amazing2926
New Member
We would like to plan out our summer and thought I would get input from all you seasoned veterans. We are out of Portage, IN
Lake Michigan Bucket List of spots or places to see by water
- Thread starter amazing2926
- Start date
Daniel P Thomas
Member
- Nov 26, 2006
- 755
- Boat Info
- 1992 350 EB
- Engines
- Twin 454 Mercruisers 330 hp each
w/ Bravo II Drives
Contrary to what Scott said, I would not miss heading to Chicago for a day or an overnight.
Expensive, yes, like 90 bucks for a 40 ft slip in DuSable.
Took 4 boats there last year to see the Tall Ships docked at Navy Pier.
Had a wonderful time hanging out, grilling on the back of the boat, walking throughout the parks and Navy Pier.
Harbor Master and Assistants were more than accommodating for us.
Contact them by phone only, radio is worthless in the harbors because of the tender radio traffic.
Free parking at garage right next to slips for our guests and made sure we had everything we needed.
Short walk or boat ride over to Navy Pier.
Fireworks every Wed, Fri and Sat night just off of the harbor.
Skyline day or night to die for.
Very friendly people in the harbor.
Reciprocal with Colombia Yacht Club.
As Scott noted, getting into the locks can be an adventure so we usually avoid that.
A cruise through Monroe and Burnham Harbors are always interesting.
Chicago could be more boater friendly if they had tie-ups available and a few more restaurants on the river, but someday.......Oh I doubt it!
Will post link to summer pictures in a bit.
http://s123.photobucket.com/albums/o311/DanielPThomas/Summer 2010 Chicago Trip/?albumview=slideshow
Dan
Expensive, yes, like 90 bucks for a 40 ft slip in DuSable.
Took 4 boats there last year to see the Tall Ships docked at Navy Pier.
Had a wonderful time hanging out, grilling on the back of the boat, walking throughout the parks and Navy Pier.
Harbor Master and Assistants were more than accommodating for us.
Contact them by phone only, radio is worthless in the harbors because of the tender radio traffic.
Free parking at garage right next to slips for our guests and made sure we had everything we needed.
Short walk or boat ride over to Navy Pier.
Fireworks every Wed, Fri and Sat night just off of the harbor.
Skyline day or night to die for.
Very friendly people in the harbor.
Reciprocal with Colombia Yacht Club.
As Scott noted, getting into the locks can be an adventure so we usually avoid that.
A cruise through Monroe and Burnham Harbors are always interesting.
Chicago could be more boater friendly if they had tie-ups available and a few more restaurants on the river, but someday.......Oh I doubt it!
Will post link to summer pictures in a bit.
http://s123.photobucket.com/albums/o311/DanielPThomas/Summer 2010 Chicago Trip/?albumview=slideshow
Dan
Last edited:
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,191
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
Grand Haven, Leland, Harbor Springs, anchoring out in South Manitou Island harbor for lunch after circumnavagating the island. Anchoring overnight in Spring Lake in a cove. Fish Creek in Green Bay.
boltman
Active Member
- Dec 28, 2005
- 1,507
- Boat Info
- 480 Sedan Bridge
"Sea Ray's Best Boat Ever Made"
- Engines
- 700 hp MANS Diesels Thundering Cathedrals of Torque!!
I agree with SBW1, Ludington though is very nice, Manistee boring...Elk Rapids a must... it's so quaint and sleepy....then on to Charleviox. you can take lake Charlevoix down to Boyne city... long ride on Lake Charlevoix. Either way up the East coast of Lake Michigan,,, What a view and a nice drive...
Carpedmman
Member
I spent 10 years boating in the Lake Winnebago/Fox River chain before moving West. I took two trips across Lake Michigan and Door County (The Thumb of Wisconsin extending into Lake Michigan) is fantastic boating. There is a shipping channel that splits the county near Sturgeon Bay. Great Ports are Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Ephraim and at the tip of the peninsula- is a very low key Washington Island. The MUST NOT miss is sight is Mackinac Island. Charlevoix, Leland, Ludington all have their merits.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
deutschfarms
New Member
We are from Portage too. BOATERS BEACH!:smt038
Daniel P Thomas
Member
- Nov 26, 2006
- 755
- Boat Info
- 1992 350 EB
- Engines
- Twin 454 Mercruisers 330 hp each
w/ Bravo II Drives
Boater Beach?
70 degree water in June
Don't have to wait until August to get in the water.
Plus we usually go over with 3-5 boats and hang out together.
Dan
70 degree water in June
Don't have to wait until August to get in the water.
Plus we usually go over with 3-5 boats and hang out together.
Dan
amazing2926
New Member
we go there just about every other weekend.. looking to expand out horizons tho... but look us up any time you go to boaters.
920richardf
Member
Green Bay is a great cruising area with a variety of destinations reasonably close together - Menominee, Egg Harbor (new marina) Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Cedar River (take your own party with you). The ship canal in Sturgeon Bay offers easy access from the east side of the Lake. We often travel to Frankfort or Leland and then around to Grand Traverse Bay and Little Traverse Bay. I'm getting tears in my eyes thinking about it as I look out the window at the 12" of snow we got yesterday.
After two weeks in the North Channel last year we are headed to southern Lake Michigan this year so I'm enjoying the comments in this thread. Anybody have other thoughts on locking into the Chicago River for a little sightseeing? Not getting a warm fuzzy so far.
After two weeks in the North Channel last year we are headed to southern Lake Michigan this year so I'm enjoying the comments in this thread. Anybody have other thoughts on locking into the Chicago River for a little sightseeing? Not getting a warm fuzzy so far.
firecadet613
Well-Known Member
- May 10, 2007
- 5,253
- Boat Info
- SOLD - 2007 Four Winns V358
- Engines
- Twin VP 5.7GXi V-Drive / ZF63s
Scott I'm with you. I think you have to go their with other boats. We went by ourselves and it was no fun.
firecadet613
Well-Known Member
- May 10, 2007
- 5,253
- Boat Info
- SOLD - 2007 Four Winns V358
- Engines
- Twin VP 5.7GXi V-Drive / ZF63s
Definatly a MUST do if you have never been. Nothing like going down the Chicago River on your boat. We'll most likely do it again this year.
- Oct 31, 2009
- 3,455
- Boat Info
- 1992 370 ec
- Engines
- twin cummins 6bta's 300 hp
Rl80 pathfinder radar/chartplotter,SH 2150 matrix vhf w/ais
quicksilver 8
Do you have to pull your boat and wash the bottom after that trip?
WilyEsteve
New Member
Be prepared to smile and wave at all the pedestrians who are jealous that you are in a bathing suit while they are in a regular suit!
920richardf
Member
Water quality seemed a bit questionable....
Woody
Well-Known Member
Looks like a early spring pic and all the boaters must of used auto anti-freeze.
Water quality seemed a bit questionable....
jpk33
New Member
Scott, why all the hate for Hammond & Portage - it the industrial nature that fuels our economy ... I wish we had white sandy beaches of the tropical islands (and the warm weather) but it is what it is!
Boaters beach is ok but the group you are with makes the day!
Gary air show is ok too! Its close to you too! Provided its not a N or NE wind blowing 30! Chicago air show is a nightmare (great if you like once-a-year boaters dragging anchor across yours, your neighbor and your neighbors neighbor!).
Do the loop around Chicago - Chicago River to the Calumet River - its an all day cruise (but with a view of the city that few get). Milwaukee is nice for visit during summerfest.
One of the biggest limitations you may have is what is your "range" on a tank of fuel. This may limit shots across the lake and require harbor hopping for fuel.
The Chicago Scene raft-up can be wild and wooly if that suits you (its in the playpen N of the Jardine water filtration palnt - navy pier).
Boaters beach is ok but the group you are with makes the day!
Gary air show is ok too! Its close to you too! Provided its not a N or NE wind blowing 30! Chicago air show is a nightmare (great if you like once-a-year boaters dragging anchor across yours, your neighbor and your neighbors neighbor!).
Do the loop around Chicago - Chicago River to the Calumet River - its an all day cruise (but with a view of the city that few get). Milwaukee is nice for visit during summerfest.
One of the biggest limitations you may have is what is your "range" on a tank of fuel. This may limit shots across the lake and require harbor hopping for fuel.
The Chicago Scene raft-up can be wild and wooly if that suits you (its in the playpen N of the Jardine water filtration palnt - navy pier).
amazing2926
New Member
Personally, i enjoy portage. Its a very clean marina with incredibly friendly workers and boaters. Have a pool for the kids to use and hopfully the resturant will open back up. I would definitely not call it a dump. Sure the smoke stacks arent ideal to stare at, but unfortinitely we dont have mountains and amazing tree lines in NWI, thats why we plan trips! lol. If we had all that beautiful scenery, why would we leave our port? Anyway, I love all the ideas. Some very far from us, but after looking them up, its definitely worth doing!
amazing2926
New Member
Sorry, yes, Marina Shores... I just generalized with portage because most of the people here would have no clue where marina shores is. Last I checked, there is someone very interested in buying the marina, but nothing is in place at this time. They had the owner from "a well know restaurant" come in to check out the restaurant and bar and "seemed very interested". Honestly, they drive out the ditch is the ONLY downside we experienced last year from only being a transient at marina shores. Would we like it closer to the lake, absolutely, but the other things out weighed making our decision easy. The restaurant choices in town and the bars are exceptional (for our preference).
Carver370
Well-Known Member
- Mar 30, 2007
- 1,928
- Boat Info
- 2000 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer - Diesel
- Engines
- T-3116 CAT - 350 HP
Even though I now live in New Buffalo the majority of the time we always chose New Buffalo for the main reason that you can walk to town or anywhere you need to for supplies, food, restaurants, and bars. I park the car on Friday afternoon and it usually doesn't move until Monday morning. Its about a 2 or 3 minute ride out to the lake with plenty of nice sand bars to pull up to and raft off when the weather is right.
I head down to Michigan City for fuel, night time dinner cruises to Bridges or the old Yacht Club, and to anchor at Mount Baldy or Stop 2. Not to mention the fuel is almost always cheaper in Michigan City. Thats usually when I see Scott out flying around in his Whaler!
I head down to Michigan City for fuel, night time dinner cruises to Bridges or the old Yacht Club, and to anchor at Mount Baldy or Stop 2. Not to mention the fuel is almost always cheaper in Michigan City. Thats usually when I see Scott out flying around in his Whaler!
- Oct 31, 2009
- 3,455
- Boat Info
- 1992 370 ec
- Engines
- twin cummins 6bta's 300 hp
Rl80 pathfinder radar/chartplotter,SH 2150 matrix vhf w/ais
quicksilver 8
Leland was one place we went with my sister and her husband .Left from traverse city and went up around the peninsula and down to leland .It was a fast checkmate 23 footer that went 70+,we had to stop and swim a few times to warm up.went past suttons bay and the northport light .When we arrived we had a nice walk around town and dinner then a quick ride back under blankets to stay warm.That was in the mid 80s,Ive heard it has changed but is still nice.
