Rendezvous at the Marina 5-31

On board on Tim and Julie's Beneteau 361, Eileen is enjoying a Trader Joe's wheat beer!

Alex (left) Guy (background) and Jamie at the picnic area at the base of Z-dock. Alex was here from Portugal visiting for the weekend.

Tim and Chris at the Grill.

Chris and Alex on Tim and Julie's boat. It was a chilly evening as evidenced by the warm fire burning in the fireplace behind my head!

Alex showing Jamie a video of his son being dunked on a bosun's chair under sail in the Atlantic off the coast of Portugal. Julie, Jeff and Jeffrey look on.

The Hunters 5-25-08

Motoring through the Holland channel, Big Red (our lighthouse) to port. Girl talk ensues on the foredeck. Eileen and Karin look like sisters!

A nice pic of John and Karin, our friends from Chicago. This was after sunset on our way back to the marina. We had a nice sail under genoa in spite of the cloud cover. We didn't venture out too far, a couple of miles or so as T-storms were expected later in the evening. The wind was out of the South and steady. Air temp was slightly warmer than yesterday, but still chilly. It is amazing how much difference the dodger makes. We shared some tasty treats and beverages of choice! Good to catch up with old friends!

Family Outing 5-24-08

Here is Jamie...King of the bosun's chair. The transfer from dock to boat was a breeze! Jamie actually liked it although mom was quite nervous. She feels better about it now that Jamie didn't end up in the drink!

A beautiful sunny, but cold Saturday to kick off Memorial Day weekend. Here, the first mate is manning the wheel, sporting her foulies! The northerly breeze (8 to 10 knots) over 41 degree water made it a bit chilly out on the big lake. Seas were relatively flat and we sailed along at 4 - 5.5 knots UNDER FULL SAIL! We had lunch on the boat and of course, a couple of tinnys.

Docking the boat is a challenge with a north wind. We had an adverse current as well. Our dock neighbors Ron and Terri helped us out. Nice to have the help when you need it!

First Mate and the Scalawag

My first mate proudly sporting her fancy red sneakers as the scalawag ponders swabbing the deck...not! Must be thinking about squirrels or something. It was a beautiful sunny day, but cold. No sailing today as the waves were too big on Lake Michigan to venture out. Eileen and I are meeting new friends at the Piper for dinner tonight! The Piper is the restaurant at our marina. Very nice nautical atmosphere with great views and all around fun place to go!

Aerial shots of our marina

Follow this link to Eldean Shipyard where we slip our boat! There are some cool shots of Lake Mac, Holland Harbor and Big Red (our lighthouse)! Click on the thumbnail photos on the right to change the picture that you are viewing.

House Church on the Lake!

Doh... no camera again! We invited our house church to join us for a sail on May 6th. We had a very mild breeze out of the South in flat seas. We ghosted along at 1.8 to 3.2 knots under genoa alone. The sunset was beautiful. Eileen and I were joined by Dave & Kathy and Tyler & Erin. Jamie hung out at home, Brandon had already left for the summer, and Jen and Jeremy couldn't make it.

Maiden Voyage 5-5-08

We celebrated Cinco de Mayo by taking our maiden voyage. Eileen and I set out for an hour or so on Lake Michigan to stretch our sea legs for a little while. It was great to sail and watch the sun setting on the lake. Sad to say we forgot the camera, so no pics of the maiden voyage!

Sea Trial and Transport 4-19

My friend Alun, owner of a J/100 (Shek O) joined me for the sea trial and transport in a 23-knot blow. The breeze was a bit fresh so we flew main only for the sea trial. These pictures are on the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck, headed for Lake Michigan, on our way to Holland after the sea trial. We sailed to Holland under genoa alone and clocked 8.2 knots in a Southeast blow in flat seas. It took just over an hour from pier head to pier head on a single tack. She is in her slip at Eldean's Shipyard (D-31).

Launch Day 4-14-08

This is launch day. She is off her cradle and ready to be commissioned for the spring. Chris took a half day off of work to be there. What a great afternoon filled with anticipation and excitement!

Renovatio, the beginning...

We bought our Irwin 31 Citation from a broker in Saugatuck, MI in January 2008. Of course, it was contingent on a marine survey and sea trial. Both were undertaken in April and were to our satisfaction. Chris has spent several hours preparing her for the season. The boat is currently named Latigo, but we will be changing her name to "Renovatio" (which is Latin for "renewal" or literally, a "total rebirth").