Hi Fellow Great Lakers!
I wanted to throw a brief thread out here to share a little local knowledge with you for those planning your summer trips to Charlevoix. If you visited (or tried to visit) last summer (2021), then you know there is a new harbor master in CVX. While in the past, Hal and Pat would seemingly go through great hurdles to take care of everyone, things are a little more “by-the-book” with the new harbor master.
Now is the time (6 months before) to get on the DNR website and start making reservations. Plan to book for as long as you want to stay, as extensions were by and large a hassle for most last summer. Where previously you could let the office know you wanted to stay a few more days, now it is an 8am lineup at the door to extend for one day. And mostly only approved one day at a time. I saw several folks forced to move out even on the snottiest of days, and likely the incoming boat wouldn’t show up due the snotty weather. This left the slip you were forced out of to remain empty anyway overnight.
Another method I’ve heard from folks that want extended stays is to book the 7 night max in one name and email, and then use a spouse or other fake name to book the next 7 nights. Some people stay most of the summer by doing this.
We also noticed that many people are booking phantom reservations tying up slips that they don’t even intend to show up for. They can be canceled the day before arrival with only an $8 penalty.
I guess what I’m cautioning on here is no matter how long you want to stay, make sure you have reservations booked for that time, or have a plan B in mind if you are forced out. Charlevoix is a popular harbor, so planning ahead is your best bet to enjoy this great little town.
Hopefully I’ll see some of you on the docks this summer!
I wanted to throw a brief thread out here to share a little local knowledge with you for those planning your summer trips to Charlevoix. If you visited (or tried to visit) last summer (2021), then you know there is a new harbor master in CVX. While in the past, Hal and Pat would seemingly go through great hurdles to take care of everyone, things are a little more “by-the-book” with the new harbor master.
Now is the time (6 months before) to get on the DNR website and start making reservations. Plan to book for as long as you want to stay, as extensions were by and large a hassle for most last summer. Where previously you could let the office know you wanted to stay a few more days, now it is an 8am lineup at the door to extend for one day. And mostly only approved one day at a time. I saw several folks forced to move out even on the snottiest of days, and likely the incoming boat wouldn’t show up due the snotty weather. This left the slip you were forced out of to remain empty anyway overnight.
Another method I’ve heard from folks that want extended stays is to book the 7 night max in one name and email, and then use a spouse or other fake name to book the next 7 nights. Some people stay most of the summer by doing this.
We also noticed that many people are booking phantom reservations tying up slips that they don’t even intend to show up for. They can be canceled the day before arrival with only an $8 penalty.
I guess what I’m cautioning on here is no matter how long you want to stay, make sure you have reservations booked for that time, or have a plan B in mind if you are forced out. Charlevoix is a popular harbor, so planning ahead is your best bet to enjoy this great little town.
Hopefully I’ll see some of you on the docks this summer!
!