The winter layup.

A Sad Time for a long winter layup.

Well the end of the season came up on us like a train, with our last night on board the night of the AGM and end of season dinner from the Yacht Club. We had a great night at the Port Dover Yacht club and enjoyed a great evening with friends.

The down side was that we were now only days from getting Olli out of the water for the winter hibernation.

Andy and I spent two nights at the marina winterizing all of the systems on board and then taking Olli around to the yard where we are storing for the winter.

I then went to the yard first thing next morning to watch Olli being lifted and washed before being placed on blocks. The hull was not too bad, but there are a few places that the antifoul is coming off, so there is a spring project!

We arranged for the motors and drives to be professionally winterized and serviced and arranged for shrink wrapping of the hull to keep out the worst of the weather.

All in all, it has been an awesome first years boating, with Olli being everything and more than we had hoped for, and here's to many years to come too.

Ah well, the great winter indoor pursuits start now, with a new toy to play with.
See you next spring with Olli's new adventures........
January Boat show....here we come.

As ever,

Second time accross the Lake.

Lake Erie can be real cruel.

A week on board and a visit to our neighbours.

Well with great weather predicted, we looked forward to a week away with planned visits to Erie PA and onwards down to Ashtabula OH.

We set off on the Sunday morning with glorious sunshine and not a breath of a breeze. This should be good!
Within a few miles of shore, we picked up a breeze and light chop which Olli took in her stride, and we continued on towards the lighthouse at the end of Long point.

The water at the end of the point is always a bit messy, with water coming from all directions, but today was a little worse than usual. We continued on, but were slowly reducing speed to deal with the onset of ever bigger waves. We had to slow to a crawl at one point for me to go and fix the rear stowage compartment door that had become loose with all of the pounding. Not fun out on the transom with the boat bucking up and down with Louise trying to keep her straight for me.

We then set off again, with the waves and wind getting bigger and stronger by the minute. We decided to continue on, as we were now closer to the States and the Lee of the land than turning and heading for home.

It was at this stage that Louise noticed something strange out on the bow, and we quickly saw that the Anchor was loose and slapping up and down in the bow anchor holder. This is not good. Once again, Louise took the helm, and I went onto deck with the bow pitching about 6 feet into the oncoming waves. I then had to investigate, and saw that the constant pounding had thrown the security chain out, and allowed the anchor to loosen. We secured it all again, and set off, not knowing if the anchor had gone far enough over to damage the front of the hull.

we got within 2 miles of the US before we could see land, and the lee then flattened the waters for us. At last, some respite. My comment to Louise on the way several times was..."not as advertised".
the weather networks and marine forecasts had not predicted any of the weather we encountered. That is Lake Erie for you. Never Ever take her for granted.

After fuelling up and then checking in with US customs, we headed to Commodore Perry's marina again, a really nice place to stay when in Erie.

After tying up, we began to relax after a stressful crossing. And good news, no damage to the bow from the Anchor. Just another thing to keep an eye on as we are underway.



   

Louise with a well earned glass of wine.

We stayed in Erie for 3 nights, getting a rental car for a day and doing some shopping there, tax free of course!

We did have some odd weather at times, from awesome sunsets..........

To really weird clouds and thunderstorms......

We even visited the beaches on the state park of Presque isle. Deserted on a weekday, but still a nice place to visit.

We then decided to travel down to Ashtabula, Ohio, a trip of maybe a couple of hours.
 Again, we set off in calm weather, but once again, the lake lulled us into that false sense. The waters rose up to 6 to 8 feet swells which made the last 45 minutes uncomfortable again. Again, no prediction of this in all the forecasts.

We arrived into Ashtabula's large harbour and again began to relax. Just the lift bridge to get through after the half hourly opening happened.
                               

We then entered Ashtabula Yacht Club, and were directed into a really narrow berth between a large cruiser and the start of fingers for smaller boats. The wind was calm and Olli slipped into the berth with help from the locals.

After 2 nights here, we had seen quite enough. Bridge street is a very quaint area with historic buildings and stores, but just outside of that, the town looked to be still in the midst of the 2008/9 recession, with poverty showing in buildings and infrastructure.....a long walk had Louise and I sad at how this town shows outside of the port area. The people we met were very friendly and welcoming, but I think other than an overnight to get somewhere else, this town is ticked off our list for a visit.

We then went back to Erie for a night, prior to travelling back to Canada. We were met once again in CPYC with friendly faces, and our friends from Dock 2 Port Dover took over the transient slips. We had a great afternoon and evening with them all, with lots to drink and lots to laugh about.

We set off the next morning leaving our friends behind, and fuelled up prior to leaving for home.

We were met outside the harbour by multiple go fasts on a weekend fun run....... although the pictures don't do it justice, the noise with all these setting off was awesome.

As you can see, overcast, but pretty flat.
so we set off north, and had an awesome run home in almost flat calm waters all the way.
We then spent the weekend at the marina, and met our friends who travelled back next day.

All in all, a great trip, but one that reminds you constantly to respect the lake.....it can change really quickly.
The sight of water going over the hard top as you plough through waves is not something you wish to see....it is after all, pleasure boating!

Lots of Summer fun..........

Summer is rushing by with out a care.....leaving us to think.....where did July go.......and why is August trying soooo hard to try to catch up??

We have spent every weekend on board, enjoying the warm(ish) weather here, but it hasn't dampened our enthusiasm for Olli. We absolutely adore being on board.

Our intrepid third crew member Indi is loving the boating life, even enjoying a swim now.....not bad for a dog who really disliked getting herself wet beyond her feet.

She is now referred to by all as the 'dock dog"......everyone loves her and really makes a fuss.....something she really dislikes.

 

 We have had the kids down to go out to the Bar and do some swimming and generally having fun....they really enjoy the day on the water followed by fishing and a BBQ back at the dock.

 Although I have to say that Josh does wimp out at getting into the water at first!

Sam being his normal brave self and launching into the water.

 We have enjoyed our time at the dock so far, and met some great people....none more than George and Gloria who have adopted Indi and keep feeding her treats.
George has a stellar sense of humour, and this last weekend said he was going onto his boat to put his pyjamas on....and came out dressed like this to parade up and down the dock.

I hope I have his energy when I am his age!!!

 

 

 Indi was pooched after the weekend.......her swimming and playing with the kids really took it out of her......this is her in the cabin on Sunday night!
 

 We have a week onboard soon, and again are heading over to the states to enjoy marinas in Erie and maybe down to Ohio. we will see where the weather allows us, our mood takes us, and the price of Gas goes!

Remember our motto..................................

 

 

 

 

A week on Board without the dog!

We decided to leave the dog at home in the care of my in-laws, so that we could go across the water to the good old U.S.of A.

we planned on being in Erie PA for the July 4th celebrations, but spent Canada day in our marina to view the fun of the boat parade through the harbour......great fun, but with overcast clouds and a cold breeze, not the best way to start July.



Boats a plenty with Canada and port Dover as the theme....thanks to Brian Jones of D6C for the photo!

We checked the weather on Tuesday, and things didn't look good for either side of the water, but on Tuesday afternoon, we decided to set off, after a calm spell appeared over the lake.

We hit turbulent waters off the tip of long point, but having made the turn south, we surfed with the waves and made great time.

Louise even managed to grab some sun on the way over.

Having crossed the imaginary line in the centre of the lake, I welcomed Louise to the US, and said that they knew that we would be coming.
As we approached 5 miles from shore, we saw a boat heading straight for us, at warp speed.....and yes, a huge Rib, with 4 300hp mercury motors came up alongside with 4 armed guys on board.

Having answered the questions you would answer crossing any border, the guys wished us a great stay in Erie, and sent us on our way.

We fueled up, went to Dobbins landing to clear customs, and whilst there scratched the hull of the boat on the sea wall.....I was, and still am not impressed!

We then went into Commodore Perry's marina, and were welcomed there like we always visited......given a great spot on the transient dock mere feet from the pool and hot tub area. Very nice!

 

The weather was sunny and hot, and we hit the pool to cool down.....got speaking to a couple of members who offered us without reservation the use of their car if we needed to go out to buy anything! wow!

 

We did go out on the Wednesday, walked many miles to explore Erie, the waterfront and into State Street into Downtown.

 

We had a lazy lunch, and headed back to chill out on the boat, and in the pool. We did have a brief storm that day, but nothing much to keep us from doing anything. We also went out to stock up on groceries and Wine.

 

Evening over the bay.

 

Dobbins landing.

 

The old Warner theater.

 

Liquid lunch!

 

 

Thursday bought us the joys of watching our American friends party with their families.

This then concluded in one of the most spectacular fireworks displays we have ever seen, and they were in the harbour, on a barge right in front of us at the marina, so we had the best seat in the house.

 

 

So Friday morning bought us an early start to get back across the lake, but a weather system sat over us at 7am, so we waited it out and left at about 10.30 in sunny \ cloudy conditions with little wind.

 

Louise doing her lines and fenders.

 

 

Leaving Commodore Perry's....we will be back.

 

Dobbins landing.....memories for the wrong reasons!

 

We left the harbour and set off on our course north....and a mile offshore, hit glass calm waters for most of the trip back.

 

 

Louise once again took the helm for a good portion of the trip home.

 

We arrived back at Port Dover in an hour and a half thanks to calm waters......and cleared Canada customs using Canpass.

 

We then spent the weekend on the boat, and the dock with everyone asking how we fared on our own crossing the lake.

 

Altogether, an awesome trip. and yes, we will go back again.

 

The weather on the lake can change, and we did our homework checking all the sources we can, so we didn't take this trip lightly. But with lots of planning, a good trip plan, and letting folks know your leaving and eta times, things went well.

 

Here's to many more trips across the lake!

 

 

 

 

Weekend fun, and a weeks vacation.

Weekend at the Bar...........

We joined up at the marina on the Sunday to celebrate our niece's 12th birthday......and of course her BF had to come too......that left me with a slight dilemma, and that is would 540HP be enough to move the boat and the 10 occupants, plus dog!

We set off in a light chop, but sunny and warm, and headed to Bluffs Bar, not the drinking kind......to see if we could find calmer waters to anchor in.

We did just that, after pushing the engines Really Hard to get onto plane..thanks to the trim tabs for their help in this.

We anchored in about 6 feet of water, and the kids set off to go explore the sand bar....

 

 

 

 The older and wiser people aboard sat in the boat and enjoyed the sun and the music.

 

 

 And then the guys went out for a second swim later in the afternoon........

 

Although one crew mate was too pooped out to go again so slept on the front sun pad!

 

 

The Birthday girl, Ellie and her friend Ashley seemed to have a great time!

 

 This then led into our weeks vacation on board.....more to come, and remember.....