Mackinac Island

[Jughead135]

Any suggestions for visiting Mackinac Island by water?


Would like to bareboat in the Great Lakes, but no experience there. Any recommendations (for or against!) on where to charter, places to visit in addition to Mackinac, et cetera, are greatly appreciated!

[AnsleyS]

Jug,


We went there while on the Loop and it is expensive to stay in the marina at the island and there is a lot of traffic coming in and out so it is not calm. We stayed at Mackinaw City marina and took our bike over to the island on the ferry.

[Michigan_Eric]

My suggestion is: YES. Mackinac Island is one of the jewels of the Great Lakes. In July, the harbor is jammed with boats after each Mackinac race. If you ride a bicycle, try to take your own but there are plenty of bike rentals available for $50.00/day.

I don't know where to charter from, but the season is underway so reserve a boat as soon as you can... but don't be surprised if everything is booked for the season already. It won't be cheap.

From Mackinac Island, head east to the Cheneaux Islands, and of course the North Channel and Georgian Bay, where you can spend an entire summer exploring the most remote and beautiful cruising grounds in North America.

Or go west through the Straits of Mackinac to Lake Michigan.

[Mike OReilly]

I know there is at least one charter company based in the North Channel, which is not far from Mackinac Island. There are also charter companies in the Bayfield, WI area on Lake Superior. I'm sure there must be a lot more further south.

[Jughead135]

Originally Posted by AnsleyS

We went there while on the Loop and it is expensive to stay in the marina at the island and there is a lot of traffic coming in and out so it is not calm. We stayed at Mackinaw City marina and took our bike over to the island on the ferry.

Thanks, Ansley--that's great gouge!


So, I take it there's no anchoring (or, at least, no realistic/desirable anchoring)--it's all docks (or perhaps mooring balls) for rent?

[Jughead135]

Originally Posted by Michigan_Eric

My suggestion is: YES. Mackinac Island is one of the jewels of the Great Lakes. [...]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I know there is at least one charter company based in the North Channel, which is not far from Mackinac Island [...]

Excellent. Thank you both!

[IRENE]

Mackinac Island - the harbor has lots of surge due to the ferry wakes. Staying there affords you the beauty of the evening transition though, when the ferry passengers retreat and the place gets quiet. It is pretty special in the evening and early morning. Staying at the marina in St. Ignace is an option too, then hop on the ferry.

Chartering - Canadian Yacht Charters North, or CYC North, used to operate out of Gore Bay. My information is dated and may or may not be relevant now. Their boats were superbly maintained, and they offered a fantastic charter experience. The boats were equipped very well, right down to satellite radio and mosquito repellant. Easy sleep aboard the night before, easy check out, easy to check back in after. It is not the most convenient place to get to from the USA, much better from Ontario. We did 2 charters with them about 10 years ago now. Looking at their website, it appears to be the same owners today. They were a first class outfit. If Ken is still there, ask him for advice. This is one of the best cruising grounds in the great lakes. www.cycnorth.com

You probably would NOT charter from CYC North and visit Mackinac Island.

You could combine a Mackinac Island car trip with a CYC North charter. Two weeks would get you a week-long charter, a couple of travel days on both sides, and a couple of days in the Mackinac Island area. We did a similar trip but substituted a few days in downtown Toronto for Mackinac Island (where we could go for dinner as we were very close).

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by AnsleyS

Jug,


We went there while on the Loop and it is expensive to stay in the marina at the island and there is a lot of traffic coming in and out so it is not calm. We stayed at Mackinaw City marina and took our bike over to the island on the ferry.

We've done that a couple times. It's just easier to tie up in Mackinaw City and take the ferry across. Or St Ignace on the UP side of the Bridge. The ferries run from both.

[rognvald]

You can anchor east or west of the Mackinaw bridge with good holding in prevailing winds. We anchored west of the bridge on the south shore in a good sand bottom-- 10-12 feet in a strong southerly heading for the St. Lawrence River. We left at night and headed into Lake Huron during settled conditions. Marinas are not the only answer if you have good ground tackle and are willing to avoid the Herd.
Rognvald