Log 11 - Back In Lake Michigan
We just pulled into Beaver Island. We had to motor sail all the way but we're here. We were in good company since all the Lake Michigan race boats were headed back from the Chicago to Mackinaw Island Race. And YES they were also motor sailing!
The island is pretty busy with lots of race boats. We are on the hook and the anchorage is even busy.
Speaking of the anchorage! We picked on a powerboat the other day. Now it's time to pick on sailors. In fact we are going to pick on racing sailors. But then we know that cruising sailors are perfect (if they have charts).
We had just been anchored for a few minutes and we noticed one of the race boats trying to anchor. OK, I've had enough wine, the boat name was "Main Street" and it was a J120. After several unsuccessful tries near us he gave up and tried near the beach. Apparently after some unsuccessful attempts there (the beach area is a terrible anchorage) he returned to the "real anchorage".
As we sat in the cockpit we heard a rather large splash. As we looked over we saw a person at the beam of the boat THROW THE ANCHOR OVERBOARD. Of course this means that the anchor and rode (no chain that we could see) was in a pile on the bottom.
The person on the wheel backed at full speed while the guy on the bow tried to hang on. (Now why would we want to cleat off the anchor rode?) Eventually they stopped and tied off the rode. By this time they were about 20 feet from a little Catalina 22. I told Robin that if the wind shifts they would be on top of the little guy! Well about an hour later....... GUESS WHAT KIDS! YUP! The two boats were touching and every one was trying to fend off.
The worst part about the whole thing was that the little Catalina moved! He was there first and he moved! I'm afraid that if this had been me I would have been all over "Main Street" like ugly on an ape!
So I hope the crew on Main Street can race cause they sure can't anchor. But then they're racers, why would they want to anchor?
Enough for tonight before I offend someone else!
More to come
R&R