North Channel

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This is one of my favorite pictures in the North Channel (I hope it attaches). This is in Baie Finn, as you pass the old resort. Yes, that is a bear sitting on shore. However, notice the red circle painted on the rock wall ahead of the bear. Yes, that is a channel marker.


That doesn't look a like 360 DA railing to me?
 
We just got back from doing a loop of Lake Huron. MUCH to fast. We left Lake St Clair on the 5th and then had to spend 3 nights in Sarnia waiting for the wind to stop blowing stink out of the north. Then Bayfield, the wife loved the village. Stay at the Bayfield Village Marina, the on the south. After one night we made Kincardine and listened to the bagpiper at sundown. From Kincardine, we made Little Tub at Tobermory. If you want to go there, make sure you really want to go there. The place was full of people who day trip up from Toronto, and they have put up a rope fence to keep them away from the boats. We had to spend 2 nights in Little Tub because of wind but then headed to Killarney Mountian Lodge. A beautiful place, and spent 2 night there just playing around in the pool and the dink. From Killarney, we made Gore bay and had a great lunch at the Bouys restaurant. We left Gore bay and headed back to Michigan to Presque Ilse. There is nothing there this year. No fuel, no wifi, bad water at the docks, and the Portage Restaurant is closed as both of the owners died over the winter. We then headed down to Harrisville for the night, and then to Port Austin. After a nice day in Port Austin, we headed to Lexington.2 nights including breakfast and sliders at Wimpy's, and then home through the Mac racers heading north. We tied up at Belle Maer on Saturday in 90 plus heat, and then that night some idiot decided to come into the marina in a storm and banged the swim platform. 640 mile with no incident and then that.
In the future, I would have spent a weekend taking the boat to Rogers City, leave it until we are ready and then spend the 2 weeks in the North Channel, drop the boat back off at Rogers City, and then come back up and bring the boat home later. We stayed at marinas every night because the admiral wasn't in love with the anchoring out idea, but I think she would be up for it next time. Truly gods country.
Get you Nexus cards, and DTOPS sticker and then the in and out to Canada and the US is easy.
 
A bit of caution. The North Channel is beautiful water when it is calm, but because of the long narrow open water, there is exposure to strong summer storms and westerly winds will blow up large steep waves. Watch the weather reports and be cautious. One of the former CSR members (he no longer has a large cruiser) did the North Channel every summer for about 15 years in boats including a 4260 Regal and a Sea Ray 560DB. He has pictures of a trip where they tested the limits of their boats crossing from the norht side to Gore Bay. They took pictures of the 3 boats in their group and Paul's 4260 Regal disappears between waves. You know how waves look smaller in pictures than they do from the helm? Not these ones.
 
Very true. Been there done, that. There was a day from the Clapperton Channel to Gore Bay that I though we might go down. The week after we passed through, a rental trawler out of Gore Bay capsized and sunk.
 
The week after we passed through, a rental trawler out of Gore Bay capsized and sunk.
Your kidding?!? ....we have rented a few trawlers in Gore bay from Canadian Yacht Charters... Their fleet is all privately owned and CYC just manages them... I wouldn't be a happy owner losing my boat because of a renter..
 
Thank you for all your help. We had a great time! :)

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techmitch, you're right. don't disown me but that was a charter sailboat we rented out of Little Current. A 46' Catalina. 3 years in a row. Much cheaper than a run from Grand Haven!
 
You will LOVE it up there! Killarney and the fish place are a must. I second the comments regarding Little Current and Gore Bay.
Even if there are people in the Benjamins, its worth the stay. Covered Portage' is excellent as well, even if you anchor outside the bay.
The Pool is excellent, along with Mariannes cove. Thomas Bay is great, if you can get in. With the high water, it's a little scarier since you can't see the rocks.
Trust your charts, and follow them. If you have a chart plotter, trust it too. Do not take short cuts.
Enjoy the trip. Looking forward to pictures!
 

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