earthmover17
New Member
Man that 560 is an awesome boat.
Jack
Jack
Lake Huron Vacation
- Thread starter Jackie J V
- Start date
Sum Escape
Member
- Apr 7, 2009
- 393
- Boat Info
- 2020 Tiara 53 Flybridge
- Engines
- CAT C 12.9 1000 HP Straight Shaft
Great trip and pics. Our trip was to a few different North Channel destinations but also very nice. See our pics on our blog link in my signature. Great trip for us...890 statute miles round trip from Grand Haven. Would do it again in a heartbeat if I could get enough time off!
Last edited:
Rxflyer
New Member
- Jul 25, 2009
- 190
- Boat Info
- Past boat: 2005 Sundancer 300 w/5.0L MPI Bravo II
Current boat: Carver 450 Voyager w/Cummins 450s
- Engines
- Cummins 450
Where in Northern MI ? I grew up in Charlevoix.
East Tawas...
- Feb 5, 2009
- 827
- Boat Info
- 560DB
2 x Raymarine e125's
Walker Bay Generations 360 Centre Console w. Yahama 60HP
2 Seadoos
- Engines
- CAT 3406e (C15's) @ 800HP
Great Pics on your blog Tom. Lot's of familiar places as well. Sounds like quite the trip. If you ever get down to the bottom of Baie Fine again, dock just outside the pool and take the hike up to Topaz Lake. It's pretty spectacular. Totally clear, azure blue water with about 20 to 30' of visibility.
- Feb 5, 2009
- 827
- Boat Info
- 560DB
2 x Raymarine e125's
Walker Bay Generations 360 Centre Console w. Yahama 60HP
2 Seadoos
- Engines
- CAT 3406e (C15's) @ 800HP
Jack,
You're right, the 560 is an awesome boat. When I did my first post in January (or so) looking for feedback on the 560, you'll probably remember that I was apprehensive about her seakeeping ability (based on comments I saw on another boater site). Fact of the matter is, she is very stable in big water. I had no problem doing 32 mph across the top of Lake Huron in 5 footers.
Paul
You're right, the 560 is an awesome boat. When I did my first post in January (or so) looking for feedback on the 560, you'll probably remember that I was apprehensive about her seakeeping ability (based on comments I saw on another boater site). Fact of the matter is, she is very stable in big water. I had no problem doing 32 mph across the top of Lake Huron in 5 footers.
Paul
Tim
New Member
Love that area. Did trips in 2004 and 2006
www.timandgina.net
http://www.timandgina.net/cruise06_prologue.htm
www.timandgina.net
http://www.timandgina.net/cruise06_prologue.htm
earthmover17
New Member
As you remember we tried to sway you towards the 560. I am glad that you got it and im also happy that we steered you correctly.
As far as the boat handling in rough water I think for what it is it does fine. You are a testimony to that.
Any way good pics. and you keep on enjoying your boat.
Jack
Sum Escape
Member
- Apr 7, 2009
- 393
- Boat Info
- 2020 Tiara 53 Flybridge
- Engines
- CAT C 12.9 1000 HP Straight Shaft
Paul and Jackie,
We will be back to Baie Fine at some point and have made a note of your recommendation on Topaz Lake. The area is just awesome...hopefully the pics and memories get us through another long Michigan winter!
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,185
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
We have heard that the lake is blue and clear because it has a high concentration of naturally occuring copper sulfate in it. Whatever the cause, it's a very cool place to visit. We really enjoy the North Channel and plan to spend a lot more time there in a year or two.
- Feb 5, 2009
- 827
- Boat Info
- 560DB
2 x Raymarine e125's
Walker Bay Generations 360 Centre Console w. Yahama 60HP
2 Seadoos
- Engines
- CAT 3406e (C15's) @ 800HP
OK. There's enough interest in Topaz Lake that I dug through the archives for photos of our trip in 2007.
The entrance to the trail up to the lake is right across from the Evinrude cottage...the family that owned the Evinrude engine. It's an old cottage, and no one would be able to build one here now, as it's in The Killarney Provincial Park.
The hike up to the lake is only about 15 to 20 minutes and the trail is in pretty good shape. Here's a few of us hiking up to the lake.
Once we get up to the top, the view over the lake is spectacular.
We're now on top of the La Cloche Mountain range - all white quartz.
A friend climbs down first to check out the situation.
And once we've scoped out the ideal swimming spot, the original Jackie J (the Admiral), decides to climb down for a swim.
As you can see from the photo, the water clarity is phenomenal. It looks as though you can follow the quartz walls down about 25 to 30 feet before they fade into the azure darkness.
All hands decide to check out the waters.
It's entirely possible that the clarity is related to a naturally occuring phenomenon, however I was offered another explanation.
One of our business interests is the Heavy Equipment business in Eastern Canada. Our mining specialist (and an outdoorsman in the area) says that the cause of the clarity is a slight acidity that has built up in the lake due to emissions from the steel mills in Sudbury, which is just to the North East of Topaz Lake and the prevailing wind in the area is a North East Wind. The landscape around Sudbury was used as a proxy for the moon in the early 60's for preparation for the lunar landing.
There were a number of small lakes in the area that were affected in a similar way. Sudbury has since cleaned up its act and much of nature has returned.
As a consequence of the slight acidity, there's actually no life in the small lake, and that includes bacteria and other microscopic life that would cloud the water, slime that would grow on the rocks, etc. As a result, one of the freakish things is that the grip on the rocks below the water, is exactly the same as it would be above the water (whereas you'd expect it to be slippery).
Again, the naturally occuring copper sulfate would probably offer the same explanation...who knows?
The entrance to the trail up to the lake is right across from the Evinrude cottage...the family that owned the Evinrude engine. It's an old cottage, and no one would be able to build one here now, as it's in The Killarney Provincial Park.
The hike up to the lake is only about 15 to 20 minutes and the trail is in pretty good shape. Here's a few of us hiking up to the lake.
Once we get up to the top, the view over the lake is spectacular.
We're now on top of the La Cloche Mountain range - all white quartz.
A friend climbs down first to check out the situation.
And once we've scoped out the ideal swimming spot, the original Jackie J (the Admiral), decides to climb down for a swim.
As you can see from the photo, the water clarity is phenomenal. It looks as though you can follow the quartz walls down about 25 to 30 feet before they fade into the azure darkness.
All hands decide to check out the waters.
It's entirely possible that the clarity is related to a naturally occuring phenomenon, however I was offered another explanation.
One of our business interests is the Heavy Equipment business in Eastern Canada. Our mining specialist (and an outdoorsman in the area) says that the cause of the clarity is a slight acidity that has built up in the lake due to emissions from the steel mills in Sudbury, which is just to the North East of Topaz Lake and the prevailing wind in the area is a North East Wind. The landscape around Sudbury was used as a proxy for the moon in the early 60's for preparation for the lunar landing.
There were a number of small lakes in the area that were affected in a similar way. Sudbury has since cleaned up its act and much of nature has returned.
As a consequence of the slight acidity, there's actually no life in the small lake, and that includes bacteria and other microscopic life that would cloud the water, slime that would grow on the rocks, etc. As a result, one of the freakish things is that the grip on the rocks below the water, is exactly the same as it would be above the water (whereas you'd expect it to be slippery).
Again, the naturally occuring copper sulfate would probably offer the same explanation...who knows?
Sum Escape
Member
- Apr 7, 2009
- 393
- Boat Info
- 2020 Tiara 53 Flybridge
- Engines
- CAT C 12.9 1000 HP Straight Shaft
Beautiful water. This is definetly on our list for the next North Channel trip! The day in July we dinghyed past Evinrude island was cold and threatening rain so we didn't venture out hiking. Thanks for digging up the pics!
Cruisinguy
Member
The last time I was back in the pool area the weeds were so bad it took an hour to clean off the anchor when we left. Even the dinghy would drag a ton of weeds. I know the water was up last year but does anyone know if they are still really bad. I know you can anchor out off to the sides before you get back there but was just checking??
Sum Escape
Member
- Apr 7, 2009
- 393
- Boat Info
- 2020 Tiara 53 Flybridge
- Engines
- CAT C 12.9 1000 HP Straight Shaft
We didn't anchor the boat there, only took a dinghy ride into the pool as there are lots of weeds. And turtles! Beautiful area though....
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,185
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
There have been weeds in the pool for years. We don't run our genny when we are visiting.
Cruisinguy
Member
I've fed those turtles and they are HUGE! Figured it was still weedy. Seems every time I have been to Topaz Lake I have passed either scouts or groups portaging kayaks. Pretty cool!
- Feb 5, 2009
- 827
- Boat Info
- 560DB
2 x Raymarine e125's
Walker Bay Generations 360 Centre Console w. Yahama 60HP
2 Seadoos
- Engines
- CAT 3406e (C15's) @ 800HP
Back to the vaults...
Here's a pic of one of the turtles the guys have been talking about. This prehistoric monster came out from under our swim platform and swam around the back of the raft. Kids were happily swimming there before Mr. Turtle...afterwards, not so much!
We don't anchor in the pool as it is just too weedy. We were tied off against a rock wall just outside the pool and up from the Evinrude cottage. The whole channel is pretty well protected.
Here's a pic of one of the turtles the guys have been talking about. This prehistoric monster came out from under our swim platform and swam around the back of the raft. Kids were happily swimming there before Mr. Turtle...afterwards, not so much!
We don't anchor in the pool as it is just too weedy. We were tied off against a rock wall just outside the pool and up from the Evinrude cottage. The whole channel is pretty well protected.
Paul,
Absolutely outstanding photos and comments! We cruised these same waters for fifteen years and in fact the last time we were in The Pool at Baie Fine, we were fortunate to share it with Mrs. Evinrude's yacht. This summer we made our run up to Mackinac Island for the sixth time but the first from our new port in Algonac.
Congrats on that beautiful 560.
Absolutely outstanding photos and comments! We cruised these same waters for fifteen years and in fact the last time we were in The Pool at Baie Fine, we were fortunate to share it with Mrs. Evinrude's yacht. This summer we made our run up to Mackinac Island for the sixth time but the first from our new port in Algonac.
Congrats on that beautiful 560.
Boogaboo
Member
- May 28, 2010
- 133
- Boat Info
- '98 330 Sundancer
- Engines
- 2 x 454 MPI G-A-Z-O-L-I-N-E
Great trip! We are looking forward to doing the North Channel this coming season (2011). Coming from the Trent Severn Waterway at the south east portion of The Bay, I'd love to learn about how/where you stayed in the Bustards on your way back.
We bought our 400 Sedan Bridge this past season and had the adventure of a lifetime bringing the 'Big Boy' home to Lake Simcoe all the way from Michigan, on Lake St. Clair (http://rottenrowsblog.blogspot.com/) &, like you, I was thoroughly impressed with performance characteristics of the boat. Coming from a 300 Sundancer it was a pleasure to cross the big waters of Lake Huron (proper) & Georgian Bay through some 'interesting' conditions - at plane & cruising at 21 MPH. Very nice
Given our experiences with the 'new' boat, I have a renewed confidence to travel farther afield and am in the initial stages of laying the groundwork for our grand adventure of doing the Great Loop in the not-to-distant future!!
Looking forward to your reply.
We bought our 400 Sedan Bridge this past season and had the adventure of a lifetime bringing the 'Big Boy' home to Lake Simcoe all the way from Michigan, on Lake St. Clair (http://rottenrowsblog.blogspot.com/) &, like you, I was thoroughly impressed with performance characteristics of the boat. Coming from a 300 Sundancer it was a pleasure to cross the big waters of Lake Huron (proper) & Georgian Bay through some 'interesting' conditions - at plane & cruising at 21 MPH. Very nice
Given our experiences with the 'new' boat, I have a renewed confidence to travel farther afield and am in the initial stages of laying the groundwork for our grand adventure of doing the Great Loop in the not-to-distant future!!
Looking forward to your reply.
- Feb 5, 2009
- 827
- Boat Info
- 560DB
2 x Raymarine e125's
Walker Bay Generations 360 Centre Console w. Yahama 60HP
2 Seadoos
- Engines
- CAT 3406e (C15's) @ 800HP
Hi Boogaboo,
I'm bolting to the airport in a few minutes and will be out of town for a week. When I get back, I'll post a map of where to anchor in the Bustards. The best anchorage is to head in from the north side, through the Gun Barrel. There are a few twists and turns and a few rocks to look out for, however it's not a bad or tough anchorage if you know where to go.
Cheers,
Paul
I'm bolting to the airport in a few minutes and will be out of town for a week. When I get back, I'll post a map of where to anchor in the Bustards. The best anchorage is to head in from the north side, through the Gun Barrel. There are a few twists and turns and a few rocks to look out for, however it's not a bad or tough anchorage if you know where to go.
Cheers,
Paul
