Hello from Michigan

[Rainh2o2]

Hello again...its taken me 2 yrs but I am finally, seriously, with cash in hand, in the market for a sailboat! I have had to convince the wife she would like it. She wanted a camper. We walked around many docks and boats before this year when I finally got her on board one of my friends Oday 25 the other day. The first thing out of her mouth when she went down inside the cabin was "WOW, this is like a camper!" And now that she realized that we can cruise up and down the shore of lake Michigan staying at various marinas, shes actually excited...so...tomorrow I go look at another O'Day boat and I have a 27 Ericson in mind to look at.. Been lurking for the last 2 yrs and now hopefully I can finally interact as a fellow sailor!

[Celestialsailor]

Welcome to the forum. There are many good boats out there. Maybe look at the Catalina's also.

[bryguy67]

Welcome RainH202! If you need a cheap slip to rent, let me know. I've got one with Lake Michigan access on White Lake.

[RainDog]

Congrats Rain. Welcome aboard.

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard, and go for it!

[SV Siren]

Welcome aboard from a fellow Michigander...good luck, lots of good boats to pick from right now. Whereabouts in Michigan are you from?

[matauwhi]

Welcome aboard, Mate. If you get a chance, stop by and see Dave at Sailplace.com. Great folks and can give you some insights on whats out there, both new and used. All the best with the search and dream. Cheers.

[GregSteimel]

I owned a 25 O'Day that ended up in Grand Rapids. Loved the swing keel (although it was getting floppy) and it heeled pretty hard in medium high winds but just great fun to sail. And storing it during the winters on a trailer is a big money-saver.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
You have done the hardest part of cruising already. You've got the mate interested.

[Rainh2o2]

Well we did it...the O'day I was looking at ended up being pretty rough for the price he was asking...looked at another but it didnt have a trailer. Found a nice 25 Catalina for the right price! Was kept by an really nice, older gentleman that sailed for over 40 yrs and he kept it in a barn and covered. Now if the ice and snow will just melt so I can get it home...its drifted in so bad we will have to wait to get it out of the barn at least its out of the weather I hope to get a slip over on Muskegon Lake, will find out about that soon...a friend of mine has one there and the prices are low and the people are friendly!

[Rainh2o2]

Originally Posted by Land Cruiser

Welcome aboard from a fellow Michigander...good luck, lots of good boats to pick from right now. Whereabouts in Michigan are you from?

North of Grand Rapids Land Cruiser....in fact the boat I found was down in your part near Martin...

[Nicholson58]

Welcome:

We also live in Grand Rapids. We keep our boat at Harbortown in Muskegon. Muskegon Lake is a good venue. You can sail on Muskegon if the big lake is too rough. The water is cleaner than at Grand Haven or Holland. The harbor entry is well maintained and the wave expander pond keeps the big lake bore from entering the channel so you can always get in even in bad weather. White Lake is also nice but a bit longer drive & tighter channel. You could also consider trailer launching perhaps from Torresens Marine or at Harbortown by Dockers.

Caution on the Muskegon Lake shoal. Get a local chart.