I'm planning on trailering my Mac 26 D to Traverse City area the first week of July . Can anyone give me suggestions as where to launch , best marinas . Is the East or West bay the best for sailing ? Any info would be appreciated . Thanks ! Paul
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TVC area
Hello ONe Aye; We sail out of Elk Rapids, about 15 miles North of TVC on East Bay. They have a good launch facility (4 ramps) and a large parking area. We are a very "sailboat friendly" marina. Marina fills up fast on summer weekends, get there Wed or Thur. if you can. Northport and Suttons Bay on West Bay are OK too, but not as nice as Elk Rapids. Fair winds Dave
Hello ONe Aye; We sail out of Elk Rapids, about 15 miles North of TVC on East Bay. They have a good launch facility (4 ramps) and a large parking area. We are a very "sailboat friendly" marina. Marina fills up fast on summer weekends, get there Wed or Thur. if you can. Northport and Suttons Bay on West Bay are OK too, but not as nice as Elk Rapids. Fair winds Dave
Sailing in Traverse City
Greetings, Much more action in West Bay, and the first weekend in July will feature the Navy's Blue Angles air show. Great spectating from West Bay. You can launch from Elmwood Township Marina, or Harbor West if you need to sling in. Power Island is a favorite spot for swimming, and Suttons Bay is a day sail away. Enjoy your stay, Bill K
Greetings, Much more action in West Bay, and the first weekend in July will feature the Navy's Blue Angles air show. Great spectating from West Bay. You can launch from Elmwood Township Marina, or Harbor West if you need to sling in. Power Island is a favorite spot for swimming, and Suttons Bay is a day sail away. Enjoy your stay, Bill K
East Bay is shallow
Grand Traverse Bay is great cruising area. Elk Rapids is a good place to go but be aware that the East Bay is quite a bit shallower than most of the West Bay. If you want to Launch closer to Traverse City there are a couple of places just north of downtown on route M22. Further up the bay as previously Mentioned are Sutton's Bay and Northport both of which have good facilities. Marinas fill up fast tha time of year and transient slips can be difficult to find. Get a copy of a cruising guide such as the Lake Michigan Cruising Guide published by Lakeland Boating... great source for anchorages and amenities. Its a fabulous area...enjoy!
Grand Traverse Bay is great cruising area. Elk Rapids is a good place to go but be aware that the East Bay is quite a bit shallower than most of the West Bay. If you want to Launch closer to Traverse City there are a couple of places just north of downtown on route M22. Further up the bay as previously Mentioned are Sutton's Bay and Northport both of which have good facilities. Marinas fill up fast tha time of year and transient slips can be difficult to find. Get a copy of a cruising guide such as the Lake Michigan Cruising Guide published by Lakeland Boating... great source for anchorages and amenities. Its a fabulous area...enjoy!
East Bay Shallower?
Hi Doug; I just happened to have a NOAA chart 14902 which shows both bays and it would appear that overall East Bay is significantly deeper over its entire length than West Bay. What am I missing? Thanks in advance for the information. Fair winds Dave
Hi Doug; I just happened to have a NOAA chart 14902 which shows both bays and it would appear that overall East Bay is significantly deeper over its entire length than West Bay. What am I missing? Thanks in advance for the information. Fair winds Dave
Off topic but...
If you find yourself with nothing to do for whatever reason, there is a museum called The Music House, in Traverse City. It is north on Hwy 31 just at the north edge of town. It is a museam dedicated to mechanical music instruments. It is a excellent way to spend a hour or so of down time. I hope you have a great time in TC. Dan
If you find yourself with nothing to do for whatever reason, there is a museum called The Music House, in Traverse City. It is north on Hwy 31 just at the north edge of town. It is a museam dedicated to mechanical music instruments. It is a excellent way to spend a hour or so of down time. I hope you have a great time in TC. Dan
Traverse Bay MI Sailing
I sail out of Elmwood Twp Marina and Grand Traverse Bay is a great place to sail; however, as has been mentioned the 4th of July is a Zoo so it's better to get here early. Dry storage at Elmwood will be easier. Now is the time to try to get a reservation for a space. This year the Blue Angels will be here - you can anchor out in the Bay as watch a great show. Of course there is the Cherry Festival also. East Bay is deeper (600ft +) than West Bay (400 ft+)but there are some shallows on the southern end. This is an exceptionally deep bay with few obstructions/rocks. Check the chart for shallow areas. Check this link for pics and more info: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/cruising/gtb/gtb.html
I sail out of Elmwood Twp Marina and Grand Traverse Bay is a great place to sail; however, as has been mentioned the 4th of July is a Zoo so it's better to get here early. Dry storage at Elmwood will be easier. Now is the time to try to get a reservation for a space. This year the Blue Angels will be here - you can anchor out in the Bay as watch a great show. Of course there is the Cherry Festival also. East Bay is deeper (600ft +) than West Bay (400 ft+)but there are some shallows on the southern end. This is an exceptionally deep bay with few obstructions/rocks. Check the chart for shallow areas. Check this link for pics and more info: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/cruising/gtb/gtb.html
Thanks for your input
Appreciate your ideas guys . At this point we've decided on Elk Rapids . I spoke with the harbor master ( who happens to be a woman ) who was very helpful ( should she be called the harbor mistress ? ) Anyway , she said to call the week before and she would find me a slip . I think $22 dollars a night is a bargain ! Be sure to say hi if you see Cap'n One Aye ! Thanks again , Cap'n Paul
Appreciate your ideas guys . At this point we've decided on Elk Rapids . I spoke with the harbor master ( who happens to be a woman ) who was very helpful ( should she be called the harbor mistress ? ) Anyway , she said to call the week before and she would find me a slip . I think $22 dollars a night is a bargain ! Be sure to say hi if you see Cap'n One Aye ! Thanks again , Cap'n Paul
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