GL: Great Lakes

[Rob Johnson]

We have sailed in the Great Lakes for 20+ years, more specifically Lake
Huron with some side trips to Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and to Duluth in
Lake Superior.  We have owned a home on Canada's North Channel for the last
nine years, up until yesterday when we closed. I have spent a few days
sailing on the Chesapeake. We lived in Michigan for 50+ years and are
familiar with most ports on the lakes.  With that said, I would vote for
Georgian Bay, north of Perry Sound and for the North Channel. I feel that
this area has the finest cruising around. With that said, we head out on
either Sunday or Monday from Bruce Mines, Ontario for Mobile Bay.

 

Some points to consider:

Georgian Bay and North Channel are wilderness areas, few marinas and many
excellent anchorages.

 

The winds pick up out of the NW later in the season so don't get caught in
the south end of GB later in the season (mid August and beyond). When out on
the open bay, it can be tough getting back into a safe harbor. (Hangdog reef
as an example.)

 

The only real "crowds" in northern Canada are from 1 Jul to 15 Aug. 

 

The Michigan side of Lake Michigan has many nice little towns and a couple
of cities. As far as I am concerned too many tourists in the summer and not
enough anchorages. Of course, towns mean restaurants. We shall see next week
what I think after our run down the lake in the next couple of weeks.

 

Mackinac Island is worth a stop if you have never been there. The anchorage
there is terrible, if you decide to drop a hook you should plan on keeping a
24 hour anchor watch.

 

I do not know of any knowledgeable boater in the Great Lakes that use Statue
Miles, I may be wrong. The harbors may list distances from harbor to harbor
in that fashion however. 

 

 

Rob Johnson

s/v Danny's Fault

Finally ready to shove off!!