Sailing to Mackinaw island

[flynhi4u]

We are planning on going to the North Channel next summer and will be spending the winter making the necessary upgrades to our boat in preparation for that trip. On the way back I would really like to stop by St Ignace and launch there for a few days and sail under the bridge and then back to Mackinaw island for a day or two.
I was just curious if anyway had any helpful tips for sailing in that area. I know from a vacation there once the wind can really pick up and the water can get pretty choppy. So I know earlier the better but just wanted to see if anyone else had sailed that area as well.

Thanks
Sam in IN

 

[Jackdaw]

Make your reservation at the Mac Island Marina as early as possible. Forget about weekends that include the ChiMac or BayviewMac races. No chance those weekends.

 

[Parsons]

An H20 is a small boat for crossing the Straits, but possible on a nice day. It's not that far, particularly from St Ignace where you don't have to cross the actual channel and can scoot out under the bridge, and back after your picture. Have a handheld VHF radio with you to monitor for big commercial vessels. Watch out for those fast ferries every half-hour - they can ruin your whole day. I'd make a deal with yourself that if the wind is above a certain point (20 kts?), you're taking the ferry no matter how brave you feel. Remember, you need to sail back, so check the forecast as well. Post a picture when you're done, or it didn't happen.

 

[flynhi4u]

Thanks for the tips. We will have both a hand held and a hard mounted vhf radio in the boat and make sure we stay clear of the big boys. Our hard mount will have the gps tied to it so it can broadcast our position to other boats who can see it.
I was thinking a early morning sail over and back the next morning would be the best plan, weather permitting of course.
I saw where the marina has 76 slips for transients. Hopefully we can get lucky and reserve one. I know the stars will have to align for this to workout but we are hopeful.

Thanks
Sam in IN

 

[Parsons]

That's a Michigan state marina. Reservations and pricing are available at: https://www.midnrreservations.com/ Cost for a short slip will be about $30 / night plus an $8 reservation fee, if they are available. More on Michigan harbors is at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10884_18317---,00.html including a link to information on that particular marina. Have a great time.

 

[flynhi4u]

Thanks Parsons. I found that yesterday. I probably would have prefered a mooring ball than a single sided slip but they said the balls are all "owned" by the boat owners. If it is not a double sided single slip I am cations tieing up to them. Being a smaller boat a lot of the slips are taller than our rub rail and we beat and band off it instead of the fenders. If we can't tie off both sides I prefer the ball. Guess our new slip has us spoiled

Sam in IN

 

[David in Sandusky]

Enjoy your cruise of those beautiful waters.

We cruised there in our Hunter 27 some years ago. The winds and waves were not a particular issue. If you keep a good weather eye, I don't see any problem in a 20 foot keel boat.

The tie ups at the Mackinaw Island State marina should work for you. My memory is that they offer a four point tie up. The slip dock on one side, a pole opposite the dock on your stern, and the main dock for a cleat forward away from the slip dock. I seem to remember that the dock itself was high, but water depths are up now, and I don't think you will have a problem.

And, this marina is simply the best place to stay at Mackinaw Island! You are right in the middle of things through the day, but it's quiet at night. We were visited by otters while we were there!

Enjoy the visit!

 

[Trawler2]

I've spent a lot of time in the straits and the sailing can be fun. Winds can be breezy especially as they funnel through the straits. The biggest concern are the ferries that are constantly running all day and even though they are professional they still kick up quite a wake and they don't slow up until they get to their destination. Which brings up small boats at the Macinac Island Marina.....professional staff, easy slips to enter with 4 point ties but a heck of a surge practically all day from the ferries and freighters. Have good dock lines with good springs that will absorb the shock of the surge. Large fenders can also help. It calms down at night but the daytime can be uncomfortable on a small boat. Fun times though and worth any inconvenience...

 

[flynhi4u]

Springs on the dock lines will be something new. I will have to look into those. Thanks for the tip.
As far the ferries go, would it be better to enter the port at a certain time to avoid them or is it pot luck?

Sam in IN

 

[Trawler2]

You can check all the ferries schedules on line and try to time your arrival when it is clear but it would be easier to enjoy your sail over to the island on your schedule and then just stand off until the ferries enter and follow in behind them. There are ferries leaving the island too so keep an eye out for them when entering. It really is an easy harbor to enter and the ferries aren't that big of a deal but in a small boat you need to be aware of their wakes. I sailed that area for years in my Alberg 22 and recently in my Sanibel 17. (both small boats). Lots of great fun on the island.

 

[Windtherapy]

I was just on Mackinac Island and I believe in the summer months the ferries leave and return almost every half an hour and that's just one ferry service.

 

[Jackdaw]

Springs on the dock lines will be something new. I will have to look into those. Thanks for the tip.
As far the ferries go, would it be better to enter the port at a certain time to avoid them or is it pot luck?

Sam in IN

Don't stress about the ferries. They come and go all the time, and are pretty manouverable. They are also used to swarms of small boats around. They'll work with you so everyone stays clear. You'd have to go out of your way to get into a jam.

 

[JeepJeff]

You are better off sailing from the UP (upper peninsula) to the island due to boat traffic, winds, and distance. Just go and enjoy the trip. If it were me I would spend a day getting to the island, confirming my spot for the night, and then sailing around the island and local area for the rest of the day (maybe a trip to round island). Then I would spend the entire second day on the island taking it all in since there is a lot of things to do and see. Sail back the following morning. But that is my way of doing things; nice and slow, relaxed and in no hurry to get anywhere.

There is also an anchoring area at the island but it is not recommended because of the chop from the constant ferry traffic during the daylight hours and very rocky bottom (which makes getting a good hold difficult).

Do you belong to a yacht club? The island has a yacht club and may do courtesy docks for other yc members. Unsure about this but have seen it happen.

 

[flynhi4u]

I fear that the Chicago to Mackinaw race will be going on the weekend we will be in that area. I hope we can arrive the Monday morning after the race and things have calmed down a bit. Our hope is to spend a day on the water a day on the island before loading up and heading south to Hoosier land.
Still need to contact the marina there and verify dates and if they will have room for us. If the race is that weekend that may be doubtful. Fortunately our plans are very flexible, other than our wedding date. Once the knot is tied we are at the mercy of the wind and waves.

Sam in IN

 

[flynhi4u]

Just checked and the date of the Chicago to Mackinaw race will be the weekend we could be there so that is probably a bad idea on our part to try and sail at that time. I imagine the slips are all already reserved and it would be a mad house. Might be neat to hang out as the boats come in. I will check today with the Marinas there but I have already started coming up with another plan just in case.

Sam in IN, waiting on the snow to fly

 

[cjm1]

Go on to Hessel, 20 mile east and a good launch ramp. It has well protected sailing in the islands between Hessel and Cedarville.

 

[flynhi4u]

Just an update, I have made reservations for a slip at the St Ignace Harbor as the harbor at Mackinac is all reserved for the yacht club. Seems the dates we will be in that area overlap the Chicago to Mackinac race. We will be staying in St ignace from July 23-26th. Just curious what to expect with the boats coming into the air for the race? Also, this will be our first trip to a "real" harbor. Anything special we need to know.
We had hoped we to sail over to Mackinac for the day but they sounds like it might not work now with the race. I spoke with the Harbor master and he said we might be able to get a day dock on that Sunday from like 1 pm to 7 that night but it is first come first serve. There are only 6 day dock slips so chances probably are not too good. I thought if that did not work we would just take a ferry over to the island and leave our boat slipped at St Ignace.
Looking at the area I can really see us sailing quite a bit while we are there. Other than Mackinac any other places to sail to near by that you might suggest?
I have also made our reservation for parking a slip at Spanish. Being our first trip to the North Channel we plan on being rather conservative and probably wont venture too far away from Spanish in case the weather turns or we have problems. That said from all the research I have done there looks to be plenty within 15 miles of Spanish to keep us entertained for a week.

Thanks
Sam

 

[Jackdaw]

Just an update, I have made reservations for a slip at the St Ignace Harbor as the harbor at Mackinac is all reserved for the yacht club. Seems the dates we will be in that area overlap the Chicago to Mackinac race. We will be staying in St ignace from July 23-26th. Just curious what to expect with the boats coming into the air for the race? Also, this will be our first trip to a "real" harbor. Anything special we need to know.

I kind of expected that. What to expect then? RUM PARTIES! ;^)

If you get to the island during the finish plan on a lot of fun. If you have never been to a big regatta finish it can be quite a treat. 99.9% of the time as a sailor you feel kind of isolated in the real world; here walking around town the whole vibe is sailing related. Its a lot of fun. Wear flips, Henri-Lloyd sailing shorts and a tech-top and you'll fit right in. ;^)

In the harbor just be chill. Remember that everyone is moving at walking speed. Give raceboats as much room as they need, remember that they will be drawing 7-10 feet and will appreciate the deep water. No need to do anything crazy or unexpected, but just be aware and you'll be fine. They will also raft up 3-5 deep in places sometimes, so don't get trapped! ;^)

 

[flynhi4u]

Thanks for the tips Jack. When will most of the boats arrive in the Mack area if they leave Chicago on Saturday? We thought we might just hang back and get a feel for the whole situation. Sounds like fun on the island. I was there once before about 15 years back but Cindy has never been so I would like to spend a day there with her and let her take it all in. When you refer to the finish is there a set time and day for that? Do they wait for all the boats to complete the race and then have a ceremony?

Sam

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks for the tips Jack. When will most of the boats arrive in the Mack area if they leave Chicago on Saturday? We thought we might just hang back and get a feel for the whole situation. Sounds like fun on the island. I was there once before about 15 years back but Cindy has never been so I would like to spend a day there with her and let her take it all in. When you refer to the finish is there a set time and day for that? Do they wait for all the boats to complete the race and then have a ceremony?

Sam

Due to the length of the race, Lake Michigan's unreliable breeze, and the number and range of boats that enter, the finishes will run typically from as early as Sunday to as late as possibly Wednesday. Many of the boats have plans post-race and will leave after a day or so of R&R, so the awards on the island are done sort of on the fly. The real Awards ceremony is actually back in Chicago in the fall.