Lake Michigan Sailing

Comment

Comment by Ken Honeycutt on July 10, 2013 at 10:08am

David, thanks again for replying. We stopped in St. Joseph municipal a couple years ago on the way to South Haven (South Haven is as far North has we've ever gotten). Real nice cozy marina and the yacht club had a fantastic dinner. May stop again this year.

Comment by David VanDenburgh on July 8, 2013 at 10:36pm

Ken, we never anchor overnight in the big lake (Lake Michigan). There isn't enough protection and the weather too quickly changes. We either sail all night (perfectly feasible) or get into a harbor where we often do anchor. Not all harbors offer good anchorage. In our own harbor, St. Joseph, for example, there's only one or two possibilities and they are marginal, but many harbors do offer good places to anchor, especially the lakes.

Comment by Ken Honeycutt on July 8, 2013 at 10:13am

Thanks David! I was also wondering about anchoring out. Do you ever anchor out on the lake or mostly in the harbors. I was thinking if I got tired and wanted to stop overnight but didn't feel like stopping in a marina I would anchor offshore but I haven't seen many boats anchored out.

Comment by David VanDenburgh on July 1, 2013 at 11:43am

Ken, we try to anchor out as much as possible, but here are the marinas we can recommend:

South Haven Municipal Marina (there are two: south is easier to get to town, north is quieter)

Saugatuck Coral Gables Marina (but only if you like to be right in the thick of all the action and noise!  Easy access to town.)

Holland, Eldean Shipyard marina (near channel entrance but a long way from town)

Grand Haven, lie on the seawall for free!  The municipal marina will tell you you have to pay but you don't.

White Lake, we LOVE the Whitehall Municipal Marina but the water is a little thin if you draw more than 5.5 feet.

Pentwater, we always anchor in the lake but Snug Harbor gives us good service for fuel and pumpouts.

Ludington, municipal marina is new and nice.

Manistee, municipal marina has new facilities.  If the river current is running fast, docking can be difficult.  You might prefer to lie on the sea wall, also operated by the municipal marina.

Arcadia municipal marina (Veterans Memorial Marina) is homey and rustic.  Great dockmasters.

Frankfort, Jacobsen Marina is the only one we've used but they're expensive. And nice.

Leland, Township Harbor is about the only choice.  Nice facility but crowded.

Northport (in Grand Traverse Bay), G. Marsden Dame Marina.

That's about it.  As I say, we try to anchor out whenever it's an option.

Have fun!  BTW, are you a member of ActiveCaptain.com?  They have great marina info.  Join up.

Comment by Ken Honeycutt on July 1, 2013 at 11:07am

Planning a sail from Chicago to Traverse City and wondering what Marinas are the best to stop along the way. Been as far as South Haven and that will be my first stop. Would like suggestions on Marinas further North. Planning on 30 to 40 Kmiles per day but would plan on a longer leg if necessary.

Comment by Tom Schildhouse on June 19, 2009 at 2:46pm

Contessa Todd left me a comment, can not find it anywhere, please repost or e-mail to thom1225@aol.com

Comment by David VanDenburgh on June 18, 2009 at 10:12pm

Jason -

The kids always like the "Curious Kids Museum" on the bluff in St. Jo. Kilwins is downtown - good ice cream and fudge. There's also a South Bend Chocolate Company. There's Krasl Art Museum, also on the bluff. Silver Beach is one of the best beaches in the country - it's just south of the harbor entrance. The old train station there is a restaurant with good pizza. The shops in downtown St. Jo are fun (so my wife says).

From Harbor Isle you will need to walk south across the drawbridge to get into town. Most of St Jo is to your right after you cross the river. A stroll on the bluff (Lake St.) gives you good views of the lake looking west.

Have a great time! I'm not sure whether we will be in town or not.

Comment by Jason McPeak on June 18, 2009 at 6:39pm

Planning a trip from Racine over to St. Joe's at Harbor Isle Marina over the 4th of July weekend.

Anything I shouldn't miss in the area?

Comment by Tom Schildhouse on June 18, 2009 at 6:22pm

I am a Lake Michigan sailor, (very south end) and sail out of south suburban Chicago, northwest Indiana. Looking for crew ops in the area. Also interested in Mac crew ops.

Comment by David VanDenburgh on June 12, 2009 at 5:16pm

Hi! Anyone planning a Lake Michigan cruise this summer of '09? As I announced earlier, we had planned to cruise the North Channel of Lake Huron this summer, but my son has classwork to do so Ariel will probably be cruising closer to home. Maybe a visit to Chicago. Maybe a slow harbor-hopping cruise from St. Jo north up the east lake shore, visiting all our favorite harbors along the way.

Anyone else?

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