2015 Vacation Planning for Lake Michigan. Need some input

[Azzarac]

OK, the family (that would be the Admiral, two teens and myself) was sitting around last night throwing out ideas for our summer 2015 vacation when an idea popped into my head. Yeah, I know, not good but now the stupid thing won't get out so I fear I must act on it. We are planning on late June or early July for a time frame and as an alternative to camping the Grand Canyon the thought of taking our X up to northern Michigan suddenly formed in that void between my ears. Before presenting this idea to the family, what I am hoping from you, dear forum readers, is that a few knowledgeable members might be able to share some info on various nagging questions.
This would be our first out of state extended trip. 1-2 weeks depending on the generosity of the powers that be in allowing time off. If we can wrangle 2 weeks, I thought of making a day trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes and then putting in at Traverse City ultimately winding up at Mackinac Island (about 110 nm according to the chart plotter). If we can only get 1 week I would probably put in at Petoskey (about 55 nm.) The questions I currently have, and yes, I'm sure there will be numerous more to come, are the following:
1. Is such a trip on these waters even viable with our boats? I've seen some might big swells out there in the springtime.
2. What does one do about parking your vehicle and trailer for that length of time?
3. If we make it all the way to Mac Island is there sufficient anchorage/marina space?
4. What weather conditions can we expect to encounter mid summer?
5. What kind of speed under sail can we expect to make during the summer months?
6. Water conditions?
7. We have a fairly well equipped X for local lake sailing including VHF, First Aid and all CG safety requirements. Is there any special equipment I should add to the list?
8. Can I assume a two week soak wouldn't require a barrier coat for the hull? I know the gelcoat is thin but I hope not that thin!
9. Any restricted areas or anchorages that may not show up on a chart plotter I should be aware of?
And finally #10. Any attractions, shopping, restaurants and sights that shouldn't be missed by above Admiral or teens?
I know this is a lot of information to request but I always like to have at least most of the facts before making a presentation, especially in an area I am completely unfamiliar with. I figure with your assistance and first hand knowledge I can make this an easy decision for them. Keep in mind, my alternative appears to be the Arizona desert...


Thanks guys!

[mrron_tx]

I can only answer # 1 for You with any degree of confidence . Yes Our Macs can run/sail lake Michigan .... I believe there are a few Members here that sail all/some of the Great Lakes. I plan to make the fresh water part of the Great American loop next year which includes all the great Lakes except Superior , well...for Me at least. I understand that there are numerous safe harbors and anchorages to be found as well as the touristy stuff There is a site... I believe it's called Americas Great loop.org/com or net....These are the people that are constantly boating the loop. Best of luck...Hope it works for You. Ron. Dauntless.

[Chinook]

That stretch of Lake Michigan has some outstanding cruising water. Charlevoix, Petoskey, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse Bay, and Mackinaw Island are all very neat places, along with Beaver Island and lots in between. Your 26X is a fine boat for these waters, provided that you plan and equip well. I suggest a good cruising guide, which should answer lots of questions, and provide good info on anchorages, marinas, provision points, and things of interest. One to consider would be Dozier's Waterway Guide for the Great Lakes. You'll want to pay close attention to weather, and have protected places in mind when unsettled weather develops. Thunder squalls on the Great Lakes are nothing to mess with. Your 50 hp will allow you a quick retreat to protected anchorage, if you anticipate the weather in time. It can get humid up there, so some good fans would be handy. Also, You might want to consider some mosquito netting to cover the forward hatch and companionway hatch. We've cruised our boat out to Isle Royale on Lake Superior, departing from Grand Portage, and we've also cruised some of Lake Huron's North Channel out of Killarney, and both were great trips. We hope to do the Great Loop, starting in Michigan next summer. The American Great Loop Cruisers website is a great place to gather info. They have some excellent trip accounts of people who have cruised these waters. Good luck with your planning and with the trip.

[Doug W]

The Apostle Islands which jut out from the southwest corner of Lake Superior is another destination well worth the trip! We had a blast there!

Doug & Angie
Galactica

Apostle islands in a --> http://youtu.be/Wq-kR2SP_MA

[Jim Bunnell]

Since this is your first long cruise, you may want to consider joining the Trailer/Sailor group cruise in the North Channel of Lake Huron, a few more hours driving. They have a two week cruise every year (essentially the last two weeks of July - though you can join or leave whenever). They are friendly, well organized and very experienced both with cruising and with local conditions (FYI the North Channel is much more protected than the west coast of Michigan). We did our first multi day cruising with them and learned a great deal while enjoying some of the best freshwater cruising grounds in the world. There are several Macs that often participate. Note: this is a sailing group - expect to have your sails up most of the time - they try to avoid motoring.

http://www.trailersailors.org

Jim

[mrron_tx]

Skipper Bob's is another really good publication... all information....no ads...very current , so don't buy it until soon before Your voyage Ron.

[Y.B.Normal]

I second Jim's idea. I did my first cruise with the TSA in the North Channel 2 years ago. They're a great group and are always open to help new cruisers. Lots of hiking among the many small islands and many sheltered anchorages. The cruise includes at least 2 stops at harbors for ice, food and pumpouts. You will need a passport or passport card for everyone to enter Canada.

Another great area is Door County in Wisconsin. Semi-sheltered, good hiking, shopping (for the Admiral & Vice-Admirals), anchorages and harbors. It's an easy sail across Green Bay into Michigan.

I haven't sailed Grand Traverse Bay, but I hear it's nice. Several sailing magazines have had articles about the area in the last 2 years.

Good Sailing,
Dale

[dlandersson]

If you decide to spend some time on southern Lake Michigan as well, I'm based on the south side and my does fine.

You can rent a slip in Chicago and there's LOTS for the family to do.

Slide on over to Michigan City and there's a beautiful beach (and one with open boat access), the outdoor mall, the park, the zoo, the casino, etc.

[Azzarac]

Thanks for all the input guys. I have the North Channel on my bucket list along with the Apostle Islands. I had seen your video Doug and that's one of the things that put the thought of vacationing on the great lakes in my head. You do great work putting those videos together! While I would personally welcome the solitude of these areas, I think I'd have a mutiny on my hands rather quickly if I suggested to the crew of spending 2 weeks in the remote outback which is why I focused in on the Grand Traverse Bay area. I figure I can get some solitude sailing during the day and the crew can get their social fixes and sight seeing in when we pop into a harbor along the way. Best of both worlds. I'm still wondering what the best way of parking the vehicle for the term of our voyage would be. I'll check out those cruising guides your guys suggested. Not sure why I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks again and please keep the suggestions coming!

[wccorder]

Don't forget the Michigan side of southern Lake Michigan. South Haven, Saugatuck and holland, all great ports. South Haven just put in a new common room and showers on the north marina this year. You dock right down town close to shopping for the admiral and several restaurants. Southern Lake Mi is very Macgregor friendly. As dlanderson has said we have a lot of Macs in southern lake mi.
Fair winds and smooth seas
Wally

[Doug W]

You do great work putting those videos together! While I would personally welcome the solitude of these areas, I think I'd have a mutiny on my hands rather quickly if I suggested to the crew of spending 2 weeks in the remote outback which is why I focused in on the Grand Traverse Bay area. I figure I can get some solitude sailing during the day and the crew can get their social fixes and sight seeing in when we pop into a harbor along the way. Best of both worlds

Thanks! We absolutely love getting out to remote areas, relaxing and unwinding from our incredibly busy life--but we are empty nesters now and the boys don't travel with us anymore. We try to alternate remote verses non remote. Last year, we did Oahe where we went a week without seeing anyone else -- and loved it! This year, we are exploring waters with lots of boats and socializing with a group of Macs-should be lots of fun!

I want to do Lake Michigan some year soon and also the north shore trailer sailor event! I need more vacation time!!

Enjoy your trip! Please post pictures and relay your story!

We usually find a marina in the area we want to put in and then contact them about ramp and temp slips. We put in at the public city ramp at Bayfield, took the boat to the Bayfield Marina and slipped her. Then walked back to get the truck/trailer. The Marina let me park the trailer behind the marina/museum for 5 bucks a day and park our truck in the marina parking lot. We were able to sail for a week and not worry about the truck and trailer!

Doug & Angie

[atwhite2]

Lake Michigan is great in the summer months. We have spent the last few years sailing our 26S just north of Chicago with no "real" issues besides the normal sailing adventures... broken rudder etc..
We also trek up to the North Shore of Lake Huron every year, just prior to the Trailer Sailors. It is an absolutely beautiful area. If you are going to trailer up to Northern Michigan, you might as well go all the way to the North Shore. If you put in at Spanish Ontario, it is only 2 hours past the border crossing. There are plenty of islands to play on/around and there are ample harbors to anchor overnight.
If you are staying on Lake Michigan, I would watch the weather very carefully, storms come across the lake very fast and the waves will kick up in a hurry. The Mac is able to handle the lake, but it is the crew that needs to be able to handle the weather.
Anyway, both places are beautiful and you will have a great time out on any of the Great Lakes.
Have Fun
-aaw

[SPC Paul]

The X is certainly capable of a trip on the Great Lakes like you describe. I spent a summer on my 26S sailing from Marquette on Lake Superior down to Sebewaing MI on Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. As others have mentioned, keep a close eye on the weather, as it can change in a hurry. I've seen a forecast of 1' to 3' waves turn into solid 4' to 6' in about 3 hours. It's a good idea to plan several sheltered anchorages along your route in case the forecast doesn't match reality.

Many of the public boat launches I've been to will allow long term parking for a fee. You should be able to get info and rates with a phone call.

As for wind conditions, I spent a week motoring from Marquette to the Soo locks in July. I had enough wind to fill the sails for about two hours during that entire time. After a few days of good winds and weather that got me down to Rogers City, I spent a week stuck there with 20-30 mph and 6'+ waves. The last two days of the trip I had the best sailing ever, averaging about 6-7 mph on a beam reach, hitting 10 mph surfing down 4' waves. So, plan for unpredictable winds. Having the X with a 50 HP gives you a definite advantage over my little 8 HP.

I have no bottom paint or barrier coat on my boat, and it's spent two summers in the water with no evidence of blisters yet. As much as it's talked about in the sailing community, there are tons of fiberglass powerboats left in marinas up here all year with no barrier coat and no problems. Of course, the cost and effort to repair the hull if blisters do from is significant. For just a few weeks I wouldn't worry about it.

Mackinaw Island is a very popular spot. The state marina has 63 transient slips available. I would recommend you reserve a slip as soon as you know dates, especially if you plan to visit on a weekend. Reservations can be made online through the Michigan DNR website.

Hope you have a great time! Now that I've relocated for work, I will be sailing Lake Michigan as well. Probably out of Escanaba.

Jared

[Azzarac]

Thanks SPC Paul! That's some great info and gives me an idea as to what I may be getting myself into. I also took Chinook's advice and order a copy of Dozier's Waterway Guide for the Great Lakes last night. That should keep me busy for several hours LOL!

You guys are the best!

[SPC Paul]

One more note about charts, Azzerac. If you plan to rely on services and amenities shown on charts and cruising guides, you should call ahead to verify those services are indeed available. As an example, I was using Richardson's Lake Superior Chartbook and Cruising Guide for my trip. It indicated that the state marina in Little Lake harbor had fuel available. When I arrived, I learned from the harbor master that fuel hadn't been available in over 10 years. I was in a bind, since I was almost out and there was no more fuel available until Sault Ste Marie about 35 miles by water. Little Lake is seriously remote, no paved roads or power lines within about 20 miles. The harbor master was kind enough to drive me 15 miles through two-track trails to the nearest gas station at Rainbow Lodge.

The chart book was brand new, and all other info was spot on. But that one little word that slipped past the editors almost left me stranded, or at least waiting a week or two for wind. So be sure to check in advance.

Jared