Wisconsin crossing to Michigan

Brutus C Paw

Member
Mar 27, 2009
214
Ocala, FL
Boat Info
2007 38 Sundancer;
1999 Mariah 182 Shabah Bowrider
Engines
8.1S Horizon 370HP;
4.3L Mercruiser 190HP
We are doing some thinking about this year's crossing. Can anyone give some insight as to Muskegon as a port? We are thinking about 10 days, and we like to spend a couple of days in each port before we move. We did Grand Haven and south last year, although crossing to Grand Haven again would work if Muskegon isn't nice. We always enjoy Pentwater and the Portage Point Inn. If someone has some information on Manistee that also would be appreciated.
 
Brutus-
Good post! We are five+ Sea Rays out of Milwaukee looking to do same. We have covered much of Northern Michigan and are investigating Pentwater and South for one this summers trips. I plan on post in Great Lakes forum to get some local tips. We expect to be in Michigan first week in August. Will be following your post.
 
Was in pentwater laborday weekend, docked on the wall at snug harbor marine. Don't be afraid of the wall it's really nice. Great service, great personal. Liquor/grocery store, great resturants within easy walking distance. Will be going back again next year.
 
You guys prob. already have the guide, but if not, I would highly recommend it. Best guide I have ever seen to aid in planning an enjoyable trip.
 
I would skip Muskegon for an extended stay, ok for a quick overnite, too far from town not much to do. Whitehall is a good stop (our home port) guiet, always room at the municipal, great dingy trip up the white river, resturants and shopping so so. Manistee is a good stop it can get a little busy in August with the salmon fishing, the municipal is right on the river lots of activity, town is nice but as most small towns suffers from economy. Frankfort is a great stop http://www.jacobsonmarinaresort.com close to town, close to lake michigan and beach for swimming. Leland is a must stop, new docks and marina building, great resturants and shoping, great place to search for petoskey stones. Charlevoix another must stop, municipal on round lake, great everthing. Harbor Springs is great, it can be a little hard to get in there, Petoskey is also good. Now that you are that far north you might as well go to Beaver Island. Enjoy

We are headed north to Mackinaw Island the last two week of August, we will stop at most of the places noted above.
 
Thanks for the input on Muskegon. I've been looking at the Cruising Guide and Google earth and didn't see much in the downtown or new shopping area.

We have been to Saugatuck about every year. From Racine, farther north than Grand Haven puts you over 100 miles, a little more than I like to do with my fuel.

A great stop is the Portage Point Inn. Very laid back and relaxed, but not for the go - go people.
http://www.portagepointinn.com/

We like Snug Harbor in Pentwater, but had trouble getting in last year since they don't take resevations. We wound up in Ludington. We crossed to White Lake two years ago and found it a little to rustic.

I appreciate the input, if there is more input on Manistee or other must stop places I'm intested in hearing your impressions.
 
Thanks for the input on Muskegon. I've been looking at the Cruising Guide and Google earth and didn't see much in the downtown or new shopping area.

We have been to Saugatuck about every year. From Racine, farther north than Grand Haven puts you over 100 miles, a little more than I like to do with my fuel.

A great stop is the Portage Point Inn. Very laid back and relaxed, but not for the go - go people.
http://www.portagepointinn.com/

We like Snug Harbor in Pentwater, but had trouble getting in last year since they don't take resevations. We wound up in Ludington. We crossed to White Lake two years ago and found it a little to rustic.

I appreciate the input, if there is more input on Manistee or other must stop places I'm intested in hearing your impressions.

We go to most of the ports on the western shore of Lake Michigan. While we have stayed in Muskegon, we've only done it once and have no plans to return. The others have given you good advice there. As to White Lake being rustic? Yes, but have you been to Portage or are you just looking in a guide book? Portage is very rustic by comparison. You should try Leland and some of the harbors in Grand Traverse such as Northport. It is quiet but very a very pretty part of Lake Michigan. Petosky, Harbor Springs and Beaver Island are worth seeing too. We also enjoy South Manitou Island and spend time on the hook there.
 
We spent two nights at the Portage Point Inn two summers ago. We were the first boats on the new docks. The restaurant at the Inn is forgetable, but we enjoyed sitting on the porch with our wine listening to the keyboardist and just relaxing in the marina. We did some walks to the beach, ate some ice cream, and viewed the lake and the boats cruising.
 
We spent July 3 in New Buffalo last year, and we really liked it there. We didn't get to the Salty Dog because there was a crazy amount of people with the fireworks. We then moved up to St. Joseph and docked at Pier 33. Actually, St. Joe was nice with the beach, and they had an arts fair that was enjoyable. The river had about an 8 knot current which was fun for those of us who had never docked in a current, but we handled it on the second run once we realized how strong it was. The rest of the trip was Grand Haven and Ludington. We were at White Lake two years ago, stayed at Crosswinds I believe, but found the Dog and Suds about the only thing in town open. What did we miss in White Lake?
 
Whilst everyone is looking for great Western MI ports, very hard to beat our home town of Traverse City! Great restaurants, plenty of transient slips (a little tight around the 4th of July) and some beautiful water. Our '96 ' Dancer loves it there!! Look us up. Mark / " Plane 2 Sea" :thumbsup:
 
New Buffalo is our home port. It's a great weekend port with some good restaurants and shopping within walking distance of the municipal marina. There's also a public beach. Lot's of folks come over from Chicago, so the transient slips are ususally mostly full.
 
My original interest in Muskegon was the Terrace Point Marina which their website says is completely remodeled, as well as the restuarant reopening this spring. I've been trading voice mails with the marina manager about the condition of the facility and the city. In his mesaages he is upbeat on both; wants us to stop. Does anyone live in the area that can sort out fact from wishes. I had crossed Muskegon off the list for a day or two stop with this group's input.

http://shorelineinn.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=5
 
if your ever in New Buffalo, make sure you eat at Redamaks - that place is awesome! The best burger I've ever had, even beats Palmer's in LaGrange, Il

Cheers,
Chris
 
Ohhhh, we are still dancing with local authorities over that. Seems like the isue has settled down somewhat, we'll see what this coming season brings...
 
Yup, west side of Hwy 12, and just north of town. Brewsters is a great place for upscale Italian food. They have a Dinner for 2 that the Admiral and I order that is fantastic.
 

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