Norht CHannel Georgian Bay

[boltman]

We're heading up there in August, please let me know where the best cruisingg you think is in the North Channel and Georgian Bay...I would appreciate Pics and stories...Let's see if we can blow up this thread.....

Your Boltman..

 

[Sum Escape]

It looks like you may trailer there? If so, my experience is limited to west of Kilarney, no Georgian Bay waters as we didn't have enough time (only 12 days) coming all the way from Grand Haven. But you will be able to launch in say, Little Current, and be in the thick of things.
Here are links to our 2009 trip.
http://sumescape.blogspot.com/2009/06/hello-from-little-current-canada-eh.html
http://sumescape.blogspot.com/2009/08/north-channel-chapter-2.html
Enjoy it....it doesn't get any better than on the hook in the North Channel. If only work didn't get in the way we'd be back..... Have fun!! And post pics!

 

[sbw1]

Buy a copy of Port to Port in Gore Bay. It has all that need to know.

 

[Summer Fun II]

Ping or PM Ken aka Iproff he's goes there and he lives up that way. :smt001

 

[Jackie J V]

The Ports Cruising Guide is a must have for detailed information covering all of the ports and anchorages you'll encounter. See attached link for the G Bay, North Channel & Lake Huron Guide, you can order online:

http://www.portsbooks.com/cruising-guides

These books are great. Won't replace charts though, which you will also need.

I have a few posts here on summer vacations through the territory and will post another with pics from last summer's vacation. These are my regular stomping grounds, so if you have nay specific questions as you go through your research, just ask away.

Paul

 

[boltman]

We're going to trailer to Cheyboygan, drop her in there and boat the rest of the way...Because Like others (sum Escape) we don't have all summer to enjoy that country up there. We've been there before but didn't even get close to Georgian Bay..And I already have the Ports Of Call book for Norht Channel and Georgian Bay.. But thanks for the advice so Far...
Carry On with Your Posts Men, Love to See them Pics.

 

[Bob C]

Re: North Channel Georgian Bay

Covered Portage is a 10 minute dingy ride from Killarney,it is a must!! We are the 2 rafted together!
(Our signature photo is at Turnbull Island, another great stay not far from Spanish).
Hard to find better boating.
As everyone is saying a Cruising Guide is a must.
Safe Cruising

View attachment 14089

 

[margarita jane]

Some Georgian Bay and North Channel Pics...

 

[jmunro123]

What is your preference, at dock or swining at anchor. Both are good but at anchor really is great up there. Where are you starting from? I used to go up there with my family as a little boy and now I take my kids up there. There so many place up there PM me if you want to talk on the phone. We have been there for the last 3 years from Gore Bay to Killarney.

 

[boltman]

Well we do like sleeping on the hook but haven't had a chance to do it in Georgian Bay...We'll try to get that done this year for sure, We're dropping her in at Cheboygan and heading from there to the Georgian Bay...so We'll have time to be in the Bay and discover the beauty of it all.....Yeah know.....?????

 

[Jackie J V]

Robert,
Some additional information would be helpful to provide better recommendations on where to go. How much time do you have for your trip? How much traveling do you want to do, versus staying out in locations for multiple days. Who much tolerance does the crew have for traveling in rougher conditions? As someone asked earlier, how many days on hook versus nights at the dock?

Paul

 

[boltman]

Well I really don't know how many days we want to spend on the hook , a few I'm sure, I 'd like to get as far as tobemory..but well see,, as for rough waters, we've been in some high waves, and the admirals ok...but we need a bigger boat....hahaha

We have 14 days and 14 nights....I don't want to rush into running fast just to get somewhere else....Port to port..

 

[RollerCoastr]

We're dropping her in at Cheboygan and heading from there to the Georgian Bay...

Robert,

Are you set on Cheboygan as a drop-in point? It's significantly NW of say, Presque Isle. Even if you plan to circumnavigate Manitoulin, dropping in at a point closer to Tobermory will reduce your open water exposure because on the return trip you can stay close to the NE Michigan shoreline and stay in the lee of a S / SW wind.

If you chose Cheboygan to maximize your road time on I-75 instead of 2 lanes, I wouldn't blame you. I would probably have more than a few white-knuckle moments seeing nothing but a 320 in my rearview mirror!

I haven't seen you mention Mackinac Island, so if that's not in your plan, you might want to concentrate more on the waters to the east. The straights and Cheboygan are a LONG way from Georgian Bay. Would you consider trailering directly to Tobermory? From there you could go down into the bay, maybe hitting areas near Midland, Penetanguishene, Honey Harbour, up the small craft to Killarney and into the NC. That would save a lot of fuel and minimize open water...

The lower & eastern parts of GB are unique, and have a completely different feel from the NC.

 

[boltman]

Nah Cheboygan is the farthest I'd like to trailer the boat, after all I want to be on the water with the boat,not the dry land, Know what I mean? And Pulling this boat isn't a problem at all, it pulls so well, with the trialer set up I have it's a dream....

Last time we went we put in at Cheboygan and had a good time but only have like 5 days, and the weather was bad all 5 days.. so we didn't do any cruising at all.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Presque Isle is closer to you than Cheboygan, and much closer to Tobermory. Of course, you'd be on the highway instead of the freeway. It would be a longer drive, so I get it.

 

[Blueone]

This picture is in the Benjamin Islands, South Benjamin. We chartered a trawler for this trip.. probably our favorite place to anchor in the North Cannel. It is located just North East of Gore Bay

 

[Big Island Lifer]

What an awesome anchorage!!!!!

This picture is in the Benjamin Islands, South Benjamin. We chartered a trawler for this trip.. probably our favorite place to anchor in the North Cannel. It is located just North East of Gore Bay

 

[Blueone]

Here is another favorite spot. It's at the end of Baie Fin called "The Pool". On the North shore where you enter there is a path that takes you up to Topaz Lake. That is a must see because of the color. Then, you can continue up the path to where this picture is taken...great area for blueberries. Trawler is upper right hand side of picture we used our dingy to get around

 

[Jackie J V]

Great shots. The Benjamins and Baie Fine are favorites of mine and a regular part of our annual vacations. The boat in the foreground (Mach Turtle) of the Benjamins anhorage, is in a slip right across from us at the marina.

Paul

 

[Jaws]

Robert,

I agree with Paul, RollerCoastr' and the others. Great anchorages and some good (not great) ports. If you can launch at Presqu'isle. Go staight east to Tobermorey. Last time I did the trip in my 36' was 2h55m on a flat day. from there you might want to go straight east again to Parry Sound (Big Sound marina and a pretty nice port) or Killbear Marina (a bit rustic). Then head up the inland route and either tuck into Britt or over to the Bustards or even Bad River (awesome in the dinghy but be prepared to bang a prop). Take Collins Inlet through to Killarney and you're half done. The second week spend time in Baie Fine or Covered Portage then on to Little Current. Up to the Benjamins after that or Croker I. and down to Gore Bay. The west part of the North Channel isn't as picturesque as the east. Head through Mississagi Strait or False Detour (watch for swimming black bears) back to Presqu'isle.
I just think you will save time and do more boating if you can base out of Presqu'isle. The launch ramp is decent I think and there's ample parking. Half anchor and half ports seems to work for most.

James