The North Channel of Lake Huron was named one of the Top Ten Cruising Destinations in the World by "Sailing" or one of the other magazines just a couple years ago. I've sailed my own boat and chartered there and I have to agree that it is a world-class place to
cruise.
You could
trailer your boat to the Straits of Mackinac or Manitoulin Island,
Ontario, or just sail from Traverse Bay. You could spend a couple weeks or all summer. July and August are the prettiest time, but the sailing/breeze is better in the fall. Temps are cool and
fog is likely in June and Sept.
The Trailer Sailing Association has taken a
cruise in the North Channel every year for many years. I've never joined them (my boat isn't trailerable) but they seem to do a great job for trailerable boats and you cruise in company of other boats.
http://www.trailersailors.org/
Also, the Great Lakes
Cruising Club (
http://www.glcclub.com/) is a great source for "Local Knowledge". I'm a
member and highly recommend their Harbor Reports. As a
member, you can download these reports which detail every port and anchorage throughout the Great Lakes (some 2000 of them!) and they have local Port Captains you may contact for more info. These Harbor Reports are updated by memebers online, so the info is usually very good, detailed and
current. The GLCC will be opening an online "School" featuring webinars about cruising the Great Lakes. You may want to check those out in a few weeks when it opens up.
In addition, there is wonderful sailing in all the Great Lakes. The prior posts are excellent info! Also check out Lake Erie (the Islands of Western Lake Erie, Long Point, the many
ports on both US and Canada's shoreline),
Lake Ontario (the Thousand Islands at the eastern end), and
Lake Superior (the Apostle Islands, Isle Royale).
The Great lakes are a tremendous cruising ground with everything from big cities to small towns, major
ports to complete wilderness, fresh
water where you can see the bottom in 40+ feet. Make your cruise happen and you'll be very happy you did!