Great Lakes - Went to Mackinac

Believe it or not some boaters aren't fishing on Lake Erie! The wife and I just got back from taking a trip to Mackinac Island in our 25' Pursuit from Lake St. Clair. All the harbors are basically empty and no one was on the water. Gas was $4.02 is Harbor Beach to a high of $4.50 in Mackinac City. The only place we saw anyone fishing was off Grindstone City. Great trip and great harbors, but it did get HOT. Thank goodness for portable air conditioning. Sure can tell that the economy is in trouble, wait a minute, someone said the recession is over!!!! Tell Michigan.

Nice trip. Wife and I love it up there.

I cant wait till my kids are old enough to drive the boat so I can sit and stare a that view for hours and never get bored. Fantastic.

Fresh water 'ocean'. Gotta love it!:thumbsup:

St. Ignace is full. Hessel is full.

We'll be looking to do that trip next year John. Will probably trailer the 26' to Tawas and do a 10-day circuit up through Georgian Bay, Mackinaw, including the Les Cheneaux. Trailering from Cleveland past "the thumb" gives us another 4 days on the boat and more flexibility if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Is your Pursuit configured with the twin 350s straight inboards? I'm thinking you're turning 2,400 RPM and 25 knots? Great setup.

Just have a single 350 (260HP) sterndrive. Cruise at 3000-3100 rpm and 21-22 mph. 9 gallons per hour fuel burn. Carrying an extra load as far as portable air conditioning and bicycles and maybe a few beers the live
wells. 1100 hours on the boat and we love it. Added pressure water and a few other little items. Carried the carry-on air on the bow with a tie down. No problem with visibility. We plan to head for Put-in-Bay before fall. Love da water!!! Moonrise over Mackinac. John

Those are good burn numbers John,

On our way up to Sarnia last month, we did 2,500 RPM and 12 MPH for a 9 GPH rate. 454 7.4 litre single on a bravo 3 sucks the gas. We had water-like-glass conditions for a week, so going slow was no problem . . . in fact great fun.

That's a great picture and too familiar. I grew up in Escanaba; we were yacht club members at the Mac club . . . there every summer; but the best part was always heading east to Hessel. Can't wait to get back.

We'll be in PIB in September too. I'll keep an eye out for you.

Love going up to that area; we used to head up almost every year but it is tough for me to take the required time off to really enjoy the trip and with fuel prices the way they are (.85 mpg) we have just hung around our own backyard (Lake Erie Islands) and just take multiple long weekends.

My wife and I used to joke that we should just swap boats with the Michigan folks for a week as every time we would be heading north through the Detroit River there were just as many Michigan boaters heading to the Lake Erie Islands as there were Ohio boaters heading North into St. Clair and Huron. We would all save a bunch of money on fuel.

Docked at the island right now with the wife and 3 boys. Marina is full this weekend!

Was the slips at the island packed? I just went on line tried to make a reservation for this week and chouldn't because none were avialble. They never used to researve slips, now looks like they are.

Was the slips at the island packed? I just went on line tried to make a reservation for this week and chouldn't because none were avialble. They never used to researve slips, now looks like they are.

Call Gail at Hessel Marina. May be some slips available. St.Ignace maybe?

Went from Port Wing Wisconsin to Ontonagon, Copper Harbor (2 nights), Houghton/Hancock, and back to Port Wing and other than a few sail boats in the apostle islands we didn't see another pleasure boat on the lake. A couple of evening cruisers were out in Houghton and and a few small fishing boats on the bay at copper. A buddy of mine recently was up at Isle royale and it was similar there. I agree, it has to be the bad economy.

Was the slips at the island packed? I just went on line tried to make a reservation for this week and chouldn't because none were avialble. They never used to researve slips, now looks like they are.

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. Many marina's in Michigan now can be reserved on-line through the DNR web site. For Mackinaw, we did it in Feb. as there was a conference for my wife that weekend that we wanted to go to...

I just got back for Mackinac Island, I did get a slip for two nights without any problem. A week before the Reservations were all taken, So I gues I got lucking. It was a good time, We had some freinds spend the night on the Island in a hotel and my Mom and Dad were there for a day. Then a buddy that I haven't seen in a year, at pitol. Had a pick up, so I got to see him fly in. Pretty good weather but a bit rough out there.






Sorry I didn't reply sooner. Many marina's in Michigan now can be reserved on-line through the DNR web site. For Mackinaw, we did it in Feb. as there was a conference for my wife that weekend that we wanted to go to...

http://www.thehulltruth.com/members/bigblockcutlass-albums-boat-picture55056-0810111706.jpg

sorry to bring this post back up. We just moved out "here" to the mid-west. Thinking about going to Mackinac island this summer as I've heard good things. Where did you dock? Stay? etc... we have a 5 yr old

thanks,
Mark

You stay right there, the island has plent of docks. But you should make reservations, they do fill up. Bring plenty of dock lines, the island ferry wakes run through the docks and will till midnight. It's a great place to visit.

yeah the docks in the photo just above your post are the only docks. if you want to stay ashore there are lots of hotel within a short walk, from basic to fancy.

most of the island "attractions" are historic or shopping. our family really enjoys going to the old fort and also touring the historic stops as you walk through the town. TIP: if you buy the membership you will save some money and you can also visit the old fort in Mackinac City and the Mackinac Mill Creek site. both of which are well worth a bit of time.

there is also a retired coast guard icebreaker that you can tour in Mackinac City that I really enjoy. the little fish joint right in front of the coast guard icebreaker entrance has nice meals too.

cheers
jerry

thanks,

guys

Just another $.02 worth . . . We've always found that a day, maybe two, is all we can take of fudge, horses, and crowds.

I always look forward to getting to Rogers City, Cheboygan, and points northeast (Georgian Bay) to be the most enjoyable. But the 5-year-old will definitely get a lot of stimulation on the island. Everyone will be wiped out at the end of the day :)

sorry to bring this post back up. We just moved out "here" to the mid-west. Thinking about going to Mackinac island this summer as I've heard good things. Where did you dock? Stay? etc... we have a 5 yr old

thanks,
Mark


Is your boat trailerable?

What boat?

yes, we have a 2020 (20 foot key west walk around) plan was to put in somewhere near Green Bay (new to area so suggestions are very welcome)

I would not really advise going from Green Bay to Mackinac Island in a 20 foot boat. I mean you probably can but you may want to cruise around Green Bay itself a little first. Plenty to see and do on the Door Peninsula.

I know the OP did his trip in a 25 foot boat but he is probably around the lower limit size wise and somewhat picking his days. He also did the Lake Huron route which is sheltered somewhat from the prevailing Westerly winds.

I would not really advise going from Green Bay to Mackinac Island in a 20 foot boat. I mean you probably can but you may want to cruise around Green Bay itself a little first. Plenty to see and do on the Door Peninsula.

I know the OP did his trip in a 25 foot boat but he is probably around the lower limit size wise and somewhat picking his days. He also did the Lake Huron route which is sheltered somewhat from the prevailing Westerly winds.

I agree. Door County to Mackinac Island in a 20 foot boat is too risky.

Cruising Door County is much nicer anyways.

thanks for the info, exactly what I was looking for. May stay on the Wis side this summer

thanks

You have many, MANY options in the Bay, lakeside, and islands. From Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Bailey's Harbor, to Washington and Rock Island, to St. Martins, Escanaba, Fayette, and many many more. Save Mac for a long weekend getaway and trailer.

A few years back, I was in St. Ignace putting the boat in the water to go to mackac island. This one guy had a 20 foot boat, maybe. All I can remember is it was a inboard, V Dive boat with an open bow with and cover on it. had on set modified to sleep on. He told me he was going around Lake Huron and last year made a trip around Superior. He had a laptop for a gps. (wich i'm sure didn't like water or the pounding) I thought I was going to be reading about him in the paper someday. At that time I had a 23 foot powerplay witch looked like twice the boat and I wouldn't go around Huron

I think you got some good advice regarding boating from Green Bay to Mackinac in your boat. I am sure it would be fun in the right conditions, but if the weather changes things might get out of hand.

You could easily trailer to St. Ignace and go out from there however. watch the weather and have a back up plan if the forecast is wrong.

cheers
jerry

Hi Guys, It's me, the original poster. Don't pass up Mackinac Island even with a 5 yr old. My grandkids loved the horses and the fort. We are planning another trip for this summer. Great vacation and you are on the water ! Can it get any better?