OK, so after Happy Happy's first ever winter snuggled inside a heated warehouse in Northern Michigan, we are preparing for the 2018 cruising season and have a tentative launch date of May 16th!
This season will be a busy one both on and off the boat. We expect a few layovers while we shuttle from someplace on this map to places off this map but are also hoping that any of you that have interest will be able to meet us along the way to be a part of 2018's cruising adventures.
This blog post is only being shared with those of you that have expressed interest in being aboard. That said, there are a few things to consider in planning to be aboard, whether for a dinner in town and overnight/weekend stay onboard or a more adventurous connection in the wilds of Canada.
The main thing to have is patience and flexibility. Weather, wind/sea conditions, mechanical issues and really, where-are-we-and-how-good-of-a-time-are-we-having, will play a big part in how well we actually end up being in the outlined for the periods planned. If you have a preference for meeting us at a certain time or cruising range/location, let us know and we will work with you to help coordinate travel logistics, packing/provisions and related preparations.
A summary of the cruising areas outlined above and described below is what we are thinking at this point. This post will be updated from time to time.
Area 1
Dates: May 16 - early June
Range: Northport, Michigan/Grand Traverse Bay
Activities/Destinations: Spring launch & systems commissioning. Starting up and running/testing all major systems. Spring cleanup, waxing, teak work, remaining winter repairs/upgrades. Beer.
Cruising summary: mostly marina bound, day trips and possible overnights out at anchor as conditions allow.
Area 2
Dates: Late June - July
Range: Northport, MI to Detour Village, MI
Activities/Destinations: Making our way back to Canada and the North Channel. A planned layover in St Ignace or Detour Village to transport Basel to his summer camp before entering Canada.
Cruising summary: Charlevoix/Petoskey/Beaver Island/St Ignace/Detour Village. Transit seas can be 2 - 4 ft.
Area 3
Dates: July
Range: (~800 miles) Detour Village to Bustard Islands and back
Activities: Mostly remote anchorages with stops for provisions. Canadian beer.
Cruising summary: Benjamin to Bustard Islands, Cruisers Net Annual Rendezvous-Little Current. Transit seas can be 2 - 4 ft.
Area 4
Dates: August/September
Range: Detour Village, MI to Escanaba, MI
Activities: Layover upon returning to the US to pick up Basel and possible trip back to Atlanta (or Costa Rica!).
Cruising summary: Hugging the southern coast of the upper peninsula of Michigan.
Area 5
Dates: August/September
Range: Escanaba, MI to Manitowoc, WI
Activities: Door County Fish Boil, Sputnik Festival
Cruising summary: Cheeseheads!
Area 6
Dates: September
Range: Manitowoc, WI to Chicago, IL
Activities: Michigan's famed west coast, Chicago!
Cruising summary: A crossing of Lake Michigan!!!!!!
Area 7
Dates: October
Range: (~850 miles) Chicago southbound to winter quarters
Activities: This segment will primarily involve moving Happy Happy down to somewhere for the 2018 winter season. We hope to leave Chicago, transit the Illinois River to the Mississippi, to the Ohio and then upstream back to the Tennessee-Tombigbee.
Cruising summary: Looking for crew.