Great Loop Cruise Video

Sorry K1W1, but it's hard to make that mistake when you have your boat in "My Fleet". Also it would be 2 people making the same mistake, both of whom have her in "My Fleet". More likely someone at Marine Traffic reads YF. As for being willing to admit my mistakes, I'm happily married for nearly 40 years. Trust me, I'm not only very used to admitting my mistakes, but to taking the blame for those around me as well.

Today the bow cam will go off until about October 19 (weather permitting). Hope everyone enjoyed. It's been a very good, beautiful and interesting leg. We're leaving Valhalla in Charlevoix, Mi. for the next few weeks due to bad weather coming in. This is a beautiful, well protected harbor, with an easy fuel dock at Ward's and very nice city marina. I highly recommend it as an overnight stop or a port of refuge.

If he owns a gorgeous early 60's-late 50's vintage Chris Craft runabout (26' +-), he was out yesterday afternoon. Thank him for me for giving my eyes a treat. We ate at the Gray Gables last night. Nice. But I've got to ask, how do they mow those back yards along Belvedere without either rolling over the lawn tractor or dying of a heart attack if they use a hand mower? I may just have found a new favorite port. Next spring I hope to be back and have the opportunity to drop the dink to explore the lake a bit. Hal "the happy dockmaster" certainly brightens up the place as well. Love meeting people who love and are proud of their towns.

Are you heading down the Oswego/Erie, Champlain or heading up the St. Lawrence?

" We're leaving Valhalla in Charlevoix, Mi. for the next few weeks due to bad weather coming in."
I'm pretty good at forecasting the weather and sea conditions along the coast, especially the NY area. But the Great Lakes weather is very different. Looks like I'm getting a handle on it. When you decide to lay a boat up 3 or 4 days short of its winter home, it's good to be right.

She'll go. If necessary the boss will come off and a mate will come on. I've got 3 to 4 cruising days left. I'm up on the 20th and will stay till the job's done.

First, I have zero faith in a forecast 12 days out.
Second, I don't buy a plane ticket until at most 4 days before so I can have a reasonable forecast (2 day forecast is as far out as I actually believe.)
Third, I've cruised / worked on L.I.Sound through one of the coldest winters on record the year I moved back from Florida. So I've experienced winter on the water.
Fourth, I was cruising through the Carolinas last year for the ice storm. No place is immune.
Fifth, I've set aside at least 10 days for the 3 / 4 day trip. (more if needed.)
Sixth, It's a Hatteras 56MY, 74,000 lbs. The only questions are how long the trip will take and whether the owner will want to be on board or I'll hire another professional. Getting to our winter home isn't in question unless/until the lake ices.

First, second and third, Can tell you've been in Florida for awhile. lol.. Want to know the weather? Look up. That's about as good a forecast as you'll get. Thankfully the jet stream tends to give us a little insight up north. (Not that I've never been surprised mind you.)
Fourth: Then you know how everything grinds to a halt. Fortunately we found a taxi driver from Indiana to get us from Myrtle Beach back up to Southport. Navigating ramps and decks with 2" of ice on them...well, it's an educational experience. lol.
Fifth, it makes a big difference Would you rather be in a gale on an air craft carrier or a 36 Carver? The 56 Hatt can take more than I can, and a lot more than the boss can. (RB480, know what you mean about the following seas. I'll be looking for 1-3, 3-5 max. Preferably off the bow.)
Sixth, Actually I worked out a deal with my boss to short-pay me for days spent on the dock. It was a hard negotiation, but I won. (You'd have to know my boss and myself to fully understand. We have backwards negotiations. I try to take less and he tries to pay me more.)

Thanks for the good wishes. A lot of times people take me more seriously than I mean to be taken also. It's all good, as long as there's adventure in life. Look who I'm telling. lol.