• Home
  • About Us
    • Find Us
    • Contact Us
    • Club Store
    • Photo Gallery
    • Join
      • Annual Dues
    • Donate to WYC
  • Event Calendar
    • Classes and Seminars
    • Dining and Events
  • Racing and Results
    • 2022 Race Schedule
    • 2022 Race Results
    • Committee Boat Duty
    • Race Instructions
    • Racing Archive
      • 2021 Race Results
      • 2020 Race Results
      • 2019 Race Results
      • 2018 Race Results
  • Cruising

Waukegan Yacht Club

Official site for club members.

Cruise to St Joseph Wonderful

  • Cruising
  • Event
  • News
  • Sailing

The Waukegan Yacht Club Cruisers completed a successful cruise to St Joseph, Michigan this Sunday. The weather was perfect and the lake provided no surprises. 

Three boats had planned to cruise on Friday, but one had to drop out for personal reasons. The Cruisers departed from the fuel pier around 1100. The wind was fresh from the northwest and the boats were able to achieve hull speed for the first 20 miles. Unfortunately, the wind dropped to 3-4 knots and the cruisers resorted to their engines for the remainder of the journey. 

Caramar pulls out toward the fuel pier to rendezvous with the other cruisers.

The boats covered the remaining 40 miles in good time and arrived just after midnight Eastern time at the entrance of St Joseph. The boats docked at the St Joseph River Yacht Club shortly afterward and watched in amazement as a huge lake freighter backed out into the channel. From the conversation heard on channel 72, the freighter had actually waited until the cruisers had passed safely out of the channel.

Dawn found the cruisers in good spirits and ready to explore the town. Some discovered a breakfast venue nearby and then crossed the drawbridge into downtown St Joe. The main street was alive with people shopping and dining at the local restaurants. A farmer’s market was still in full swing in a park overlooking the lake. 

Cruisers assemble at dawn at St Joseph River Yacht Club
Cruisers assemble at dawn at St Joseph River Yacht Club after a late arrival.

A couple of WYC members flew over to St Joe and met the cruisers for dinner at the Yacht Club. Everyone had a wonderful meal and enjoyed the great company.

The Cruisers and some surprise guests met for dinner at the St Joe Yacht Club
The Cruisers and some surprise guests met for dinner at the St Joe Yacht Club

Sunday morning came early and the cruisers were up and ready to go. The sun was bright and the sky partly cloudy. The wind was fresh again this time from the southwest. As soon as the boats passed the last lighthouse sails were up and they were off toward Waukegan at hull speed.

St Joe Lighthouse
The view of the St Joe Lighthouses as the cruisers motor out of the harbor.

The wind held most of the day until the boats came within 10 miles of home. Engines were revived and the last short distance passed quickly.

Cruising back to Waukegan
Cruisers enjoying the sail back to Waukegan.

The first cruiser entered harbor around 6:00 pm. After the boats were tied up and closed down, the cruisers met for a celebratory dinner at Casa de Samuels on Belvidere in downtown Waukegan. A fitting end to a wonderful adventure.

You do not need to be a member of the Waukegan Yacht Club to cruise with us. All motor and sail boats are welcome. Come join the fun!

If you want more info, send an email to sail@waukeganjosephconrad.org.

August 13, 2019 Webmaster

Post navigation

Movie Night at the Club! → ← 88th Annual Chicago-Waukegan Race amazing!

Related Posts

Fall Series closes racing for 2022 in style

The last race for 2022 October 15 could not have been better. The sun was out, the air brisk and blowing hard. Winds came out of the west at 12-15 knots […]

Another record year for Last Race Race

Another great race to Kenosha.

Racine Race Fast and Fun

The Racine Race is an annual September tradition at WYC and signals the coming end of Summer and our Racing schedule. At 22.1 miles, the only WYC race that is […]

WYC Luau Fun and Tasty Event

People answered the call and wore their best Hawaiian shirts and blouses. The WYC Luau and Pig Roast  transported the club to the Pacific ocean where it became a tropical island. […]

Recent Posts

Fall Series closes racing for 2022 in style

Fall Series closes racing for 2022 in style

The last race for 2022 October 15 could not have been better. The sun was out, the air brisk and blowing hard. Winds came out of the west at 12-15 knots […]

More Info
Another record year for Last Race Race

Another record year for Last Race Race

Another great race to Kenosha.

More Info
Racine Race Fast and Fun

Racine Race Fast and Fun

The Racine Race is an annual September tradition at WYC and signals the coming end of Summer and our Racing schedule. At 22.1 miles, the only WYC race that is […]

More Info
WYC Luau Fun and Tasty Event

WYC Luau Fun and Tasty Event

People answered the call and wore their best Hawaiian shirts and blouses. The WYC Luau and Pig Roast  transported the club to the Pacific ocean where it became a tropical island. […]

More Info
Powered by WordPress | theme SG Double