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trisailer · 18-02-2013, 13:40

I plan to spend the summer on Lake Michigan this summer.
Looking for info on mooring fields or slips that do not cost a fortune, around Milwaukee or north.
Also places to launch a 31ft Trimaran, most likely with a crane.
Long term parking, as I plan to sail out for a week or so at a time.
Any books or info anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

rognvald · 18-02-2013, 16:31

Trisailor,
Check out Racine Yacht Club (Racine, Wi.) and McKinley Marina (Milwaukee) both of which have moorings. There are not many inexpensive choices on southern Lake Michigan. Good luck and good sailing.

trisailer · 20-02-2013, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by rognvald

Trisailor,
Check out Racine Yacht Club (Racine, Wi.) and McKinley Marina (Milwaukee) both of which have moorings. There are not many inexpensive choices on southern Lake Michigan. Good luck and good sailing.

Thanks for your reply rognvald.
McKinley is very expensive, $3800 membership + slip etc.
That hurt.
At present I'm looking at mooring at South Shore.
Membership to the Yacht club is more reasonable, but still in the $1800 range plus slip fees.
I found out you can buy a mooring there for around $5oo to $700.
Then you can dingy out to your boat, so that is all the costs involved, other than parking.
Parking looks to be the biggest hurdle to over come.

Found a boat yard who will launch my boat for $300 including mast stepping.
Now that is what I call a bargain
I'm sure there will be stuff that will come up that costs more, that I do not see yet.

rognvald · 20-02-2013, 12:53

Trisailer, do the moorings in the center of McKinley marina(north) belong to them or another club? The moorings in South Shore are well protected behind the south breakwater and sound like a great deal. You'll have some great downwind rides on a strong easterly as the "Michigan Chop" bounces and dances off the North, Central and South breakwaters. We've surfed into Milwaukee on crisscrossed confused seas on more than one occassion. Good luck and good sailing.

trisailer · 21-02-2013, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by rognvald

Trisailer, do the moorings in the center of McKinley marina(north) belong to them or another club? The moorings in South Shore are well protected behind the south breakwater and sound like a great deal. You'll have some great downwind rides on a strong easterly as the "Michigan Chop" bounces and dances off the North, Central and South breakwaters. We've surfed into Milwaukee on crisscrossed confused seas on more than one occassion. Good luck and good sailing.

I've been told the moorings belong to them

But everyone else says, the moorings are public parties owned.
So to avoid their (s---) I have decided on South Shore.
Nicer place anyhow.
Found one for sale and think I will probably go that route.
Lots of checking on how it all works, before I fork out the money.

Mark1948 · 13-03-2013, 19:42

Moorings in McKinley Marina are privately owned, some are available to lease/rent. The MAMA has some influence over the field contact Gene Cramer as to possible leasing of a mooring. You got some bad info on the docks at McKinley, only those controlled by the Milwaukee Yacht Club require a membership, the rest are rented by the County. There may be a waiting list. There is also short term visitor dock space (limited) Bigger issue is storing a dinghy. Storage can be rented from the County, by checking at the Round House at McKinley Marina. Also the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center does rent some Dinghy storage. Many locations that can unload a trimaran. You can contact the Horny Goat Marina for one. McKinley has better protection from storms from the northeast. SouthShore has some depth issues in part of the mooring field. If you have less than 4ft should not be and issue.

Greggegner · 13-03-2013, 20:03

We have a dock at Reef Point in Racine. Nice social life, pool, hot tub, and restaurant / bar. Also walking distance to town. Plenty of room and we have a few trimarans. Stop in to dock E7 if you get there. We also spent a year in Sheboygan and 3 years at McKinley. Nothing reel bad about the other two but we prefer Reef Point.

oscarparsons · 17-03-2013, 17:01

Have you checked out the Michigan shore of Lake Michigan???? We sail the northern part of the lake and are always shocked at marina fees when we go to Wisconsin.....way more expensive. We mostly gunk hole which is the cheapest way to go.