As much as I'd love to go back to Bimini or Andros or the Abacos or anywhere tropical next spring, that drive to Florida with the boat is a killer.
There's been talk of a Great Lakes Cruise next summer that some of us northern sailors may be interested in. Sail around northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, stopping at historic Mackinac Island among other places. If any of you are interested in a cruise like this, post it here. Let's see if we can get a group together.

Rick

I'm with you on the distance, Rick. After three years, 1500 miles each way I'm completely burnt.

I've already stated I'm not going further from home than one trailer day next year. I was thinking of avoiding TTWS (total tropical withdrawal syndrome) by shooting for someplace intermediate like the Outer Banks of NC, but Chicago (for example) is approximately the same distance.

Let's hear the ideas.

Dave as much as we would like to go, we also think we would like to take a year off of the drive to Florida. (I'm running out of cars!) We had a blast the last two years and wouldn't have missed it. In a previous post, I pointed out the idea for a Northern Gulf Cruise like the Catalina group did. I was not proposing it for this coming year but thought we might keep it in mind for some future year planning.

I know that several of us talked about the possibility of an Outer Banks Cruise as Chip mentioned. We are certainly up for that. In a previous post Wade also mentioned the desire for such a cruise.

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4190

Follow this thread for the upcoming Door County Wisconsin / Lake Michigan trip. I sure am gonna try to make it.

I, just like Chip could be up for a long days drive to the Outer Banks.

Are there any Conchs in that area to advise us on marinas or anchorages.

Larry

The Great Lakes or Outer Banks sound interesting but for us at this time they don't hold a candle to a tropical vacation in quiet, unspoiled island...while it lasts...before the casinos get there (and they are coming!) With warm water that is clear enough to see your anchor in 30 feet...so I will drive the extra miles to get to the jump off point. Because these are trips my family will remember forever. Our old teenagers/young adults unanimously voted for Bimini 2006 over Florida keys or anywhere else. Donna and I are planning to balance this out with a trip to geologically diverse Iceland.

David Cason

Sounds great! I bought a Macgregor 26X last summer and am also hooked with the notion of going to the Bahamas! I am up for either the Bahamas (1st choice) or the Outer Banks of North Carolina.