Hello Cruising Australis friends. It's been way too long since I last posted but I'm going to get back into the saddle and start posting the sail trips, maintenance, cooking and other aspects of life aboard the Australis.
I just came back from a wonderful weekend with Dexter Scout Troop 456 camping on Middle Bass Island on Lake Erie.
Thursday: Jim Rodgers, one of the Scouts dad and very experienced sailor and I sailed the Australis over from her home port at Toledo Beach Marina to the Middle Bass Island State Park Marina. It was a brisk sail, close hauled in building seas with 20+ knots of breeze.
Friday: Traveled to Middle Bass via ferry to meet the Australis who arrived the night before. Set up camp and spent the evening playing games aboard the Australis. A couple of sporting lads tried their hand at scooting my Poohduck Skiff (https://www.woodenboat.com/boat-plans-kits/12-10-pooduck-skiff) about the harbor in the 20knt breeze.
Saturday: We ferried the Scouts from Middle Bass Island to Put-in-Bay in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) for a day's sightseeing over the island. We visited the Perry's Victory and International Peace Monument and Perry's Caves. The boys rode back to Middle Bass on the 1961 Sonny S ferry.
Sunday: Daytrip on the Australis to Kelly's island. It was an idyllic day for boating in the north bay. The boys enjoyed sailing, kayaking and swimming both off of the boat and off the sandy swimming beach. We visited the Glacial Grooves formation, hiked the North Shore trail and enjoyed an ice-cream and a swim. Quiet breeze and a wonderful sunset wrapped up the day.
Monday: Some scouts decamped via the Miller Ferry to drive home while others enjoyed a brisk run home to Michigan on the Australis. With 25-30knts of breeze and "gunnels in the water" the boys got a taste for big boat sailing at it's best.
These lads operate in the very best traditions of the Boy Scouts. They were uncomplaining in the beginning of the trip when the weather wasn't as nice as hoped and we had to change plans. They were always good natured and supportive of each other even when tired and wet. Everybody pitched in gladly and did their bit. A finer bunch of lads I couldn't hope to know.
I just came back from a wonderful weekend with Dexter Scout Troop 456 camping on Middle Bass Island on Lake Erie.
Thursday: Jim Rodgers, one of the Scouts dad and very experienced sailor and I sailed the Australis over from her home port at Toledo Beach Marina to the Middle Bass Island State Park Marina. It was a brisk sail, close hauled in building seas with 20+ knots of breeze.
Friday: Traveled to Middle Bass via ferry to meet the Australis who arrived the night before. Set up camp and spent the evening playing games aboard the Australis. A couple of sporting lads tried their hand at scooting my Poohduck Skiff (https://www.woodenboat.com/boat-plans-kits/12-10-pooduck-skiff) about the harbor in the 20knt breeze.
Saturday: We ferried the Scouts from Middle Bass Island to Put-in-Bay in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) for a day's sightseeing over the island. We visited the Perry's Victory and International Peace Monument and Perry's Caves. The boys rode back to Middle Bass on the 1961 Sonny S ferry.
Sunday: Daytrip on the Australis to Kelly's island. It was an idyllic day for boating in the north bay. The boys enjoyed sailing, kayaking and swimming both off of the boat and off the sandy swimming beach. We visited the Glacial Grooves formation, hiked the North Shore trail and enjoyed an ice-cream and a swim. Quiet breeze and a wonderful sunset wrapped up the day.
Monday: Some scouts decamped via the Miller Ferry to drive home while others enjoyed a brisk run home to Michigan on the Australis. With 25-30knts of breeze and "gunnels in the water" the boys got a taste for big boat sailing at it's best.
These lads operate in the very best traditions of the Boy Scouts. They were uncomplaining in the beginning of the trip when the weather wasn't as nice as hoped and we had to change plans. They were always good natured and supportive of each other even when tired and wet. Everybody pitched in gladly and did their bit. A finer bunch of lads I couldn't hope to know.
