Around Michigan

Harry Williams

Harry Williams

Member
Dec 20, 2019
45
Grand Haven Mi.
Boat Info
1999 540 Sundancer. Just purchased fall of 2019. Raymarine axium
Engines
3196 Caterpillars
Well they are finally going to be putting us in Monday the 18th. The boat is in Lake St Clair ( colony marine ) and we have to bring it around to Grand Haven ( Holiday Inn). Long Trip. Wondering if anyone has done that trip and / got any suggestions or ideas? BTW, We really dont know this boat much. We just bought it at the end of last summer. ( sea trial only ) We're a bit nervous going from a 40 to a 54 and doing this trip, But i have been running boats for 25 years, but still.
I appreciate this website, lots of goods people here. And i'm seeing lots from michigan.
 
I would say take it slow, short hops, the first few days as you learn the boat. Once you get around the top, you could be ready for longer runs.
 
Stop in as many open ports as time allows. We bought our current boat in Traverse City. I really wish we would have spent more time running it home to Lake St. Clair. We spent the first night in Rogers City, Port Sanilac the second and home the next morning.

We surveyed the boat and engines on Saturday. Replaced the racors and water pump impellers on Sunday then left TC Monday at sunrise. The weather and seas were perfect to say the least and the boat ran like a champ.

Not sure if you will have any issues finding fuel or not. I don't think any of the DNR marinas will be open by the time you leave so you will need to plan ahead for dockage and fuel.
 
Congratulations! The two big questions are 1) Do you plan to bring her around right away? And 2) How much time do you have planned for the trip?

If you’re planning to leave right after launch, I would suggest you start by calling ahead to marinas along the way to see who is open for fuel. While many here, including me, could offer logical stops based on the amount of time you have, that is currently all out the window right now due to who is open and who is selling fuel. For example, none of the state harbors are open for dockage or fuel. Does that mean you can’t tie up at one for the night? You probably could - they are in Charlevoix even though the marina is not open for business. Fuel is going to be your main concern. Plan accordingly. Some private marinas may open up for you to get fuel with advance planning. I know Jacobsons in Frankfort did that for me when I did a mid-April trip from Chicago to Charlevoix a few years ago. That wasn’t amidst stay-at-home order.

Anyway, have a safe trip and plan ahead! AND....keep us posted with updates and pictures!!
 
tc410 said:
How much time do you have planned for the trip?
Click to expand...

This is the key question.

I've done this trip before, but I powered through -- did Colony Marine to Charlevoix in one long day.

As well, given current circumstances, my normal recommendations might be out of sync.

I don't think you need to "fear" the 40 to 54, although it's totally normal. You'll need to learn how it responds, but otherwise, you'll eventually understand its heft makes handling around the dock much easier.

Coming down the Lake Michigan side, my favorite stops would be Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Leland, Frankfort, and Pentwater. (I will stop in Ludington because it tends to have cheap diesel.)
 
tc410 said:
Congratulations! The two big questions are 1) Do you plan to bring her around right away? And 2) How much time do you have planned for the trip?

If you’re planning to leave right after launch, I would suggest you start by calling ahead to marinas along the way to see who is open for fuel. While many here, including me, could offer logical stops based on the amount of time you have, that is currently all out the window right now due to who is open and who is selling fuel. For example, none of the state harbors are open for dockage or fuel. Does that mean you can’t tie up at one for the night? You probably could - they are in Charlevoix even though the marina is not open for business. Fuel is going to be your main concern. Plan accordingly. Some private marinas may open up for you to get fuel with advance planning. I know Jacobsons in Frankfort did that for me when I did a mid-April trip from Chicago to Charlevoix a few years ago. That wasn’t amidst stay-at-home order.

Anyway, have a safe trip and plan ahead! AND....keep us posted with updates and pictures!!
Click to expand...
Thank you for replying.
We are planning on leaving Tuesday morning and my broker ( Travis Smith ) did the calling for me ahead of time for fuel and dockage and he's given me all that information as that was one of my concerns. Sounds like i'll be able to pull into any of the marinas that he listed but they are not open. He said we could just pull in and stay. Guess we'll save a few dollars there. We're super excited due to the weather now. ( was real upset a month ago ) So basically, no big hurry.
 
FastMarkA said:
This is the key question.

I've done this trip before, but I powered through -- did Colony Marine to Charlevoix in one long day.

As well, given current circumstances, my normal recommendations might be out of sync.

I don't think you need to "fear" the 40 to 54, although it's totally normal. You'll need to learn how it responds, but otherwise, you'll eventually understand its heft makes handling around the dock much easier.

Coming down the Lake Michigan side, my favorite stops would be Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Leland, Frankfort, and Pentwater. (I will stop in Ludington because it tends to have cheap diesel.)
Click to expand...
Wow, that's a long distance in one day. We dont plan on getting there that fast. we have over a week.
 
Harry Williams said:
Wow, that's a long distance in one day. We dont plan on getting there that fast. we have over a week.
Click to expand...

Well if you plan to stop in Charlevoix, I’ll look for you. There is some good takeout available in town and the grocery store is half a block up from the marina. So, please let me know if I can come down to the dock and grab a line and get you situated. If you pass by Charlevoix on this trip, I’m sure you’ll be there eventually. Say hi if you are - and have a safe and enjoyable trip!
 
What a great trip! I'm jealous. I'd personally try to avoid passing Leland without stopping for at least one night. There's just something about that harbor.

I'd only add that you may want to watch for debris a little more closely than normal. The rivers recently flushed a LOT of junk out into the lakes. We've had a few friends come into Grand Haven from the north commenting on how much garbage they could see floating in the lake. Garbage as in picnic tables and trees...not plastic bags :)
 
Stee6043 said:
What a great trip! I'm jealous. I'd personally try to avoid passing Leland without stopping for at least one night. There's just something about that harbor.

I'd only add that you may want to watch for debris a little more closely than normal. The rivers recently flushed a LOT of junk out into the lakes. We've had a few friends come into Grand Haven from the north commenting on how much garbage they could see floating in the lake. Garbage as in picnic tables and trees...not plastic bags :)
Click to expand...
Great idea, especially this time of year. Years ago we once spotted something on the horizon floating and went to check it out and it was a damn refrigerator. No idea where it came from but that could / would hurt someone...big time.
 
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