Leamington Ontario Cruise

[South lake]

This past weekend Deb and I took the Get~Aweigh and Mike and Judy took Just Dreamin' and we crossed Lake Erie from our marinas in Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio to Leamington, Ontario. It was a great couple of days and the Ranger Tugs certainly drew attention at each of our stops.

We first met up at the Middle Bass Island State Park Marina on Friday morning and spent the night there. We were docked with a group of boats that gather each year for the summer solstice. They've been doing this for 41 years. Very nice people, in a variety of boats, most of them larger than our R-25's. There was lot's of interest in our boats. People were generally impressed with how well they're equipped and how liveable they were. Friday evening, we had dinner on our boat. I made shrimp bisque, Judy made a delicious salad and Mike brought a loaf of his homemade sour dough bread.

Then Saturday we headed for Leamington. It was a little cloudy but the lake was nice for the run over. When the two Ranger Tugs made the turn into Leamington Harbor from behind the breakwater we were quite a sight. Again we spent the day and much of the evening telling people about our boats and giving one couple a tour of the interior.

On Sunday we came back across the lake. The wind was up and out of the WSW so it was pretty bumpy for a while with waves of 4 feet and occasionally 6 feet for a good bit. On Lake Erie, the waves pack so tightly together that you just slam on one after another when they're like that but these boats are just so seaworthy that the ride is fine. And the autopilots held the course with little wandering.

We both took video and shot some photos and I've combined them into one video on YouTube. You can see it directly on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCwCmd10R-M or off the GetAweigh web site at http://getaweigh.com/the-great-lakes.html

Now with all the interest in Ranger Tugs that we encountered it would sure be nice to see a Tug Nuts gathering in the Western Basin of Lake Erie sometime 😀

 

[Tom Zmon]

Looks like an awesome trip. Our new to us Ranger
R25 is almost ready. The former LaurieAnn has
been re named Evolve and provisioning is well under
way. Pam and I would be ready for a lake Erie trip soon.
Please keep us posted.

 

[South lake]

Congratulations on Evolve! I'm sure you'll enjoy the R-25 as much as we do. They're just great boats. Where will you keep her? On the trailer or in the water? Will your primary location be Lake St Claire, Lake Erie, etc.?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Jeff and Deb thanks for taking us all on a great boat ride across Lake Erie, it felt like we were there with you two, Mike and Judy. Except for the seasonal May Fly's it looked like you all had a good time, again thanks for sharing.

 

[South lake]

The Mayflies are pretty interesting aren't they Jim? The night we stayed at Middle Bass one of the Solstice group walked down the dock turning off the dock lights. There were dark clouds of Mayflies in the sky heading toward the island. it was a strange sight. Thanks to her turning off the lights, we didn't get too many on our boats or dock that night but the rest of the marina was covered.

I have some video of our Grandson from about 10 years ago when he spent a week on our 40' Searay with us at Marblehead. He was around 4 then and the video is of him meticulously picking up Mayflies by their wings and throwing them in the water for the fish to eat. This was of course after we showed him that they don't sting you or bite. He must have entertained himself for hours that week just picking up Mayflies.