Lake Michigan (and Huron) Delivery Cruise

[john6206]

Based on input from this group we have a second draft.
It adds two sailing days, but makes almost all of our days right around 35 miles, still a couple of long ones, but they are not consecutive. It must be longer total, because we are going to Manistique on the north shore of Lake Michigan, and then south to Beaver Island. But the crossing from Washington island to beaver island is something like 80 miles, so going to Manistique breaks it up.


Starting point Manitowoc



Day 1 Algoma 35 nm

Day 2 Egg Harbor 35 nm

Day 3 Detroit Harbor 27 nm

Day 4 Manistique 54 nm

Day 5 Beaver Island 35 nm

Day 6 Mackinaw City 36 nm

Day 7 Hammond Bay 29 nm

Day 8 Presque Isle 35 nm

Day 9 Alpena 35 nm

Day 10 Harrisville 28 nm

Day 11 TBYC 32 nm

11 sailing days, I’d like to do it with only 5 “stay in the harbor days“ we are planning a week in Manitowoc outfitting , cleaning, provisioning the boat and getting to know her before we take off - that means we are gone from Memorial Day to June 20th. Probably the longest vacay we’ve ever taken.

of course, it’s all weather dependent.

 

[kappykaplan]

That looks much more doable.

 

[jssailem]

Yes that looks more like a vacation than a delivery. It will give you time to become on good terms with your new to your boat.
What an adventure you have in store.

 

[BigEasy]

Please give us a “cruise report” when you return to home port.
Fair winds…..

 

[Scott T-Bird]

The second draft sounds like a safer plan. I would be very nervous making a 60+ mile jump across Lake Michigan as the first leg on a boat that is new to me. You've got good options on the Wisconsin shoreline (don't forget Kewaunee if you need a quicker bail-out on the 1st leg) and the jump across should be much easier up at Manistique.

I think there are very few options for autopilot on the 320. Every single one that I ever saw had a Raymarine Wheel Pilot. From what I have read and seen, the structure below decks does not accommodate any option for below-decks autopilot without significant glass work to make a bulkhead to anchor the drive assemblies for any model. So virtually nobody does it as far as I know. B&G does not make a wheel pilot. The CPT is the only viable option besides Raymarine for something that you can install quickly. Frankly, I don't think there is very much to think about. I would just get the latest Raymarine product off the shelf at a convenient dealer and install it on the first day. Just about every 320 has a Raymarine wheel pilot (I'm very surprised yours doesn't - did the owner remove it?). You may have a hard time enjoying those days on the water without it. But, you can't go wrong visiting Door County and I imagine those islands at the top of Lake Michigan are also can't miss. With prevailing souwesterlies, you should be more comfortable sailing along the western side.

I'm salivating at the thought of your trip!!

 

[cymeyer]

Hey Everyone -

After 25 or more years of trailer sailing, we are in the purchase process of a Catalina 320 - and getting pretty excited.

The boat (in Manitowoc) is something close to 400 nm from our slip (in Tawas). Being trailer sailers, that sounds like BOTH the vacation of a lifetime, AND just . . . a lot of miles. I'm convinced we can do this without homicide or divorce, but I'd like to bounce the first draft of my itinerary off of you for your input.

We are after more of a vacation than an endurance challenge, but the balance is that we have miles to cover. I'm shooting for something like 50 nm / day. I'm thinking 9 sailing days over a two week period (weather dependent of course). We are in a position where we can extend our two weeks if the weather is not conducive - but it's good to have a goal.

My first draft itinerary:
Delivery Cruise

Starting point Manitowoc WI

Day one Manistee 56 nm

Day two Frankfort 36 nm

Day three Lealand 36 nm

Day four Beaver Island 46 nm

Day 5 Macinac Island 40 nm

Day 6 Rogers City 50 nm

Day 6 Alpena 55 nm

Day 8 Harrisville 32 nm

Day 9 TBYC 35 nm

Open to any suggestions.

Thanks -

John

Last summer, we traveled from the Detroit area to Mackinac Island. I was advised that Alpena is out of the way since you travel quite a ways in the bay. Instead, we went from Mackinac Island to Preque Isle Harbor (about 58 NM) and then to Harrisville. Presque Isle to Harrisville was about 45 NM.
Make sure you make reservations on Mackinac Island as early as possible.
There is a good marine store in Mackinac City which is the only one we found in the entire trip.
Make sure you watch the weather closely especially when crossing Saginaw bay. Can be brutal (and was for us).

 

[Foswick]

The second draft is definitely better, but just to set expectations, even that could get pretty grueling. It is two weeks of about 6-8 hour sails (could be a bit longer if you sail in light winds and don't decide to motor). Around here, in the summer, we only plan on 3 kts, but we are also quite reluctant to turn the motor on until we have been still or moving backward for a while. A 4 kt average is a good balanced estimate.

You've received and taken good advice. I would just add that you should make a point of really moving around as much as possible, both on and off of the boat. It is just a long time to sit or remain cramped. Also, plan for lots of downtime with something to read or whatever else floats your boat. If conditions are really mellow, you could find yourself hard-pressed to keep your mind occupied. We find that planning a few meals that require a lot of prep helps us. When things are really slow, we cook.

I hope everything goes smoothly, but not too smoothly - just the right amount of adventure.

 

[dlochner]

There are differences between going sailing, doing a delivery, taking vacation cruise and adventuring. The big distinguishing factor is how important is it to make miles. If you are out for a day sail, who cares how many miles you make, just enjoy the experience. If you're making a delivery, making miles is important and motoring becomes more frequent, they is no drifting along at 4 knots, not making 5 knots the motoring comes on.

Adventuring and vacation cruises fall somewhere between out for a sail and a delivery. Depending on the time frame and plans some days will be a long day sail and others will be a delivery. On delivery days we're focused on miles, on shorter legs we'll take the time to sail even if we're going a bit slower.

The Great Lakes can be plagued by long periods of really snotty weather or days of no wind. In 40+ years of sailing on Lake Ontario with at least annual crossings, I don't think I've ever sailed the whole way across. On two trips down the East Coast, we've spent more time impersonating a trawler than a sailboat because the wind is often too little, too strong, or in the wrong direction.

 

[john6206]

@cymeyer I heard that exact same thing last week. Stay out of Alpena unless it’s your destination.
We plan on exactly as you suggest, Persque Isle to Harrisville.

 

[cymeyer]

@cymeyer I heard that exact same thing last week. Stay out of Alpena unless it’s your destination.
We plan on exactly as you suggest, Persque Isle to Harrisville.

Presque Isle and Harrisville are both very nice marinas.