South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island to Manitowoc, WI

October 23rd - November 4th, 1999

1. Day 34 - Oct 23, 99 - The winds have subsided somewhat, so WHITECAP has decided to venture her nose out and have a peek. Three days penned up again and she's ready to move out; seas still a bit high, so WHITECAP made a dash up the shore of Manitoulin Island and slipped into Providence Bay about 10 to 15 miles from South Baymouth and is content to spend the night here.
2. Day 35 - Oct 24, 99 - WHITECAP pulled out of Providence Bay in the morning and made her way toward the Duck Islands. Tied up at an old wharf on the tip of one island for the night.
3. Day 36 - Oct 25, 99 - Clear and calm this morning; WHITECAP is motoring towards the Straits of Mackinac by Bois Blanc Island. What wind there is this morning is on the nose again. Entered the US/Michigan border and headed north to De Tour Village across from Drummond Island where WHITECAP will spend the night.
4. Day 37 - Oct 26, 99 - Departed De Tour Village at 06:00, making very poor distance for time; winds 30-35 gusting to 37 on the nose again. WHITECAP decided to turn back to De Tour and wait out more favourable conditions. She is content to sit for part of the day and wait for the winds to subside again; then she'll make a dash for Lake Michigan.
5. Day 38 - Oct 27, 99 - Rise and shine quite early; slipped the lines at 03:00 after talking to an incoming vessel; calm seas on the outside. WHITECAP finally has a tail wind; doing 7 kts over the bottom. Turned in at Charlevoix, MI for the night. Richard and Ben have made Chicago and are flying north to Traverse City to make connection with WHITECAP in the morning.
6. Day 39 - Oct 28, 99 - Richard and Ben arrived at 03:00 and WHITECAP departed in the wee hours. Hope to stop in Frankfort, MI by 21:00 for the night.
7. Day 40 - Oct 29, 99 - No Update.
8. Day 41 - Oct 30, 99 - WHITECAP made her way to Sheboygan, WI with the help of Richard and Ben; the saga continues, however, WHITECAP has now developed transmission problems and will attempt to make her way back to Manitowoc, WI where there is a transmission mechanic of some notoriety.
9. Day 42 - Oct 31, 99 - Heading back to Manitowoc today; wait till morning for mechanic.
10. Day 43 - Nov 1, 99 - Although we thought about it, we decided we didn't have to pull WHITECAP out of the water today to facilitate working on the engine and transmission. Richard and Ben are packing already; the visit was far too short and the distance traveled due to various reasons (weather, mechanical problems, etc.) was also too short. Still 150 miles to Chicago.
11. Day 44 - Nov 2, 99 - Tuesday - We rented a car and Richard, Ben and Dick drove to Chicago to prepare for Richard and Ben's flight home. Visited the "Old ABBY" which is now the Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago; we were invited back to have supper on the ABBY and then spent the night in Chicago to await the flight departure on Wednesday.
12. Day 45 - Nov 3, 99 - Richard and Ben caught their flight and winged their way back to PEI. I, in turn, made my way back to Manitowoc to check on WHITECAP.
13. Day 46 - Nov 4, 99 - With the engine now on the galley floor (in the way of everything), it turns out that the female spline on the clutch assembly has failed and needs repair; the mechanic has agreed to work Saturday to facilitate WHITECAP's earliest departure in order to make haste toward Chicago. Can't cook in the galley, so heading out to supper tonight.