St Joseph,MI or Michigan City Marina?

i live in central Illinois and am looking for recommendations for which marina you all prefer. I cut across 80 so Michigan City is only 3 1/2 drive to get to. Any suggestions on where to dock next spring? It’s going to take some doing to get it out of Missouri so I’m starting now. Got to beat the lock closures. I am going up soon to look around again and make the calls but looking for input. I am going to hate losing the cover though.

A lot will depend on what you are looking for. Michigan city is larger, has outlet mall and casino, etc. St. Joe is more small town resort like. Michigan city to St. Joe is like 45 minutes. But be forewarned, that 80/90 corridor around the lake gets backed up pretty good at times. It can add an hour or two to your trip. If you plan on going home Sunday afternoon/night, forget it. While not nearly has nice, you might consider Hammond marina. Should be a little closer.

I spent a year at Hammond in 2012 and being right on the lake was very nice. Casino right next door with a great buffet and plenty of good shows. Issue is the neighborhood around the marina isn't the best.... we wouldn't head out after dark. From what I've seen friends, it isn't as well kept as it was then. Floating wooden docks in overall good shape, biggest issue is the crystal clear water. Had a friend lose his phone on the lake and could see it clear as day, 10ft down. The clear water is causing sea grass to grow and take over. Friends have had issues getting in and out.

From there, I spent 4 seasons at Marina Shores in Portage. Nice, new marina, about a 30 minute ride down Burns Ditch. You may have height issues as there are a few bridges to get to the lake. Nearby steel mills get steel dust on the boat daily and recently they've had hazmat spills. Wash the boat on Friday and she's covered Saturday. You couldn't pay me to go back.

At Michigan City now, first season there. Love it! 30 minutes further than Marina Shores but right on the lake. Less than 10 minutes from my slip to open water. Plenty of shopping and restaurants nearby. Decent, safe town. The marina is semi protected but a sand dunes, winds don't seem to bang the boat around as much as Hammond. A great beach, zoo and splash pad are all right there. Plenty of events (Lake Michigan Michigan Prix, etc.). Downside is fixed docks, not floating.

St. Joe is a very nice harbor town plenty of weekend visitors. We've transiented there plenty of times but you're a good trip down the river to get to your marina. We've gotten a slip at Harbor Shores and thoroughly enjoy the facility and town!

Any questions, ask away or feel free to PM me.

If you live in central IL, what's the drive time up to Winthrop Harbor/Kenosha? Might be better than fighting the 80/90 trafffic.

Marina Shores is great other than the dust if there is an east wind.

New Buffalo is between Mich City and Saint Joe. Its a great town too.

Shay said:

Marina Shores is great other than the dust if there is an east wind.

New Buffalo is between Mich City and Saint Joe. Its a great town too.

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Dust is inevitable....and that's a long hot ride down the ditch in there summer. New Buffalo is great but they've had issues with the high water this year.

Shay said:

Marina Shores is great other than the dust if there is an east wind.

New Buffalo is between Mich City and Saint Joe. Its a great town too.

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Over 100 boaters displaced from New Buffalo, many now in the other options listed here cannot find slips in NB.

MM

Golfman25 said:

If you live in central IL, what's the drive time up to Winthrop Harbor/Kenosha? Might be better than fighting the 80/90 trafffic.

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Thought about that also but still have to drive thru the city either 355 or 294 both could be tough.

Depending on how quickly you would like to pull the trigger, I might be able to find a place in New Buffalo for you.

Thanks

Carver370 said:

Depending on how quickly you would like to pull the trigger, I might be able to find a place in New Buffalo for you.

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I will be moving up in May of 2020. I have called several marinas and this may not be so simple. Waiting list!

Charlesoceanone said:

Thought about that also but still have to drive thru the city either 355 or 294 both could be tough.

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Unless you hit rush hour both 355/294 aren't usually that bad as compared to 80/94. If the mileage isn't too different, it might be worth looking into. You can run some google/map/traffic inquiries at the times you think you'll be driving to see what it is like. Plenty of slips in Winthrop Harbor, and they'll give you discounts as a new "resident."

Golfman25 said:

Unless you hit rush hour both 355/294 aren't usually that bad as compared to 80/94. If the mileage isn't too different, it might be worth looking into. You can run some google/map/traffic inquiries at the times you think you'll be driving to see what it is like. Plenty of slips in Winthrop Harbor, and they'll give you discounts as a new "resident."

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Also you could explore taking I-39 straight up towards Rockford from Bloomington and cutting over to avoid the Chicago traffic.

Bring that to shelbyville, be the first 52 SR on the lake! LOL

Charlesoceanone said:

View attachment 74850 i live in central Illinois and am looking for recommendations for which marina you all prefer. I cut across 80 so Michigan City is only 3 1/2 drive to get to. Any suggestions on where to dock next spring? It’s going to take some doing to get it out of Missouri so I’m starting now. Got to beat the lock closures. I am going up soon to look around again and make the calls but looking for input. I am going to hate losing the cover though.

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From I-39 & I-90 it is about 90 minutes to Winthrop Harbor. I travel it every Friday from my office. Not Interstate but mostly back roads and little traffic.