Day 44 – Ludington to Muskegon racing down the Michigan coast

We raced down the Michigan coast to get to Muskegon before some rain and high winds commenced. The total length of the trip was 44 miles. We made it in 7 hours thanks to the East to South East winds. We were sailing close hauled (sails pulled in tight). The winds were strong ranging from 12 to 19 knots. Our boat speed made it up to 7.4 knots, which is probably the hull speed, I.E. as fast as the boat will go. We were definitely Peen honin (healed over). However, it was at a comfortable angle due to our new 100 % Genoa Jib. We had an older 150% jib which was good for racing, but it can lead to being over powered. Our Sail Maker recommended that since we are not racing that we use the 100% Jib. It is working out great.

7.4 knots in about as good as it gets.

Turns out that the Muskegon Lake area is full so a-holes. As we came through the breakwater, no less then 8 boats raced us in and passed us as we went through the breakwater. Not nice.

We are staying at Safe Harbor Great Lakes. The people are real nice, but the office staff assigned us a slip that had someone else in it ad was too small. They worked it out and now we have a larger brand new slip.

I hedged the slips by getting 3 days in Muskegon and 3 days in Grand Haven, which is 2.5 hours away. Did this in case we got hit by the storm that was supposed to come on Sunday. Well we considered going to Grand Haven, but alas the rain came and we are hunkering down in Muskegon.

Maybe we will go to Grand Haven on Monday, which is purported to be a nice harbor. Meanwhile, we are in Muskegon for the day.