........MacGregor Index Page.............. Flaming Gorge Trip Index Page
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............--- Bay North of Holms Crossing --- .................................................--- to --- ...........--- Bay South of Holms Crossing --- --- West of mile 38 on Flaming Gorge Res. Fish-n-Map CO. Map--- |
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.....(Sat/Sun/Mon -- Jun 18th, 19th, 20th ) ...........Anchorage --- N 41º 08.418´ ...........................W 109º 34.286´ Trip Mileage = 15.2 NM ---- Day's Mileage = 5.1 NM .........Sailed = 4.6 NM.---- .Motored = .5 NM |
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.........................--- Saturday ---
Shades of sailing in Florida upon waking in the morning. There, anchored at times on a Bahamian Moor for a couple days the boat would float around and wrap the anchor lines at the bow. Well here in one night it had managed to do that a couple times. With both of us on the bow we let out each rode enough that we could then take the line from each anchor through....
.... the side chocks and tie them off leaving the twists ahead of the chock and before the anchor roller. This left the rode from the rode bags out through the anchor bow rollers slack. Next all the rode was pulled out of the Bruce rode bag and unwound from the Manson rode and then re-stuffed into the bag.
With the anchor rodes back in order we had a quick breakfast as the wind had picked up a bit and we didn't want them to re-twist. With breakfast out of the way we lowered the pop-top and with Dottie at the tiller and outboard we dropped back off the Manson and retrieved the Bruce and then went forward to the Manson and retreived it but it was really in the mud and a lot was still on it when I finally got it up. I left it in the water slightly under the water as Dottie motored us toward the main body of the lake so that the mud would be washed off.
Once out in the open water the outboard was turned off and raised out of the water and we slowly ran south in very light northeast winds or none at all (see south track above). Again I've gotten anal about trying to sail in any conditions that I possibly can even if it means moving very slowly. We slowly ran south for about 1 1/2 miles and then the winds did the daily 'shift and increase radically' deal and we were up to speed in seconds. Again look to the southwest for an advancing army of waves and you will be forewarned.
The big difference on this day was that the wind was a very manageable 15 mph or so with occasional low 20 mph gusts. With the wind now on our nose coming from the south we started tacking to still make our way south (see south track above). This was good exercise for us and the varying wind speeds and slight changes in direction helped Dottie get use to the tiller and keeping the sails close to the point of luffing.
Our day's destination was then chosen on the speed south we were making, how tired we were and the possibility of 30+ mph gusts later. An arm of the lake running west at Lake Mile 38 looked like it might work (Get a FISH.n.MAPCO Flaming Gorge Plus Green River Below Map).
After a number of tacks we were able to sail into the mouth of the arm and lowered the sails. It was a great sail. The Mac is a great boat in so many conditions. Inside the arm we motored a short distance to a very small side cove on the south side of the arm where Dot ran us onto the shore.
Running up on the shore was intentional. After the rode around the underwater trees one night and then dealing with two twisted anchor rodes that morning I decided it was time to beach the boat whenever possible and we never anchored again on the lake except to use the anchor up on the shore a few times. The lake has a lot of underwater trees in the shallow areas so you need to be aware of them if anchoring. Beaching also ridded us of the shifting winds at night and the problem of swinging on anchor possibly into the shore or shallow water.
I had also beached the boat some on Lake Powell and would again if we returned there.
We found out that the Manson could be used to step on and off the bow. Even Dottie with somewhat shorter legs could us the Manson in most cases. I will probably make a short removable ladder to hang on the anchor rollers for the times we beach the boat.
When I beach the boat and intend to stay beached over night I like to run stern lines off the stern to the port and starboard so that the boat doesn't get blown around sideways during the night. Also, and I do this on all anchorages, the centerboard and rudder are up along with the outboard. For shore lines I use West Marine 3/8 inch Premium Prespliced Three-Strand Anchor Lines. They are strong and reasonably priced. I started with cheaper poly lines but the anchor lines are so much stronger.
Ruth had sewn up bags for them some years ago and they work well as you just stuff the lines in the bags and they come out without tangling.
In the evening we went for a walk....
...up on the hills behind the boat and ....
...later fixed a dinner. It was a good day.
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..............................--- Sunday ---......
We liked this spot and needed a day or two of rest so decided to stay here for a while.
In the morning we took the dinghy for a ride up to the end of the arm where we found some thirsty antelope and ....
.... others who had already taken a drink.
Later in the evening we walked down the point further than the night before where we could see more of the lake and ....
..... then nightfall came again. Being further north than home the sun rose earlier and set later and we were right at the summer equinox so the days were the longest of the year. I loved the shot Dottie took above and she took over 90% of the pictures for the trip so about every picture on the trip report except for a couple are hers.
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..............................--- Monday ---
We were enjoying doing basically nothing so stayed a third day and ....
.... Dottie took to the water even though it was in the mid 60's where we were. I chickened out but seeing her enjoying the water did get me motivated to try a few days later.
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