Normally have the handheld (my only radio) on channel 16. But yesterday I guess the volume was a bit too low for the conditions. Another more or less typical August day when the wind shows up. That is gusty if from W to NW. F2-F4, W in the Bay veering to NNW out of the Bay. Bit heavier seas and solid F3-4 by the time I cleared the Bay. Gust were upper F4 to F5. After bouncing Vela upwind I decided if I wanted to reach the W Channel which lies between Basswood and Madeline Is a reef is probably needed. Got lazy. Decided to come about and just run downwind back into the Bay. All was fine. Cruising at hull speed (+5kts) and hitting 7kts when catching a proper wave.
Some announcement came across ch 16 from the USCG. Volume was too low to hear over the sound of seas and wind. Usually it's some message regarding a distressed boater. Mistake #1.
Sky looked fine. The puffy clouds clouds over the land were having a hard time staying developed over the Lake. Plus it was clearing to the W. Should have checked the barometric chart on the hand held GPS. My only other electronic gadget on Vela unless you consider a flashlight an electronic gadget. Mistake #2.
Notice a couple boats reefing and couple dropping sail and pulling what I thought was into the Washburn Marina. Vela was fine under full sail. Maybe a hint that I should be concerned. Mistake #3
Wind was dropping. Time to head home. ~4nm across the Bay from the marina. Cruising now at ~4.5kts on a slight upwind last leg home. ~Mile out I see a heavy wind line developing. Pushed through the leading edge before realizing I should have set a reef or two. Mistake #4.
Ended up having to heave to and set the main to the 2nd reef. Considered dropping the jib. Vela sail very nice with just the main set at reef #2. No point in trying to get into the marina. Either just sail around or pull in to the shelter of the land and anchor. Like the more intelligent sailboat had done. ~1nm of just running and tacking back and forth before the wind dropped to a reasonable velocity allowing approaching the marina entrance. Of course the wind totally died. Until I had Vela sitting on the trailer at the storage spot furling the main around the boom. One last gust to make things inconvenient.
Another good and interesting time on L. Superior. At least the hard wind line wasn't a Derecho. One knock down experience on L. Superior was enough for a life time. So far, we have had couple come through this year. One down more or less outside of Washburn that knocked down more trees than you can count. Maybe one through the town across the Bay that did some serious damage to structures.
Have you read Marlin Bree's, In the Wake of the Green Storm?
Sounds like an exciting day of sailing. While the boat is handling well it is easy to become complacent.