Crossing Lake Michigan – an Epic Adventure: The Whole Story

The Chicago skyline seen from Lake Michigan in the background, with a sailboat in the foreground

The journey across Lake Michigan, from Chicago to New Buffalo and back, was a beautiful and eventful adventure. But a whole lot happened! The trip involved sailing, motoring, a famous freighter ship, and unexpectedly running aground with family on board! However, through the kindness of strangers and maritime miracles, we overcame the challenges. The joy of reaching the finish line after the long passage was totally worth it!

The Float Plan: Safety and Comfort

Cheese, blackberries, and crackers on a plate

In this post, we share our philosophy on preparing to host a day of sailing with guests. We discuss the importance of weather considerations, the use of checklists for supplies and tasks, and our choice of food and hydration. We delve into setting clear expectations for our guests, prioritizing their safety and comfort, and addressing seasickness. We also touch on our sail plan and the anticipation of sharing this unique experience. Safety and comfort are our primary concerns.

Check Sail on Red Sky: Electric Winch, Reefing, Bow Thrusters, and Double Rudders

The mainsail hoisted high on the mast of a sailboat

The 2024 season's "check sail" with SailTime Chicago marked another new beginning for us, with a new boat, Red Sky, which was quite a bit different than our previous boat, Sister Sail. We familiarized ourselves with the traditional mainsail, electric winch, reefing process, bow thrusters, and double rudders. Although challenging, the sail was a success, and we look forward to more outings on Lake Michigan!