I'm thinking of taking Dad and my brothers to Dad's childhood home of Mount Clemens on Lake St. Clair this July. So I have some questions about the route: Is there a good port of call on the west shore of Lake Erie (or the river) near the entrance to the Detroit River? Our draft is 3.5 feet. We would like Dad to meet us there to put us ahead on a four day cruise. What is the best way up the Detroit River? Which channel is best? How about the current and how to avoid it? I know many have made this journey, so I am hoping for good advice on these questions! David Lady Lillie
Lake Erie to Lake St. Clair
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Anchorage
David, I grew up cruising that area and I remember that there is an anchorage at the north end of Bob-Lo Island at the south end of the river that we used often when transiting from Grosse Pointe to Put-in-Bay. The island may labeled as Bois Blanc on the charts. Hope this helps.
David, I grew up cruising that area and I remember that there is an anchorage at the north end of Bob-Lo Island at the south end of the river that we used often when transiting from Grosse Pointe to Put-in-Bay. The island may labeled as Bois Blanc on the charts. Hope this helps.
Detroit River
David, Made one trip up and back the Detroit River last summer (now I'm an expert, yea right). Used the up bound channel when going up and the downbound when coming back. Spent a night at Bob-Lo Island on the way back; it was a nice anchorage. Windfall draws 4-3 and as I recall there was about 8 or so feet in there. The anchorage is not large. You can also expect the boat to swing on it's anchor every time a frieghter goes by; they pump a lot of water out of the little bay and water level drops about a foot. The Great Lakes Cruising Club has detailed charts of the area. My charts aren't here now but as I recall Bo-Low Isl is in Canadian waters. You could enter Canada through Pelee Island and anchor on the North end weather permitting. As far as the current is concerned, upbound, I was usually running out to the channel and as close to shore as my courage and lack of local knowledge would allow. My fears included submerged pilings and rocks but had no problems with either. The current is usually less as you get closer to shore. I studied the charts and kept a close eye on the bank conditions. If the banks were sand/mud I would venture further from the channel. I would rarely run in water less than 12-15 feet deep. On the way back I was like the Queen Mary, running the middle of the channel and watching astern so as not to get run over. Eight to ten knots SOG was fun in a sail boat. Enjoy your trip
David, Made one trip up and back the Detroit River last summer (now I'm an expert, yea right). Used the up bound channel when going up and the downbound when coming back. Spent a night at Bob-Lo Island on the way back; it was a nice anchorage. Windfall draws 4-3 and as I recall there was about 8 or so feet in there. The anchorage is not large. You can also expect the boat to swing on it's anchor every time a frieghter goes by; they pump a lot of water out of the little bay and water level drops about a foot. The Great Lakes Cruising Club has detailed charts of the area. My charts aren't here now but as I recall Bo-Low Isl is in Canadian waters. You could enter Canada through Pelee Island and anchor on the North end weather permitting. As far as the current is concerned, upbound, I was usually running out to the channel and as close to shore as my courage and lack of local knowledge would allow. My fears included submerged pilings and rocks but had no problems with either. The current is usually less as you get closer to shore. I studied the charts and kept a close eye on the bank conditions. If the banks were sand/mud I would venture further from the channel. I would rarely run in water less than 12-15 feet deep. On the way back I was like the Queen Mary, running the middle of the channel and watching astern so as not to get run over. Eight to ten knots SOG was fun in a sail boat. Enjoy your trip
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