cheboygan to mackinac island - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  cheboygan to mackinac island

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   cheboygan to mackinac island

crosley95 posted 03-10-2003 05:04 PM ET (US)
hello,
vacationing on mullett lake in northern michigan this summer. i would like to take a trip accross to the island in my sakonnet.
how long is the trip? anything i should be concerned with? how are they prepared for my small boat once i get there? dockage? fees?
thanks,
crosley
witsendfl posted 03-10-2003 05:17 PM ET (US)
Are you sure its not "Sheboygan" ?
The Bratwurst capital of the world !
Just Checking...
witsendfl JimK
Buckda posted 03-10-2003 05:47 PM ET (US)
witsendfl -
Cheboygan is a city (well, let's be honest, town) in Northern Michigan along lake Michigan....Going West to East...Traverse City, Cheboygan, Mackinaw City....
Crosley95 -
I don't know anyone who has personally made this trip, so I cannot say how long it might take you, but you should have plenty of opportunities for fuel along the way.
Mackinac Island is well prepared for just about any boat arriving on the Island, however, because of the low lake levels, you might be concerned with clamboring up to the deck of the docks once you arrive. (We made the trip a couple of years ago from Les Cheneaux to the Island (about 20 miles in the water) and had to really "climb" out of the boat. You can find a lot of information online.
You can reserve your slip at:
http://www.midnrreservations.com/harbors/parkresults.cfm?park_id=124
Your boat should cost you $24 bucks a night according to their information.
If you plan to sleep aboard, keep in mind that when the wind is out of the SE - the waves sometimes find their way into the harbor - also remember that it is a commercial harbor - the ferries sometimes don't slow down all the way and drag a wake into the harbor - we found ourselves hauling out the bumpers for extra protection.
If you go, and it is a nice day, I highly recommend taking the boat to the East side of the island and anchoring offshore of Arch Rock - you can wade ashore, and there is an excellent picnic area with spectacular view (including your boat) from the top of the bluff.
Good luck - and have fun.
Dave
lhg posted 03-10-2003 06:15 PM ET (US)
Buckda - You've got your Geography wrong. Cheboygan is on Lake Huron, East of Mackinac Island!
dfmcintyre posted 03-10-2003 06:47 PM ET (US)
Made the trip, 17', 22' and 25'. No problem in calm water. Problem in some of the bigger stuff.
First item to contend with is the locks on the river. It's no problem. Bring some sort of gloves, as the vertical tubing can get slimy. Fun to go through.
It's about 15 miles Chey / MacI. About six / seven miles from Mackinac City to the Island. If your concerned about going the 15, a good alternate plan is to trailer to MacCity and follow one of the ferry boats. There are three seperate lines, all running continuously.
They can and do handle small boats. We've overnighted in our first Montauk, 26 years ago on what's called the "small boat" dock. We got there right when the Port Huron to Mackinac Sailboat race ended, with all the crews entering the harbor. Interesting.
Dave's suggestion of a good swimming place is great. BTDT. I'll suggest on the NNE side of Round Island, there's a great sand beach to visit.
If your planning on staying the night, another nice day trip is a 13 mile run across to Hessel and a trip through the "Snows".
Best - Don
Buckda posted 03-10-2003 07:41 PM ET (US)
Correction...
*what was I thinking?!*
Traverse City....PETOSKEY....Mackinaw City...THEN comes Cheboygan.
Sheesh..you move out of state for a couple of years, and everything you learned in 8th grade "Geography of Michigan" class flies out the window!
I still know where Hell is in Michigan...and Paradise as well - proof that Michigan has everything for everyone - from saints to sinners.
Thanks for the catch LHG.
Dave
scarlson posted 03-10-2003 07:49 PM ET (US)
Crosley95
My best freind's family has had places on Mullet Lake since the 1920's. I've vacationed there several times, as a matter of fact bought my Whaler at Indian River Marina when they sold Whalers. I'd talk to the locals before I tried a trip to the island. My buddy's family tells a rather hair raising tale of the trip in a 23" Lyman (a good craft designed to handle shallow Lake Erie) but the Straits have a well earned and deserved reputation for being treacherous. Shallow water and winds make for trouble. I've talked to a lot of people on Mullet and Burt about the trip, and all advised against it, because the only good wind is "no wind". A lot of people talk about plesant outings but then say "then there was that trip ...." and the stories of rough seas and waves ensue. I never took the chance, but check with the locals that have been there for years and have the experinces.
Buckda posted 03-10-2003 08:39 PM ET (US)
...Charlevoix! That's the town I was thinking of. D'oh!
Anyway...Crosley - if you're at all concerned about the wind / weather (scarlson is right - the straights can get a bit persnickety at times), trailer the boat to Mackinaw city and put in there - it's a quick hop over to the island from there, and you can get home faster if the weather turns foul.
I still think you can make it if you pick your days and watch the weather. Just be flexible enough to scrap / change your plans depending on the conditions.
When I was really young, we crossed back from the Island to Cedarville in a tri-hull bowrider in some pretty nasty stuff. The trip out was beautiful, sunny and warm, but we did not pay attention to the weather and then compounded that by deciding not to just stay on the island overnight. Was not something I care to repeat - I remember being very frightened - but I guess that's how you learn sometimes. It sounds like you plan to stay on the island overnight - so as long as you are flexible and watch the weather, you should be fine.
Late July and August are the best times weather-wise for that area. There can be some nasty-fast moving thunderstorms fairly regularly in June.
jimh posted 03-10-2003 10:30 PM ET (US)
The name "Cheboygan" is an historical Indian name, derived from an old Indian Chief in the local area. The Chief's wife had borne him many children, but all sons. One fall afternoon as the Chief's wife struggled in labor, the Chief sent for news of the newborn child's gender, hoping that his wife had finally brought him a daughter.
The messenger returned with the disappointing announcement, "She's a boy again." Thus the area became known as "Cheboygan."
Or at least that is how I heard it.
Kingsteven18 posted 03-11-2003 07:12 AM ET (US)
I made that trip over once in an 18.5' Wahoo Offshore. No matter what you guys say about the quality, it is as similar to an 18.5' Outrage as you can get. Anyway, (I am embarassed to say), the trip home with the wind and waves was probably the only time during my adult life that I wore a life jacket on one of my boats.
skred posted 03-11-2003 08:25 AM ET (US)
Is that the same Indian chief who drank 4 quarts of tea every day and eventually drowned in his own teepee?
crosley posted 03-11-2003 12:03 PM ET (US)
fellas,
thanks for your responses. i have read that the crossing can be dicey. i think considering my level of experience, perhaps the more prudent trip would be to trailer to mackinac city as dave suggested.
dave any more insight on the trip from mackinac city to the island?
thanks again.
crosley
Buckda posted 03-11-2003 12:19 PM ET (US)
Crosley -
The site I referenced above also has information about the public marina at Mackinaw city, where you can put-in. Definitely take the time to cross under the bridge and back before setting out - it's really an awesome thing -it is HUGE! - and you'll be sad that you didn't do it first, because your passengers will just want to get back to the car at the end of your trip, and won't want to detour under the bridge.
dfmacintyre's suggestion of the NNE side of Round Island sounds good too - we have never ventured over there on our excursions to Mackinac.
Of course, I suggest fueling ashore near the highway - we've never purchased fuel on the island, but I remember thinking it was priced at a premium (we always take on extra fuel in St. Ignace if necessary for the trip back to the Les Cheneaux because it is cheaper there than on the island - I imagine the same is true for Mackinaw City.)
Suggestion: evening cruise to the East side of the island for sunset over the silhouetted bridge and Island and nightfall....definitely a cool view. You'll be suprised at how bright the Milky Way is up there.
Also - use your boat to circumnavigate the island - faster, and more relaxing than biking it - plus, you can wade ashore for the few attractions.
Be sure to explore the "upper" part of the island - tourists seem to miss almost everything on top besides the old fort (above fort Mackinac) and Arch Rock. Take your time and enjoy - plan a day for the Island and a day for your boat and you should see almost everything you want to see.
crosley95 posted 03-11-2003 01:00 PM ET (US)
thanks dave.
i look forward to the trip.

jeff
djahncke posted 03-12-2003 10:51 PM ET (US)
Jeff,
When are you going to be up at Mullet Lake? My family has a place up there and I get up every chance I can during the summer.
Don
crosley95 posted 03-14-2003 05:30 PM ET (US)
hi don,
i'll be there with my wife and kids the week of august 9.
new vacation rental for us so i don't know much about the location. i know it has a nice dock and shore station.
crosley

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: cheboygan to mackinac island
crosley95	posted 03-10-2003 05:04 PM ET (US) hello, vacationing on mullett lake in northern michigan this summer. i would like to take a trip accross to the island in my sakonnet. how long is the trip? anything i should be concerned with? how are they prepared for my small boat once i get there? dockage? fees? thanks, crosley
witsendfl	posted 03-10-2003 05:17 PM ET (US) Are you sure its not "Sheboygan" ? The Bratwurst capital of the world ! Just Checking... witsendfl JimK
Buckda	posted 03-10-2003 05:47 PM ET (US) witsendfl - Cheboygan is a city (well, let's be honest, town) in Northern Michigan along lake Michigan....Going West to East...Traverse City, Cheboygan, Mackinaw City.... Crosley95 - I don't know anyone who has personally made this trip, so I cannot say how long it might take you, but you should have plenty of opportunities for fuel along the way. Mackinac Island is well prepared for just about any boat arriving on the Island, however, because of the low lake levels, you might be concerned with clamboring up to the deck of the docks once you arrive. (We made the trip a couple of years ago from Les Cheneaux to the Island (about 20 miles in the water) and had to really "climb" out of the boat. You can find a lot of information online. You can reserve your slip at: http://www.midnrreservations.com/harbors/parkresults.cfm?park_id=124 Your boat should cost you $24 bucks a night according to their information. If you plan to sleep aboard, keep in mind that when the wind is out of the SE - the waves sometimes find their way into the harbor - also remember that it is a commercial harbor - the ferries sometimes don't slow down all the way and drag a wake into the harbor - we found ourselves hauling out the bumpers for extra protection. If you go, and it is a nice day, I highly recommend taking the boat to the East side of the island and anchoring offshore of Arch Rock - you can wade ashore, and there is an excellent picnic area with spectacular view (including your boat) from the top of the bluff. Good luck - and have fun. Dave
lhg	posted 03-10-2003 06:15 PM ET (US) Buckda - You've got your Geography wrong. Cheboygan is on Lake Huron, East of Mackinac Island!
dfmcintyre	posted 03-10-2003 06:47 PM ET (US) Made the trip, 17', 22' and 25'. No problem in calm water. Problem in some of the bigger stuff. First item to contend with is the locks on the river. It's no problem. Bring some sort of gloves, as the vertical tubing can get slimy. Fun to go through. It's about 15 miles Chey / MacI. About six / seven miles from Mackinac City to the Island. If your concerned about going the 15, a good alternate plan is to trailer to MacCity and follow one of the ferry boats. There are three seperate lines, all running continuously. They can and do handle small boats. We've overnighted in our first Montauk, 26 years ago on what's called the "small boat" dock. We got there right when the Port Huron to Mackinac Sailboat race ended, with all the crews entering the harbor. Interesting. Dave's suggestion of a good swimming place is great. BTDT. I'll suggest on the NNE side of Round Island, there's a great sand beach to visit. If your planning on staying the night, another nice day trip is a 13 mile run across to Hessel and a trip through the "Snows". Best - Don
Buckda	posted 03-10-2003 07:41 PM ET (US) Correction... what was I thinking?! Traverse City....PETOSKEY....Mackinaw City...THEN comes Cheboygan. Sheesh..you move out of state for a couple of years, and everything you learned in 8th grade "Geography of Michigan" class flies out the window! I still know where Hell is in Michigan...and Paradise as well - proof that Michigan has everything for everyone - from saints to sinners. Thanks for the catch LHG. Dave
scarlson	posted 03-10-2003 07:49 PM ET (US) Crosley95 My best freind's family has had places on Mullet Lake since the 1920's. I've vacationed there several times, as a matter of fact bought my Whaler at Indian River Marina when they sold Whalers. I'd talk to the locals before I tried a trip to the island. My buddy's family tells a rather hair raising tale of the trip in a 23" Lyman (a good craft designed to handle shallow Lake Erie) but the Straits have a well earned and deserved reputation for being treacherous. Shallow water and winds make for trouble. I've talked to a lot of people on Mullet and Burt about the trip, and all advised against it, because the only good wind is "no wind". A lot of people talk about plesant outings but then say "then there was that trip ...." and the stories of rough seas and waves ensue. I never took the chance, but check with the locals that have been there for years and have the experinces.
Buckda	posted 03-10-2003 08:39 PM ET (US) ...Charlevoix! That's the town I was thinking of. D'oh! Anyway...Crosley - if you're at all concerned about the wind / weather (scarlson is right - the straights can get a bit persnickety at times), trailer the boat to Mackinaw city and put in there - it's a quick hop over to the island from there, and you can get home faster if the weather turns foul. I still think you can make it if you pick your days and watch the weather. Just be flexible enough to scrap / change your plans depending on the conditions. When I was really young, we crossed back from the Island to Cedarville in a tri-hull bowrider in some pretty nasty stuff. The trip out was beautiful, sunny and warm, but we did not pay attention to the weather and then compounded that by deciding not to just stay on the island overnight. Was not something I care to repeat - I remember being very frightened - but I guess that's how you learn sometimes. It sounds like you plan to stay on the island overnight - so as long as you are flexible and watch the weather, you should be fine. Late July and August are the best times weather-wise for that area. There can be some nasty-fast moving thunderstorms fairly regularly in June.
jimh	posted 03-10-2003 10:30 PM ET (US) The name "Cheboygan" is an historical Indian name, derived from an old Indian Chief in the local area. The Chief's wife had borne him many children, but all sons. One fall afternoon as the Chief's wife struggled in labor, the Chief sent for news of the newborn child's gender, hoping that his wife had finally brought him a daughter. The messenger returned with the disappointing announcement, "She's a boy again." Thus the area became known as "Cheboygan." Or at least that is how I heard it.
Kingsteven18	posted 03-11-2003 07:12 AM ET (US) I made that trip over once in an 18.5' Wahoo Offshore. No matter what you guys say about the quality, it is as similar to an 18.5' Outrage as you can get. Anyway, (I am embarassed to say), the trip home with the wind and waves was probably the only time during my adult life that I wore a life jacket on one of my boats.
skred	posted 03-11-2003 08:25 AM ET (US) Is that the same Indian chief who drank 4 quarts of tea every day and eventually drowned in his own teepee?
crosley	posted 03-11-2003 12:03 PM ET (US) fellas, thanks for your responses. i have read that the crossing can be dicey. i think considering my level of experience, perhaps the more prudent trip would be to trailer to mackinac city as dave suggested. dave any more insight on the trip from mackinac city to the island? thanks again. crosley
Buckda	posted 03-11-2003 12:19 PM ET (US) Crosley - The site I referenced above also has information about the public marina at Mackinaw city, where you can put-in. Definitely take the time to cross under the bridge and back before setting out - it's really an awesome thing -it is HUGE! - and you'll be sad that you didn't do it first, because your passengers will just want to get back to the car at the end of your trip, and won't want to detour under the bridge. dfmacintyre's suggestion of the NNE side of Round Island sounds good too - we have never ventured over there on our excursions to Mackinac. Of course, I suggest fueling ashore near the highway - we've never purchased fuel on the island, but I remember thinking it was priced at a premium (we always take on extra fuel in St. Ignace if necessary for the trip back to the Les Cheneaux because it is cheaper there than on the island - I imagine the same is true for Mackinaw City.) Suggestion: evening cruise to the East side of the island for sunset over the silhouetted bridge and Island and nightfall....definitely a cool view. You'll be suprised at how bright the Milky Way is up there. Also - use your boat to circumnavigate the island - faster, and more relaxing than biking it - plus, you can wade ashore for the few attractions. Be sure to explore the "upper" part of the island - tourists seem to miss almost everything on top besides the old fort (above fort Mackinac) and Arch Rock. Take your time and enjoy - plan a day for the Island and a day for your boat and you should see almost everything you want to see.
crosley95	posted 03-11-2003 01:00 PM ET (US) thanks dave. i look forward to the trip. jeff
djahncke	posted 03-12-2003 10:51 PM ET (US) Jeff, When are you going to be up at Mullet Lake? My family has a place up there and I get up every chance I can during the summer. Don
crosley95	posted 03-14-2003 05:30 PM ET (US) hi don, i'll be there with my wife and kids the week of august 9. new vacation rental for us so i don't know much about the location. i know it has a nice dock and shore station. crosley