Single-handed to Grand Haven 9-4-08

Sorry, no pics of this one! I needed to transport Latigo to Grand Haven prior to the Saturday Anchorage Cup Race. It was my first time single handed on our new boat. I left Eldean's at sunrise, donning an inflatible life vest and tethered to the boat. It was a smooth departure but I encountered some weather and waves along the way. Conditions were NE winds at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. Waves were left over from Wednesday, 4' rollers coming from the NNW. Smaller waves with whitecaps were coming from the NE and it rained for most of the trip. I sailed under genoa all the way except when I went through a squall. Who knows how fast the wind was blowing, but it buried my port rail and it took all I had to get the sail furled. I saw the squall coming so I started the engine ahead of it hitting. At this point it was raining sideways! So, I motored for about 5 miles on a 30 degree heading and then reset the genoa and headed back offshore. The fog rolled in and I couldn't see the shoreline. I navigated by compass and water depth! I was sailing in the remnants of hurricane Gustaf. I hate that guy! Anyway, I made it to Grand Haven without incident and tied up at the municipal marina.