In two weeks we will be heading up to the Grand Traverse Bay. We have rented a cottage on the Old Mission Peninsula for one week, and will be draging our Hunter 170 behind the mini-van. Having looked at some maps and charts and done some math, I realize that some of my dreams are too much for my little boat (13 hours on an open 17 footer does not sound like so much fun). So I have some new dreams, they involve trailering and re-launching a couple of times, but fortunately this is something my little boat is very good at! Trip one: Hasserot Beach boat launch to the cottage (halfway down the peninsula). Trip two: Straight across to Elk Rapids and back Trip three A: back to the boat launch Three B: From the Bowers Harbor boat launch out to Power Island and back Trip four (time permitting) From the south boat launch to the State Park beach and back Most of my three years of sailing has been on 1000 acre lakes. I am giddy-excited about sailing for more than 15 minutes on the same tack, and am interested in advice from anyone who has sailed these waters before. My wife is a little nervous about 200' depths, I told her that anything over 5'6" is over my head, everything after that is just numbers! My 6 year old is a little afraid of sailing, I am guessing that most of my trips will be myself and my 10 year old daughter (who has had some sailing classes and is pretty capable). We may not have time for all of these trips, because trips to the playground, sand dunes, and whatever are also on the adgenda. Any advice??? John
- Status
Trip B would be ideal
John, The trip from Bower's Harbor to Marion Island (okay, it used to be called Marion Island, now Power Island!
) would be great! It's not a long trip, you have the protection of the harbor to the north and unless there is a very strong south wind, it'll be a fun trip. Your take on the depth is spot-on - 12' or 200' is pretty much the same once you're in the water - just wear your life jackets. My very first sail was from Bower's to the island on a 16' Chrysler and was what got me hooked on sailing! Power Island is a great place to explore and have fun - go during the week to avoid the bulk of the rowdy stink boat crowd. Great trails throughout the island, nice swimming areas and decent pic nic facilities. East Bay tends to be a bit more 'boring' to sail in, but if you do make it to Elk Rapids it's a great place to explore too. Quaint town, wonderful harbor and a good deli downtown. There is also Old Mission harbor, on the east side of the penninsula - great place to day sail and you'll find lots of sail boats around there. As they say, any two sailboats heading in the same direction becomes a race! Next trip consider coming a bit more north to Lake Charlevoix - lots of great small-boat sailing on that lake. (all 17,000 acres of it! ) Dave Crowley h-26 Wind Dreamer
John, The trip from Bower's Harbor to Marion Island (okay, it used to be called Marion Island, now Power Island!
) would be great! It's not a long trip, you have the protection of the harbor to the north and unless there is a very strong south wind, it'll be a fun trip. Your take on the depth is spot-on - 12' or 200' is pretty much the same once you're in the water - just wear your life jackets. My very first sail was from Bower's to the island on a 16' Chrysler and was what got me hooked on sailing! Power Island is a great place to explore and have fun - go during the week to avoid the bulk of the rowdy stink boat crowd. Great trails throughout the island, nice swimming areas and decent pic nic facilities. East Bay tends to be a bit more 'boring' to sail in, but if you do make it to Elk Rapids it's a great place to explore too. Quaint town, wonderful harbor and a good deli downtown. There is also Old Mission harbor, on the east side of the penninsula - great place to day sail and you'll find lots of sail boats around there. As they say, any two sailboats heading in the same direction becomes a race! Next trip consider coming a bit more north to Lake Charlevoix - lots of great small-boat sailing on that lake. (all 17,000 acres of it! ) Dave Crowley h-26 Wind DreamerSafety !!!!!
When going to a bigger body of water the opportunity to see bigger waves increases. If you are thinking about reefing then you probably should reef. Wear your PFD's, both of you. Not sure if it is a requirement to have a VHF on a 17 but it is not a bad idea. Sorry if you have already heard the lecture. One Dad to another.
When going to a bigger body of water the opportunity to see bigger waves increases. If you are thinking about reefing then you probably should reef. Wear your PFD's, both of you. Not sure if it is a requirement to have a VHF on a 17 but it is not a bad idea. Sorry if you have already heard the lecture. One Dad to another.
Thanks Guys
Thanks for the input, Your right Pat, it never hurts to mention safety! Even on our little pond everyone wears PFDs. I don't just mean MY family, I have never seen a sailboat on Portage Lake where every single person was not jacketed. We do not own a VHF, but I am planning to get one before we go. Also, I never use my outboard down here, but I plan to practice with it a bit before we head to big water. Dave, I will definately give Lake Charlevoix some thought. I have several years worth of trips on my dream list, and can only get to one per year at this point. The last time we were "up-north" we drove the scenic route from Mac City to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and drove through some really nice towns and by some gorgeous lakes, your lake really caught my eye then. thanks again, John
Thanks for the input, Your right Pat, it never hurts to mention safety! Even on our little pond everyone wears PFDs. I don't just mean MY family, I have never seen a sailboat on Portage Lake where every single person was not jacketed. We do not own a VHF, but I am planning to get one before we go. Also, I never use my outboard down here, but I plan to practice with it a bit before we head to big water. Dave, I will definately give Lake Charlevoix some thought. I have several years worth of trips on my dream list, and can only get to one per year at this point. The last time we were "up-north" we drove the scenic route from Mac City to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and drove through some really nice towns and by some gorgeous lakes, your lake really caught my eye then. thanks again, John
I sail a couple of times a week on GTB and still think it's the best all around water for small boats. You'll find thin water with sand beaches all around the bay so if you want to stay in close you'll still have a great time. Check the NOAA website each day for winds - typically you'll see the wind pick up after 1:00 pm and calm down about 7:00. I live on Old Mission and moor my boat at Elmwood Twp Marina. I suggest you consider leaving your boat there at $10/day. Large easy ramps and good services. Questions check my website for e-mail and I'll help where I can. Go to: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html
Thanks george
Thanks George, I really enjoyed your site. I have been dreaming of a 260 or a 240 since I took my first sailing lesson, I have heard that they are much tippier than a keel boat, so it's good to know you like it so much. I think the 170 is a great boat to learn on and a bit more practical for the small lakes in these parts, but who knows, maybe someday. I have also been daydreaming about beaver Island, so I liked that trip report on your web site especially. The cottage we have rented has a boat dock if the weather is mild, and a beach to pull her up on if the wind is too strong, so I don't think we will need the marina. I am just hoping that the weather is not like it was two years ago when we tried the same trip, high temps in the low 60's, lightning, gale winds, and hail all week!! We pulled the boat up onto the beach and tied it to some trees. We will not have access to the web, but last time I found that if you hold the NOAA radio up in your left hand and hold your right hand palm out in facing southwest . . . just kidding, but it only seems to come in some times! Anyway, thanks for the input, if you see a 170 up there, between the 5th and the 12th, with a 10 year old girl at the stick and a 40 year old man as rail meat, give us a wave! John
Thanks George, I really enjoyed your site. I have been dreaming of a 260 or a 240 since I took my first sailing lesson, I have heard that they are much tippier than a keel boat, so it's good to know you like it so much. I think the 170 is a great boat to learn on and a bit more practical for the small lakes in these parts, but who knows, maybe someday. I have also been daydreaming about beaver Island, so I liked that trip report on your web site especially. The cottage we have rented has a boat dock if the weather is mild, and a beach to pull her up on if the wind is too strong, so I don't think we will need the marina. I am just hoping that the weather is not like it was two years ago when we tried the same trip, high temps in the low 60's, lightning, gale winds, and hail all week!! We pulled the boat up onto the beach and tied it to some trees. We will not have access to the web, but last time I found that if you hold the NOAA radio up in your left hand and hold your right hand palm out in facing southwest . . . just kidding, but it only seems to come in some times! Anyway, thanks for the input, if you see a 170 up there, between the 5th and the 12th, with a 10 year old girl at the stick and a 40 year old man as rail meat, give us a wave! John
- Status