Port Austin-Alpena, MI rough patch

Port Austin-Alpena, MI

We use NOAA, Great Lakes Portal (NOAA), the ‘blue’ Windy app (allows choice of the different models) and local knowledge for marine forecasts. Each predicted 1 foot waves and 10MPH NW winds. The winds get friskier with daytime heating, so we put in 100 miles before lunch, starting prep at 0445 or so.

The first video is after abandoning the direct path into the wind and sailing due west across Saginaw bay. If those waves are one foot then I am at least 12 feet tall…and we can’t video the rougher stuff. The second video is after reaching the western shore, giving partial protection from the west component of wind.

After that a rather pleasant passage of 100 miles to Cheybogan, MI county marina before lunchtime. We plan four nights here and a Uber/ferry trip to Mackinaw, which may be too wild for us with the July 4 holiday. The Alpena Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (free/donations) is worth a visit.Read more