Lake Erie Islands Area Sorcerer Cruise

We have been craving some Sorcerer time, as our boating time has been focused on paddling so far this season. When our friend, Stacey, called to propose a get-together, we looked at the waning Summer weekend supply, and suggested that maybe she should come for a Sorcerer adventure. Not many would have been game for this. In fact, we're pretty sure she had no idea what she was getting herself into! It turns out that East Harbor State Park, in Ohio, makes a pretty good meeting place for us, distance-wise. We gave her a packing list, and told her to pack light and prepare for some closeness with the FRowes. Luckily, she drove up on her new motorcycle, so she was already planning to pack light.

This weekend followed the weekend of the Toledo water scare due to harmful algae blooms. We checked NOAA's HABs Bulletin before leaving, and it looked like the Erie Islands should be out of the way of the worst of the bloom.

A Very Short Trip on a Very Short Ship. Part 1: Testing the Motor.

Our first of three short excursions would be a trial for our new propane 2.5 hp Lehr motor. We are tired for leaking gas and gummed carburetors, so we thought we'd give this novel concept a go. We arrived ahead of Stacey, with enough time to launch the boat and take the motor for a spin in the harbor. We took a peak out at Lake Erie, and went for a short bob in the waves, but decided to head in so that we could be at the dock when Stacey arrived. It was a good trial run of the motor. Overall, it worked like a charm; however, we've still got some bugs to work out with our mounting arrangement.

Life Aboard a Very Short Ship: Is Three a Crowd?

When we asked Stacey if she would join us for a Sorcerer adventure, did she know what she was getting into? Very few people can even relate to a 16-ft boat, let alone sleep on it. Stacey is a trooper, though. She took it all in stride, and, I think, even enjoyed it. When she arrived at the marina, I was busy chopping garden tomatoes and peppers for dinner, and we were just opening our box of wine. We wanted to treat our first overnight guest well, after all!

Photo Credit: Stacey Pilling

We enjoyed a warm evening under the boom tent catching up on lost time over a meal of tortellini in tomato basil sauce. We all slept soundly in the sheltered marina; Mark under the boom tent, and Stacey and me in the cabin. In the morning, Mark bought coffee at the marina store, and we ate leftover tortellini before packing up the boom tent. Stacey took some time to take some pictures giving us some perspective of a first-time yachty. What a life we lead!

photo credit: Stacey Pilling

The forecast was for an East wind and  1 to 3 ft waves building to 2 to 4 ft by the afternoon, so we decided to do our sailing in the morning. We packed up the tent and cleared the cockpit in preparation for a wavy adventure.

A Very Short Trip on a Very Short Ship. Part 2: Testing the Crew

It is worth noting that Stacey had never before stepped foot on a sailboat, let alone sailed in 1 to 3 ft waves in a pocket yacht. Mark and I have experienced this kind of waves more frequently in the Cruiser (18.5 ft Kruger-designed partially decked canoe), but had memories of one "Hairy Day" with waves up to 4 ft. After nearly 4 seasons with Sorcerer, we have come to the conclusion that she is better suited for calmer weather and trips without a firm destination, whereas the Cruiser is built for getting there. This was weather Mark and I didn't mind sailing in (without a required destination), but at the limit of what we could comfortably push the boat, especially with a first-time sailer.

We took a few tacks in the harbor to give the crew a shakedown, and then headed out into the big lake. Waves were still manageable, probably only 1-2 footers, but still very exciting in this little craft. We sailed under main and jib on a broad reach for a couple of miles, heading toward Mouse Island. It was fun to watch the green waves building, but we knew that we should head toward the harbor before long.

Stacey held on for dear life

It looks like she's having fun here.

Maybe a little too much fun here? The wakes from these giant cruisers were a constant companion and added to the chaos of the Lake Erie waves.

Although the crew held up and passed with flying colors, she chose to remain a land-lubber for the remainder of the weekend. We went back to port, and spent the rest of the day napping, running along the beach, visiting the local haunts, and napping again.

AVery Short Trip on a Very Short Ship. Part 3: A Monumental Voyage.

The forecast was again 1-3 ft waves building to 2-4 ft, so our crew said goodbye in the morning, and Mark and I headed out to the lake. Stacey took some fun video and pictures of us leaving the harbor entrance. I really liked the one with the giant wake in the foreground!

After leaving the harbor entrance, we headed out on a beam reach toward South Bass Islands. The waves were much calmer than the previous day, mostly less than 1 ft. It was still choppy, though, and with the building forecast and the end of our weekend approaching, we opted to just sail up to the Perry Monument and turn back, rather than circumnavigating the island.

All in all, the trip was a success. We've always heard about the Erie Islands, and it was, indeed, a fun place to sail. Maybe next time, we'll get to sail around one of them completely! We were glad to share a small craft adventure with a close friend, and  we hope she'll give it another try in some calmer seas.