posted 01-12-2007 04:46 PM ET (US)            

PRJ-Yes, I have a 2005 Eastport. Merc 200.

We like to camp at Rock Island. We have not been there for a few years. Last trip the winds were high and waves were large between Washington and Rock Islands. We arrived thursday afternoon via ferry and launched our Dauntless 18 at Washington Island. The crossing to Rock via "deaths door" was exhilerating to say the least. We made it high and dry, but a little white-knuckled. Waves were really big once we got beyond the protection of Washington Island.

The Dauntess is a wide, stable boat and handled it ok. Never took a drop in the boat.

We were the only arrivals that day. The ferry would not run for fear of bottoming out in wave trough. All boaters at Rock Island would not leave, it was just too rough.

The next day, winds died down and the water was like glass.

Good salmon fishing. Cought some small mouth bass too.

posted 01-16-2007 09:19 AM ET (US)            

I expect that we'll stay in Fish Creek, slip the Outrage at Alibi and do a couple day trips out and about, maybe even around the peninsula.

Lets keep an eye on an appropriate mid-August weekend.

posted 01-23-2007 05:49 PM ET (US)            

Possible Saturdays are:

7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25 and 9/1.

I will talk with my spouse about camping vs resort preference. Perhaps a night or two of each. We have not attempted a night in the cuddy yet.

My boating experience in Door County is limited. I have explored most of the waters around Rock Island and a few of the harbors. I presume most waters are reasonably deep with little concern for underwater structure.

The fishing near Rock Island is good for bass and salmon. We went trolling one evening. Lost one fish but soon after landed a 37 inch king. We quit there as it was plenty for us and a few other campers.

Bait works well for bass. I used nightcrawlers.

We were camping at Rock Island a few years ago when the Whaler rendezvous folks came through. It was fun to see other boats and visit with other owners. Most if not all of them spent the night on their boats/cuddy.
We did not travel with the group. They launched somewhere off the peninsula and motored up to RI for the night.

posted 01-31-2007 04:15 PM ET (US)            

There is an area between Rock and Washington Islands that is very shallow. I think a person might be able to walk most of the way. I marked fish in the shallow water East of these rocky areas and caught a few bass.

posted 02-13-2007 11:38 AM ET (US)            

No dates or details have been selected.

I have not organized one of these events in the past. I am not presonally acquainted with other members of the listserve.

I have been to Door County a number of times, but I do not recall what town would offer the best launching/docking facilities.

Any suggestions?

Do we need marina reservations?

posted 02-14-2007 12:36 PM ET (US)            

A good friend runs a marina in Sturgeon Bay. He is researching a few places in SB that might accommodate a fleet of trailer boats for a rendezvous. He mentioned the public launch there is great. For what ever trip might become reality, I did some quick mapping on the GB side. The approximate distance by water following the shoreline appears to be the following:

Sturgeon Bay to Egg Habor 16.7 statute miles
EH to Fish Creek 5.63 sm
FC around the bend to Ephraim 6.78 sm
Eph to Sister Bay 3.98 sm
SB to Ellison Bay 6.3 sm
EB to SW tip of Wash. Island 10.8 sm
SW Wash Isl. to SW tip of Rock Island 12.6 sm

Sturgeon Bay to Rock Island not following shore contour 55 sm

I hope this offers some information for estimate planning and I look forward to more developments and ideas?

posted 06-04-2007 06:01 PM ET (US)            

There has been no discussion on this matter for a few months.

Weekend of July 4th is out for me.

Door County is a great place to visit but it is a haul.

In replace of or addition to Door, I would also be interested in a gathering in SE Wisconsin or NE Illinois.
Ports are not as interesting or as sheltered on this part of the lake.

posted 06-06-2007 10:34 AM ET (US)            

Though I can't guarantee my ability to make a full day Rock Island run, I'd certainly love to meet up somewhere and take a cruise with the crew. One idea may be a short cruise then beaching on Chambers Island so the kids and less-interested can swim and play, while we ogle each other's boats with some beer in hand. Weather permitting, something like this is definitely on my agenda.

As for a Lake Michigan rendevous, I'm not certain of what exactly we'd do. I'd love to fish in proximity to you guys, so perhaps thats what we plan. I'm going to head out this Saturday morning with one other as the Coho action is hot hot hot right now. Check it out:

posted 08-15-2007 05:19 PM ET (US)            

Sorry I have been out of touch. Most of the summer has been fast and furious. The fishing in Milwaukee has been great, the weather, my wife and 16 month young son have been the highlight of the summer. We managed to get out on the Storm Hawk several times this summer for a few good memories.

Still interested in anyone who might be looking to assemble an end of summer door county rendezvous. Since nothing has been posted for over a month, my guess is a 2007 rendezvous has yet to take place? So you must all be itching to get out their for a trip… or… exhausted from the high level of distracting activities?

Thoughts on a Dour County rendezvous...

dkwasny@crash1.com
Cell # 262-853-0072
Brookfield, WI

Goal: To rendezvous the tip of Door County around and near Wash Isl & Rock Isl.

posted 08-15-2007 05:57 PM ET (US)            

Anyway, I posted this on an adjacent article:

I was in Door Co. earlier this month for a long weekend, and had a fantastic trip as is typical up there. The boating, dining, weather, coffee, scotch, family, friends and marina walks pretty much represent my highlights.

I can strongly recommend Fish Creek if that list above appeals to you. If you prefer less company and fewer amenities, some of the other harbor towns may be preferrable. We stayed at the Fish Creek Motel with three adjacent rooms for us and friends. Great location, somewhat run-down building and interior, but fine outside space. http://www.flickr.com/photos/25169902@N00/1084821185/in/photostream/

I slipped my Outrage at the Fish Creek Municipal, as The Alibi Docks (or Marina?) were full at the time. Suggest you make reservations in advance, as these two locations are set up for much larger vessels than our own.

We traveled to Chambers Island sand bar for a day at the beach. We checked out the odd and beautiful Ridges Sanctuary on the Lake side for a nice day trip. Summertime gave us one stellar meal on a Thursday, and one almost forgettable meal on a Saturday with a larger group.