St. Clair/Detroit River

[Piratenorm]

Any Great Lakes sailor familiar with the St. Clair and Detroit River, Lake St. Clair area with some tips? Anchoring spots along the way, especially northbound where the current slows you to a crawl. Good marinas. The trip down to Put-In-Bay and Cleveland will be an express run, but back north to Lake Huron a slog so I may break the trip up with a stop or two along the way. Thanks.

 

[BayMan]

Put in bay is a great destination spot.

On way back up the river, I have stayed at a little marina in Wyandotte that is convenient and nice. Can walk into Wyandotte from there for food, etc. Pay attention to the channels in that area to get to it.

Once in Lake St. Clair - there are a number of marinas at the Jefferson's Beach area which is in Saint Clair Shores. Any are good with lots of restaurants etc.

The slog up St. Clair River is long and I really cant help you much with that. I know there are some places to stay in Port Huron along the Black River - it is the staging area for the Mac race and plenty of dockage and right in the City.

 

[JerryA]

Can't help you with the river, but mooring ball at PIB is the way to go. Water taxi will come get you as part of the cost as often as you like (channel 10). Just docked in Cleveland last weekend (trip from Erie to Sandusky) behind the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. $2/foot and close to stuff to do. Check out Tomo (sushi & hibachi) for dinner. Just a couple blocks away and a nice walk.

JerryA

 

[cromer]

Coming back from Put in Bay there are plenty of good spots around Grosse Isle to anchor out. Also Boblo Island, and Crystal Bay just north of Boblo. A great place to anchor out in Lake St Clair is the lagoon in Metro Beach. We also have transient
slips at at North Star Sail Club.

 

[Piratenorm]

Can't help you with the river, but mooring ball at PIB is the way to go. Water taxi will come get you as part of the cost as often as you like (channel 13). Just docked in Cleveland last weekend (trip from Erie to Sandusky) behind the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. $2/foot and close to stuff to do. Check out Tomo (sushi & hibachi) for dinner. Just a couple blocks away and a nice walk.

JerryA

Thanks Jerry, Rock'n Dock is one of our destinations as well, R&RHoF, an Indiands vs Angels game, the Submarine etc, then to PIB where I have a discount slip for the Vintage Car Races Monday through Wed. Thanks for the tip re: the restaurant, I like to eat well.

 

[JerryA]

Ahh... A discounted slip is almost always good. Except in front of the Boardwalk. Rocked all night. Wish I had time for the vintage cars.

JerryA

 

[JerryA]

In PIB this weekend.

 

[Kopite]

Jerry, Norm,
How busy does PIB get on the vintage weekend? Am I likely to have any trouble getting a mooring ball if I show up Sunday pm ? I'll be sailing over from Monroe.. Thanks, Andrew

 

[pcjrusso]

Andrew if you are heading to PIB on Sunday evening you should be fine getting a dock or mooring ball . You can check PIB website to see what is going on or call the Boardwalk restaurant/marina

Where are you leaving from in Monroe? We are in Toledo beach marina

Enjoy
Pat
Nauticat 33
La Salle Mi

 

[Kopite]

Thanks Pat.. If the weather looks OK that will be my plan. I sail out of the River Raisin. It will be my first visit to the Bay, and like the idea of the mooring, but as far as I can see it's first come first served, and would hate to arrive with nowhere to stay..

 

[JerryA]

Sunday should be good

Sunday evening should be good. Most folks are heading home. 11am is checkout time for the balls. Middle Bass marina is a great place as well if PIB is full. Several areas to anchor if needed as well. Sometimes daysailors are on the balls and you just have to wait for one to leave. If the ball is not occupied or have a PFD tied to it, it's yours.

JerryA