Cruising the North Channel

Doug, I cruised through those areas with a friend and his parents on their Matthews when we were in high school. Beautiful areas those are, and I'd love to be able to go back again. Nice "cruising guide" you have layed out for us to enjoy. Thanks for that.
 
Doug, It would be nice if You or Ken posted some of your pics from up there. :smt001
 
very cool. I plan on making this trip in 2-3 years after I get my new boat with twins. :grin:
 
We store our boat in Barbeau on the St. Marys River. We do not rent a dock. When we splash we leave for the North Channel. Our first night out and our last night coming back is at Harbor Island by Drummond Island. We spend the entire season in the North Channel and upper Georgian Bay. We never dock, always on the hook. Beardrop Harbor, Baie Fine, McGregor Bay, Mill Lake, and Beaverstone Bay are some of our favorite anchorages.
Doug
 
We want to head up that way soon. Maybe this year. We're having a baby in May, so he/she will dictate our vacation plans. :)
 
dmcb said:
Anyone up for a discussion?
http://continuouswave.com/north-channel/cruise.html
We have been cruising the North Channel and upper Georgian Bay for 48 years and never tire of talking about it.
Its an easy cruise for trailer boats also.
Doug
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If only I could get four weeks back to go back and do it again! Our 2009 12 day trip was great (but way too short). Links below.
http://sumescape.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
http://sumescape.blogspot.com/2009/08/north-channel-chapter-2.html

After we retire, we will be back....hopefully for a full summer next time. I cannot imagine a better place to be in July and August after having been there. Everyone who boats needs to have the North Channel on their bucket list!!
 
That new baby is going to dictate...EVERYTHING!!! not just vacation plans. We have a 12 month old, and shes the boss...haha. Best of luck to you and mom on a healthy new little one.
 
dev6315 said:
That new baby is going to dictate...EVERYTHING!!! not just vacation plans. We have a 12 month old, and shes the boss...haha. Best of luck to you and mom on a healthy new little one.
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Thank you!
We hope to get him/her into the boat asap. That baby is going to get her sea legs before land legs! lol.
 
Sum Escape said:
If only I could get four weeks back to go back and do it again! Our 2009 12 day trip was great (but way too short). Links below.
http://sumescape.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
http://sumescape.blogspot.com/2009/08/north-channel-chapter-2.html

After we retire, we will be back....hopefully for a full summer next time. I cannot imagine a better place to be in July and August after having been there. Everyone who boats needs to have the North Channel on their bucket list!!
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Read your blogs and I am ready to go back. A nice anchorage after checking in customs at Drummond Isand is Harbor island, 3 or so miles from the marina.
Turnbull is our last stop before heading back. We usually make Beardrop the first night after we leave Harbor Island. Btw, you cannot make it through the cut. I don't think you could even in the highest water. There is a rock in the middle. Some time ago a sailboat tried. Skipper said he sounded it but he missed the rock. He didn't miss it on the way through however.
Your right about the weeds in the Pool at Baie Fine but there are many great spots between the narrows and the pool to anchor.
Collins Inlet is another must see when in the area.
I am ready to go again. Come on summer.
Doug
 
dmcb said:
Read your blogs and I am ready to go back. A nice anchorage after checking in customs at Drummond Isand is Harbor island, 3 or so miles from the marina.
Turnbull is our last stop before heading back. We usually make Beardrop the first night after we leave Harbor Island. Btw, you cannot make it through the cut. I don't think you could even in the highest water. There is a rock in the middle. Some time ago a sailboat tried. Skipper said he sounded it but he missed the rock. He didn't miss it on the way through however.
Your right about the weeds in the Pool at Baie Fine but there are many great spots between the narrows and the pool to anchor.
Collins Inlet is another must see when in the area.
I am ready to go again. Come on summer.
Doug
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Doug, your recommendations are appreciated. We will be back when we have more time! 12 days just does not do the area justice. And with it being about a 900 mile round trip from Grand Haven, the fuel cost is not insignificant so it would be nice to spend more time to make the fuel burn more "worthwhile".
Turnbull was not on our list but the folks in Blind River recommended it. The dinghy exploring of that area was fantastic. But there is not one place we went that I would not go back to...the whole trip was a dream come true for us.
I'm with you, c'mon Summer!! Heading to the heated storage condo to do some Racors, canvas waterproofing, polishing and waxing and just generally keeping after that lay up punch list on Sat. Get a little "fiberglass fix" in the winter time that way!
Flat seas and sunny warm weather to you for the 2012 season!
 
I know what you mean about not one place you wouldn't return. I feel the same way after 48 years. I can't imagine any place I would rather be.
I really enjoy meeting people on the water who are seeing the area for the first time.
I do understand the cost vs the time in your situation.
One thought maybe. You could move your boat North in weekends prior to your vacation so it would be close to the area when your vacation starts and reverse it when you return.
I know its a bother and not inexpensive but just a thought.
Prior to early July and after about the 3rd week of Aug., you pretty much have the great places to yourself. The bad thing about being there in Sept. is the winds start and you have to pick your days to move in open water.
Doug
 
Doug,
Yes, we spotted the boat on the trip up and back the last time. Boat was out of Grand Haven for 4+ weeks and 5 weekends. Logistically, not a lot of fun but it was our way to do the NC prior to retiring and doing it right! And we were very fortunate with weather and waves...only a one day delay the entire time!
I think this year Door County will be the long trip though. And Chicago is always a fun detination for us as well. I only wish I could get enough time off to do the NC right again soon! Have fun on your trip there this summer!
 
And you enjoy yours as well. Boating is boating no matter where you do it and what is under your feet.
Doug
 
dmcb said:
And you enjoy yours as well. Boating is boating no matter where you do it and what is under your feet.
Doug
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Great thread and links guys... I could not have said it any better... ^^^^^

Best wishes to both of you on the upcomming summer. The NC is on my BL but I'll need another boat...

Still love the 440Da Sum Escape
 
We are currently planning our first trip to the North Channel for 2-3 weeks in late July early August. Our plans are to spend 3 days from Sandusky to Killarney and then west to the Benjamins with 2-3 night stops along the way. I know we will be running short on time and would rather not be rushed to move every night at the sacrifice of seeing less. We have a dinghy and plan to do a lot of exploring around each anchorage. Does this sound like a good plan for a first visit to the area? I have the current Richardson chart book along with Lakeland Boating’s Cruising Guide however both of these are several years old. I'm considering the "Ports Guide" from 2007. Do you find it has accurate and useful information? Any advice is appreciated.
 
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May I suggest you visit Collins Inlet which is about 3 miles from Killarney and its total length to Beaverstone Bay is 25 miles.
Mill Lake is a good anchorage.
Also a must see and the most popular place in the area is Baie Fine. Its 25 miles from Killarney heading West, then North.
From the end of Baie Fine its 25 miles to Little Current and then on to the Benjamins.
Another must see is Covered Portage Cove which is a short distance from Killarney in Killarney Bay.
The Benjamins are nice as is Croker which is very close to the Benjamins but they are not as nice as the areas mentioned. Imo.
Covered Portage Cove is a great anchorage. In Baie Fine, there is a narrows just before the pool. Great anchorage from the narrows to the pool. The pool is weed covered and no longer a good anchorage.
You will want the small craft charts for the area. I do not suggest the Richardson as there are details not shown on it.
The beauty of the area is the anchorages. If you know someone belonging to the Great Lakes Cruising Club, they will have detailed anchorage information.
If you use a chart plotter, keep it zoomed in to get all the detail. I have never touched a prop in 48 years but you easily can and you must know where you are at all times.
Doug
 
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