I would be up for a Great Lakes cruise, I live in Indiana and any place I can drive in a day would get my vote. I admire all of you folks who have driven to Fl to make all the wonderful trips in the past few years. Maybe I can make that long drive someday, but for 06 I would love to go on a Great Lakes cruise with a group.

Ken

Ok, lets plan it! Let's all spend a couple days researching launch locations, possible sailing destinations, best times to go, etc. and post our ideas for discussion. I originally thought about launching in Sister Bay, Door County, WI (that's the peninsula northeast of Green Bay), and island hopping to Mackinac. There's a nice marina there with an excellent ramp and ample parking, but that would add several hundred miles of driving for those of you coming from the east. Maybe we should look for something in northern Michigan, maybe around the Traverse City area.
One thing I thought of is finding out when the Chicago-Mac race is, thinking that we should avoid Mackinac Island when hundreds of yachts are racing to it. Then I thought maybe it would be a fun time to be there, watching the finish and crashing the sailor's parties afterwards. We had a great time at the Abaco Regatta parties last summer.
Let's hear your ideas.

Rick

Take the ferry from Luddington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Save a lot of miles and miss the Chicago & Milwaukee areas.

See this thread for a lot of good planning already done.
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4190

Thanks Jack. Looks like if we all get together, this could be a big group.

We too live in Indiana and sail often out of New Buffalo Michigan, its in the lower east side and would be one of the closest points for most Conchs traveling from nearly any direction south, east or west of the lake. There is a good state park run marina there but only about 30 slips at around a buck a foot per night with elect/water (reservations required, and sometimes hard to get), one downfall of it is the bridge between the ramps and the lake, you must step your mast after you arrive at the marina. There is no area for "Anchoring out" even though the charts indicate one.

There is not much to do but sail in that area, no major attractions unless you wanted to cross the lake to Wisconsin (which I have never done), or go to Chicago (which I also have never done), I don't notice many people snorkelling, the lake is cold and not very clear.

For those who were on the trip this year the waves on Lake Michigan can be much more harsh than those we had on the ocean, the wave interval is around 3 seconds not the 6-7 second we had. Waves at 3 foot or less are ok but after that they start to get uncomfortable to me.

If there are a number interested I could do more research, let me know.

Larry

As I've stated, this year I'm not going to travel more than one trailer day from home. The original launch point they were discussing - Ephraim, WI is 1093 miles from my home; 18:21 hours, obviously a good two trailer days. No way I'm substituting a two day trailer trip to WI for a two plus day trip to FL.

For those coming from the east, the ferry at Ludington appears to allow a different route that's way shorter. For me it's 775 miles to Ludington, 12:21, quite a long day. Ludington to Ephraim is another 167 miles, 6:45 not including the wait for the ferry which only runs twice a day. Though the total is around 150 miles shorter, it's still longer at 19:07 total, not including the wait for the ferry, which could be up to twelve hours. So, though you're saving about 150 miles, you're actually takng longer.

In my book, the time factor on the ferry trip's irrelevant. Two passengers, round trip at $82/ea, plus tow vehicle $53 each way, plus boat & trailer, 31 feet hitch ball to mast tip times $4.95/ft each way, roughly $575 round trip. You've got to be kidding me.

Jack, don't I recall you were one of those who originally wanted to boycott Bimini because of the $140 entry fee?

Chip: Sorry to hear you won't be with us.

I never checked out the cost of the ferry and had no idea it would be so much. I've towed thru downtown Chicago* and Milwaukee on the Interstates at rush hour with no sweat and will do it again rather than pay $575 for the ferry. Coming from Cincinnati (intermediate family pit stop) the ferry is out of my way.

*I drove a CTA bus in Chicago as a college summer job for two years.

I would have been totally amazed if Mr. Frugal had said you were taking the ferry anyhow. That cost is so astoundingly high it's hard to believe.

I've decided at least this time around, I'm not willing to spend 1/3 or more of my time on the road.

Is there an alternative launch on the eastern side of lake Michigan or Huron others might be interested in?

Chip-

It might be worth your time considering the Trailer Sailors ( http://www.trailersailors.org/ ) cruise of the North Channel. If you launched in Tobermory, or took the (less expensive) ferry over to Manatoulin Island, you could join the group at any point, spend the time you wanted, and then pull out on your schedule. Very flexible group with a large enough number of boats that you can almost always find someone to go off on a side trip if you want, and a wonderful cruising area.

There is also an active group in your area called the New England Trailer Sailors ( http://www.ne-ts.com/ ). I've never sailed with them, but I've heard good things.

Thanks Jim. The only thing I found on the trailer sailors website is a (very) brief on this years' North Channel cruise, and Mapquest searches of both Tobermory and Manatoulin camp up blank. Do you have any further info?

I belong to NE-TS (used to be MOANE, MacGregor Owners of New England) since August and have been on one trip with the group, a long weekend to Cape Cod. Nice bunch, just like all the other Mac owners I've run into. They tend to concentrate on the local (for us) New England area: Boston, Cape Cod, Maine, Long Island Sound, with annual extended outings to Lakes Champiain and Winnepesaukee. That's OK, too; whether I join this years' Conch Cruiser fleet or not, I'll definitely be going out with them a time or two as well.

For those as locationally challenged as I, Tobermory and Manatoulin, are in Ontario, Canada. Mapquest does just fine if you give it the right province (ON). Tobermory's on the eastern side of Lake Huron, 700-some miles and 10 trailer hours for me, so this one's a possibility.

Obviously this is a completely different trip than the one planned by the Midwest Mac group. I'll be keepping an eye on the planning, dates, etc and decide later whether I will try this one or stick with the "local" group, NE-TS.