Lake Erie to Lake Huron

[Svsumurun]

Originally Posted by frank31

Good stuff. We’re leaving Fairport Friday morning hoping to make Putin Bay. Looks like a busy place!

That is LONG day , and pulling in there Friday night might be iffy for a dock( especially with no rafting this year ) there is mooring balls off the boardwalk that usually have space .

We are in Lorain ( which is half way between Cleveland and the islands ) , if you decide not to run the whole way. Especially because you won't get any sleep on put in bay on a Friday night

[Nicholson58]

We found dock space and moorings crazy expensive at Put In Bay. Anchored by Perry’s Monument. Massive mayfly hatch covered everything on the boat and on shore. Good Pizza at Frosty’s. Get a shirt.

[Svsumurun]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

We found dock space and moorings crazy expensive at Put In Bay. Anchored by Perry’s Monument. Massive mayfly hatch covered everything on the boat and on shore. Good Pizza at Frosty’s. Get a shirt.

Yeah it's expensive .. good thing the mayflies are a week long thing only... can also recommend the rum punch at frosty's - the buckets are good if you only want '1' drink

[frank31]

First night we have slip at Middle Bass Island, Saturday we’re looking for something maybe Gibraltar? Is there a preferred route route North bound in the Detroit River? Looks narrow and shallow on the chart!

[Nicholson58]

There are some walls along the way where you can tie up, probably no charge. Look at parks and boardwalks. A cruising guide might name some.

Water is about two feet deeper this year, probably faster. There are alternate channels and routs around some islands.

[t380029]

Hi Frank, We (44 ft, 6ft draft) just sailed from Lake St. Clair to Harrisville on Lake Huron. Deep water all the way.

Our dock mates (43 ft, 6ft. Draft) just returned from Put-in-Bay.

On the way North this year, we stopped at St. Clair (nice marina and town, bridge opens every half hour). Skipped Port Huron, but it’s open. Stopped at Port Sanilac, Skipped Harbor Beach because Marina is closed for construction. Stayed at the wall in Port Austin because Marina is closed due to winter damage. Can also anchor there. Harrisville has a nice Marina.
Port Sanilac, Harbor Beach, Port Austin and Harrisville are harbors of refuge with anchorages.

Previous years we’ve stopped at Presque Isle, Rogers City and Mackinac Island before heading into Lake Michigan.

On the Detroit River, our dock mates anchored on the North side of Stony Island off the Livingston Channel at the South end of the River.
My experience with Gibraltar and most areas outside of the shipping channel is that the channels are choked with weeds this time of year. If you go there, be prepared to clear your prop,strut and strainer.
Once you get to the North end of the Detroit River/ Lake St. Clair there are several harbors that have transient slips.



With 50 hp you should not have a problem with currents. Approaching the Blue Water Bridges, very near the Canadian shoreline, current is much less and there are helpful back eddies. Our slowest SOG under the bridges was 2.9 knots with 75 hp.
Have a great trip.
Mike

[frank31]

Thank you everyone for your help, your knowledge, experience and sharing helped make this a great trip. We did one day hops, 11 days with 10 on the water. Even got to sail a bit in the Saginaw Bay. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you on the docks and water!