Planning our first big trip from Lake St Clair up to Mackinaw next month. Plan to use public marinas on the way up and back but would also just like to anchor out half the nights. Any good recommendations welcome.. The western shore line of Huron looks pretty uniform and shallow - kind of looks like you could drop anchor just about anywhere close to shore. Not looking to go ashore those evenings so a public harbor is optional. Figure on making about 50nm per day starting in St Clair shores.
Anchorages Lake Huron
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I'm sure Lake Huron sailors will be able to give you answers, and I'm guessing that there is probably a good cruising guide for the area, plus there's that website the lets sailors add their comments about anchorages and the like.
I know you have a nice big boat, and perhaps 50 nm per day is possible, but I feel it's like somewhat "pushing it." Do the math: @ 5kts = 10 hours, 6 knots = 8 hours. Those are plenty long days, even if you don't factor in sailing which may increase your over-the-ground real distance traveled. And our experience is that sailing to a schedule is never a good idea, safety-wise.
Sounds like a really great trip.
Have fun.
I know you have a nice big boat, and perhaps 50 nm per day is possible, but I feel it's like somewhat "pushing it." Do the math: @ 5kts = 10 hours, 6 knots = 8 hours. Those are plenty long days, even if you don't factor in sailing which may increase your over-the-ground real distance traveled. And our experience is that sailing to a schedule is never a good idea, safety-wise.
Sounds like a really great trip.
Have fun.
I don't know of any anchorages on that trip and very few marinas. Be very careful near shore as you are likely to encounter 15 feet of water with 12 foot uncharted rocks. Be very watchful of the weather and plan your trips between harbors carefully. Figure 10 hour motor from Grosse Pointe up to Port Huron on the St. Clair river and then 200nm from Port Huron to Mackinac. There is really no good place to stop on the St. Clair River. Marinas on the way up- Port Sanilac, Harbor Beach (not advised-depth), Port Austin, Harrisville, Alpena, Presque Isle, and Rogers City. Have fun and by all means get a Richardsons cruising guide. You will need one.
Its an ugly long haul up the St Clair river against the current but you should make Lexington or Port Sanilac on your first day. Both are good but my preference (and homeport) is Port Sanilac Uri's for dinner right at the marina 
From there I'd shoot for Port Austin (but be mindful of your approach in from the NE), Harrisville would be about 50nm for day three, then into Presque Isle. Then either into Cheboygan or De tour Village. From Cheboygan its and easy run to St Ignace and Mac Island. Or if you choose De Tour then its a very pretty sail alone the Les Cheneaux Islands with potential stops in Cederville, Hessel or just pick a quiet cove. St Ignace offers a great harbor within walking distance of everything. Mack Citys is nice too but I find it a tad busy during the day. Oh and if you want fuel in Mack City its via the Sheplers ferry dock.
Lastly, as pointed out by "HeyJude" a cruising guide is highly recomended and should be available at any marina. Study the guide and charts well in advance of your trip, know the route and what to look for long before you arrive. I like to write down all key info of each leg on a seperate sheet of paper so I'm not trying to find or read a small font when I'm nearing a port. KNOW the hazards cold, lots of rocks and shallows well out into the lake on the Michigan side so hugging the coast or cutting corners isn't always posible or wise.
The run up to the Straits is a great adventure. Enjoy the ride and have fun.
From there I'd shoot for Port Austin (but be mindful of your approach in from the NE), Harrisville would be about 50nm for day three, then into Presque Isle. Then either into Cheboygan or De tour Village. From Cheboygan its and easy run to St Ignace and Mac Island. Or if you choose De Tour then its a very pretty sail alone the Les Cheneaux Islands with potential stops in Cederville, Hessel or just pick a quiet cove. St Ignace offers a great harbor within walking distance of everything. Mack Citys is nice too but I find it a tad busy during the day. Oh and if you want fuel in Mack City its via the Sheplers ferry dock. Lastly, as pointed out by "HeyJude" a cruising guide is highly recomended and should be available at any marina. Study the guide and charts well in advance of your trip, know the route and what to look for long before you arrive. I like to write down all key info of each leg on a seperate sheet of paper so I'm not trying to find or read a small font when I'm nearing a port. KNOW the hazards cold, lots of rocks and shallows well out into the lake on the Michigan side so hugging the coast or cutting corners isn't always posible or wise.
The run up to the Straits is a great adventure. Enjoy the ride and have fun.
You can anchor inside the breakwall at Harbor Beach, Presque Isle Harbor provides a good holding all weather anchorage. From Presque Isle you can cross the lake to Drummond Island and on the SW corner is Whitney Bay which has numerous quality anchorages. From there Government Bay near Cedarville in the Les Cheneauxs is a excellent as well as Wilderness Bay and Hessel Bay near Hessel. Also you can anchor inside the breakwall at Hammond Bay Harbor of Refuge.
On the East side
On the Canadian side you can hop from Sarnia, to Bayfield or Goderich, to Kincardine, to Tobermory and then up to Killarney. From there the North Channel is yours with anchorages and marinas galore. The longest run will be Kincardine to Tobermory at around 10 hours at 7 knots motor sailing (~70 miles).
On the Canadian side you can hop from Sarnia, to Bayfield or Goderich, to Kincardine, to Tobermory and then up to Killarney. From there the North Channel is yours with anchorages and marinas galore. The longest run will be Kincardine to Tobermory at around 10 hours at 7 knots motor sailing (~70 miles).
Great local knowledge for you here so far.
I'd also sign up for active captain. Their interactive guide book is a crowd-sourced database overlaid on NOAA charts. Lots of good stuff there. It requires an internet connection, so you can't use it everywhere. If you get addicted to it, several plotting apps allow you do download a snapshot of the database.
https://activecaptain.com/index.php
I'd also sign up for active captain. Their interactive guide book is a crowd-sourced database overlaid on NOAA charts. Lots of good stuff there. It requires an internet connection, so you can't use it everywhere. If you get addicted to it, several plotting apps allow you do download a snapshot of the database.
https://activecaptain.com/index.php
You can anchor in the basin at Port Sanilac, Tawas and Harisville how ever I would not try it in Port Austin. There is a shelf of 50 foot water that runs almost due north as you leave the river and runs all the way to the tip of the thumb. Good luck with your trip and safe sailing.
I'll echo what most have said here. If you have time, check out the North Channel, though that's a little out of the way for your route. Keep it on the list of future places to go!
The Les Cheneaux Islands are very pretty and have a few anchorages, so you should consider them. Lots of pretty islands with pretty houses, and even the powerboats are pretty (I bet more than half are wood boats). Government Bay is a decent anchorage, and tacking around the islands to the east of it is fun!
However, I passed through there last year and had major issues with very thick weeds starting from Cedarville south to about Connors Point. Be extremely wary of going through here unless you have a rope cutter on your prop (and even then). I fouled my prop and had a very difficult time controlling the boat under sail since there was so much on the rudder.
Otherwise, have fun out there!
The Les Cheneaux Islands are very pretty and have a few anchorages, so you should consider them. Lots of pretty islands with pretty houses, and even the powerboats are pretty (I bet more than half are wood boats). Government Bay is a decent anchorage, and tacking around the islands to the east of it is fun!
However, I passed through there last year and had major issues with very thick weeds starting from Cedarville south to about Connors Point. Be extremely wary of going through here unless you have a rope cutter on your prop (and even then). I fouled my prop and had a very difficult time controlling the boat under sail since there was so much on the rudder.
Otherwise, have fun out there!
Another good spot in Potaganissing Bay is Harbor Island. Water level is low, stick to the channels, but well worth the visit. Very protected from weather. Customs can be arranged on Drummond Island at Yacht Haven. There was a cool little spot on Sitgreaves Bay, but the water may be too shallow for your boat to get into. Big Shoal water is warm for swimming, but again watch your depth.....water is the lowest I've seen in 25 years.
I think I can help here as I have been sailing in the North Channel for about 20 years. I live and sail out of the Port of Little Current, about 130 nm east of Mackinac. The North Channel is a wonderful area with good marinas and deserted anchorages. I would suggest buying the Ports Cruising Guide and send me a private message if you have specific question on this area. Fair Winds
Not much for anchoring up the St Clair River.
Lexington harbor is very tight.
Sanilac has some room for maybe 10 boats.
Harbor Beach has plenty of depth if you enter the east entrance and anchor just outside of the turning basin. North entrance to the marina is skinny.
No room at Port Austin.
Harrisville has room for maybe 5 to 10 boats.
Presque isle has a LOT of room. But contrary to other opinions, holding is poor. The bottom is weeds. We dropped our very reliable Manson Supreme and it dragged EASILY. Anchor only in settled weather.
There are opportunities for anchoring in and around the Les Cheneux islands.
Moorings at Mackinac are rolly.
I don't think you'll be comfortable anchoring on the open coastline. Winds don't always blow out of the west, in fact, in the northern half of the lake, prevailing wind is northwest and often that wind bends down the coast in a southerly direction. Plus boat wakes will roll you.
Lexington harbor is very tight.
Sanilac has some room for maybe 10 boats.
Harbor Beach has plenty of depth if you enter the east entrance and anchor just outside of the turning basin. North entrance to the marina is skinny.
No room at Port Austin.
Harrisville has room for maybe 5 to 10 boats.
Presque isle has a LOT of room. But contrary to other opinions, holding is poor. The bottom is weeds. We dropped our very reliable Manson Supreme and it dragged EASILY. Anchor only in settled weather.
There are opportunities for anchoring in and around the Les Cheneux islands.
Moorings at Mackinac are rolly.
I don't think you'll be comfortable anchoring on the open coastline. Winds don't always blow out of the west, in fact, in the northern half of the lake, prevailing wind is northwest and often that wind bends down the coast in a southerly direction. Plus boat wakes will roll you.
I have found the Great Lakes Cruisng Club's harbor reports to be more complete than other cruising guides.
I been up the river twice. It maybe to close for a stop but the St Clair municipal marina is wonderful. Also with the river current s stay on the right hand shore as close as possiable I picked up 1.5 knots from the center of the river.
Happy Sailing......
Happy Sailing......
We've done this trip several times. Lake St Clair to Pt Huron/Sarnia - full day.
It's about 55 miles from there to Harbor Beach - good anchorage but you can't get into the marina if you have an average draft sailboat. Then to Harrisville - limited anchorage inside the breakwall - distance is roughly the same.
It's about 55 miles from there to Harbor Beach - good anchorage but you can't get into the marina if you have an average draft sailboat. Then to Harrisville - limited anchorage inside the breakwall - distance is roughly the same.
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