new to Cruising Near New Buffalo

[The W.A.V.E.]

So I am having my boat hauled from Lake Geneva to Winthrop Harbor the first week of April. It will be a nice cruise across and south down Lake Michigan to New Buffalo where my new home will be at Oselka's Marina.

We are all excited about the new possiblities of cruising North to different Harbors. I have a few questions for those of you who have spent alot of time on these waters.

First, what is the primary type of boating that you do? If we just want to go out for an afternoon and catch some sun and relax, can you back up to a beach along the coast? Do you have to find a stretch without any homes on the bluffs? Is it rude or not allowable to back up to a beach that has homes set way off the beach and up on a bluff?

Im just not sure what the rules, spoken and unspoken are regarding beach use.

I know we will do some weekend trips up to South haven or St. Josephs, Im just not sure about the short half day excusrsions.

Any advice would be appreciated and anyone else at Oselka's we will be the disorganized loud family having a blast in slip 52. Stop by and say Hi. Thanks.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

I'm out of Michigan City, 10 miles SW of New Buffalo. I'm not sure of the laws and courtesies of Michigan but near Michigan City there are plenty of places to pull your boat to shore. There are areas either side of Washington Park Public beach. Also there are places to pull the boat up further down by Mount Baldy. farther down is portage and boaters beach. Check the great lakes forum on CSR for more information.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[wavedancer37]

Gimme a shout if your in st joe. we travel to south haven and saugatuck or just find any secluded beach along the way for R & R

 

[330DA]

Welcome to NB. There is a sand bar north of NB that a lot of boaters anchor. We also head up to the MI dunes around Stevensville. I haven't heard yet if the entrance needs to be dredged at the breakwall. It had to be the past few years. We love NB. After 11PM, your neighbors can officially tell you to quiet down. There are lots of families.

 

[Carver370]

Welcome!

I am at Oselka quite a bit, I keep my boat in the moorings though. Stop in the showroom building one day and say hello! (Ask for Ray) or feel free to give me a call.

You will love this little town in the summer, walking distance to everything you will ever need and everybody is pretty much friendly.

 

[The W.A.V.E.]

Thanks everyone for your replies, Im looking for my first summer in Michigan.

 

[320Bob]

New Buffalo is quite a hike from Lake Geneva and a whole lot further from Lakeland Florida I see on the transom. Where did or will you be driving from to your boat?

 

[WilyEsteve]

You are more than welcome to pull up on any beach you want. Lake Michigan is a navigable waterway, and technically it goes up to the high water mark, which in Indiana is 581.5 feet above sea level. Michigan recently had a state Supreme Court case that held that private beaches are not private, at least below the high water mark.

Bottom line - any "homeowner" gives you a hard time, tell him where to stick it.

I boat out of Michigan City and I just paid my $34 for unlimited towing through BoatUS so I am looking forward to doing some exploring up the Michigan coast too!