Lake St Clair to Petoskey.

Doc O Rock, great post. I love running up into Huron. I really enjoy the floating docks to, our home port has fixed docks so we have to climb over the gunnel to enter / exit the boat. However, when at Lexington (one of my favorite harbors), I am placed on the outer docks, towards the breakwall and those ones are fixed to. I always (every time I am there) accidently kick a cleat on the dock. Ouch.
I too got tired of the wake from the ferry boats while I was in Mackinaw Island State Harbor, rocked all day until about 10pm at night when the last ferry leaves. Next time up that way, I will plan on spending one or two nights on the hook in Duncan Bay. My father has his place there and I can use the dink to get to and from shore.
To Roller Coastr's point, I would consider moving over to the other side of the bay where there are 512 wells with floating docks, not sure if I could get a slip for the season there. I would want to me on Mr Mac Drive, looking at the lake and I assume there is a long waiting list for those wells.
 
I've gone up along the eastern shore of Huron into Georgian Bay, up as far as Killarney and back too. The NC is basically a whole other lake, with a unique boating style. (more anchoring out, fewer marinas)
 
J.Wilt said:
We will be in the Northern waters The week of July 1st. Bever Island, Mackinaw Island, Charlevoix, Frankfort. I’ll have to stop in Harbor Springs, it’s been a long time, thanks for mentioning SBW !
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Hope you enjoyed your trip. Pictures?
 
I know this post has been stagnant for a few months now. But with the weather being what it is right now in metro Detroit has my wife and I thinking about summer. Do you guys have recommendations/tips for doing this trip? This will be our first year on the new boat. We want to get out there and see the great lakes!
 
bmay1909 said:
I know this post has been stagnant for a few months now. But with the weather being what it is right now in metro Detroit has my wife and I thinking about summer. Do you guys have recommendations/tips for doing this trip? This will be our first year on the new boat. We want to get out there and see the great lakes!
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BMay1909, I can't provide any recommendations beyond Mackinaw Island, that is as far as I have gotten. Two of my favorite ports along the way are Lexington and Port Auston. I also really like East Tawas, but it took me a little while to get all the way up into Saginaw Bay. Mackinaw Island is great but really rocky due to the ferries coming in and out all day.
Also, there is a private marina in Cheyboygan, called Duncan Bay Boat Club, which is a nice stop but there isn't much to do there. I have family in that area, so I wanted to stop.
I stopped in Rogers City for some fuel before getting to Mackinaw Island. It seemed to be pretty nice but I didn't stay beyond my fuel stop.
Keep your eye on the weather, things can change quickly up by the straights. Have a great trip.
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
bmay1909 said:
I know this post has been stagnant for a few months now. But with the weather being what it is right now in metro Detroit has my wife and I thinking about summer. Do you guys have recommendations/tips for doing this trip? This will be our first year on the new boat. We want to get out there and see the great lakes!
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What questions do you have?
 
Brent Nutting said:
BMay1909, I can't provide any recommendations beyond Mackinaw Island, that is as far as I have gotten. Two of my favorite ports along the way are Lexington and Port Auston. I also really like East Tawas, but it took me a little while to get all the way up into Saginaw Bay. Mackinaw Island is great but really rocky due to the ferries coming in and out all day.
Also, there is a private marina in Cheyboygan, called Duncan Bay Boat Club, which is a nice stop but there isn't much to do there. I have family in that area, so I wanted to stop.
I stopped in Rogers City for some fuel before getting to Mackinaw Island. It seemed to be pretty nice but I didn't stay beyond my fuel stop.
Keep your eye on the weather, things can change quickly up by the straights. Have a great trip.
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Thank you for the info!
 
I've made the trip up and around from St. Claire Shores to Grand Haven twice. Once to deliver a customers boat, and the other to bring my own boat home. It is an amazing run. Weather is always a factor...and the open water from the bridge to Charlevoix can be a challenge. Take your time and enjoy the many ports.
The North Channel is not a side trip. It is a destination in and of itself. A week in that area is not enough to do it justice. From the Benjamins, the Pool, Mariannes Cove, Little Current, etc....it's an amazing place.
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
I have two tips. One, make sure you have maintained your boat by the book. Lake Michigan/Huron is unforgiving when the weather deteriorates. You do not want a breakdown miles offshore where help will be hours away from your location. And two, keep a paper log of your position so you always know where you are in case you lose your electronic navagation aides. It does not happen often, but it can happen any time at any location. I've been cruising the Great Lakes for 40 years and have lost navigation aides twice. Both times in fog. Both involved newly installed equipment where a wire was not sufficiently tightened and came off at a junction. Paper backup eases the workload when the bells and whistles quit.
 
For all you Great Lakes boaters, a few years ago I made up an Excel spreadsheet that shows the mileage between port cities on the Great Lakes. OK, I admit, I did it in the winter when I was bored.

If you want a copy just send me a PM with your email address.

Mike
 
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A few pictures from my last visit to the NC. Notice the red dot painted on the rock in the one picture. That’s a channel marker. Awesome place.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 64673 I have two tips. One, make sure you have maintained your boat by the book. Lake Michigan/Huron is unforgiving when the weather deteriorates. You do not want a breakdown miles offshore where help will be hours away from your location. And two, keep a paper log of your position so you always know where you are in case you lose your electronic navagation aides. It does not happen often, but it can happen any time at any location. I've been cruising the Great Lakes for 40 years and have lost navigation aides twice. Both times in fog. Both involved newly installed equipment where a wire was not sufficiently tightened and came off at a junction. Paper backup eases the workload when the bells and whistles quit.
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Appreciate the input! This is a "new to me boat." So I will be doing a few shorter trips in the meantime before we head out. Although I think I bought a very sound boat there's always the unknown. Do you recommend anything in particular to keep an eye on/have a mechanic check out before departing? I will have the basics all in check before departing on a trip of this distance.

Sorry newbe here to the cruising side of boating.

Great idea of keeping a paper log of position!
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
bmay1909 said:
Appreciate the input! This is a "new to me boat." So I will be doing a few shorter trips in the meantime before we head out. Although I think I bought a very sound boat there's always the unknown. Do you recommend anything in particular to keep an eye on/have a mechanic check out before departing? I will have the basics all in check before departing on a trip of this distance.

Sorry newbe here to the cruising side of boating.

Great idea of keeping a paper log of position!
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Basics should include hoses, belts, pulleys, impellers, plugs spark plug wires, tranny fluids, all filters, oil,with a spare quart for the mains and a spare quart for the genny.
Plot your courses before you leave when you are not tired from traveling. Start your paper trails as soon as you head for the first waypoint. Write down the etas from the gps and the headings from your magnetic (not the fluxgate) compass as soon as you are on a track with no cross track error. Keep updating and don't become complacent. Use your radar, if you have one, to check weather out 24-48 miles if you see thunderheads. Learn to use MARPA to see if weather will likely cross your path. Divert if need be.
 
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