Back in the 70s I did a (to ma a nonstop) from Chicago to Duluth, MN 

In a message dated 1/16/05 4:30:56 PM, georgs@trawlering.com writes: > But never mind definitions, Marv, tell us about your long passages > three decades ago, please. > > I believe I have made long passages thirty years ago, but then they may not have been very long at all. Back in the 70s I did a (to ma a nonstop) from Chicago to Duluth, MN about a 1000 mile stopping only for fuel once, as the boat carried only 300 gal fuel capacity. The boat was a 1963 38' Chris Craft Roamer, Offshore Model, it was repowed with Ford/Renalt twin 210 super charged and after cooled diesels in the mid 70s. I refueled in Mackinaw City at the Fairy Dock because it was late fall and the marina was closed for the winter. The next stop was at Siuet Saint Marie to lock through, except for the lift we kept moving. I was running low on fuel and could find no supply on the VHF sense all marinas were closed do to the lateness of the year, finely I had no choice and pulled in to a harbor of refuge at the foot a town called Grand Marie's, Michigan population of about 100. I found the public utility person at the local pub who explained that there was no fuel to had and wouldn't be for at least a week, after a few adult beverages he suggested we could get some diesel out of the Grader snowplow after a few more libations to keep us warm we siphon a few hundred gal using 5gal buckets. We were forced off of Lk Superior again due to November storm and took shelter in the canal that transits (the U-P) the upper peninsula of Michigan the canal was created as a safe passage of Ore Carriers when Lk Superior was to dangerous to clear the upper end of the U-P. "You may have heard of the Coast Guard Vessel that met her demise at the top of the U-P, and is still there hi and dry in about two feet of water". We were only about 150 miles from Duluth but the weather never subsided for two weeks, so we were tied to the dock of the towns of Houghten/Handcock. I tried to get back on the lake several times during the two weeks but 15 to 20' seas made me retreat quickly. I finely received a favorable three day weather window from NOAA. The trip from Houghten/Handcock was a cruses you only dream about. the weather was clear and crisp with a bright sun and glass smooth seas. I even shut the engines down off of Devils Island in the "Apostle Island Group" to admire the complete serenity and enjoyed the best lunch of my life. We finely reached Duluth about 4pm the same day, but that is not the end of the story. We came into the Superior Wis. entrance to the bay because furl was extremely low and I did not think I could make it the seven miles to the hall out marina. The city of Superior marina had already closed but the night watchman was standing watching us come in, the boat was about 30 feet from him when I called out to ask about getting fuel when the engines died. To me this was a long passage. Marvin Heide