posted 03-05-2006 10:32 PM ET (US)        

Thinking about a short vacation this summer. I've heard a number of good things about the Door County area. Don't know much about the area but thought it would be a good place for a long week-end and a get together.

Door County's within a long day's drive of Detroit. Probably take the Ludington ferry across Lake Michigan and break up the drive a bit.

Any suggestions on an area to launch that would provide a beginning point for a day or two cruise?

posted 03-06-2006 03:51 PM ET (US)            

Patricia and I make the trip every year. We stay/launch/play in Sister Bay.

I'll be in touch.

posted 03-06-2006 04:37 PM ET (US)            

As a resident I'd be happy to help you with local knowledge. You should visit rendezvous or not. We've had some great rendevous here, but the past couple of years attendance has been somewhat sparce. And I'm the guiltiest party. Work has kept me away. Although last year I did sneak out in the afternoon and tried to find the crew but to no avail.

posted 03-07-2006 01:39 AM ET (US)            

Looking at the charts, I'd think Green Bay and the area has pretty well protected waters where weather conditions wouldn't be as big of a consideration as on the open water.

We'd probably have a room at a hotel or B&B that we'd use as a base. Doesn't rule out an overnight trip if the opportunity is there.

How's the fishing?

Paul

posted 03-08-2006 10:36 AM ET (US)            

We met up with and shared a beverage or two with skred,
both out on the water and in the tavern.

I've got to say, it was an absolutely spectacular weekend,
with fine dining, fine boating, fine weather
and wistful marina walking included.

We stayed at the Fish Creek Motel (website, connect those words),
situated across the street from the private marina in Fish Creek.
Spartan motel style place with a wonderful continuous balcony
overlooking the marina, perfect for morning coffee outside,
and evening scotch after dinner. Actually, I think we walked
the docks with scotch...

Fish Creek seemed to be a little bit denser, with more clustered
services including restaurants, taverns, groceries, coffee shops
and knick knacks. Very nicely planned town, tiny urban, if you will.

The boating was obviously spectacular with the lowlight being
a ride south to Egg Harbor. Cottage Row, between our bay and theirs,
seemed best viewed from the road as a pedestrian.
Don't boat to Egg Harbor.

The highlight was a 75 mile or so round trip to Rock Island S.P.
starting in some lumpy seas that required breaks at regular intervals,
including a lunch stop at Gill's Rock in Garret Bay.
The Island is a must see with some buildings you'll appreciate,
wonderful sand beaches with refreshing water, and nice hiking trails.
Ride back was flat and quick, probably ran about 30-35 average,
with a couple respites to sip beer and cogitate on the day.

posted 03-08-2006 11:28 PM ET (US)            

We'd probably arrive on a Thursday night, stay for three days and leave on a Monday Morning. Maybe an extra day in there depending on scheduling.

I think it'd be fun to at least do a day run with some people for lunch or dinner.

PRJ
Thanks for the photos. Is the stone building Gill's Rock restaurant? Neat place.

Paul

posted 03-09-2006 09:47 AM ET (US)            

That stone building is one of several left behind to the State
by the heirs of Chester Thoradson, a Chicago inventor/patent holder
of some sort of electrical device at the start of the 20th century.

That boathouse, and the Great Hall upstairs, is a real site to behold,
and only the first of several buildings planned for his island.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/rockisland/

And a quick clip from a Parks Directory:

posted 03-14-2006 08:44 PM ET (US)            

Right now we're looking at August 10th through the 14th. with the 10th and 14th as travel days. The Sister Bay and Fish Creek area sounds like a great location with the most variety of overnight accomodations from camping to hotels, motels, etc. Friday or Saturday run up to Rock Island. Stop at Gill's Rock for something to eat and maybe a little fishing, a nice cook out and anchor out for the night at Rock Island.

The Rock Island State Park website notes a $1 per foot per night for boats moored at the island. Does this encompass the whole island or is it for developed moorings? Any restrictions on the consumption of adult beverages up there?

I'm pretty comfortable with the 18' Outrage for the trip but with an eye to bringing a few people with the 15 what kind of water can we expect that time of year?

PRJ,
Thanks for the historical notes and the link to the State Park. Suggest you post the picture of the Outrage at the boat house. Nice photo for people that are interested. Definitely a place I'd like to visit. Looks like it'd make a pretty interesting home.

I'm looking forward to making the trip and would enjoy meeting a few more people from the site.

Paul

posted 03-15-2006 10:51 AM ET (US)            

We were there last August, 12-14, and found conditions variable.
The day we boated to Rock Island, I would NOT have wanted to be on
my 15' for the trip UP in the late morning, until just after lunch at Gill's Rock. It was pert lumpy and difficult keeping the Outrage in the water,
even at a slow 18 MPH plane.
From then on, the water flattened and it would have been fine.

Perhaps resident fourdfish can fill in more about TYPICAL conditions.

Here in Wisconsin, if you DON'T have adult beverages on board,
you WILL be considered suspicious and should expect
to be thoroughly inspected for some other nefarious behavior.

As noted earlier, we stayed at Fish Creek, immediately south of
Peninsula State Park, berthed the Outrage in the Marina next to
Kevin Harlan's new 170 (complained the 90 was sluggish),
a 20' Temptation with Whaler Drive, fairly unique and a stunning
20-22' Hacker Craft woody, immaculate.

On our evening Marina strolls, we came to the conclusion that
Marina life was analogous to camping for the wealthy.
They sit around in chairs on the docks sipping drinks,
much as my crew sits around a campfire.

posted 03-15-2006 09:17 PM ET (US)            

prj is correct, the boathouse is the only mooring on Rock Island and you need to get a spot inside the wall as a periodic ferry has a space on the end outside. I have seen the Park Ranger there several times to collect money and info. Only rough camping allowed, as no vehicles on island.
I don't see a problem getting a spot as I have never seen it crowded. Maybe a check with Wisconsin DNR would help there.

Pennsula Park between Fish Creek and Ephrum is a great place.
My kids almost grew up there! It has a great bay(Nicolet Bay)
and an Island sheltering it. (Horseshoe which also has a bay).
The Park is a must see. 4 Campgrounds, trails of all kinds, Lighthouse, beach. I will probably be moored out in Nicolet bay for the day on several of those days you will be there.

posted 03-16-2006 09:52 AM ET (US)            

You'll have no problems at either Door Co. or Lake Michigan proper,
assuming that you've reviewed the weather.
Our side of the Lake tends to be relatively calm due to the
prevailing summer winds blowing OFFshore.
Conversely, Michigan has both the waves AND the warm surface water.

I highly recommend a long weekend trip to Door Co. with your boat.

posted 03-16-2006 10:02 AM ET (US)            

http://maps.google.com/?ll=45.314495,-86.965714&spn=0.249637,0.556183

What Whaler do you have?

I haven’t been to Washington Island or Rock Island personally but as you can see, it is all very close together, near the door county peninsula and not really "offshore". It might be a bit more than Lake Mendota, but not really that much more. It really depends on the wind though.

posted 03-18-2006 12:09 AM ET (US)            

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/WestGL.shtml

There's a Porte des Mortes on the (Garmin) charts off the tip of the peninsula. That sounds a bit ominous doesn't it? Probably an interesting story behind that one.

Found Horshoe Island on the chart that shows a green light but no mention of Nicolet Bay. I'm Assuming that Ephrum shows as spires on the chart to the Southeast? Also appears to be some dockage there?

What are good base references for navigation?

posted 03-18-2006 10:26 AM ET (US)            

Boating anywhere in Northern Door is made for a skiff. All kinds of jaunts to fill a few hours or days. Don't be too concerned at this point about the need to "navigate." Everything is within sight. 'Course it's always a good to have an idea where you're going. From where you are now the best thing is to go to a satelite sight like terra or google maps. Use the hybred to see landmarks and photos. Those will help you preview the waters of Green Bay and the county. Each little village has its own identity and you can choose the one that fits your style. Fish Creek: bustling, crowded and partytime. Ephraim: quiet, dry, great for strolling. Sister Bay: a combination of the previous two.

Nicolet beach (or Shanty Bay to the old timers) is directly across from Horseshoe Island in Penninsula State Park. The island is part of the park. Worst weather is when northwesters strike. And honestly, after the first of August those become more frequent.

Got a nice day? Shoot over to Marinette/Menominee for lunch. Stop on the south or north side of Chambers Island on the way back (depending on wind direction) and beach the boat for awhile. Finish up slowly cruising the Door shoreline. Or as suggested, run to Washington and/or Rock Island. Rock Island is more of a commitment trip than mentioned anywhere in this thread.

posted 03-24-2006 12:07 PM ET (US)            

If you are having problems getting transient slippage in Sister Bay Municipal, make sure you check out Yacht Works as well (this is where I keep my boat). It is about 1 mile north of the municipal dock and is a full fledged ship yard with sales, service and a ships store. It also shares parking with JJ's a fun bar/resturaunt.

A run to Menominee is easy and fun. Just start in Fish Creek, point your bow west - southwest and go. The pizza is great at Pirate's Cove.

One place that hasn't been mentioned is the South East side of Chamber's Island. There is a very long sand bar that points east from the island that is just above the surface. If the wind is from the west this is a great place to drop a hook and swim, etc.

I echo The Great Harpoon, re the trip to Rock Island. It can get a bit long (but not bad) especially from Fish Creek. It is worth a look though. Just don't park your boat in the boat house. It is home to 100's of swallows and they will repaint your boat for you.

Ephraim is a nice place but it is dry (no alcohol) and is lacking some of the attractions of Sister Bay. They also have a very large no wake zone along all of the shoreline, and the water can get real skinny real quick.

The ramp at Sister Bay Municipal is very good and even if busy moves along in an organized manner.

posted 10-19-2006 09:56 PM ET (US)            

This coming summer should be easier to do something with than last.

I'd certainly have an interest in the trip.

posted 10-19-2006 10:38 PM ET (US)            

Is the house a "prefab"" I would love to find out more about it. My wife and I are looking at both the flatpak house, glide house, and wee house for our next home. Are you a design professional as well?