The summer of 2020 will probably be entered in the books as one of the more interesting ones I have ever experienced. COVID-19 has entered just about every part of daily life… including sailing. We are still getting out on the water, but it seems somehow different.
The race schedule is not as packed as it was some past years. The Port Huron – Mackinac took place in July, albeit with different courses, while the Chicago – Mackinac Race was cancelled. Here on Lake Erie, one of our major races, The Mills Race, was originally postponed and then finally cancelled.
Several of the so called “fun” races at our local club have been done with a “virtual” starting line and some virtual buoys mixed in with some of the navigational aids we often use on the course. It certainly made for some interesting starting and finishing sequences. All in all, it seems that people are getting out on the water, using their boats and having a lot of fun doing so. It is always good to see families sailing together.
As you read this it will be September. Some of the best sailing to be found anywhere is on the Great Lakes in September and October. The leaves are changing. There is a nice clean chill in the air… and it is quiet and peaceful. It might be a good time to check your boat insurance policy and see if you can keep her in the water a little longer this fall and get in a little extra sailing time… or not. This is my boat in early November of last year. She stayed in the water at least a week too long.
Of course, as fall approaches, we start to think of what to do as the seasons change. Boat shows come to mind. It 
appears that the shows will go on, but with some changes. The big one in October which always attracts a lot of people from the Great Lakes region is the Annapolis Sailboat Show. Scheduled this year for October 8 to 12, the show should hopefully go on, but with some restrictions in attendance. If you are planning to go, make sure to buy your tickets in advance online.
At this time, it appears that the winter shows throughout the Great Lakes will go on as planned. Whether it be Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee or someplace else, make plans to attend… just make sure to see if there are any restrictions in place.
My plans for this year have changed considerably. My sailing school has cancelled on-the-water classes for this season, so that sort of freed up some time. Also, I had planned a several week slow trip around Lake Erie. The plan was to head through the Islands of Lake Erie to Leamington, Ontario and from there take a leisurely sail eastward along the Canadian coast with probably stops in Erieau (Rondeau Bay), Port Stanley, Port Dover and other points along the way. The return trip was to do a reverse sail along the North Coast of Lake Erie with stops in Erie, (Presque Isle Bay), Conneaut, Ashtabula, Cleveland (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and others along the Ohio Coast eventually returning to the home waters of the Western Basin of the Lake. Oh well, with the Canadian Border closed and all the other things going on, I have just had a few very pleasant days at anchor around the Islands. Fortunately, I do not get tired of looking at the same pretty scenery and ever-changing sunsets.
One of my favorite summer events to watch has always been the ILYA Junior Bay Week regatta held each season at Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. This event usually draws several hundred young sailors from around the region to race for several days Opti’s, 420’s, Laser’s, etc. It is really fun to sit at anchor or a mooring ball at the Bay and watch these kids sail out in the morning for a day of racing and then head back in afterward to put the boats away… only to do it again the next day. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled for 2020.
I was motoring (no wind and a boat with some issues) across the Lake the other day doing a delivery of sorts. During the course of the trip it occurred to me that motoring along at 5 to 6 knots is not very pleasant, but sailing at the same speed would have been heavenly. Enjoy sailing our Great Lakes.
