. My goal is to get the boat livable for Memorial Day. Bev will come up with Patrick and Jessica Friday night. This is what I found on my drive by Lake Superior; ice and lots of it. Many of the bays are full of floating chunks of ice and the ice flows in and out depending on the wind. Well, the marina is clear so I can still get the boat in but sailing is not likely for a while.

Sailing Season Ends

Summer Snow in the Cradle

I was at Corny last Monday and Tuesday (Sept 24 - 25) and put Summer Snow to bed for the winter.
It's pretty much the same as winterizing a RV except you have to crawl up and down a ladder to do everything. I stored the sails down below this year instead of taking them home because they were nice and dry and I think they will keep just as well up there as in my garage.

The tarp on the deck is just to cover the teak from sun damage. I was very pleased with the condition of the bottom paint ( I may get by for another year before re-doing it.)

In Lake Superior

Summer Snow in Siskiwitt Bay Marina

Summer Snow is back in the most beautiful lake in the world. Here are some interesting Lake Superior facts:

1.  Lake Superior is, by surface area, the world's largest freshwater lake.
2.  The surface area of Lake Superior (31,700 square miles or 82,170 square kilometers) is greater than the combined areas of Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
3.  Lake Superior contains as much water as all the other Great Lakes combined, even throwing in two extra Lake Eries.
4.  Lake Superior contains 10% of all the earth's fresh surface water.
5.  There is enough water in Lake Superior (3,000,000,000,000,000--or 3 quadrillion-- gallons) to flood all of North and South America to a depth of one foot.
6.  The deepest point in Lake Superior (about 40 miles north of Munising, Michigan) is 1,300 feet (400 meters) below the surface.

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Ready to go in

You forget how many details there are to complete before launch.  Getting the mast ready is the main thing. I like to test all the lights and check all the wires for chaffing. Then getting all the shrouds in order and the spreaders on with good boots takes a good hour. But it's ready now and after launch and when the mast is stepped it's time to do the major cleaning.

Back to Corny

I am finally back to Summer Snow. Bev and have been busy with family matters and this is my first chance to come up and get the boat in the water.  I have been working all day and have decided to take a break at Fishlipps Bar.