Heading out into open water with Take Five during better weather..
After a long winters hiatus Take Five was finally launched and I am finally able to navigate her to her new summer home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After continued exterior cosmetic work and a thorough cleaning with new canvas, she is looking awesome! Unfortunately, the National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory for my expected route in effect from now until 10 AM on Sunday. I was planning to start the voyage first thing Saturday morning. The weather was supposed to be perfect for the trip and now I am a little bit concerned. My concern only deepens as I am currently listening to a book entitled Dead Wake by Erik Larson. This book researches the deadly last voyage of a the passenger boat RMS Lusitania that was torpedoed by a German U boat in the Irish Sea killing 1,198 people including 128 Americans. The event happened shortly after the Lusitania emerged from dense fog…. The book is a wonderful recitation of history and chronicles the events from first hand accounts of all the parties involved, including the captain of U-20, the German submarine that launched the torpedo. This event marked the beginning of the US entry into World War I with an eventual declaration of war against Germany in 1917.
I am always nervous when talking the boat out for it’s first cruise of the season as I fear that perhaps some critical boat system might fail or I will have forgotten how to navigate in the sometimes close quarters near the marina. It can also be a challenge docking an 80,000 pound boat alone. However, thankfully, I have been very fortunate (usually) in the past and use extreme caution when taking her out, especially into the open water of the Great Lakes. I will also have my youngest daughter, Sophia, on board to assist me with the trip and keep me company for the 5 hour voyage if I decide to brave it.
Sheboygan, HERE WE COME!!! (MAYBE)
