Sailing Grace: Lake Michigan Toward Manitou, Rescued by Pontoon Boat

We love the Leland area, and visited there again this summer for our 44th anniversary.

For sailing the relatively small sailing rowboat Grace it offers the option of the inland Lake Lelenau, with the beautiful clear water typical of such lakes along the western Michigan shore, and the real draw for me, Lake Michigan.

The first sail is a bit embarrassing. It was too windy to sail but I didn't want to wait and so went out. Getting out onto Lelanau involves motoring out the Leland River, and a series of mistakes meant I wound up getting a tow from a kindly pontoon boat: not topping off the gas, and after running out off the mouth of the river on the proverbial lee shore, after topping off the tank and getting some adrenalin stupidity, my starting reflex kicked in which involves toggling the fuel shut off--to off! So, I was trying to row off the rocky shore and losing ground to the 20-25 mph wind.

The rest of the sailing was an absolute treat, including a long stretch way out onto Lake Michigan toward the Manitou Islands.

Part of the series Sailing Grace and Sailing These Homemade Boats by Doug Rudy