I've been over in Door County these last few days. On the way up through the penninsula the wind was howling and I saw one bay after another that looked ripe for ripping. We are staying on Washington Island off the tip. The first night...after a long car ride with the family...I grabbed an epic session on the north side of the island. There was a long finger bay that the wind lined up perfect...right down the middle...huge glossy rollers..the Father Hennepin kind, but bigger. Very nice. The winds are like a fan...just plain ON. Then last night I was blessed with a great sunset session on my 17m and 151 combo, very relaxed cruising between the island and the mainland, about a 10 mile stretch. Again, the wind was just ON.
Mike Kellet gave me a good lay of the land before I came up here, which really helped. Though all the main spots they ride are only the beginning. There are so many sweet bays to be discovered.
Mike took my daughter and I out this morning on his boat and we caught a tender 13lb salmon from 75 feet down. What a beauty. Thanks Mike. The grill is going to smell good tonight.
If you ever get a chance to get over here I would. It is remote, laid back and beautiful. It is one of the few places in rural US that you don't see cars up on blocks and 6 different types of vinyl siding on each house.
Door County Rocks!
Moderator: MK
Door County Rocks!
Tighe
When the wind is going steady on the great Lakes, it is so easy...you kind of forget to turn.
I remember seeing a posting from Mike Winter (?) when he was in the Door - if it isn't in the reference section, we (er rather, you) should put it in there.
My inlaws have a cabin in the channel in Sturgeon Bay which is half way between Lake Michigan and the Bay. That channel is pretty tough because of all of the boats and bluffs, but if it lines up from the south, you can sail at the bay side. The waves can be pretty big there, but they kind of crash into each other (no flow).
I was there in June, and the wind was from the south and OK at Sturgeon Bay, and so I figured conditions on L. Michigan would be great from some of the sandy beaches. The waves were really nice, and the wind was just good enough to get on a plane, so I popped out hoping the wind would pick up out farther. MISTAKE! the wind actually died totally off and I swam about a mile in. Even though it was almost 90º and I wore a wetsuit, the water was COLD! So be careful. While there was 5 mph there, i went to the Bay side (leeward) at the mouth of the channel, and was completely powered on a 5.0. Wierd.
I have yet to have a very good day up there in 4 years, but then I haven't sailed up at the tip near Wshington Island, where it does seem to get that funnel effect. It's great you got to experience that!
It's so amazing how one good day can get etched into your memory for so long. Must be some kind of critical body chemistry need that creates that - hmmmm, maybe I'll have to use that excuse next time it blows...
I remember seeing a posting from Mike Winter (?) when he was in the Door - if it isn't in the reference section, we (er rather, you) should put it in there.
My inlaws have a cabin in the channel in Sturgeon Bay which is half way between Lake Michigan and the Bay. That channel is pretty tough because of all of the boats and bluffs, but if it lines up from the south, you can sail at the bay side. The waves can be pretty big there, but they kind of crash into each other (no flow).
I was there in June, and the wind was from the south and OK at Sturgeon Bay, and so I figured conditions on L. Michigan would be great from some of the sandy beaches. The waves were really nice, and the wind was just good enough to get on a plane, so I popped out hoping the wind would pick up out farther. MISTAKE! the wind actually died totally off and I swam about a mile in. Even though it was almost 90º and I wore a wetsuit, the water was COLD! So be careful. While there was 5 mph there, i went to the Bay side (leeward) at the mouth of the channel, and was completely powered on a 5.0. Wierd.
I have yet to have a very good day up there in 4 years, but then I haven't sailed up at the tip near Wshington Island, where it does seem to get that funnel effect. It's great you got to experience that!
It's so amazing how one good day can get etched into your memory for so long. Must be some kind of critical body chemistry need that creates that - hmmmm, maybe I'll have to use that excuse next time it blows...
Re: Door County Rocks!
It is one of the few places in rural US that you don't see cars up on blocks and 6 different types of vinyl siding on each house.
Nice....