Fayette Michigan (pictures)

[andy k]

This summer we took a trip to Fayette Michigan. It was a very rough ride to Fayette we had a small craft advisory and 5-7ft waves, we took a few waves over the bow(I am glad we had the canvas up otherwise the cockpit would be very very wet) I have some more pictures I will post I just need to find them.

 

[andy k]

Here are some more photos

 

[Gofirstclass]

Nice pics, and thanks for sharing them. I grew up in MI and couldn't recall where Fayette is. I checked it on Google Maps and they should it almost dead center in the lower part of Michigan, near Hillsdale. No wonder it was a rough ride. Then I checked it again and found out where it REALLY is. Looks like a very pretty area, and not a lot of other boaters around.

How did your 260 do in the waves? I've been on Lk. Michigan and know how steep they can be. More importantly, how did your Admiral do in those waves? If she was OK, you obviously have a winner on your hands.

Thanks again for the pics. If you have any of your crossing in those waves they would be fun to look at.

 

[DaFish]

Great pics - that is truely God's country!

We have spent many hours in Fayette - when we had the smaller boat, we would launch from Door County and island hop the way up. Where did you start from? That trip is also fun in the fall as the leaves are turning color (the waters are not as friendly though!).

 

[fasttoys7619]

I agree If Admiral was good ,you have a winner ! its hard to find one that can take it, btw ,awsome pictures , next summer i intend to make a point to cruise up that way , where are you from Andy ? where did you drop in or moor from ? I dont know if id trailer up to G.B. or if id just cruise all the way up from Waukegan ,Il, all depending on conditions of course , but fuel is also a factor and my Admiral ,

 

[firecadet613]

Nice pics, sounds like you had a fun trip!

Have any pics of your dinghy set up?

 

[andy k]

I think the Admiral is afraid of rough water now.:smt021

We nose dived into a few big waves, and the boat did not have enough power to make it up some of the waves. But it was well worth the ride.

We keep our boat in Sturgeon Bay It took us about 5 hours because it was really rough.

Here some some pics of the dinghy and how I mount it, I am going to replace my cheap plastic davits with the nicer weaver davits next season. I trailer with the dinghy on the back and I never had a problem with it on the trailer.

 

[fasttoys7619]

do you have a outboard for that dinghy ?if so where do you store it ? ive been thinking about getting one this winter , but have to decide on my rigging , i really need a bigger platform

 

[andy k]

I store the outboard in the cockpit. I made a bag for it so no grease or dirt will get on the floor.

 

[boltman]

Does Fayette have power to overnight there, I do not see any power sources in the pics, had friends stay there in their 420 and I think they told me that you have to run your genie full time.... I cannot remember....darn alshiemers..

 

[susanandlance]

I store the outboard in the cockpit. I made a bag for it so no grease or dirt will get on the floor.

I have the Weaver Davits, you'll really like them, I do.

 

[andy k]

Does Fayette have power to overnight there, I do not see any power sources in the pics, had friends stay there in their 420 and I think they told me that you have to run your genie full time.... I cannot remember....darn alshiemers..

No power, no bathrooms, and if you need to fill your water tank up there is a water hose about 200 ft away from the dock. But at night the air temp usually is between 60 and 70 so no need for the Genny at night.

But you have to remember that you are in one of the most beautiful and remote areas on the great lakes. When we go to Fayette we spend very little time on the boat because we are exploring the old town and hiking on the beautiful trails. The fishing is Fantastic, I usually fish just bass and perch but the salmon is very good in that area too.

You need to get there early in the day because the 1 dock will only hold 5-10 boats and will fill up fast.

 

[boltman]

That sounds awesome, but I'd have to run the Genny all night and all day, no sweat it's a quiet Genny...We might take a trip up there and we might have to set a down rigger or two to get some of those King salmon up there....... yummy

 

[alwhite00]

Great looking pics, What's the story on the buildings?

LK

 

[D-Sill-D]

Nice pictures..........looks like a beautiful place to hang out.......thanks for sharing your trip........

 

[JerryS]

Great looking pics, What's the story on the buildings?

LK

Blast Furnaces for making pig iron.

Nice pictures, Andy. Thanks for sharing.

 

[andy k]

Great looking pics, What's the story on the buildings?

LK

quoted from http://www.fayettemichigan.com/index.html

"Fayette was one of the typical 19th century "boom towns"! The Jackson Iron Company founded the town in 1867 for the sole purpose of extracting iron from the ore being mined in its iron mine near Negaunee.

The site was chosen for the limestone, the small but deep natural harbor, and the immense stands of hardwood on the entire length of the Garden Peninsula. (The hardwood was used to make charcoal, which together with limestone, was essential to the iron smelting process.)
By 1891 the hardwood on the peninsula was gone and soft coal was replacing charcoal in the smelting process. It was no longer profitable for the company to run Fayette. The furnaces went cold and the town slowly became deserted.

Today the historic town site is a Michigan State Park. Many of buildings have been restored and are open for browsing. The harbor is inviting for boaters, a campground is located at the park, and The Sand Beach offers excellent swimming."