07-24-2015, 05:26 PM
I just got back from a three day two night trip to Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota. A good friend of mine had offered me some dock space at her place in a quiet protected cove off of Frazier bay. I have wanted to sail Lake Vermillion for a long time. The lake is about 20 miles long and is composed of a half a dozen large bays connected by narrow rocky passages. It is big enough that it can be a real challenge if the wind kicks up, but it is small enough that it qualifies as protected waters. To my mind it is ideal for a weekender.Â
This year I had concentrated on re-finishing Duckie for her last appearance at the local boat show. I had only put her in the water one time for a shake down before the show and was in desperate need of more time on the water with her. So, one day after the show we were on the road north. I had contacted a marina on the eastern part of the lake and acquired a launch site as well as a place to park where my truck and trail would be protected. They were very helpful and not expensive at all.Â
As I headed out I noticed that I was getting a pretty good push away from the dock. I rounded an island and headed in the direction I was to go for the rest of the day when I was hit by not just a gust, but a sustained wind around 20 mph dead on my bow. I hove to and reefed the main, but that wasn't sufficient, so I headed to the nearest lee shore and struck the jib and tightened up the reefed main. When I stuck my beak back out into the wind, I was still over powered so I struck the main and went on with my good ole Yamaha. I could see a public launch ramp on a lee shore ahead so I motored up to it and beached the boat intending to wait out the blow. While I was there I also rigged a downhaul for the jib and tightened everything I could think of. About 45 minutes later the wind had returned to normal so I ventured out and found the best sailing I had seen in quite some time.Â
The wind was WNW and I had to go due west. This situation gave me a favored tack that allowed me to make some good distance before having to tack. I could make about 10 degrees off the course I wanted so a couple miles per tack was easy. As I went along the lake got bigger and the mid afternoon wind got stronger until the sailing became lively. It was funny because once I got sight of the house I was headed for not more than a couple miles away it took me over an hour to get there. Once I came off the favored tack and headed for the cove, I kept getting headed no matter how far I steered away from the wind. I fiddled with it until it occurred to me that it was late enough in the day that she might be getting worried, so I motored in and tied up to her dock.Â
The next day the wind had disappeared so I went motor cruising to explore the lake. I don't mind puttering around if that is all I can do, but sailing was the reason I went up there. Still, time on the water is never wasted so I don't feel cheated by Mother Nature. The next day was the same, but I let what wind there was push me slowly down the lake while I hid under my parasol. I continued like this until I couldn't stand it anymore and fired up mister Yamaha. I left the sails up and eventually got a chance to experience motor sailing which I thought was pretty cool.Â
I plan to get as many of this kind of trip under Duckies keel as I can this summer until we head for Oklahoma and Texas in October. I
was prepared to be self sufficient on this trip, but my friends hospitality is not to be missed. For this kind of civilized cruising I can't think of another boat that I would rather have under me. They call it a Weekender and this trip was a perfect example of why.
AlÂ
This year I had concentrated on re-finishing Duckie for her last appearance at the local boat show. I had only put her in the water one time for a shake down before the show and was in desperate need of more time on the water with her. So, one day after the show we were on the road north. I had contacted a marina on the eastern part of the lake and acquired a launch site as well as a place to park where my truck and trail would be protected. They were very helpful and not expensive at all.Â
As I headed out I noticed that I was getting a pretty good push away from the dock. I rounded an island and headed in the direction I was to go for the rest of the day when I was hit by not just a gust, but a sustained wind around 20 mph dead on my bow. I hove to and reefed the main, but that wasn't sufficient, so I headed to the nearest lee shore and struck the jib and tightened up the reefed main. When I stuck my beak back out into the wind, I was still over powered so I struck the main and went on with my good ole Yamaha. I could see a public launch ramp on a lee shore ahead so I motored up to it and beached the boat intending to wait out the blow. While I was there I also rigged a downhaul for the jib and tightened everything I could think of. About 45 minutes later the wind had returned to normal so I ventured out and found the best sailing I had seen in quite some time.Â
The wind was WNW and I had to go due west. This situation gave me a favored tack that allowed me to make some good distance before having to tack. I could make about 10 degrees off the course I wanted so a couple miles per tack was easy. As I went along the lake got bigger and the mid afternoon wind got stronger until the sailing became lively. It was funny because once I got sight of the house I was headed for not more than a couple miles away it took me over an hour to get there. Once I came off the favored tack and headed for the cove, I kept getting headed no matter how far I steered away from the wind. I fiddled with it until it occurred to me that it was late enough in the day that she might be getting worried, so I motored in and tied up to her dock.Â
The next day the wind had disappeared so I went motor cruising to explore the lake. I don't mind puttering around if that is all I can do, but sailing was the reason I went up there. Still, time on the water is never wasted so I don't feel cheated by Mother Nature. The next day was the same, but I let what wind there was push me slowly down the lake while I hid under my parasol. I continued like this until I couldn't stand it anymore and fired up mister Yamaha. I left the sails up and eventually got a chance to experience motor sailing which I thought was pretty cool.Â
I plan to get as many of this kind of trip under Duckies keel as I can this summer until we head for Oklahoma and Texas in October. I
was prepared to be self sufficient on this trip, but my friends hospitality is not to be missed. For this kind of civilized cruising I can't think of another boat that I would rather have under me. They call it a Weekender and this trip was a perfect example of why.
AlÂ