Midwest Mac Meeting?

[Jim Bunnell]

I'd be interested. You might want to attach to the front end of the North Channel cruise - we could just keep going east from Mackinaw.

[ronacarme]

Green Bay cruise sounds good. Semi protected watters so could cruise maybe on days Lake Mich is inhospitable?
Marina space tight in July, August? If so are there protected anchorages spaced to overnight at end of each sailing day? How many boats might go without overcrowding the overnight facilities?
I ask because sailing out of South Haven MI it is sometimes hard to find a marina berth Thurs- Sat nights in July,August. Maybe less a problem if hi gas prices keep the big power boats at home . Some ports on the MI shore(e.g. South Haven being a river, no lake port) have no real place to anchor out except outside on the big lake shore line which is unprotected and so unsuitable.

[Scott]

Yay!! Im game. We've been to stockton, (pics on our website) its excellent but not much on the shore to see and do. The lake michigan stuff sounds funner.

P.s. Dive says:

. .So how fast will a Mac go with say. . . 175 to 215 mph winds . . . . ?

My boat would come up on a plane.

[Lovekamp]

My wife is telling me that her job would make the June/July or July/August boundaries difficult for us (month-end accounting); mid-July would be perfect. This would be a major adventure for us (one that we currently don't have the knowledge of how to prepare for), but this trip would be the absolutely perfect dream-trip for us.

Mark, you sound as if you have this well planned, already. Where you lead, we will happily follow. We need much guidance on what we need to bring, etc., but we have time to get ready.

We have two children, aged 7 and 9. Anyone else going on this trip have kids?

[DLT]

My boat would come up on a plane.

Yeah maybe, but on its side...

[Jack O'Brien]

Green Bay / Door County gets my vote. Really a great boating / cultural / tourist place. August might be preferable for those who don't have fur-lined swimsuits. Lake Michigan can freeze the "boys" off a polar bear unless the breeze is blowing the warm surface water toward you. Green Bay is warmer but not by much.

The Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay has a big ship's anchor on permanent display in its front yard with a picture of yours truly as one of the donators who raised it from the lake bottom back in the early 60's.

[Zavala]

I'm game most anywhere, but the ultimate location will probably determine my crew (wife/kids vs. some buddies) as some like to travel more than others.

Mark -- the photos look awesome, and it sounds like there's good AM reception . I must admit though, that sure looks like a lot bigger body of water than what I'm used to in the 19. But as Lovekamp said, you lead -- we'll follow.

Now, as for the dates. We're pretty flexible with enough notice. Hence why I was asking the question in the first place. I'd like to get something on the family calendar for 2006....

[Mark Prouty]

I'm going to put together another itinerary that will take us over to MACKINAC ISLAND for possibly 2 weeks. How long to you guys want to be out?


For one week, how about for a week meeting in Ephram July 22nd? We could also do a week starting the 15th. Starts could be flexible since Ephram is the heart of the adventure where we'd be exploring. People coming later could catch up before we headed north. We would be within VHF communication even at Chambers Island 10 miles away.



1 Week Itinerary for around Door County:

All overnights would be at either anchor or beached. A couple of exceptions might be Rock Island where they have a free pier. And Baileys Harbor after a long run. This is only me there are plenty of nice marinas along the way.

Day 1 and 2
Leave Ephram and sail the 10 miles out to Chambers Island. Stay the night in one the Chamber's Island, Horseshoe Island, Shanty Bay spots. Spend one afternoon/evening biking from Shanty Bay in Peninsula State Park to Fish Creek for Dinner. I like the bicycle built for two they rent there.

Day 3
Travel the 24 miles up to Washington Island with a possible stop in Sister Bay. Stop at one the Washington Islands Harbors. JACKSON HARBOR would be the best. We stayed at Detroit Harbor on our first trip. That night we weathered a huge storm.

Day 4
Explore the area with a trip to Rock Island.

Day 5
Travel down the eastern side of Door County. The Lake Michigan shore is a wild area, well-indented with harbors. Perhaps it is not so imposing as the Green Bay shore, but it does have its charm. Mud Bay and North Bay are isolated, beautiful spots to anchor. Wed hope for a clear day with westerly winds for the best conditions. If conditions weren't right, we would not do this side. We had some odd weather when we made this trip before. The late afternoon became cold and rainy and was a little unpleasant. We'd decide on alternative destinations if conditions weren't right. One fairly sure place to stay is BAILEYS HARBOR - a 36 mile run from Rock Island. I beached there overnight ate out and bought fuel. This might be a good place to stay at a slip overnight.

Day 6
Travel the 20 miles to STURGEON BAY.

Day 7
25 miles back to Ephraim

Ephram
Location ................. L 45 09.6' N; 087 10.4' W
Several docks are available on Ephraims waterfront, and the snug anchorages of Shanty Bay and Horseshoe Island are but a few minutes away. Free Showers
From Ephraim to...
Sturgeon Bay 25 miles S
Fish Creek 6 miles SW
Sister Bay 4 miles NW
Horseshoe Island 1.5 miles W

Several docks are available on Ephraims waterfront, and the snug anchorages of Shanty Bay and Horseshoe Island are but a few minutes away. Eagle Harbor, which is about 2 miles long and l mile wide, is protected from all winds from northeast clockwise to northwestwide open to north and northwest winds except behind the docks. In northwest blows, Horseshoe Island offers excellent protection.

CHAMBERS ISLAND
Location ......................L 45 12' N; 087 21.3' W
From Chambers to...
Menominee 12 miles W
Sturgeon Bay 24 miles S
Fish Creek 9 miles SE
Ephraim 10 miles E
Detroit Harbor 24 miles NE

The principal harbor is on the north shore providing protection except for winds from NNW to ENE. There are other anchorages on the east, west and south shores if the winds are adverse to the north shore anchorage.

HORSESHOE ISLAND
Location ...................L 45 10.6' N; 087 12.7' W
From Horseshoe to...
Eagle Bluff Light, 1 mile SW
Fish Creek 3.5 miles SSW
Ephraim 2 miles SE
Sister Bay 4 miles NE

Horseshoe Island is a fine little harbor of refuge. The harbor is perfectly protected from winds west through north to east and fairly well sheltered from all others. However, it may be uncomfortable in very strong southeast winds, from which Shanty Baya half mile south by westwill afford protection.

SHANTY (Nicolet) BAY
Location .................... L 45 10' N; 087 13.3' W
From Shanty Bay to...
Horseshoe Island 0.75 miles NE
Sturgeon Bay 25 miles S
Escanaba 36 miles N

This attractive anchorage is known locally as Shanty Bay. It is about 2 miles from Ephraim and 5 miles from Fish Creek.

Shanty Bay, Horseshoe Island, and Ephraim are close together, and in one of the three, shelter may be found from any wind. Generally, Shanty Bay offers protection from southerlies; Horseshoe from northerlies; Ephraim from easterlies; and both Horseshoe and Shanty Bay from westerlies.

FISH CREEK
Location ......................L 45 08' N; 087 14.7' W
From Fish Creek to...
Sturgeon Bay 19 miles S
Egg Harbor 5 miles S
Horseshoe Island 3.5 miles N
Ephraim 5 miles N and E
Menominee 16 miles W

Water, gasoline, oil, and ice at the Town dock and Alibi docks. Provisions of all kinds are available in stores in the nearby business area. Two grocery stores are within walking distance of the marina, making Fish Creek a good port for provisioning along this shore.

SISTER BAY
Location ...................L 45 11.5' N; 087 07.3' W
From Sister Bay to...
Ephraim 4 miles S
Horseshoe Island 4 miles SW
Ellison Bay 6 miles N
Free Showers.

The village of Sister Bay has a village dock. It is located on the southeast shore of Sister Bay Harbor and is close to restaurants, drugstore, hardware store, service station, night entertainment, and other public facilities. Slip rental is available, with a dock master on duty (VHF 9, or phone 920-854-4457). Heads, showers, electricity, and water available. This is a well-protected harbor in all conditions, designed to reduce the surge for which this harbor was formerly notorious in northwest winds.

JACKSON HARBOR
Location .................... L 45 24.2' N; 086 51' W
From Jackson Harbor to...
Washington Harbor 4 miles W
Detroit Harbor 11 miles S
Baileys Harbor 32 miles SE
Fayette 22 miles N
Escanaba 23 miles NW
Ephraim 24 miles SW

Jackson Harbor is a quaint harbor on the northeast shore of Washington island that affords shelter from all winds. Although the deeper part of the harbor is partly exposed to winds from north clockwise to east, the anchorage is protected from seas in all directions. This is a quaint fishing harbor with a marine museum, nature trail and beach.

ROCK ISLAND
Location ................. L 45 24.6' N; 087 49.8' W
From Rock Island to
Jackson Harbor 1 mile SW

There is enough water for several boats to tie up inside the dock adjacent to the large boat house.

BAILEYS HARBOR
Location .......................L 45 4.2' N; 087 7.1' W
From Baileys Harbor to...
Sturgeon Bay 20 miles S
Mud Bay 6 miles N
North Bay 11 miles N
Detroit Harbor 25 miles N
Jackson Harbor 36 miles N
South Manitou 50 miles E
Frankfort 50 miles E

Although the general harbor is open to winds from SE to SW clockwise, and although subject to considerable surge, it has a fine marine facility on the east shoreThe Baileys Harbor Yacht Clubwith a dredged docking area. City Dock on the west side. The ruins of the city dock extend 400 to 500 feet from shore. It runs east at right angles to the shore. At the north end of the harbor, there is a 300-foot dock owned by Florians Supper Club10 feet of water on the north side, 6 feet on the south side. Both docks recommended for outboards only.

Baileys Harbor Yacht Club (BHYC) on the east side is the recommended marine facility. Having recovered from a fire in the east wing a few years ago, the 3500-acre Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort is doing nicely. Some changes have taken place, however, including elimination of the cocktail lounge, Friday night seafood buffet, Sunday brunch, and dancing and entertainment in season. This is an open-to-the-public Yacht Club. Services provided are seasonal and transient dockage that includes 110-220 volt power hook-ups, water, sewage pump-out, showers for women and men, boaters lounge for relaxation, weather service and mail service, and VHF communication with the harbor during the season.

The village of Baileys Harbor straddles Highway 57supper club, general store, small grocery, liquor store, laundry, garages, bakery, gift shops are all located in a 1-mile area. The village is farther from BHYC than most people would wish to walk, but bicycles are rentable at the dock. The hardware store is very well stocked, and there are three very good restaurants in town. From where I was beached, I could easily walk to town. We had breakfast at a very good restaurant.

STURGEON BAY
Location .................. L 44 47.5' N; 08718.6' W
From Sturgeon Bay to...
AIgoma 15 miles S
Manistee 50 miles E
Manitou Passage, 48 miles E
Chicago 175 miles S
Baileys Harbor 18 miles N
Fish Creek 19 miles NW
Menominee 19 miles N

ANCHORAGES
Cruisers who prefer anchoring to lying alongside a dock will find several snug spots. They may drop the hook at several points with depths up to 10 feet (LWD) in the upper reaches of the bay. Be careful to get well out of the channel; watch the bottom: it is generally mud, but weeds foul some areas and your hook wont hold! Anchorage can be found southeast and northwest of the Bayview Bridge at Snug Harbor and in front of the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club and Quarterdeck Marina. Note: this is all a no-wake zone. There are lots of Marinas here. I stayed at a free city dock.

[baldbaby2000]

Zavala,
Where do you sail? Yankton? I've never been there but talked to other people who say it's pretty good sailing with lots of water.

I've sailed at other places on the Missouri River and like the length of the lakes; Lake Sakakawea in ND, and Oahe and Chamberlain in SD. Lately Sakakawea and Oahe I think are pretty low on water.

BB

[Jim Bunnell]

Hey Mark-

I think you just grabbed the honors for longest post.

One or two weeks would work fine, depending on the date. (I've got a daughter's 16th birthday to celebrate; missed her last two "gone sailing", I'll be in deep . . . . water if I'm gone for this one.)

[Zavala]

Zavala,
Where do you sail? Yankton? I've never been there but talked to other people who say it's pretty good sailing with lots of water.

BB -- Yep, Lewis & Clark lake in Yankton. It's the largest of lakes on the Missouri system -- and a very good sailing location. It's about 25 miles long, and there's always plenty to do.... but it's fully landlocked, and you're never too far from helping hands -- which is why I was sounding a smidge apprehensive to set out on a lot bigger waters. We used to sail in West Galveston Bay in Texas -- but I've since gotten used to the easy waters up here.

The whole system of resevoirs is pretty low I think -- and the river itself is way down. I'd sure like to go to Lake Sakakawea some time -- sure looks beautiful in pictures -- and big!

[Jeff Ritsema]

I've sailed Lake michigan for 30 years, on the Michigan side, out of Muskegon Michigan. Once, about 15 years ago, my wife and I went across the lake on the ferry, the Badger out of Ludington Michigan, hauling our 23 Compac. We landed in Manitowac, drove up to Stugeon Bay, launched there, and then sailed both sides of the Door, much like Mark is recommending. We had a great time in a great cruising ground. At that time it was quite busy with tourists, in July, and I have wondered what it would be like in mid- August. On the Michigan side, the marinas and the destination spots start to quiet a bit, the water is much warmer, bugs are fewer, etc.
Just a thought.

Also, if there is a desire to venture further, it is an easy crossing to a beautiful area at Beaver Island group of islands in northern Lk Michigan. Several nice anchorages are available. I have been there 3 times this summer.

I have been to Mackinac Island numerous times over the years and would recommend going there only by ferry from either St Ignace or Mackinac City marina. The Mackinac Island marina is not attractive to my way of thinking for a few reasons: It is very rough and busy from the constant ferry traffic, the Chicago-Mac race takes over the entire marina at the time you're considering, and it is not easy to get a slip there. Better to go over on the ferry if you've "gotta" see it. It is the epitome of the "tourist trap". Neat place to visit, at least once.

My recommendation, just a little further, is the LeChanneaux Islands, just north of Mackinac Island. Quieter, nice anchorages, history, etc. Beyond that is the North Channel, but then that's another trip, another story.

Jeff

[Mark Prouty]

I'm going to put together a tentative itinery for heading out past the Beaver Island Group. I really like the idea of mid August.

[RandyMoon]

We need to invite La Perla Noir to be the flag ship of the cruise.

AND, we could hire a film crew to show the fresh water dolphins frolicking in the Great Lakes. Our mission is to make the Coastal Homeboys wish they sailed in fresh water. We want them begging to sail in the MidWest.

Uhhh, are their fresh water dolphins in the Great Lakes? Or are they called Pike and Muskies? That is better yet. Instead of common squeeky dolphins, we could have Muskies frolicking in our wakes. Maybe an occasional bear or moose swimming along side.

[Scott]

mark said:

I really like the idea of mid August.

School starts in west Missouri Aug 17 so late aug is rough for us, My wife says shes game too.

We like the Idea of the warmer cruise perhaps late july early august.[/quote]