Was looking at traveling north along the Michigan coastline this summer. I see there are a lot of DNR marinas but the weekends are already filling up. Is this a good idea or should I go on the Canadian side?
Michigan Marinas East side (Huron)
- Thread starter colinhulse
- Start date
Lots of great harbors on both sides. Generally speaking they can handle a boat your size except for Harbor Beach on the Michigan side.
We've done Lake Erie to the North Channel a number of times. Generally we go up the Michigan side and come back on the Canadian side. A great resource for the harbors is the Great Lakes Cruising Club. PM me for specifics on the trip.
We've done Lake Erie to the North Channel a number of times. Generally we go up the Michigan side and come back on the Canadian side. A great resource for the harbors is the Great Lakes Cruising Club. PM me for specifics on the trip.
Our boat is 42 feet with a 5' draft so you may be able to go to more marinas that we are not able or comfortable with entering.
Our favorites on the Michigan shore include Port Sanilac, Port Austin, Harrisville, Presque Isle, and Rogers City. Once there Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and most of all, Mackinaw Island offer super stops. None of those usually fill up even in July except for Mackinaw Island. Mackinaw Island requires a reservation and it may be too late to get one this year. An alternative is to go to Mackinaw City or St Ignace and take the ferry to the island.
On the Canadian shore Tobermory, Port Elgin, Kincardine, and Goderich are good stops. Study the chart for Goderich as you enter to the north of all breakwalls into the river, then follow the buoys past the first marina and continue to the Maitland Valley Marina.
If you are going around the top of lower Michigan; Charlivoix Petoskey, Traverse City, Leland, Frankfort, and Beaver Island are all neat stops. Going east, the North Channel is beautiful and a trip up the St. Marys River to Sault St Marie is very scenic as well.
Enjoy!!! :dance:
Our favorites on the Michigan shore include Port Sanilac, Port Austin, Harrisville, Presque Isle, and Rogers City. Once there Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and most of all, Mackinaw Island offer super stops. None of those usually fill up even in July except for Mackinaw Island. Mackinaw Island requires a reservation and it may be too late to get one this year. An alternative is to go to Mackinaw City or St Ignace and take the ferry to the island.
On the Canadian shore Tobermory, Port Elgin, Kincardine, and Goderich are good stops. Study the chart for Goderich as you enter to the north of all breakwalls into the river, then follow the buoys past the first marina and continue to the Maitland Valley Marina.
If you are going around the top of lower Michigan; Charlivoix Petoskey, Traverse City, Leland, Frankfort, and Beaver Island are all neat stops. Going east, the North Channel is beautiful and a trip up the St. Marys River to Sault St Marie is very scenic as well.
Enjoy!!! :dance:
For Mackinaw Island keep in mind you can score a dock via last minute cancellations. Last year we were on our way to St Ignace and I decided to call the Michigan Rez system and was able to get a dock for Mackinaw. Of course that won't happen if you're coming in around the time of the Chicago - Mac race
On the other hand except for being in the middle of town at Mackinaw I much prefer the docks at St Ignace - then just take the ferry over.
I agree with you on water depth. We draw 5.7 on our 42 and have not had a problem in any of the harbors except for Harbor Beach. This year should be even better given the snowfall and lake freeze.
On the other hand except for being in the middle of town at Mackinaw I much prefer the docks at St Ignace - then just take the ferry over.
I agree with you on water depth. We draw 5.7 on our 42 and have not had a problem in any of the harbors except for Harbor Beach. This year should be even better given the snowfall and lake freeze.
There's also Bayfield and Grand Bend on the Candian side, both south of Goderich. Bayfield is a great little town if you like lots of small shops etc. and has a good size marina.
Grand Bend, check ahead as it tends to have a sand shoal at the entrance that I've heard some hitting on their way in / out.
cruising Eastern Mich
I have done the Canadian side several times. I am just concerned about getting a slip on the US side. They ask you to reserve in advance but that is a tough call in a sailboat!
I have done the Canadian side several times. I am just concerned about getting a slip on the US side. They ask you to reserve in advance but that is a tough call in a sailboat!
There is a little room to anchor in Lexington. A bit more room to anchor in Sanilac and a ton of room in Harbor Beach if you go in the east entrance and drop just outside the turning basin. Not much there but it is strategically located. No room to anchor in Port Austin.
Reservations in Michigan
We have made the trip from Lake Erie to the North Channel 7 out of the last 10 years.Have never made a reservation at any Michigan Marina, except to call the Marina by cell phone when we are a few hours out. Mackinac Island might be the exception, I prefer to stay at St Ignace and take the ferry. Duncan Bay Boat Club is a better place to stay when at Cheboygan.You will also find Marina prices in Michigan half that for Ontario. Michigan DNR has a Harbor Guide with photos of their harbors and phone nos.They just put out a new edition last year, free at their marinas.
Again, you should have no problems getting a slip with almost no notice on the Michigan east side. Stay away from Harbor Beach, unless you anchor south of the power plant. Our usual stops are Port Sanilac, Port Austin, East Tawas, Harrisville, Presque Isle, Duncan Bay and St Ignace.
We usually cross into Ontario from Cheboygan, stopping at Harbor Island, though last year we crossed from Presque Isle over to Meldrum Bay. The facilities at Meldrum Bay are greatly improved with new docks and excellent food at the Inn.
Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH
We have made the trip from Lake Erie to the North Channel 7 out of the last 10 years.Have never made a reservation at any Michigan Marina, except to call the Marina by cell phone when we are a few hours out. Mackinac Island might be the exception, I prefer to stay at St Ignace and take the ferry. Duncan Bay Boat Club is a better place to stay when at Cheboygan.You will also find Marina prices in Michigan half that for Ontario. Michigan DNR has a Harbor Guide with photos of their harbors and phone nos.They just put out a new edition last year, free at their marinas.
Again, you should have no problems getting a slip with almost no notice on the Michigan east side. Stay away from Harbor Beach, unless you anchor south of the power plant. Our usual stops are Port Sanilac, Port Austin, East Tawas, Harrisville, Presque Isle, Duncan Bay and St Ignace.
We usually cross into Ontario from Cheboygan, stopping at Harbor Island, though last year we crossed from Presque Isle over to Meldrum Bay. The facilities at Meldrum Bay are greatly improved with new docks and excellent food at the Inn.
Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH
Jfssail I agree with you although we have anchored in Harbor Beach right in back of the lighthouse on the breakwall. From there straight onto Harrisvville. We love both Presque Isle and Meldrum Bay
An alternate route coming from the west (mackinaw) is to stop at Detour and then into the North Channel leaving Drummond to the south.