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Lake Michigan to Lake Erie?

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George Beck
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/22/2003 : 20:57:57

Picking up 29' sail at Racine,Wis. end of May and sailing to Sandusky, on Lake Erie. Trip involves crossing Lake Michigan, around the U P through the Mackinaw straits,down Lake Ontario, Down Detroit River from Lake St. Clair into Detroit River into Lake Erie to Sandusky. Anyone made this trip or any part of. Any helpful info or suggestions appreciated. Fair Winds.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2003 : 21:59:35

I've sailed a little on St. Clair, the Detroit River, and western Erie... In that area, watch your depth, and stay out of the way of the ore boats in the channels--they won't swerve or slow down for anything, and they're really moving!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2003 : 23:00:47

George,

That sounds like a lot of fun! Can I come with? <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

The trip from Port Huron to Lake Erie should go relatively quick since you will be floating with the current in the two rivers. The current under the Bluewater bridge runs about 4mph and drops to about 1-2mph where it empties into Lake St. Clair.

Bluewater Bridge
<img src="http://www.porthuron.org/images/pic_bridge_boat.jpg" border=0>

Most powerboater's don't put in until almost June, so the waters below Port Huron won't be too crowded, but watch out for the big powerboats(30-50 footers) they can kick up some mighty big wakes as they race up and down the river between the lakes.

Water levels are really low, but that shouldn't be a problem since freighters can still get through, but be careful around islands in the rivers because they can be quite shallow on both the upriver and downriver side. If you stay in the shipping channels and watch yoour bouys you shouldn't have any problems. The only areas to watch out for is the lower Detroit River, in particular around the Grosse Isle area, where some of the water can get shallow. Additionally, there are two bridges to Grosse Isle that your sailboat won't get under so stay away from the American side.

I would suggest getting the Michigan Harbors Guide that is published by the Michigan DNR. It lists all of Michigan's Harbors and "Harbors of Refuge" in case you need to tuck into a port due to weather. The guide is free and it has a lot of information as well as aerial shots of the harbors. If you would like, email me your address and I'll mail one to you.

<img src="http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/recreationcamping/harbor%20map.gif" border=0>

Here's a link to the <i>Harbors and Harbors of Refuge</i> list.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10884_18317---,00.html

I would also pick up chart 14853. It's a chartbook that covers the St. Clair River, Lake St. CLair, and the Detroit River. I think I paid $20.00 for mine.

I highly recommend Lakeland Boating's "Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair Ports O' Call".

<img src="http://www.lakelandboating.com/shop/images/guide_erie1.jpg" border=0>

This book covers from Port Huron to the entire shore of Lake Erie. It contains aerial photos, charts, information, harbor tips, lat/longs, fuel stops,...etc. They have one for Lake Huron and if it's like the Lake Erie book, then I would get that also.

The distance from Port Huron to Sandusky is 133 miles and during your trip you'll pass my childhood playground in the St. Clair River, my place of work on the Detroit River, and my marina in Lake Erie.

The first island you'll encounter just south of Port Huron is Stag Island, Canada. This is where my father's cottage is and where I spent my childhood summers and now my kids spend a lot of time there. Be careful off the northern point and the western shore because it is quite shallow for a long way off the island. You can see the shallows in this photo.

<img src="http://www.aerialgraphics.com/photos/p1819.jpg" border=0>

As you pass downtown Detroit, you'll also pass my place of work. I love seeing the water on my way in to work.

<img src="http://downtownmotown.8k.com/xskyline182b.jpg" border=0>

As you leave the Detroit River and enter Lake Erie, you'll pass my marina at the Lake Erie Metropark marina.

<img src="http://www.michigandnr.com/PUBLICATIONS/PDFS/Harbors/Lake_Erie_Metropark.jpg" border=0>

If I think of any additional information, I'll pass it on.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 04/23/2003 02:25:41

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2003 : 13:38:35

Hi, I did much of this trip in 2000 on a power boat. You can see it and read all about it on www.indiscipline.org look at the "Cruise 2000" link. Also read the appropriate parts of "CJs Log". Here's my advice.

Cross Lake Michigan and harbor hop up the west coast of Michigan. They have lovely, low priced municipal marinas. We stayed at Pentwater (crossing from Sheboygan), then Ludington, Arcadia, Traverse City, Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, and finally Mackinaw City. This took 20 days in a 15 knot power boat. Be ready for bad weather. We got several days cruising and then held up for several days of bad weather at each port. When the weather is good, hit it! Elk Rapids was great, I would skip Traverse City but there is good shopping and we got our mail there. We were held up a week in Mackinaw City by constant bad weather.

From here we headed up through the north Channel, so I can't help you from this point on. The trip through Lake Michigan was fun and we met many great crews and other boats. Most were in a much greater hurry than we were.

There are some great guides you must have. The "Ports" cruising guides cover each lake. They have excellent color aerial photos of each port, plus all kinds of helpful information. They are a "must have".

Make sure to take a cell phone. Most of the marinas answered the phone on the first ring but never answered a VHF call.

Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2003 : 13:38:38

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2003 : 19:29:45

You meant...down Lake Huron instead of Ontario...

I can help a little with North Lake Huron...

From the Mackinaw Straits... shelter can be had at Cheboygan but not much farther is Hammond Bay which has a good harbor with gas and space to anchor within which will save a bit of time rather than the run into Cheboygan. But, Hammond Bay doesn't offer a place to eat and is pretty much deserted at sundown, so Cheboygan if needing to eat or on to Rogers City. Rogers City however would offer a short day down to Presque Isle Harbor.

If leaving the Straits early... a long day of 60 miles will make Presque Isle Harbor...

Next on the N/E corner of Michigan is Presque Isle Harbor....very nice modern marina and lots of anchorage space in the bay. A great deal here is temporary dockage for five bucks for two hours. This gives time to hit the showers, the resturant, and shop at the small store for necessities and ice cream. The bay offers excellent anchorage.

Presque Isle to Harrisville is a fairly long day...55 miles but avoids the long run into the deep bay at Alpena which would add more than 30 miles.

Harrisville has plenty of transient dockage and some amount of anchorage area within the harbor. There is shopping within walking distance. Its a popular stopping point becaue of its distance from points south and north.

Further south... I can't help you. It may be Tawas, but like Alpena it has a deep bay and cruisers may usually choose to bypass... so it could be Augrays (SP) would be the best choice.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - arlyn stewart on 04/24/2003 19:52:50

Edited by - on

redwards
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2003 : 19:57:49

Sorry it took so long to reply but aol has been giving us fits, keeps shutting us down in mid sentence. Even though we now sail in the coral blue waters of the Gulf off Pensacola Bay, Florida, Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay is our old stomping grounds. Sailed many of a Port Huron to Mackinaw race and doing another this year.
As mentioned in the last response from Arlyn, Cheboygan is a great stopping off point after leaving Mackinaw City or the Island, only about 16 miles (if you have time plan to spend an overnight at the Island with the horses and fudge (they don't allow motorized vehicles and are famous for their fudge and the sound of taps from the Fort will put you to sleep.)
After Cheboygan, Presque Isle is the best bet approx 55 miles, this will give you a jump on the next day to Harrisville and 45 miles or so, the ice cream cones from the store across from the docks in Presque is goood. You don't want to go into Alpena unless the weather chases you in, it's aprrox 15 miles in and a hard 15 miles back out. Careful to give room when rounding Thunder Bay point, the shallows come up fast at the point. Also when coming into Harrisville stay out in the lake well past Sturgeon point lighthouse before heading into the harbor, you may be in 20 feet of water but there are 18 foot rocks lurking below the surface.
After Harrisville (ice cream shop on the right about three blocks into town), the trip to Tawas about 35 miles is a great day , only one buoy to watch for is Ausable point, again there are some shallow bars to watch out for between the bouy and shore. You will enjoy the stay at Tawas, close walk into town right off the docks and lots of ice cream shops.
From Tawas you will cross Lake Huron to Port Austin, approx 40 miles. Set your sites for the Port Austin lighthouse and don't cut it short, lots of rocks and shallows around this port entrance. Chances are you won't be able to tie up at the docks because of shallow waters but this harbor has great anchoring grounds just out of the channel behind the breakwall (just have to dingy in for your ice cream cone) ----- Harbor beach would add another three hours or so and they have the same issues with water levels.
Next stop after Port Austin is a nice sail down the shore to Port Sanilac approx. 50 miles, great harbor several ice cream shops about a block from docks, lots of water but again don't hug the shore or cut it short due to more rocks.
From Port Sanilac you next stop is Port Huron on the St. Clair river, great stop on the trip, go thru the first bridge to the city docks for great service and again a short walk to the ice cream shops.
Your trip down the St. Clair river will be an entertaining experience with all the freighter traffic, follow the main channel to Lake St. Clair, approx 30 miles even though their is freighter traffic, usually the middle channel has shallows to deal with when you enter the lake. A great stop over before heading down the Detroit River is Winsor, Canada just off to your starboard as you enter the river, follow bouys to Canadian side, first marina you come to has great accomodations, you just have to call Canadian authorities from the dockmasters to check in.
Winsor down the Detroit river to Put in Bay on Lake Erie is about 40 miles.
Have a great trip and be sure to hit all those ice cream shops where I have left my mark <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ray Edwards
Catalina 25 sail # 5079
Cruiz'n <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

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