Day 51

Detroit MI - ST Clair MI

• Start 8:30Aam
• End 2:15PM
• Underway 5:30 Hours
• Distance 43 miles
• Total Miles on Trip 1112
• Av Speed 7.9 knots
• Weather Rainy Windy

Today's trip took us through three waterways. We continued up the Detroit River to Lake St Clair, from there we entered the St Clair River. Once again the forecasters were wrong. The forecast was for light wind and seas under 2 feet. Reality was 15mph winds and seas 2-3 feet. Even with that it was a very smooth trip. The seas were directly on our bow, and once we got half way through the lake they started to flatten out. The advantage of the lakes is we do not have to fight the current.

The St Clair River is a wide river with the US - Canada border running down the middle. The US side is mostly lined with homes while most of the Canadian side is undeveloped. The river water is very blue and makes for a pretty ride.

We spent the night in St Clair Harbor Marina which is located on the Pine River right off the St Clair River. To get to the river you must go under a drawbridge that opens every 30 minutes. They will not hold the bridge open even if you are two minutes away. (Guess how we found out!)

As we were approaching the bridge, my starboard engine overheated. The impeller that pumps river water through the motor to cool it failed. It is a normal wear item, and I have several spares on board. The pump worked enough at idle to cool the motor and I was able to get into the dock with no issues.

The Pine River was as brown as the St Clair River was blue. As we went into the Pine River you could see a very clear line where the brown and the blue water met. It looked like someone painted a line where the two rivers meet.

The St Clair Boat Harbor is a state marina, and also has camp sites. Half of the slips in the state park marinas are used only for transient boaters. Because of this most of the time we are on Lake Huron we will be staying in State Park Marinas. It makes finding a slip much easier. They also tend to be well run, with the docks in good condition.

The state park has a shuttle van and will take you anywhere within the city limits. Angel and I took advantage of it and went grocery shopping. There is a very nice family run full size grocery store in town. It has been awhile since we went to a real grocery store, and our bill reflected it.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Lexington MI, and we will spend two nights there.