Vacation in Traverse Bay ???

[Wega24]

Hello fellow sailors,
I am planning somewhat like an 8 day vacation with my 24 foot Wega in the Traverse City bay.
This is supposed to happen in AUgust 02.
Can somebody tell me about the marinas or good places to anker out.
Places I should miss and places I surely want to go.

Please help making this a great first cruise.

I am sailing on Lake Carlile and consider myself a beginner, The boat is 30 year old but in excellent shape.

Thanks Thorsten
p.s. check out my old "wood" boat at
http://www.thorusa.com/sailing.htm

[islandives]

Grand Traverse Bay has some great sailing. I''d suggest:
-staying at least a night in Suttons Bay
-staying at least a night in Northport
-anchoring for an evening or two at Power Island
-anchoring at Old Mission
-spending a day or two in Traverse City
-Elk Rapids also has a brand new Marina, great little town.
-Charlivoix/round lake is great
Lake Michigan levels are very low, be careful and watch the charts. If you cross over from West Bay to East Bay, DO NOT cut the corner at Old Mission Point. You will have to go several miles out but it will be very shallow (as in rocks)inside of the light.
Remember, even though it''s a Bay, it can get ugly. A gust front several years ago knocked down several sailboats, two sailors were never found. Lots of sheltered places to hide if you need.
The water rivals the Carribean for the intense blues.

[webdeziner1]

Islandives couln''t be more thorough!!! However don''t forget Harbor Springs, gorgeous and you can anchor in cove for 4 days without hassle. I live in FL. now but grw up in Traverse. Still one of THE most beautiful places on earth. PS stay away from TC marina during Cherry Festival (July 2nd -12) NUTS or u may love it. Consider it fair warning. Wishing I were you, Heather

[k8qer]

Another place to check out is Charlevoix
and Lake Charlevoix. Lake Charlevoix is
accessible from Lake Michigan and a great
place to cruise. Three towns on the lake,
City of Charlevoix, Boyne City and East
Jordan.

[thorsten]

THANKS
all sounds great.
Now I have a few more questions.

What is a good marina in Traverse City where I can make my start and ending point and leave Car and trailer ? ( Tel number so I can call ahead ??)

Do you have to make reservations in the other harbours or do you call in on channel 16 on approach ?

Where is Power Island. just got my chart, but still couldnt find it :-(

Thanks again for all your help
Thorsten

[JWag]

Thorsten:

I might suggest Suttons Bay on the West Arm as your starting point. It''s less busy than Traverse City proper and puts you within 2 to 4 hours of Traverse, Bowers Harbor and Northport. You''ll have the easiest time getting a transient (visitor) slip at Suttons so that you can get organized and supplied for your cruise. Beyond the West Arm, you could sail around the top of Mission Penninsula and down the East Arm to Elk Rapids, but it''s a haul, about 40 miles or more from Northport. For that same distance or somewhat less, you could exit the top of Grand Traverse Bay and head east past Powers Island, into Little Traverse Bay to Charlevoix, a wonderful destination and our home port. Once there, you have access to Lake Charlevoix via Round Lake, or you can proceed 12 to 15 miles further to Petsokey or Harbor Springs.

Except for Bowers Harbor which is private but does have an occasional nightly slip, the other ports have public marinas that are first come/first serve. Bowers, Charlevoix and Harbor Springs also have good protected anchorages.

The State of Michigan publishes a guide to harbors for the entire Great Lakes. Check to see if the Michigan Waterways Commission os on the web or look under the Michigan DNR. The guide shows harbor layouts, list facilities, phone numbers, etc.

However you decide to do it, you really can''t go wrong as the whoe region is great for sailing. Hopefully your plans will become reality.

J. Wagner