Monday, June 23, 2025

At GRYC

I’m writing this blog to be our memory of this new cruising trip. It’s amazing how the days run into each other and the details get forgotten. I hope you enjoy this too.

This morning after doing more errands ( I’ve been doing errands for days now) and skipping breakfast, we started the engine at 1113am and cast off. The B&G instruments were working, except we didn’t have True wind speed (TWS) or the true wind angle (TWA). As we went down the Grand River, the autopilot stopped working. Then the wind, depth and speed instruments also stopped working. We’ve been so busy getting the boat ready, this our first time away from the dock this year. Everything worked when we brought the boat to the dock this spring. This year we haven’t been sailing and we never anchored this boat. We anchored in the west end of the harbor, but that didn’t go smoothly either. The chain got stuck on this plate that has a slit to stop the chain (chain stopper). If anyone knows what it is, please let us know. But I got it worked out and we did anchor ok. I didn’t put in the anchor bridle as we have a new hook I don’t know how to use, I didn’t think we’d be there long and it was protected. The anchor held well. We thought there were markings every 10’ on the chain, but I didn’t see any. Add another job to the list. Vicky made PB&J sandwiches for lunch.

Phil and Vicky, his daughter, were testing wire and trying to figure out if the breaker was broken or not or if some wires broke when Phil put the folding bikes in the sail locker. After a few hours, Phil called it. Mind you he had to go in the sail locker and in the lazerette which is a tight fit. His daughter Vicky was inside the quarter berth to check for lights meaning it was working or testing for voltage.

It was a super hot and humid day up to 96 F. Lucy was hiding in her cubby under the chart table after the engine started and Casper was sprawled on the sole (floor) not much bothered. While we were anchored in the west end of the harbor, they were dredging the river entrance. Every once in a while the tug boat reved its engine to pull the barge out into Lake Erie to dump the contents.

Phil and his daughter Vicky went swimming off the stern of Katie O. There was a little current, but we had lines tied to the boat and they were on floaties. I connected 2 lines so Vicky could get to Phil and I pulled them in. I stood on the swim ladder while they swam. 15 min was long enough to get cooled off.

Phil docked the boat competently. Then we went to Great Lakes Boat Works for a new breaker but no luck. We went home to get a few items and so Phil could clean the contacts. We tried to eat at Fairport Harbor Family Restaurant but it’s closed on Monday. We went to Perkins Restaurant and very much enjoyed the A/C and ceiling fans while we ate. We actually got cooled off but that didn’t last for Dr. The food was good too. I have grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes and spinach. Phil had pot roast and mashed potatoes and rice pilaf. Vic and had a rice vegetables with chicken dish. AAA is a great option to

Up came the anchor but it got on the bow roller upside to be down. I had to let it out a little to try again after telling Phil to get into neutral. 2nd time was a &

After we got back to the boat at the yacht club, I assisted Phil to get the breaker installed and it is functioning. We have some of the instruments partially working but not the autopilot.

I coaxed Lucy out of her cubby with her favorite treat. Then took both cats off the boat with the leash attached. It went fine.

We spent some time inside the yacht club as it was cooler. I bought newer lighter weight harnesses that the cats don’t mind. I’m glad I found them.

Well it finally happened, Casper fell off the boat. I was down below in the head taking a “bird bath” when I heard Phil yelling Casper fell off. I ran to the stern (glad it was dark and no one else was there) and leaned over to lift Casper as he was climbing the swim ladder. Phil had tossed it down and he started climbing. Fell off and climbed enough that I could reach him. Good think he had his harness and leash in. His meow screams sounded like he was really scared. I dried him off with 2 towels and after giving himself a bath, he doesn’t seem worse from wear. So glad that the current from the resent rains had slowed down and didn’t sweep him away from us.

Tomorrow Phil plans to take a couple hours to see if he can find a broken wire to fix. We need to get the top to his teva coffee cup. Weather looks good to try for Ashtabula again.

Miles traveled: estimated 2kn. Grand River Yacht Club (GRYC) to GRYC