Great Lakes Walk About

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JohnnyMac

JohnnyMac

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Aug 26, 2006
122
Hunter H380 Palafox Pier Pensacola
This summer I plan to explore parts of the Great Lakes I haven't seen before the point in my life where I head south. My cruising waters are the western basin of Erie and I made 3 trips to the North Channel taking the Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay route, never going farther west than Little Current and the Wabano Canal. My plan is to follow the coast of Michigan from Port Huron to Holland, cut over to Chicago, and then go north along the Wisconsin coast. I'd sail into Superior enough to say I've been there (unless I get input on can't miss places to see) and then catch the western side of the North Channel I've never seen.

My questions are:

1. What are suggestions of places to see
2. Recommending cruising guide for U.S. Huron (I have Ports which covers Canada), Lake Michigan and Superior. I have Richardson's for Huron.
3. I still work on occasion, so I am looking for good spots to leave the boat for a week. Hopefully, ones that don't charge $65/day.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. This forum was a wealth of information when we made our first trip to the North Channel.

TIA,

JohnnyMac
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Regarding Superior:

Although the NE side of the lake is pretty, it is also VERY desolate. Nothing on the SE side except Pictured Rocks, which are fun to sail by. If you are looking for pretty, good sailing, anchorages, and towns and people, most of that is on the west side, and a long sail from the Soo. Thunder Bay/Isle Royale to the north, and the Apostle Islands to the south. Both make the trip worthwhile if you have the time.

Cruising books? There is only one, and for good reason. After seeing Bonnie's book, no one would see the reason to every try compete. Its that good.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Dahls-Superior-Way-Dahl/dp/0942235924
 
JohnnyMac

JohnnyMac

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Aug 26, 2006
122
Hunter H380 Palafox Pier Pensacola
Jackdaw:

I found some Great Lighthouses around Pictured Rocks/Munising that are worth checking out. That gets me a good part of the way to the Apostle Islands, so I should get at least that far west.

Thanks for the link to Bonnie Dahl's cruising guide. I have it on the way.

JMac
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
JohnnyMac said:
Jackdaw:

I found some Great Lighthouses around Pictured Rocks/Munising that are worth checking out. That gets me a good part of the way to the Apostle Islands, so I should get at least that far west.

Thanks for the link to Bonnie Dahl's cruising guide. I have it on the way.

JMac
Click to expand
If its lighthouses you want, you GOTTA come to the Apostles. we have nine of them.

One (sand)
http://www.nps.gov/apis/historyculture/lighthouses.htm


two (rasberry)


you get the idea. view of the boat from another (michigan)


add to this 4 shipwrecks, miles of sand beaches, and great sailing.

If you come, look us up!
 
C

Capt Strapfoots

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Jun 27, 2011
111
Macgreggor/Balboa 26 25/26 Baraga
Ummm Copper Harbor and Keweenaw Bay are pretty good as is also the Huron Islands and Second Sand.

Jackdaw said:
Regarding Superior:

Although the NE side of the lake is pretty, it is also VERY desolate. Nothing on the SE side except Pictured Rocks, which are fun to sail by. If you are looking for pretty, good sailing, anchorages, and towns and people, most of that is on the west side, and a long sail from the Soo. Thunder Bay/Isle Royale to the north, and the Apostle Islands to the south. Both make the trip worthwhile if you have the time.

Cruising books? There is only one, and for good reason. After seeing Bonnie's book, no one would see the reason to every try compete. Its that good.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Dahls-Superior-Way-Dahl/dp/0942235924
Click to expand
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,710
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
After 40 years on L Mich I have been around. I agree with Scott that Traverse Bay is fantastic - Northport, Elk Rapids, and Traverse City as highlights. Leland is a must. You do want to hit Door County on the WI side in Green Bay. My favorite was Egg Harbor. If you like the money sites, go to Sister Bay and Ephriam. Washington Island is very nice if you like out of the way spots. I enjoyed the marina at the far end of Detroit Harbor. Fayette is isolated, but a great place to spend a day or two. Heading south, I would say don't miss Port Washington, Wi.
 
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Captn TJ

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Nov 24, 2012
586
The best cruising book ? Great Lakes Cruising Club. You can down load a PDF of virtually every harbor plus detailed local knowledge few can offer. Very inexpensive for what you get.
 
P

Pat T

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Feb 15, 2009
162
Catalina 36MKII Waukegan, IL
Holland to Chicago is a haul. I would hit a few a the many nice Michigan harbors on the way. Saugatuck - Stay on the Douglas side ( bigger marina)once down the river. You can call a cab/bus that takes you anywhere between the 2 towns for $1 (2011 price). Don't miss South Haven, good municipal marinas on both sides of the river - you are right in town lots of good places to eat/drink - our favorite. St Joe/Benton Harbor - ok harbor . New Buffalo also very good but smaller muni marina. Make sure there will be slips for you to stay at these harbors during the week-ends as they can get crowded. Call ahead. Chicago will be expensive at $2 plus per ft.
http://www.chicagoharbors.info/2013 Harbor Fees.pdf
On the south end of Chicago is 31st St. Harbor opened last year. You can always get a slip as this was only occupled about 33%. You will have to cab to get to most places from there unless you like long, long walks. Other harbors such as mine are possible too for tranisients and closer to the action. If you have bikes you could ride the entire lakefront though.
After Chicago going back North Waukegan is a good harbor but nothing outside of harbor to see/walk to. On the WS/IL border is a good State marina - Northpoint. Cab to Winthrup Harbor the town - ok, not great. Kenosha is not bad, can walk into town, but not a lot of slips as I recall. You can always get a slip in Racine (Reefpoint Marina) and short walk into the town. Have a good trip.
 
JohnnyMac

JohnnyMac

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Aug 26, 2006
122
Hunter H380 Palafox Pier Pensacola
Does anyone know of a good place to leave the boat for a week for a reasonable price. Our marina charges transients $25/day which after a week is a lot better than $65.00/day. I would be seeking a spot on both shores of Lake Michigan.

Thanks, JohnnyMac
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,710
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
If you are a yacht club member with reciprocal rights, I would check with various clubs on the lake that have their own. This would include, Racine, Milwaukee YC, South Shore (In Milwaukee) Sheboygan, and the Sturgeon Bay YC. Ludington on the east side might be a good prospect.
 
Dalliance

Dalliance

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Oct 6, 2007
1,137
Hunter H30 1982 Chicago IL
As a visitor to Chicago - Burnham, Monroe or DuSable Harbor will be the most convenient for you as all three are right downtown adjacent to Grant Park and the Museum Campus. www.chicagoharbors.info

There will be transient spots available in both Burnham and Monroe for sure.

I'm leery of recommending 31st Street to visitors though. The adjacent neighborhood is....well...let's just say not as inviting.
 
G

gettinthere

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Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Airports in northern Mich are limited. You should shop around the Traverse City area to see what kind of rates you can get. There is an airport about 5 miles south of town.
 
NoAgenda

NoAgenda

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Apr 18, 2012
45
Catalina 400 MKI 67 LaSalle,Mi
Could someone tell me how long it takes to get up the Detroit and St Claire rivers. Our boat is in Huron, Ohio and would like to go to the North Channel next year.I can only get 2 weeks off work in a row so getting the boat up to the north channel may take a couple of stages. Trying to get more experience before we venture off to far as this is our first sailboat. We bought our boat last year, a C30 MKII.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
NoAgenda said:
Could someone tell me how long it takes to get up the Detroit and St Claire rivers. Our boat is in Huron, Ohio and would like to go to the North Channel next year.I can only get 2 weeks off work in a row so getting the boat up to the north channel may take a couple of stages. Trying to get more experience before we venture off to far as this is our first sailboat. We bought our boat last year, a C30 MKII.
Click to expand
It's two days. If you managed to hit the mouth of the Detroit river pre-dawn, you MIGHT be able to make it to Sarina by nightfall on a long summer day. But I doubt it. And it's a very busy working river with 24 hour traffic. It's 80+ miles of motoring against the current of 1-2 knots. In a 30 footer? I'd plan a night in Lake St Clare.
 
NoAgenda

NoAgenda

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Apr 18, 2012
45
Catalina 400 MKI 67 LaSalle,Mi
thank you for the information. That gives me a good estimate. We don't sail fast, but getting better each time we go out.
 
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