Moved Vela down to the marina today. I believed the NWS forecast. Low 50's F3-4 winds dropping by mid-day. Late morning as I was pulling off the tarp I decided it's warm enough for shorts. No noticeable wind, already 50's. Mistake. Dropping down to Lake level I knew temps would drop. But not ~10F. Light onshore breeze. Got to the Marina and registered Vela for the season. Stepped the mast and hanked on the sails in windy onshore F4-5 conditions and low 40's air temp. At least it was sunny. No shake down run. Forecast for Wednesday is low to mid 50's with F3-4 NNW veering N winds mid-day.
Hardly any boats in their slips and very few trailer stored that were not the remnants of the winter stored shrink wrapped boats. Talked to the owner of a S22 siting in his boat in a prime slip spot. He hasn't been out yet. Too cold. Asked a recreational fisherman what the temp in the Bay is. Warm spot was 42F. The Bay is usually a good 10F warmer than open water. Another warmer than "normal" winter, but Spring is struggling to arrive. Flowering crab apple trees are just budding. Usually full flowered by this time of year.
More issues with the Washburn Marina. The temporary repair of the longer ramp and pier has failed. The under cut from the power loader and launchers that resulted in the concrete surface collapsing was temporary repaired last season with steel plates. Like what you see or use to see in NYC over their pot holes. The steel plates have collapsed. The undercut must be extreme. No money in the budget for a proper and expensive repair. Did the "dip stick" test. Guessing any boat requiring more than a 3ft draft might drop their trailer wheels into the hole. Water level is relatively low right now. Normal for winter when minimal ice forms on L. Superior.
Sorry to hear that Washburn's ramp is beat up. Can you still manage with Vela's draft and trailer or will you have to slip the boat?
Vela only draws ~12" with the keel and rudder up. No issue launching even when the water level has been lower. . Even in normal water levels I need to use the longer pier ramp (land side) when coming in. Tie up no closer than ~1/2 way in. Have hit the concrete ramp once when coming in too close. Did the dip stick check. IRRC, ~3ft of water the pier bumper closer to land then where the metal plates have caved in. But water is seasonably low right now. Hasn't rained with any measurable amount since mid April. Snowmelt this spring was nice and gradual resulting in minimal run off to foul L. Superior in this region. The snowmelt mostly absorbed into the ground. Average snowfall season. Measured 376cm at the house, but the snowpack never exceeded 75cm. Too many thaw, melt cycles and occasional winter rain when it should have been snowing.
BlackHawk, the Bayfield City Marina ramp looks fine for those needing deeper water. I know people with Chrysler and O'Day 23s that have no issues even when water level has been lower. It's steeper than the Washburn City Marina ramp.
Should have stepped and rigged Vela this morning. 68F, light breeze from the ESE, blue sky. At least until noon. By 1230 the wind kicked in from the WNW. Air temp dropped to 60F in a blink and then the heavy clouds moved in. Calm now.
Sort of typical near shore L. Superior sailing. Once set out from Washburn on a port beam reach heading NNE out of the Bay. Reached Long Is. Pt. started veering E still on the port tack. Maintaining a port beam run veered ESE through the S. Channel to open water. Wind shifted N. Thought I could finally reach Big Bay on Madeline. Nope. Time was running short. Came about and ended up on a starboard slight upwind reach to eventually deep broad reach all the way back to Washburn Marina with plenty of sunlight time. Wind shifts in my favor the whole day. Nice to just sit back and roll with the swells and waves v. upwind corking. Need a much heavier and larger boat for comfort on L. Superior. Vela is more of sailing dinghy.