Lake St Clair to Petoskey.

Doc O Rock

Active Member
Mar 23, 2016
448
Belle Maer Harbor, North Channel Yacht Club
Boat Info
1999 380 Sundancer
Engines
twin 7.4 Merc
We are planning on traveling from Lake St Clair around the "Mitten" to the Petoskey, Charlevoix area. I'm thinking of stops in Port Austin, Presque Isle, Macinaw Island then Petoskey. Then a week in the area, (one of my favorite places in Michigan), and then home. Does this sound doable? Have any of you done this trip?
 
Haven't done it, yet. I definitely think that it's doable.

My ultimate goal before moving south is to take a trip around to Chicago. I'll be coming from Catawba Island on Lake Erie.

Take notes so I can copy them when I'm ready to take the trip! I'm hoping to make it to Mackinac Island this year! Definitely hitting Detroit this year.
 
I've used my Bluecharts app to plot a trip around the mitten several times. Just daydreaming for me. It's definitely doable.

If you're going to come all the way to Petoskey have you considered spending another day or two and hit places like Traverse City or Leland? Leland (fishtown) is a really neat spot.
 
That's a very doable trip. Make plans asap though - the island books up fast.

I've never been to Port Austin. We usually stop in Lexington, then maybe Harrisville, Presque Isle...

I like to stay at Bay Harbor. You can't walk to downtown Petoskey, but something about 80 ft of water at the dock and a views of 15,000 sq ft "cottages" makes it a decent trade-off.
 
Yes it is doable, and I say that only because I have made that journey. Last summer I took an L590 from Grosse Point Yacht Club all the way around to Holland, with stops in Presque Isle and Bay Harbor... As a Florida boy who doesn't cotton too well when in the north, I have to admit that Kid Rock is right when he yells out how beautiful Northern Michigan is. I thought I was in Royalty when at Bay Harbor Yacht Club (Cheryl Crow was the entertainment that evening). BUT, what I experienced going under the Mackinaw Bridge was a heck of a lot worse than most my days on the Atlantic Ocean, and certainly the Gulf of Mexico, Lordy! Six footer on the nose, five footer hitting the transom, another six footer on the beam..should have hung my dirty laundry over the side since I was already in the drum, tumbling.

Post pic's Doc, so the rest of the world can see how lucky you guys are up there!

Capt. R
 
I helped move a 460 from Algonac to Frankfort last May. It wasn't a sight seeing trip but it was fun. We over-nighted in Rogers City, Charlevoix and got forced off the lake in Frankfort on our way to Grand Haven. Great experience. Would have liked a few more days to check out the Lake Huron ports a little.
 
Went from Lk St Clair up to Mackinaw last summer, first time doing that trip.
I would stop at Port Austin (one of my favorite harbors), then run to Mackinaw Island. Not sure beyond that. Was a calm / flat day on Huron until I got into the Straits. Ran into 6' waves due to the wind in the Mackinaw Straits area. Love traveling the big blue waters of the Great Lakes.
 
The city and a fish is "Mackinaw" Everything else (bridge, island, straits, fort) is "Mackinac". Port Austin and Presque Isle are great ports although Presque Isle is a bit isolated if you get weathered in there. Prepare for a ton of boat movement at the Mackinac Island docks. The harbor is open to the wakes of the ferry traffic. We've enjoyed Petoskey and stayed at the city marina. Caught a shuttle to the casino on a week night for the seafood buffet there. It was very good. If you get to Charlevoix, consider a run up the lake to Boyne City. That's a real nice option to the busier Charlevoix. The Harborage marina at Boyne is first class and just a couple blocks from downtown. Mackinaw City has a lot to offer for an overnight maybe on your return trip. Locals will know Darrow's restaurant as the spot for a good meal or the Keyhole Bar downtown for a great burger and brew. We've been to all the ports you've mentioned and were seasonal in Mackinaw City for a few years.
 
Sounds like a great time, I think the poker run is July 13 and 14 in Boyne city, and if I’m not mistaken the Mac race is the next weekend, slips fill up fast.
 
You will love the trip. I would also recommend Bay Harbor. I always insist on hitting the North Channel on the way home. It's my favorite part of going up north.
 
I would not miss the north channel if you are going all that way. Been going for the last 40 years. Of course I am now retired and spend 6-8 weeks up there. Anchor out 1/2 of the time. Have done the Lake Michigan side but prefer the boon docks. I usually run up and down the center of Lake Huron in one 8-9 hr day. Pick your good weather and go, lucky to have diesels the last 6 years. I used to split it up when I had gas
 
Show me a GL boater who's ready to get out of boating "because there's not enough time", "we've done it long enough", "it's time to do something else" etc., and I can probably show you someone who hasn't taken a boat trip to the north channel.

Having said that, the east end of the north channel is a surprisingly long way from The Mac, and "channel" is a misnomer IMO. That's a big, formidable body of water. Worthy of seeing for sure, but it's more than a simple stop-over/side-trip.
 
We are planning on traveling from Lake St Clair around the "Mitten" to the Petoskey, Charlevoix area. I'm thinking of stops in Port Austin, Presque Isle, Macinaw Island then Petoskey. Then a week in the area, (one of my favorite places in Michigan), and then home. Does this sound doable? Have any of you done this trip?
We spend lots of time in northwest lower Michigan every summer. The one place also worth seeing that no one one mentioned is Harbor Springs. It is a beautiful town and harbor with good places to eat and walk. You go right past it on the way to Petosky. Mike, the Harbor Master runs a good operation. Also never fails to attract many unusual and beautiful yatchs.
 
guest house remodel 019.jpg One of many nice boats you will see in Harbor Springs.
guest house remodel 019.jpg
 
IMG_2462.JPG
cruisng pix and p  p and w 043.jpg
Here are two more pix of the area. One shows view of Harbor Springs from the vantage point of the public anchorage where we spend some time. The other is of Round Lake where the Charlevoix city marina is located. Charlevoix is very nice, but can be very noisy at night.
 
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We will be in the Northern waters The week of July 1st. Bever Island, Mackinaw Island, Charlevoix, Frankfort. I’ll have to stop in Harbor Springs, it’s been a long time, thanks for mentioning SBW !
 

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