Sleeping Bear Dunes

[FYN409]

We are planning on making a trip up to the Grand Traverse are in July. One thing we would like to do is boat around the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I am looking for a decent launch to use in that area to get out to Lake Michigan, any recommendations?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Ricochet]

You might want to try Leland, it is a great town, you can go to the Manitou Islands and it is a short distance from Speeping Bear.

 

[sbw1]

Leland has a ramp. Frankfort is closer. You might have to have a marina lift your boat into the water. I've not seen any ramps there. However, you are right at Sleeping Bear so fuel costs savings would pay for the launch.

 

[Ricochet]

Frankfort has a good ramp, also a nice town to vist, we make Frankfort and Leland a must stop every summer, spend a night at Jacobsons and have John (the owner) fix one of his special meals and deliver it to the boat, Sleeping Bear is about 4 or 5 miles closer to Leland.

You can not go wrong either way.

 

[sbw1]

Good catch. I googled the distances and you are correct. Sorry for the original info. Where is the ramp in Frankfort?

 

[Ricochet]

The ramp in Frankfort is just east of the Municipal Marina, it is quite busy when the fishing is hot!!

We have three boats running from Whitehall to Grand Haven for the weekend, staying at the Municipal, the lake forecast looks good, GH is always a good time.

 

[sbw1]

Enjoy the weekend. You should putz around Spring Lake while you are in GH.

 

[FYN409]

Thanks for the info; I am leaning toward Leland as it also looks like a nice town. Is the launch ramp good size there? I have been unable to locate any information on the ramp itself.

Also I know there are several points that are encompassed by sleeping bear lakeshore. Which area is "nicer" (I know it's subjective) West, or East of Glen Haven? What are the plus and minuses?

-Ryan

 

[willycedar]

Leland is under construction so be sure it is complete and open before you choose Leland. Frankfort is probably a closer drive and a great launch. Also the boat trip around Point Betsie, Empire and on to Sleeping Bear is the most pitcturesque.

 

[sbw1]

Thanks for the info; I am leaning toward Leland as it also looks like a nice town. Is the launch ramp good size there? I have been unable to locate any information on the ramp itself.

Also I know there are several points that are encompassed by sleeping bear lakeshore. Which area is "nicer" (I know it's subjective) West, or East of Glen Haven? What are the plus and minuses?

-Ryan

Leland is under construction and no one seems to agree when it will open. Some say end of June and others say in July maybe the 15th. The ramp is great but closed right now as they lay down the wearing coat on the parking lot, finish wiring and plumbing the new docks, etc. I have seen marine services pull large, flybridge boats (40+ feet) out of the water using a special trailer at the ramp. You should be fine if you can get to it. Russ Dzuba is the harbor master. He is asking people to call him prior to making a trip into Leland Harbor. Phone number is 231 534 4580.