Midwest Mac Meeting?

[RandyMoon]

July in Kansas is 175 degrees. The lake bubbles. That would be a great month to sail in the Northern Hemisphere.

[Zavala]

Don't you know Randy? White hulls don't get as hot.

[ken]

There are no Dolphins in the Greatlakes, we all know the fresh water Sharks killed them off years ago.

Ken

[Zavala]

Hmmm...

Freshwater Sharks and Ganges River Dolphins. Perhaps we could import some to the Missouri River? I propose using two Mac 26's, several thousand feet of fishing line, a rubber duck and lots of patience. Any volunteers?

If we succeeded at least we'd get the attendtion of the PWC guys!

[nnelson1]

At this point in time (especially with the temps going down VERY quickly), this sounds like a great plan.

We should be able to do the one-weeker, but one of our crew also starts school in mid/late August. Of course, this may be a moot point if they pass the bill requiring all Michigan schools to start after Labor Day!!!

Count us in!

Fair winds,

Nick
M22 "First Step"

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

There is no reason that a few ANNUAL events couldn't occur for MacGregor owners, perhaps at interesting SAILING sites in this GREAT U.S.A. I betcha, many would show up, and it would be an EVENT TO BEHOLD...There are so many MacGregor owners...and WOW...do we like our BOATS !!!! VACATIONING in a MAC is better than RENTING MOTELS, or hauling a big ole HEAVY travel trailer ... OR AM I THE ONLY ONE that understands this.. ..AHOY THERE !!!! Happy Sailing.

[Zavala]

Good point. I am anxious to see the full details on Mark's full scale excursion. My buddy from Chicago may catch up with me for it if everything meshes date-wise.

In the meantime, it's probably worth one of the little-lake folks hosting an extended weekend trailer-in sometime earlier in the summer. Who's the first to volunteer?

PS -- Louis, glad to see another Texas sailor on board. We used to live in Galveston -- hope to again someday. Sailed mostly on West Bay, but took our first sailing lessons on Clear Lake. Loved going to Kemah with the little ones. What a great part of the country! We miss it a lot...

[Mark Prouty]

2 week trip


For two weeks, we could still start 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.




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 & 5
Explore the area with a trip to Rock Island then Travel 22 miles to South River Bay and Fayette and explore that area.

Day 6
Travel 18 miles to Manistique.

Day 7
Travel 33 miles to St. James Harbor. 25 miles through open water.

Day 8 & 9
Explore The Beaver Island Group. Take trips to High, Garden Islands and Hog Islands. They are all very interesting.

Day 10
Start back. Do you think we could go farther?

On edit, the trip will end here.

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.

SOUTH RIVER BAY
Location.................. L 45 45.5 N; �086 37.4 W
From South River Bay to
Nahma 5 miles N
Fayette 1 mile S
Washington Harbor 22 miles S
Manistique 18 miles

South River forms a beautiful secluded and unspoiled yacht anchorage, affording good shelter from all winds. The north part of the bay is open to winds from the SW to NW, but the arm in the southwest corner of the bay defeats even these winds. There is but one cottage on the shore of the bay (with a small boat dockprivate), and one on the river. South River Bay is a popular fishing spot and a good location to observe osprey and eagles. The river is interesting to explore in a dinghy, especially with oars or a pole.

FAYETTE, MICHIGAN
(SNAIL-SHELL HARBOR)
From Fayette to...
Detroit Harbor 30 miles S
Washington Harbor 22 miles S
Escanaba 24 miles W
Lake Michigan (Poverty Island Passage), 18 miles

ANCHORAGE
Anchoring is difficult due to the weeds and mud bottom, and there is not much room; however, with perseverance a heavy anchor may be set. Winds north to northwest will bring a surge into the harbor.
DOCKS
A 300-foot dock is available along the west side of the harbor, and a smaller dock is available at the tip of the point in the harbor. These docks are maintained by the Fayette State Park, and boat-camping is allowed. Docking rules are posted. The dock is often quite crowded, but most boats will let other boats raft off of them (the weekends are particularly
crowded). The Park charges for overnight tieup$0.55 per foot in 2002, less if rafted off. Checkout time is 3 pm. Note that generators must be shutdown between 2200 and 0700.
SERVICES
The docks offer no servicesneither electricity nor water, though a water faucet is near the dock. The Visitors Center has running water and modern toilet facilities available during the hours it is openphone 906-644-2711. There is a pay telephone at the Park road entrance (about 1 mile from the dock). The Park has a rustic campsite about 0.5 miles from the docks. A beautiful sandy beach is another 0.5 mile walk south past the campground. There are changing rooms at the beach areawell worth the walk! In addition, there are more than 5 miles of hiking trails in the Park, some of which overlook the harbor. The Park Rangers are friendly to boaters. Near the docks in the old town of Fayette, many buildings have been restored and are open to the public. Horsedrawn carriage tours of this town site are available. A use-permit and fee are required for scuba diving in the harborall submerged artifacts are to remain in place and nothing is to be removed from the harbor bottom. The grocery store in Garden (K-Los) will deliver to the dock (906-644-7111). The nearest restaurant is Sherrys Port Bar, south of the swimming beach on the county road.


The remains of the furnaces and buildings of the Jackson Iron Companyfounded in 1867 but abandoned some 50 years laterstill lend a touch of the glamor.


Manistique
Location .................. L 45 56.6' N; �086 14.8' W
From Manistique to...
Mackinac Island 68 miles E
St. James Harbor 35 miles ESE
Jackson Harbor 43 miles SW
Escanaba 54 miles WSW
Port Inland 19 miles E
Beaver Island Group 33 miles (25 miles open water)

Manistique, located at the north end of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manistique River, is the only major port along the north shore of the Lake between the northern entrance of Green Bay and the Straits of Mackinac. The harbor offers excellent protection under all weather conditions - good docking facilities and anchorage areas are available. Because of its relatively remote location this interesting town is less often visited compared to other harbors on the lake. It is a complete small city and an excellent place to provision.

ANCHORAGE
The Coast Pilot states that the outer basin is not adapted for anchorage but, in fact, pleasure craft do anchor behind the outer breakwaters. Protection would be limited in heavy weather out of the south or southeast.

DOCKAGE
A Michigan State Waterways Commission marina has accommodations for 18 transient vessels. It is located on the east side of the river 0.3 miles above the mouth, just downstream of the Highway 2 bridge. In approaching this marina, one may encounter current velocities of up to 3 mph. Depths in the marina are limited. In 2004, the depth at the fuel dock was 6 feet. However, 3-4 feet depths were in the river just before the turn into the marina. Depths at docking wells are said to decrease as
one moves east from the first well. Deep-draft boats may want to call ahead for current conditions.

FACILITIES
The fuel dock has a gasoline pump (diesel can be trucked in if necessary). Pumpout and electricity are available. Restroom and shower facilities are on the premises. There is no laundry in the marina, but a laundromat is available 2 blocks away. There is a large playground and picnic facility in the marina area. The business district begins about one
block from the marina. There are both fast food and conventional restaurants within easy walking distance - Topos is especially recommended. Pharmacies, a grocery store, hardware, and sports stores are all conveniently located. Schoolcraft County maintains a modern hospital and airport. Web site: www.manistique.org.

ST. JAMES HARBOR
Location................... L 45 44.6 N; �085 30.5 W
From St. James to...
Mackinac Island 45 miles E
Harbor Springs 28 miles SE
Charlevoix 32 miles S
South Manitou Island 56 miles S
Rock Island Passage 65 miles SW
High Island 4 miles W
Manistique 33 miles NW

Beaver Island, principal member of the Beaver Island group, is approximately 13 miles long, north and south, 3.25 miles wide at the north end, and 6.5 miles wide at the south end, with an area of 53 square miles. Maximum elevation above Lake Michigans water is 200 feet, but most of the island is only about 80 feet high. The island is generally wooded, with bluffs on its west side and lower sloping shores elsewhere; however, Beaver lacks the bold western bluffs and areas of blowing sand that characterize the other large Lake-Michigan islands. St. James Harbor is at the northerly end of the east shore, and the village of St. James on the shores of the harbor is home for almost all of the Islands yeararound population. Summer cottages are found all around the shores of the island. St. James can be the hub of a fine cruising ground. Short and possibly overnight trips and return can be taken to the nearby islands - High and Garden and Hog. Going or coming between Mackinac Island and the ports on Lake Michigan, this makes a good layover spot.

[Jeff Ritsema]

Mark,
Hog island, part of the Beaver group, is unapprochable by normal watercraft, even Macs. High and Garden and Whiskey are, however. In answer to your question, I would probably go no further than Beaver before heading back to Door, given the time you've allotted. You could reserve that for another trip where you would go across the lake form Door, directly to Beaver or the Manitou's and beyond, or trailer around to the Mackinac area and jump off from that point. I believe that 2 weeks would be easily consumed cruising the Door, Manistique and Beaver. You might consider, as long as you're in the area, the Fayette anchorage, in Big Bay Du Noc. Though I have not been there, I hear it's worth the trip.
Jeff

[Mark Prouty]

Mark,
Hog island, part of the Beaver group, is unapprochable by normal watercraft, even Macs. High and Garden and Whiskey are, however. In answer to your question, I would probably go no further than Beaver before heading back to Door, given the time you've allotted. You could reserve that for another trip where you would go across the lake form Door, directly to Beaver or the Manitou's and beyond, or trailer around to the Mackinac area and jump off from that point. I believe that 2 weeks would be easily consumed cruising the Door, Manistique and Beaver. You might consider, as long as you're in the area, the Fayette anchorage, in Big Bay Du Noc. Though I have not been there, I hear it's worth the trip.
Jeff

Jeff,

Don't you think we can sneak into Fisherman Bay? We could go there on a day with no wind and have a lookout on the bow. The water is crystal clear. It is supposed to be beautiful.

Yes, desolation awaits you on Hog Island, in Fisherman Bay. On the northwest corner of the island, there is a great anchorage area. The bottom is good holding80% sand and 20% stone. You can see the grains of sand in 16 feet of water. So on a clear daywith very little windyour bow lookout can spot all the rocks and shoals you should try to miss. This will leave you in what we have found to be a very secluded anchorage, protected except from a strongwest-northwest wind.

Wow, on investigation, I find you're right about Fayette. I'll add it to the itinerary. Thank you for all your input!

[Mark Prouty]

Hey Mark,
About hauling the rig to Ephram...
Looks like a series of state highways, once leaving I-43 at Green Bay.
Are you familiar with the roads?
What is the best route?

Thankx

This is an easy trip. Just pickup Hwy 57 in Green Bay.

[Jeff Ritsema]

Mark,
From what I am told, it's best to stay out of Hog Island, although I must admit, I have never looked that carefully at the charts of Hog until today.
The problem still appears that the exposure to the northwest (the prevailing) is significant and in order to get to that anchorage, you have to encircle the entire group to get to it ( you cannot go directly from St James' on Beaver Island to the east and north to the anchorage on Hog). I suppose that if it were flat and predicted to remain that way, it would be an interesting day anchorage, but not what I would look for overnight; no place to duck into if needed). You might go over there from Garden or Whiskey or Squaw for a few hours on a calm day. Just some thoughts.
Jeff.

[Jeff Ritsema]

Mark,
One other thought, and again, I could be all wet, having never visited there, but I have not heard of many heading to Manistique (an industrial town)???
A lot of folks transit directly to the Beaver Island group from Washington Island or, I would imagine, from Fayette area. The open water exposure is only slightly longer and not a problem on the right day. Leaving early AM when calm, it's only about 4 hours at 10 knots. FWIW.
When we launched at Sturgeon Bay there was a large municipal marina with great facilities and a private marina to store the trailor just up the street. Is Ephraim as good? I only remember Ephraim from the water side when we went in there. Long time ago, Mark.
I also would offer a thought to anyone coming at Wisconsin from east, mid, or west Michigan. We trailered up to Ludington on the west coast of Michigan and loaded our rig onto the Badger, a VERY LARGE ferry that transits across the lake to Manitowac, Wisc. Pleasant ride, and a great way to avoid the tremendous headache of trailering through the Chicago area, something I would only do at night or non-commuter hours given no alternative. Then, only a short ride up to Sturgeon Bay and the Door.

[Mark Prouty]

Jeff,

I dont think Manistique is an industrial town. Are you thinking of Port Inland? But you bring up a good point. I feel that if conditions are right, it might be a good opportunity to head to the Beaver Island group from South River Bay / Fayette, Skipping Manistique would give us more time. There is a possibility that we might be forced to spend a day or two at St. James Harbor waiting for decent weather to head back. I am going to add Manistique as an option on the way back,

Thanks,
Mark