Our family has been cruising Lake Michigan aboard our Cape Dory 36 "Ariel" since 2004. My sailing for the 30 years before that was mostly ocean sailing, so I thought Lake Michigan would be rather dull. Was I wrong! Lot's of places to go, things to see, great scenery, and fresh water! We would love to trade notes with other Lake Michigan sailors - or potential LM sailors.
I'll tell you about our trips to Door County, Green Bay, Charlevoix, up and down the east shore of the lake, Beaver Island group, and whatever I can.
Nice boat the Cape Dory. They were on the top of my list when I was looking for a boat. If you sail north this next season stop in at White Lake, it’s a great place to stop. Lots of room to anchor and good marinas to.
We like White Lake, from the lovely old lighthouse on the channel, to the twin towns of Whitehall and Montague. We found a nice little English tea house in Montague last summer. The municipal marina water was a little thin but the dockmaster was great and the location is very convenient. We were sorry to see an empty place where the old (glove?) factory once stood. Let's see if I can post the photo here:
Here's a pdf document with photos and stuff about our 2006 cruise to Door County and Green Bay. I haven't got the one for 2008 done yet.GreatCruise2006.pdf
My wife and I just started sailing Lake Michigan in 2008. I had a chance to deliever a new Hunter 36 from Michigan City, IN to Mueskegon. We stopped and had dinner one night in St. Joe. We are headed to the Chicago Strictly Sail show at the end of the month. Can't wait for the weather to turn warm again.
Greg, nice to meet you. I see that Michigan City is your home port. We live in Dayton, Ohio but have a cottage in St. Joseph. Our kids are there, and the boat, so we have plenty of motivation to make the trip. I hope we will see you here often. I've not sailed into Michigan City. We normally go north from St. Jo. New Buffalo is as far south as we've gone.
My little West Wight Potter is small for the Lakes but it gets me around. It also makes me eligible for a seat at the bar loking out at the lake in Two Rivers, WI ( "Trivers" to the locals).
I'm curious to know whether people like to read other people's cruising logs. I do, but I might be weird. I posted our 2006 cruise log - done as a sailing magazine article - and I'm wondering how much effort to put into the 2008 log. Tell me what you think.
David, I was in a transit slip in St Joe last year, ate at a local bar for dinner and took off the next morning. I am planning a trip now for sometime in June or Aug for a week. We will be leaving Michigan City and sailing up your way.
I have been reading articles from searoom.com lately, but have not read any cruising logs. Where can I read some of those. Hope all is well and prosper in 2009.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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?
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
David VanDenburgh
I'll tell you about our trips to Door County, Green Bay, Charlevoix, up and down the east shore of the lake, Beaver Island group, and whatever I can.
Let's hear from you!
Jan 3, 2009
Ken Lewis
Jan 3, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Jan 3, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Jan 4, 2009
Greg VanLaere
Jan 4, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Where have you been besides M.C. and Muskegon?
Jan 4, 2009
Stephen (Doc) Regan
Jan 8, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Jan 8, 2009
CaptRick
Jan 9, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Jan 9, 2009
Greg VanLaere
I have been reading articles from searoom.com lately, but have not read any cruising logs. Where can I read some of those. Hope all is well and prosper in 2009.
Jan 10, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Click here for Great Cruise of 2006.
Jan 12, 2009
Stephen (Doc) Regan
Jan 27, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Jan 27, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Jan 27, 2009
Randy
Feb 9, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Feb 11, 2009
Jason McPeak
Feb 11, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Feb 12, 2009
Jason McPeak
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.
Warm Regards,
Jason
Feb 12, 2009
Jason McPeak
Feb 12, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Feb 12, 2009
David VanDenburgh
Anyone else?
Jun 12, 2009
Tom Schildhouse
Jun 18, 2009
Jason McPeak
Anything I shouldn't miss in the area?
Jun 18, 2009
David VanDenburgh
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.
Jun 18, 2009
Tom Schildhouse
Jun 19, 2009
Ken Honeycutt
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.
Jul 1, 2013
David VanDenburgh
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.
Jul 1, 2013