Lake St Clair on a Friday

[john6206]

Hi Friends,

we cancelled our trailer sailer trip to Tawas this weekend because of weather. We are considering a one day trip to Lake St Clair next Friday.

We had our Capri 18 in a marina on Lake St Clair a couple years ago. My memory is that on weekdays it was a good place to sail, and weekends really belong to the 50’ motor yachts.

What I don’t remember is if Friday falls into “Weekday” or “weekend.”

Is there anyone who sails those parts that might offer some advice?
We were probably thinking about the DNR boat ramp on river rd.

My thinking is that we would probably be ok if we get there about 9am and leave just as things are getting crazy around 5 or 6.

thanks in advance,

john

 

[Marmalade]

Sorry to give a vague answer... but it all depends! We are on the northern end of the lake, Clinton River. Some days the weather can be so great and there is no one. Other days, the weather is great and the power-boat chop is so bad it's miserable in a small boat. Good thing about launching a small boat at the public launch on S River Rd/Clinton River is that if you head north into Anchor Bay, you usually just have to deal with the stink-boaters jetting over to Strawberry or back... after getting a little north of the river, less traffic no matter the rest of the lake.

Just my 2-cents... I say got for it and recommend Anchor Bay.

 

[john6206]

@Marmalade
thank you,

yes, the marina I was in was also on the Clinton river. Can’t remember what is was called then, but it’s Lambrect Marina now. Good place. I was easily the smallest sailboat there.

Thanks for the advice about Anchor Bay, we’ll check it out if the traffic is bad.

 

[Marmalade]

Was Markley before... though the Lambrecht family has been involved in the ownership for a long time apparently. (We are also docked there).

When you launch, go past the channel markers and go north... heading somewhere between 0-20 degrees, get up away from the powerboaters.

Used to have an 18ft sport boat that hated chop... but with the right wind and seeking relatively smooth water was a blast to broad-reach with the a-kite up into Anchor Bay... 14-15kts skimming the water... fun times!

 

[john6206]

For the record, Friday was great on Lake St Clair.

Light traffic at the boat launch, plenty of lake to share with the big boys. Could have asked for stronger wind, but it was a very pleasant sail.