Lake St Clair Marina suggestions

[Blueone]

Hello everyone... We are considering putting a 40' Sundancer somewhere around St Clair shores. We will be new to the area so looking for some suggestions of nice marinas. We will be based in Novi so commute wise, St Clair shores seemed to be the most direct route but I am open to other suggestions from St Clair shores to Lake Erie.

Some of the things we would be looking for:
- Close to sandy bottom anchorages for the day
- A few Restaurants in the area within an hour by boat
- A pool
- On site restaurant/bar
- Nice shower facilities
- A lot of club like activities, barbeques, trips etc.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

 

[Strypes]

I don't know much about Lake St. Clair other than the Harsen's Island area.

Check out Toledo Beach Marina. It's very nice! It's on Lake Erie but close to Lake St. Clair.

We drive 2 hours an 15 minutes every weekend, April to November, to our marina on Catawba Island because we love the area so much. I wouldn't limit yourself to something "close" to where you live. We treat it like our weekend getaway home. It's a little over 2 hours away and in a different State!

That's my $0.02.

Cheers

 

[1956olds]

You should check out Keans marina.it a pretty straight shot from Novi to Keans.they have a restraunt/bar and sinbads is next door.Keans has a pool a store and a fuel dock with gas and diesel.Its at the north end of the detroit river so 5-10 minutes and your in lake st clair.They have rides to all the local attractions also.I have no affiliation with Keans but we stayed there overnight once and it was a nice clean place under new ownership two seasons ago.If possible you should hit the detroit boat show today or tomorrow and catch all the marina vendors that are offering specials at the show.

 

[RollerCoastr]

The good anchorages are at the northern end of the lake. The bar/restaurant options also tend to be in the northern half. (from SCS up)

MacRay Harbor is one of the most impressive marinas in the Great Lakes. I've been a member there since 1998. Last summer one of our long-time dock neighbors purchased the marina and he's committed to significant improvements. For example, the on-prem restaurant is being completely redone as I type this. Amenities include: floating docks with a pump-out hose in every dock. Drive-up parking, fitness center, laundry, hot tub, pool, 2 bathhouses, children's play area, fuel dock with e10, efree and diesel, harbor store, WiFi and TV (both being improved by the new owner). The sand-bottom shallows in front of the seawall is probably the 3rd most popular anchorage in the lake. MacRay has a "paper yacht club" (cruising club) that's a great way to meet people.



https://vimeo.com/album/2096111/video/156651515

Belle Maer Harbor is next door, and is also worth investigating.

If you would like to be further south, I would also strongly consider the Detroit Yacht Club - it's a great place with lots to do and an active and friendly membership.

 

[Almightys]

Jefferson beach is nice as well.

 

[420]

If your into a club environment, check out Old Club on Harsens Island. X2 on Detroit Yacht Club as well. Of course the finest yacht club in this area is Catawba Island Club (I'm partial to it). A 1.5-2 hour drive is pretty common for a lot of us at that club. Great club and great access to the Islands (7 mile run).

 

[310sundancer]

I grew up in St Clair Shores and I think Jefferson Beach Marina is the best one there. I've also stayed at Michigan harbor. But now I keep my boat at Mac Ray harbor and it's the best one on the lake.

 

[rbatt2]

I live in Canton so also a "west sider" and have been at Detroit Yacht Club for more than a decade. It fits all of the things you are looking for plus they are offering great incentive for next 30 days: 1/2 off initiation fee plus pay for 2016 season well and get 2017 season well free. Membership Director's name is Lena and definitely worth checking out!


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[RollerCoastr]

I live in Canton so also a "west sider" and have been at Detroit Yacht Club for more than a decade. It fits all of the things you are looking for plus they are offering great incentive for next 30 days: 1/2 off initiation fee plus pay for 2016 season well and get 2017 season well free. Membership Director's name is Lena and definitely worth checking out!

Welcome to CSR Rbatt! I don't think we've met, but your name and boat details sound familiar - winters at MacRay? Kim & Ray were my neighbors on "Main 49" 15 years ago, and they're next to me now.

The DYC's new pool cabana/bar is awesome. I'd be willing to bet that DYC's social envirnoment is the best way on the entire lake to meet boaters. If anyone disagrees, I'd make sure they've paid a recent visit. I left in 2004 because of frustrating bureaucracy and old cliques. Each time I visit, I'm more impressed.

Another thing to consider about the commute is that going downtown after work is against traffic, but to Harrison Twp and SCS is WITH traffic. The few extra miles to DYC can save a whole lot of precious (boating) time.

The trade-off to being in the river is anchorages. LSC has incredible places to anchor, but they're at the opposite side of the lake from the Detroit River.

 

[rbatt2]

Welcome to CSR Rbatt! I don't think we've met, but your name and boat details sound familiar - winters at MacRay? Kim & Ray were my neighbors on "Main 49" 15 years ago, and they're next to me now.

The DYC's new pool cabana/bar is awesome. I'd be willing to bet that DYC's social envirnoment is the best way on the entire lake to meet boaters. If anyone disagrees, I'd make sure they've paid a recent visit. I left in 2004 because of frustrating bureaucracy and old cliques. Each time I visit, I'm more impressed.

Another thing to consider about the commute is that going downtown after work is against traffic, but to Harrison Twp and SCS is WITH traffic. The few extra miles to DYC can save a whole lot of precious (boating) time.

The trade-off to being in the river is anchorages. LSC has incredible places to anchor, but they're at the opposite side of the lake from the Detroit River.

Thanks for the welcome RollerCoastr and hope to meet you on the water sometime this coming season. I did indeed keep my boat in the water at MacRay in 2008 and 2009 but have been doing indoor heated at Michigan Harbor the last few years. I agree with you about DYC although I am admittedly biased. Definitely worth checking out and folks who have not been there for awhile may very well be surprised! There really is something for everyone. I work in downtown Detroit so getting to the boat after work is a breeze and the positive improvements to Belle Isle made by the DNR over the past couple of years have been awesome.

 

[tbirdvet]

A marina around 10 mile and Jefferson is convenient from your location. Straight out I-696 to the Shores. Either Jefferson Beech or Colony Marine would work. Plenty of restaurants on Jefferson. If I remember right Jefferson Beech has a pool.

 

[Almightys]

A marina around 10 mile and Jefferson is convenient from your location. Straight out I-696 to the Shores. Either Jefferson Beech or Colony Marine would work. Plenty of restaurants on Jefferson. If I remember right Jefferson Beech has a pool.

Miller is at ten and is nice but no pool.
Going toward Clinton river to north there are many more choices with pools ( Markley, belle maer, macray or even harbor club)

 

[Blueone]

Thank-you everyone for your suggestions. I will check them out in the coming weeks

 

[rbatt2]

Blueone: if you think the DYC may be of interest you should check it out sooner rather than later as they generated a lot of interest at the recent Detroit boat show and the membership and well incentives are set to expire on 3/20.


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