GREAT Lakes locations

[Acb4boss]

Where Ya at where Ya from? The member map doesn't seem to work, we have our own little Great Lakes Forum on CSR so spill it, where's your pride and where's your home. This can be a great way for members to meet each other as well as help out some entering new waters, and maybe plan a few voyages together.

I'll go first:

I live in Fenton, Mi. but my boat will be moored on the Saginaw Bay. I chose Lindy's on the Quanicassee River because; a) it is not highly commercialized (eh hem Linwood) and b) it is not in the Saginaw River (too much traffic). We were making the decision between purchasing a larger boat OR buying a cabin up north, so we bought a "floating cabin" and next year we will put a house on property we already own up north (bought the boat outright for what a down payment would be on a cabin). I do not want to go on a vacation or weekend get away to the city either, so Lindy's being out of the city was a huge plus, as well as a $600 slip rental (for any boat over 25' and up to 35') for the year didn't hurt, and their "laid back" rules and regulations. Almost every marina offers 20% off first year slip rentals on the Bay, so if it doesn't work out I will move, and if I enjoy it I will work that into my slip price for next year as I do not want to move any more than they want me to.

Now, I know there are a lot of people on here from my area like 1956olds (Flushing, Mi. and moored on the Bay), Boltman (Swartz Creek, Mi. and moored on the Bay), and many moore grin I'm certain.This is an opportunity and people like us should not only show our CSR pride, but have social interaction as well seeing how we are all Sea Ray Enthusiasts, from the same area, and boat the same waters! There's much to be gained from the great CSR Forum, and possibly more to be gained from local members familiar with the waters so show your love for CSR, your home, and the GREAT Lakes here!

 

[Jackie J V]

The Great Lakes are truly Great! We're a couple of days boat ride away from you in Penetanguishene, Ontario in southern Georgian Bay. Our boat came from Holland, MI, but I haven't personally done Lake Michigan yet. Came close when we were heading to Mackinac Island, but couldn't get a slip and instead headed up the Detour passage as far as Sault Ste. Marie, MI after a stop at Drummond Island.

We spend most of our time in Georgian Bay between Penetang and Parry Sound, however typically do a two week trip to the North Channel each summer. Glorious boating area! We put about 120 hours on the engines each summer and very rarely miss a weekend between end of April and end of October. Just looking forward to getting back in the water in about a month!

Paul

 

[Getaway]

We live in Bay City and mainly trailer the boat. This year, however, we purchased a dock at Wheelers Landing on the Saginaw River and we will slip there for 5 weeks this summer. They have some of the creature comforts that my wife and the kids like (pool, cable, wifi, etc etc). Plus we can watch the awesome fireworks right from the slip!!

We did the same thing Acb4boss did. After looking at cottages, upkeep, taxes etc, we purchased our 268 Sundancer and now have cheap waterfront property that is portable!!

I fish walleyes in the Bay all summer. In early spring, I like to hit Harbor Beach and Port Sanilac for salmon and trout. Then in late July through September, we fish Manistee and Frankfort for king salmon and trout. This is why it was important to have a good trailer under the 'Dancer. We like the change of scenery as the summer progresses.

Honk if you see this going down the road:

 

[MonacoMike]

YAR! We be out of Northwest Indiana and base out of the bilge of Lake Michigan, Michigan City. This yar I'll be pillagin Lake Perch from yonder blue sweet water oceans, perhaps a coho or two if I be lucky that is. Otherwise, I be at the dock drinkin me pirate juice.

Scott, did they change your meds again? :lol:

Happy St Pats, MM

 

[Acb4boss]

Anyone else? I know there are more of us one here, where ya' from?

 

[Creekwood]

Re: GREAT Lakes locations (DIAL UP BEWARE)

Georgian Bay the Sweetwater sea. Penetanguishene, Ontario.

 

[amazing2926]

Whats going on all.. We are out of Portage, In... Just moved up from a 20foot open bow speed boat to our first Sea Ray Cruiser. Looking forward to meeting fellow boaters in the area and find out great locations to take weekend trips to!

 

[Brutus C Paw]

Reefpoint Marina in Racine WI is our port. We drive from Belvidere, IL, about an 85 mile trip one way. We spend every weekend on the boat until football starts, then it's off to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes.

Our plan this year is to take two weeks and work our way to Mackinac.

 

[amazing2926]

Brutus, just sent you an email in here...

 

[Acb4boss]

Reefpoint Marina in Racine WI is our port. We drive from Belvidere, IL, about an 85 mile trip one way. We spend every weekend on the boat until football starts, then it's off to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes.

Our plan this year is to take two weeks and work our way to Mackinac.

So you live in Illinois, boat in Wisconsin, and are a Buckeye fan? Did I get all that straight lol. Looking forward to seeing you Nov. 26, hope this year is better than the last decede!

 

[BillG72340]

We dock in Sandusky, OH at Cedar Point Marina and live just north of Columbus. GO BUCKS! It's about a 2 hr drive each way which I have been making twice a week trying to get ready for a late April launch. It won't be long now!!

 

[DaFish]

We hail from Milwaukee - Dry Stack on the Kinnickinnic River - 15 minutes down the river to Lake Michigan. This is about 40 minutes from the house.

Getting closer to closing the deal on a 1991 310da with twin 7.4 v-drives. Need decent weather for survey and sea trial.

 

[boltman]

OK well since my name was mentioned I thought I'd chime in..... I'm the Boltman, Live in Swartz Creek Michigan and we slip our boat this year, in Whitehall/Montegue,in a place called Ellenwood Marina on Lake Michigan.. We are going to try hard to take a 2 week vacation this year up to the North Channel/Georgian Bay. God will that be nice to go up through GOD's country, while I'm there I want to have a conversation with GOD himself.. I need to talk with him about a few things... yeah know, but we can't wait, it think it's still going to be in our 320 though, it will do just fine , Well that's my two cents...

 

[KC_Sundancer]

I feel very fortunate to have been growing up on the Great Lakes and having a father introduce us to the great experiences of taking boat trips all over them. We do our best to carry that experience on with our kids.
A majority of our weekend travels are near our Home Port along the South Central shore of Lake Superior in Munising, Michigan. The big lake can really kick-up but is often amazingly calm most days of the summer months. It's 45 miles to our nearest port to the East, Grand Marais with half of that colorful rock cliffs and the other half beach ending with 300 foot sand dunes. Marquette is 40 miles to the West, a lower rock shoreline to there with the Huron Mountains in the background. The Lake can be cold but along the beaches, the water gets into the 70's in August. We love it up here - truly as they say "God's Country" with opportunity for endless outdoor activities. Here are a few pictures taken out our back door and in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area. Some have been posted before but there are 15 new ones this time around. Enjoy !

West shore of Grand Island

West Channel Range Lights in Christmas, MI

AuSable Point Lighthouse with Grand Sable Dunes in the background.
(East end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)

Anchored for the night in Trout Bay on the East Side of Grand Island

Trout Bay in the morning

Daughter and friends enjoying the view from the deck.

Tucking into a cove near the middle of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Partially restored East Channel Lighthouse.
Another calm morning on Lake Superior as we enter our home port of Munising Bay through the East Channel.

The harbor of Grand Marais, Michigan located on the East end of Picture rocks National Lakeshore.
They have a "state" dock just to the left of the pic.

Lake Superior lays down nicely for most days throughout the summer months. It's often like a sheet of glass.
Once late October rolls around the winds really kick-up often and hang around though March.
The famous "Gales of November".
Here are a few windy, late March pics after the ice had left - the wind had just started:

Miners Castle - For perspective you can barely see a deck type platform just to the right of the "turrets".
Note the two "turrets" - this photo I took was on of the last with both of them present.
Later that evening the inner "turret" was broken off by the winds - big news in our local paper .

This is Bridal Veil falls that same day with the wind blowing the water up into the trees.


Thought I'd ad a few Off-season pics:

Grand Island - North point with a "pancake" ice flow - early April
Shallow shelf off point is 15 to 30 feet deep.

Grand Island North Lighthouse - located behind the photographer in the previous photo.

Miners Castle - February (notice the missing turret mentioned earlier)

Rough early winter at Miners Beach

Late Fall at Miners River / Beach

Enjoying a summer day by Mosquito Beach with the old 22 Pachanga.

The Wreck "BERMUDA"

Grand Sable Dunes - East end of Picture Rocks Lakeshore near Grand Marais - in the old 22 Pachanga.

Grand Island's Trout Bay

Munising Bay - Fisherman at the mouth of the Anna River

Spray Falls - middle of Pictured Rocks Lakeshore

​

 

[Woody]

We keep the boat at Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula. So far we've only been as far east as Laughing Fish Point. We're hoping to get to the Pictured Rocks this summer and I'm trying to talk the admiral into going to the North Channel but not looking to good for her to take enough time from work. I'll have to watch for you KC Sundancer when we're in your area.

 

[spikedaddy99]

We will be joining this group this summer. We are moving to Northern Wisconsin, and we are putting "Our Hands Full" in Marinette Wi. Advice is welcome!

Mike

 

[DaFish]

Welcome to Wisconsin! The bay of Green Bay is a great place to boat - north to Big Bay and south to Green Bay - east to Door County with all of its harbors and small towns - and out Death's Door into the Big Lake - Lake Michigan. We have spent much time around Door County, up through the islands (Plum, Pilot, Washington, Rock, etc) and up to Fayette, MI.

Enjoy -

 

[Banagy]

Actually live ten miles South of Metro airport durning the winter months. Boat all summer long In the Saginaw Bay, from Port Austin, Caseville(cheeseburge festival), Bay City(need to get those Hooters wings),All across the North shore and use Bay Port(fish sandwich festival) as our home port. We use the 200 as much as possible. It is unbelieveable how much the Bay has cleaned up the last ten years.

 

[Acb4boss]

Actually live ten miles South of Metro airport durning the winter months. Boat all summer long In the Saginaw Bay, from Port Austin, Caseville(cheeseburge festival), Bay City(need to get those Hooters wings),All across the North shore and use Bay Port(fish sandwich festival) as our home port. We use the 200 as much as possible. It is unbelieveable how much the Bay has cleaned up the last ten years.

That's Great times on the Great Lakes! Are those festivals real or are you just giving places names? I've been to the Munger Potato festival, the Sebewaing Sugar Festival, whatever festival it was they put on in Oakhurst park (my grandparents used to live there), and a couple of others around the Bay. We've been looking at things to go and do around the Bay, if we can go to and get a transient slip we would love to go! The only thing we have planned so far is the arts and crafts thing in Tawas smt021Admiral) and it would be great to go to some other places and see some other things. Maybe even get together with a fellow CSR mamber and Bay-er!

 

[1956olds]

Hey tawas has a great blues festival also!worth the weekend.yes they are real festivals.