Hi all, I've been surprised by how many people in this forum are in my area, so I thought I would pose this question. Where is your favorite place to sail in Michigan? Has anyone in this group taken their small boat to a Lake Erie?) or the Irish Hills area? or the Saginaw Bay? Any advice you could throw my way? I missed out on my chance to sail on Muskegon Lake a week ago, and I am determined to have a good adventure before the season ends! John
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black lake
I have spent my first year on my 170 keeping to Black Lake, where it is moored. Black Lake is a fairly good sized inland lake (about 3 by 5 miles) so it is nice for 2-3 hour excursions. Thinking about venturing over to nearby Mullet and Burt Lakes, as well as, down to Higgins (all of which are bigger) next year. I wonder about Traverse Bay someday.
I have spent my first year on my 170 keeping to Black Lake, where it is moored. Black Lake is a fairly good sized inland lake (about 3 by 5 miles) so it is nice for 2-3 hour excursions. Thinking about venturing over to nearby Mullet and Burt Lakes, as well as, down to Higgins (all of which are bigger) next year. I wonder about Traverse Bay someday.
traverse bay is great!
I went to Traverse bay last year, after three years of sailing on small lakes, it was amazing! Best sailing I have done so far. You have to go. We rented a cottage on the east arm of the GTB, right across from Elk Rapids, and about three feet off the water. We moored the boat right outside the cottage and had a couple days of great sailing before the weather went bad. We had three days of terrible storms when we pulled the boat up on the sand and tied it to some trees, then right at the end of the week we got a little bit more sailing in. We actually never made it out of the East Arm, but that was plenty. If we had more time, maybe another year. I would love to go back there again, but this summer/fall I am looking for something a bit closer to Ann Arbor, so I can leave in the early morning, do all the sailing I want and be back the same day. Grand Traverse and back would be about ten hours in the car, does not leave much time for sailing. Anyway I've got the number for the cottage if you are interested, but it was expensive. The Old Mission Penninsula is Michigan's Gold Coast I think. Anyway, renting a cottage every several years is cheaper than buying a 32footer to sleep on, and more comfortable! John
I went to Traverse bay last year, after three years of sailing on small lakes, it was amazing! Best sailing I have done so far. You have to go. We rented a cottage on the east arm of the GTB, right across from Elk Rapids, and about three feet off the water. We moored the boat right outside the cottage and had a couple days of great sailing before the weather went bad. We had three days of terrible storms when we pulled the boat up on the sand and tied it to some trees, then right at the end of the week we got a little bit more sailing in. We actually never made it out of the East Arm, but that was plenty. If we had more time, maybe another year. I would love to go back there again, but this summer/fall I am looking for something a bit closer to Ann Arbor, so I can leave in the early morning, do all the sailing I want and be back the same day. Grand Traverse and back would be about ten hours in the car, does not leave much time for sailing. Anyway I've got the number for the cottage if you are interested, but it was expensive. The Old Mission Penninsula is Michigan's Gold Coast I think. Anyway, renting a cottage every several years is cheaper than buying a 32footer to sleep on, and more comfortable! John
Petrosky...
we spent a week this summer with our 170 at Petosky state park sailing in a 5 mile triangle between the park, Petosky Harbor, and Harbor Springs... awesome. Both harbors have public docks when you can moor and walk right into town for an ice cream, book store, etc... awesome sailing. we moored 50' off the beach when it was calm, and brought the boat on the beach when a storm came in. Also, GTB off of Sutton's Bay is great... gives you access to 30 miles of the bay.
we spent a week this summer with our 170 at Petosky state park sailing in a 5 mile triangle between the park, Petosky Harbor, and Harbor Springs... awesome. Both harbors have public docks when you can moor and walk right into town for an ice cream, book store, etc... awesome sailing. we moored 50' off the beach when it was calm, and brought the boat on the beach when a storm came in. Also, GTB off of Sutton's Bay is great... gives you access to 30 miles of the bay.
Michigan Sailing
Hey John, Patti and I have often gone up to Glen Lake near Glen Arbor. It is close to Lake Michigan, and there is always wind, and is a fairly large lake. In the past we have rented a boat from the Narrows Marina, but I would like to take the 170 out on the that lake, maybe next year. Access may be a problem though as there is none at the Narrows. However, there is another marina at the west end of the lake that appears to have a launch ramp but it appears to be private. I was in Traverse City Monday & Tuesday on business and noticed what appeared to be 170's on the bay in the evenings. The wind looked great and the location is beautiful. Where did you launch the boat? We love that area of Michigan. Good sailing to you.
Hey John, Patti and I have often gone up to Glen Lake near Glen Arbor. It is close to Lake Michigan, and there is always wind, and is a fairly large lake. In the past we have rented a boat from the Narrows Marina, but I would like to take the 170 out on the that lake, maybe next year. Access may be a problem though as there is none at the Narrows. However, there is another marina at the west end of the lake that appears to have a launch ramp but it appears to be private. I was in Traverse City Monday & Tuesday on business and noticed what appeared to be 170's on the bay in the evenings. The wind looked great and the location is beautiful. Where did you launch the boat? We love that area of Michigan. Good sailing to you.
TC launch areas
there is a launch ramp just east of the state park... very small but fine for a 170. it is easy to miss. We launched further north in Sutton's Bay. Shallow for a bit but a great bay and then you can go out to the entire bay area. Petosky Harbor is $4 and excellent too.
there is a launch ramp just east of the state park... very small but fine for a 170. it is easy to miss. We launched further north in Sutton's Bay. Shallow for a bit but a great bay and then you can go out to the entire bay area. Petosky Harbor is $4 and excellent too.
old mission peninsula
Hi Tom and Phil and all, We spent the week on the Old Mission Peninsula, so we looked for a launch there, just at the northern tip of the OMP there is a launch at Hasserot Beach and Playground. Good ramp, nice playground so the kids were occupied while I was launching. Wonderful sail. I didn't make it all the way to the state park under sail, that would take several hours I think. There is another ramp south of there on the East side of the Peninsula, but I didn't check it out. John
Hi Tom and Phil and all, We spent the week on the Old Mission Peninsula, so we looked for a launch there, just at the northern tip of the OMP there is a launch at Hasserot Beach and Playground. Good ramp, nice playground so the kids were occupied while I was launching. Wonderful sail. I didn't make it all the way to the state park under sail, that would take several hours I think. There is another ramp south of there on the East side of the Peninsula, but I didn't check it out. John
shifty winds
Cassopolis is near Dowagic and Edwardsburg, isn't it?? A friend of mine used to teach band in Edwardsburg, so I have been to a few football games there. I think the shifty winds thing is typical of small lakes, at least that is what they tell me. Sometimes on Portage Lake you can observe two flags on shore a couple hundred feet apart blowing in opposite directions. My sailing teacher (the famous Lisa) assures me that it only makes our skills sharper. john
Cassopolis is near Dowagic and Edwardsburg, isn't it?? A friend of mine used to teach band in Edwardsburg, so I have been to a few football games there. I think the shifty winds thing is typical of small lakes, at least that is what they tell me. Sometimes on Portage Lake you can observe two flags on shore a couple hundred feet apart blowing in opposite directions. My sailing teacher (the famous Lisa) assures me that it only makes our skills sharper. john
ludington is a double treat
the views are spectacular....you have an inland lake to sail if the michigan ocean is to rough for the little guy !!! try it you will not be disappointd!!!!!!
the views are spectacular....you have an inland lake to sail if the michigan ocean is to rough for the little guy !!! try it you will not be disappointd!!!!!!
Diamond Lake
Yes, Diamond lake is about 15 miles north of Edwardsburg and due west of Dowagiac. Last weekend, my Son and I played around the leeward side of the island. I made him guess which way the wind would come from next based on shore cues (like flying flags). It was good learning for him and I learned a few things to boot.
Yes, Diamond lake is about 15 miles north of Edwardsburg and due west of Dowagiac. Last weekend, my Son and I played around the leeward side of the island. I made him guess which way the wind would come from next based on shore cues (like flying flags). It was good learning for him and I learned a few things to boot.
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