Experience with Harbors in Michigan requested

[KaiSchuler]

Hello all (that have been to Michigan):

I am planning to do a mini-cruise sometime in late August this year. We want to do some harbor-hopping in our M, and are planning to do maybe 4 harbors in a short week. Drive up to one of the places, launch the boat there and then overnight in different harbors.

Idea is, to visit South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Port Sheldon, possibly Grand Haven or St.Joseph.

Some people on the list have probably been to one or the other of these harbors, and make some suggestions what marinas to visit, and maybe where to stay away from. In some of these harbors, there are multiple marinas and places to stay overnight. As far as quality, convenience and maybe safety is concerned they are probably not all equal. I'd really would appreciate your recommendations.

Also, are you guys aware of places where we could (safely) keep car and trailer for the duration of the trip.


I would really appreciate comments

Thanks a lot in advance,
Kai

[ronacarme]

South Haven. Good DNR spec launch ramps. I slip at Oak Harbor, wayyyyy up the river and above the lift bridge. City marina below the bridge, near the piers, appears to have transient slips. Just a river, no lake.
St. Jo. Sailed down there summer before last. Stayed at first marina to the left, after the piers and just before the RR bridge. Again, just a river, no lake.
Saukatuck. Have not been there for several years. Have gotten a transient slip when available, but earlier just anchored close to shore in the "round pond", just inside the piers and on your right ( old lumber schooner turning basin I'm told), quiet but no facilities then. May be transient slips up river in Kalamazoo Lake at either Saug. or Douglas.
Holland. Bigggg Lake Makatawa inside the piers. Have stayed at marina on the right just inside the piers.
Just back from Memorial Day weekend at Elmwood Township Marina on west arm of Grand Traverse Bay. They and Suttons Bay and Northport and Clinch Park (Traverse City) have transient slips. Watched keelboats trailer launch at Elwood Township .....Awesome deeeeep ramps. $21/day slips with parking for trailer and tow car , $5 to launch at ramp. Bowers Harbor now private and may not have transient slips.
Always, always, phone ahead re availability and take good notes to avoid confusion by harbormaster or his lackeys.
Google searching will yield more details.
Have fun.
Ron

[kmclemore]

Kai, you might want to check out the following other postings on this site...

First
Second
Third

[Jeff Ritsema]

Kai,
If your up for a short week, I would recommend launching in Muskegon. Best place is Harbourtown Marina out near the channel. From there, you can sail down to Grand Haven or Saugatuck, both of which are on rivers and offer no sailing other than Lk Mich. Lake Michigan is OFTEN not sailable and thus the attraction of Muskegon Lk (it's the biggest deep water port on this side of Lk Mich). Greatest number of sailboats in west Michigan congregate in Muskegon for this reason- can sail on Musk Lk when you can't get out on Lk Mich. Both Grand Haven and Saugatuck are great small towns to visit. If the weather cooperates, you could sail north to White Lake or Pentwater. You can sail on White Lake, not on Pentwater (again, a river). Definitely, this would fill a week. August would be a good time. Avoid Holland. Nothing at Port Sheldon.
My itenerary: Muskegon, weather permitting go to Saugatuck (call ahead to the city docks to see if trasient slips open), next to Grand Haven city docks, next, to White Lake, next, to Pentwater, backto Muskegon. You might not make the complete transit because of high seas, though on the Great Lakes, the typical day has calm early AM, building through the day, quieting in the evening. Night sailing (motoring) can be wonderful. The navigation is easy since the entire coastline is sand and very consisitent in its depth.
Hope this helps.
Jeff.