Experience #1, #2, #3

We have moved 65 Roses to Lake Erie and look forward to capturing our experiences there for others to read about.  65 Roses is presently docked at Anchors Away in Marblehead, Ohio where we have been treated very well and the owners are fabulous.

Although this past weekend wasn't our first weekend of sailing on Lake Erie it was the first weekend that Elaine and I sailed alone, with no one to call except Boat US if we got into trouble.  So picture us heading out the channel, a bit nervous yet excited.  As soon as we get out of the channel and get the sails set and head on our course an alert from the Coast Guard came over the radio announcing that a female had fallen overboard near Marblehead, western side on the lake.  Just so happened we were in that area of the lake so we were immediately on the look out for her.  An hour or so later the alert was called off, not sure of the outcome.  We then headed on towards Kelly's Island and then turned around and headed west towards Mouse Island. 

Just as we passed to the north of Mouse Island we heard a low rumbling noise behind us, only to look back and see about 20 Cigarette type speed boats bearing down on us.  Now picture that, a sailboat in the path of speed boats going at least 70 mph.  They split and went on each side of us. There were some beautiful boats for the few seconds we could actually see them.  What an awesome experience, truly.

We then headed back towards Mouse Island and the winds were such that going to the north would have required some work and we weren't exactly sure where we were on the lake charts.  So we said let's just go to the south side of Mouse Island.  Well it didn't take us long before we knew we were in trouble, when the keel hit ground, spun the boat sideways, our rudder came out of the brackets, winds blowing us towards shore, Elaine and I saying oh #$(*!  We did what we thought was best and eventually made it out, with me physically holding the rudder trying to get us away from the island.  Elaine saved the day with her quick reactions. All in all, we ended up safe, no serious damage to the boat.

Those are experiences #1, #2, and #3 all in one 5 hour time period.  Welcome to the life of 65 Roses and the unexperienced crew.  Hey we are looking forward to next weekend and more sailing.  Next time we will make every attempt to capture our experience with photos.