Jason, thanks. Glad to have this information. I haven't been to Racine but it sounds like a place I should visit. We mostly spend our time on the east side of the lake. We had planned to do the North Channel this summer, but I just found out I have to teach an online course this summer, so I have to have cellular service every day and I'm not sure what that's like in the North Channel (anybody know?). It might be smarter to stay closer to civilization.
Comment by Jason McPeak on February 12, 2009 at 12:51pm
Can't edit your post - that sucks.
Comment by Jason McPeak on February 12, 2009 at 12:50pm
David, we usually stay at Tower Marine - they have a pool - great for the kids.
Racine, hmm... Well it is the 5th largest city in Wisconsin. Has a great marina - Reef Point - downtown is
Within easy walking distance from the marina:
Downtown -
Lots of good restaurants and coffee shops, a West Marine for any needs.
RAM - Racine Art Museum - http://www.ramart.org/
A Trolley to take you around
A great beach with concessions and Live music on the weekends - you can anchor out and dinghy or swim ashore.
Wind Point Lighthouse
Perched 112 feet above the lake, the Wind Point Lighthouse
was erected in 1880. The historic beacon welcomes more than
20,000 visitors each year. It is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on
the Great Lakes. It stretches 22 feet wide at its base and just 7 feet
wide at the top. Guests can navigate up the 144 steps, where they
will be treated to the most spectacular view in Racine County.
I actually live in Gurnee, but keep my sailboat at Racine.
Jason, where do you usually stay when you get to Saugatuck? What's in Racine that those of us on the other side of the lake might want to come and see?
Comment by Jason McPeak on February 11, 2009 at 1:05pm
Saugatuck is nice quick weekend trip for a lake crossing from Racine. River is getting shallow - I draw 6'6" but it is a nice little town. Lots to do during the day and night. It's not beautiful sailing like door county or the orth west shore of Michigan but we have had some nice sails across.
Randy/Jeannie, I would agree that St. James harbor is a great place. You can almost believe that you are in New England. I like islands of any kind. I haven't explored Garden Island at all. When you say the "backside" of Garden, are you talking about the harbor on the northeast side of the island? The chart shows the bottom there as grassy.
David. I would have to say that St James bay @ Beaver Island is one of my best in lake Mich. Also over tucked in back of garden island is very goo also. Very secluded.Lots to explore on the island as there is a camp that is interesting to see. It is one that is used off and on by different people, it s like take something and leave something, there were jars of beans and staples the different times I was there. If your a lucky one to get back into the garden island area, it is very nice I feel . But you gota love anchoring and not a lot to hook to on the bottom I found. The area I was in was very hard pan , and did not trust it as we tied off to shore and a stern anchor,
Oh, I think Michigan has a least as much claim as the other two states. In reality, I think Michigan should claim Lake Huron as well since the two lakes are really just one big one, and they wrap around the state of Michigan. Lake Michigan is, as you probably know, the only one of the Great Lakes that lies entirely within the U.S.
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