Lake Michigan Sailing

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Mike8193

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Dec 13, 2006
63
Beneteau 323 Milwaukee
This summer will be my third season sailing out of Monroe Harbor in Chicago. I am sailing a Beneteau 323. It is also my third season with this boat. Up to this point my family and I have just taken long day sails. We want to this season take longer sails and go to other cities, rent a slip at the marina overnight and sail back the next day. Something we could do over a weekend or a long weekend. I thought of sailing to Waukegan, Illinois or trying New Buffalo, Michigan. Any advice or suggestions on other places to sail to from Chicago over the weekend or long weekend. Thanks
 
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Paul Ouellette

Go for it !!

Mike : Sailing away from home for the first time is a nice experience. Since you sound new to this, I want to share with you something that I just love each time it happens... Someday in the future, rather than staying at a marina your going to decide to anchor the boat somewhere for the night & NOT pay for a slip. When you go to sleep with the boat at anchor & then wake up in the morning to greet the new day...you'll go up to the cockpit & realize that the boat has changed position & is now facing another direction. The "warm fuzzy" you'll get will be a result of three things... 1) The boat took good care of you while you were asleep, 2) You've now tasted a bit of the freedom that many boaters never discover, 3) Your now going to be able to say the sailor's motto (as I do) & mean it when you tell others..."free is good". Get a DELTA anchor, lots of chain & send me a message when you do this !! Have fun. Paul. www.winpipe.ca
 
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Doug_Meyer

Go North !

By all means do your short trips, But plan at some time to sail further north along the West Coast of Michigan. There are harbors of refuge approximately every 20 miles up the shoreline. With your Beneteau 323 you will be in plenty of water depth in almost all of them. We also have a Beneteau 323 which we keep in Manistee, MI. We can hit Pentwater, Ludington, Portage Lake, Arcadia, and Franfort, for example on day or single overnight trips. The scenery is great, and the ports are interesting... Enjoy!
 
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Joe23611

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Oct 4, 2005
19
- - Kentucky Lake
I agree with Doug

We trailered a 30 ft Hunter up to Lake Michigan and put in at Pentwater several years ago and sailed up the western shore of the lake. It was one of the most enjoyable sailing vacations ever on our sailboat. By al menas do it!
 
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Dirk

Go North

The Michigan shoreline has more choices than Wisconsin although I've heard good things about Racine and Milwaukee and Port Washington is a great destination for us. On the Michigan side, South Haven is a nice place to go, Saugatuck has its merits but watch out for shallow spots (I only draw 4'-6" and got stuck 3 times getting in/out). Further north there is Holland (Lake Macatawa), Grand Haven and Muskegon. We keep our boat in Muskegon and like the option of having Muskegon Lake to sail in if Lake Michigan gets rough. We even anchor out in Muskegon occasionally. As you go further north, the choices get even more varied. A little far for a weekend, but it makes for a great week.
 
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Guy

Michigan, Harbor Country

New Buffalo, is a must. I have sailed a MacGregor26x out of there for the last 5 years. I too am looking forward to distant shorelines to visit as I have just purchased a new 323 at the Chicago boat show. I have attached a short movie to wet your appetite. See you there. Guy
 
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