Trip 2, Day 9, Leg 7

Trip Day - Friday, October 1

0548-Solar 62%. 67F/66F. Warmest night yet! no heat this morning. Rain coming down! No sign of chubby? I prayed he would escape before I had to kill him.  I left the door open a couple of times but never saw him jump ship, but no sign of him since either?

0753-69F/63F. Solar 57%. Finished my morning routine.  Time to make a quick breakfast, pull anchor, and get underway.

1030-Arrived at Kempton Entrance North (R36). Traveled 8.8nm, 1:34 in time, 5.6 knot average speed.  There is a cloudy overcast with very light wind. Observed no boats of any kind along the track. But as I was tying up at the new boat site, two fishing boats passed by in the channel at high speed. I checked out the other side of the island and observed another fishing boat by the day marker trying to catch a fish.  

Kempton Entrance North (R36) - 5 out 5 Rating
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I checked a narrow channel west of the island (short cut) and I think I can pass through there in the morning instead of going all around to the SE. Very humid today.  I computed the distance remaining at 15 miles or so and I've gone 10.8 nm on this tank of gas. That does not give me much reserve! Maybe 5 nm or so? Range is approximately 32+/- nm per tank.  More limiting than I originally expected for this engine (Yamaha 60hp)!  I need to bring more fuel in the future.

Area of Operations - Day 9, Leg 7
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Nav Chart - Day 9, Leg 7
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Google Earth - Day 9, Leg 7
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Avenza Map - West End Of Leg 7
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1114-69F/68F. Still overcast. Finished my dishes.  This morning I cut off power to the freezer completely to conserve the solar battery power.  I will use only the fridge part of the unit. Given the cloudy and rainy weather and solar now at 54%, I need to be careful.  Time to go ashore and video this island boat site.

Getting Ready To Do Dishes - Water Heating On Stove
Dirty Dishes On Floor, Wash Water Goes In Sink, Rinse Water In Gray Bin, Rack Behind
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Dishes Drying In Rack, Hot Water Kettle Stowed, Towels & Wash Rags Drying, Sink Cover In Place
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Galley All Cleaned Up!
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1142-Got back from a hike around the island. Temps are 69F/70F so I opened all the windows, though I felt a few drops of rain while walking.  I think it is time for a boat lunch.  A light SW breeze started up, which was forecast.  Weather shows it should be partly cloudy, but it is completely overcast. Hard to be that accurate 9 days out!  I printed the 10 day forecast the day I left home. The forecast shows more of the same temps and wind tomorrow so I will likely make the long crossing of this segment of lake with no problem.   

1240-Finished my boat lunch and went out to tighten the stern guys.  There was too much movement back and forth at the stern. Good napping weather! Raining again lightly, typical of October, but I hope it breaks again. It is still warm at 70F/69F. Really quite warm for October in northern Minnesota. Closed up the boat, except the bow door screen, to keep the rain out.

1305-I will take my own advice and read for a while, then take a nap. Still raining. 70F/68F. Wind is SW.  Tried to listen to the VHF to get current weather, or any signal at all...nothing! I may need to get a standard VHF antenna and more powerful radio. The handhelds just aren't doing the job.

1533-Read, then napped for a considerable time. 69F/67F.  Time for dinner. Solar 53%.

Solar Generator Powered By Two Portable 120w Bluetti Solar Panels 
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1622-Finished dinner of roast pork, potatoes, roll, salad, and red wine. 72F/66F.  It rained heavily during dinner so I may be stuck inside for this evening?

1701-Sitting inside due to the rain, with my table top fire burning. It generates too much heat though! I stepped out onto the aft deck to leave dinner dishes to soak and observed a pair of bald eagles pass by.  They roosted in a tree across the small bay, but I could not quite see their roost from here. 

Table Top Fire
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Listened to Pandora music downloads while I complete the log.

1907-Rain stopped for a while, so I set up the fire ring ashore and sat observing the evening surroundings with my field glasses just enjoying the quiet.  Came in from the fire, temps now 69F/67F.  I will close up the boat tonight, since it could rain some more. Fog is forming. Solar 50%. Will read and then fall asleep. 

Post Rain - Sitting By Fire Ring
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Fog Beginning To Form
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1948-Bedtime got delayed trying to connect the Osmo Action battery charger and setting up the Osmo Mobile to also charge overnight. Read my novel for a bit. I will try to hit the sack one more time!

Day 9 of Trip - YouTube Video

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