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  Lake St. Clair Rendezvous - July 12, 2014

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Author Topic:   Lake St. Clair Rendezvous - July 12, 2014

K Albus posted 04-11-2014 08:38 AM ET (US)
Planning has started for a rendezvous on Lake St. Clair on Saturday, July 12, 2014.
Possible activities including the following:
- A cruise up or down the South Channel for a close-up view of some freighters
- A peaceful, quiet cruise up or down the Sni Bora (Chenal A Bout Rond)
- A cruise up or down the Middle Channel- mostly to get wherever we're going
- A raft-up in either Goose Bay or Muscamoot Bay for a swim and a gam
- A cruise through Metro Beach metropark to boats and people
- A shore lunch at the home of a fellow Whaler enthusiast on a canal near Metro Beach
Let me know if you're interested, and if you have any other ideas for things you might like to do.
I will most likely be launching my boat from the Selfridge DNR boat launch at around 8:30 or 9:30 a.m. I think we should plan on meeting up somewhere around 9:30 or 10:00, followed by some boating, and then a lunch break at around noon. We can follow that up with a raft-up and some swimming, and some more boating. We can wind things down around 4:30 or 5:00.
For guys with smaller boats, please note that Lake St. Clair can get fairly rough on summer weekends. The Middle Channel, the Sni Bora, Goose Bay, Muscamoot Bay, and Metro Beach area are all relatively calm and shouldn't present any problems for smaller boats. Crossing the lake to get between some of these places, however, may be a bit of challenge. But there's safety in numbers.
Jeff posted 04-11-2014 02:47 PM ET (US)
Sounds fantisic Kevin. While I always love a cruise, I would be in for just a nice day of hanging on the hook swimming and gaming.
Teak Oil posted 04-11-2014 08:07 PM ET (US)
DOH! I have been waiting for a gathering like this, but I will be canoeing on the Au Sable River that weekend.
wannabe posted 04-11-2014 11:39 PM ET (US)
I will put this on the calendar and hopefully make the trip from Toledo with my Outrage 18.
Drew
Lionheart posted 04-12-2014 07:17 AM ET (US)
If you are interested, I would be willing to host an all day get-together on Peche Island on July 12th. There is a very nice beach, lots of beautiful nature trails, ruins from the Hiram Walker family, eagles, beavers and warm water swimming streams within the island's interior.
I will supply the food and the barbeque. You can pull up on the beach, or anchor and swim just a few feet from the beach. Water is crystal clear and walleye fishing is also excellent at this location.
Peche Island is a hidden gem, located just east of Belle Isle on the Detroit River.
Thank you, Len Strahl
Jeff posted 04-12-2014 03:28 PM ET (US)
Len, it has been years since I have been there. In fact it has been about 30. Isn't that island Canada land though? That could cause some extra hassles no?
wannabe posted 04-12-2014 09:28 PM ET (US)
Yep, the island is in Canadian waters. I finally got my passport recently and now I need the I68. I friend told me it cost $18 for the I68.
Lionheart posted 04-13-2014 07:30 AM ET (US)
Yes, Peche Island is a Canadian island. You would require an I-68 document or you can use your Nexus card. During the summer months, many American boaters visit the island. You just call the Canadian Border Services on your cell phone and tell them where you are. Easy, no hassle.
Another option is to trailer your boat to Windsor. There are beautiful ramp launch facilities where I live, and just 2 minutes from Peche Island. In this case, you would not require an I-68 or a Nexus...just your passport when you go through the Tunnel.
wannabe posted 04-13-2014 08:04 AM ET (US)
That is a nice little way of getting around not having a I-68. Yes, Canada has a much prettier waterfront with parklands than the contrasting U.S. side.
Wherever it is decided to meet up, I am looking forward to it if the schedule works out for me.
I think I will get the I-68 no matter what.
Drew
K Albus posted 04-13-2014 04:30 PM ET (US)
Len, thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, I think we'll have to take a rain check this time. It may be easy to cross into Canada, but it's not so easy crossing back into the U.S. I'd like to keep this event based in the U.S. this time around. Hopefully you can join us.

Lionheart posted 04-14-2014 06:02 AM ET (US)
Thank you Kevin. I understand. Keep "Peche Island Day" in the back of your mind for a possible future rendezvous. This island truly is an all natural hidden gem. Next time you are in the area, check it out, you won't be disappointed. Len.
Jeff posted 06-05-2014 11:03 AM ET (US)
The day is getting closer and I have another event that has popped on this same day so, trying to firm up plans.
Who's in?
K Albus posted 06-05-2014 02:02 PM ET (US)
I'm still in. I haven't yet launched my boat this summer. I'm planning on getting out on Lake St. Clair on Saturday, June 7. While I'm out there, I'll come up with some sort of itinerary for July 12 (I need to scout out a couple of locations).
dfmcintyre posted 06-05-2014 02:43 PM ET (US)
Possible. I'll monitor this thread. It's also the absolute busiest day of Port Huron; the start of the Port Huron to Mackinac Island Yacht race.
Which also is a great time for the locals to vacate. Especially those of us with boats.
home Aside posted 06-05-2014 03:24 PM ET (US)
I'd like to, but have to see if I get the day off or not....I haven't launched yet this year either, I took the boat out of storage well over a month ago, it's still at the shop, tuneup, compression check, lower end check & oil change, rebuild of fuel pumps, new impeller/water pump kit, etc, etc, etc, supposed to be done in the next day or so....I think there was a long line of boats getting spring checkups and most came out late because of the extended winter weather..
I'll keep monitoring & let you know
Pat
jimh posted 06-09-2014 01:28 PM ET (US)
Pat--I saw your boat in the shop last week when I visited your mechanic.
Kevin--I don't have my work schedule for July, so I cannot commit yet.
I have never explored those shallow bays to the Southwest of Harsens Island. Do you know the water depth and pathways in and out? It is charted as very shallow.
Jeff posted 06-09-2014 02:17 PM ET (US)
Buckda and I were out tooling around out there yesterday and the water levels are up 12"-14" over this time last year. Even in the lower levels I could get my 22 Outrage a good ways up in those bays, but could not navigate the cross channel cut throughs. You might be able to now with water levels.
K Albus posted 06-10-2014 09:28 AM ET (US)
I wasn't able to make it out to the lake this past weekend. In any event, I'm leaning toward the following itinerary:
1. Meet up in Goose Bay at around 10:00-10:30 a.m. (Approximate coordinates: N 42 deg, 34 min; W 82 deg, 41.5 min. There will likely be numerous other boats in the area, so we'll have to agree on an approximate location for the meet-up.)
2. Cruise up the Middle Channel, then west down the North Channel, and then down the Chenal A Bout Rond (aka "the Sni Bora"). This will allow us to miss most of the No-Wake Zones.
3. Return to Goose Bay by about noon or 12:30. Hang out there for a couple of hours while having lunch and checking out each others boats.
4. Break up the party when it feels right.
With a plan in place, people can join up with us when and if they want.
In the meantime, here are some resources for the lake:
- Interactive Chart of Lake St. Clair: http://www.marinecruiser.com/chart.html
- NOAA Chart of Lake St. Clair: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14850.shtml
- NOAA Wind and Wave Forecast for Lake St. Clair: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=forecasts/marine/ great_lakes/lc/lcz460.txt
- Map of No Wake Zones on Lake St. Clair: http://basstothefuture.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ stclairrivernowakezones.pdf
K Albus posted 06-10-2014 09:47 AM ET (US)
By the way, my proposed itinerary in the post above is small-boat-friendly. The Middle Channel and the Sni Bora are no-wake zones for boats over 26 feet.
Regarding Goose Bay, it is shallow and sandy. It is a nice, family-friendly area to anchor your boat, take a swim, and walk around from boat to boat.
home Aside posted 06-20-2014 09:30 PM ET (US)
Sorry to say I was unable to get weekend of the 12th off, so I won't be able to attend. I might be able to drive over & meet up after I get off work at 3:00PM if things are still going...I'll keep watching
Pat
K Albus posted 06-25-2014 09:22 AM ET (US)
We're still a "go" for July 12. A slight revision to the plan, however. Rather than conducting some kind of organized tour, we're just going to meet up in Goose Bay to hang around, chat, swim, and have lunch. Goose Bay is sandy, shallow, and warm, and is a nice place to hang out for a few hours.
If people are interested in taking a tour, my suggested route of cruising up the Middle Channel and down the Sni Bora is a nice little trip which should take about an hour or maybe a little longer. That circuit can be started right near our rendezvous point, and will also bring you right back to the rendezvous point where you can rejoin the group.
I made a run out to Goose Bay this past weekend, and it appears that the water levels are above the charted depths. I never saw less than 4 feet on my depth sounder on the route I took into the bay. You can see my track here: http://tinyurl.com/lsykrls . If you compare my track to the chart, you will see that I tried to follow the deepest route in.
Jeff posted 06-26-2014 04:10 PM ET (US)
I am still planning on meeting up. I am up for doing a cruise but I am also up for just hanging out on the hook and swimming. I can bring both of my paddle boards out for the group to use.
I prefer and plan to launch at the South River Road DNR ramp. It's large and very spacious and never feels overcrowded.
EJO posted 06-30-2014 12:15 PM ET (US)
Love to have made it but I'm "Up North" for a week at Elk and Torch Lakes starting that weekend.
Anybody else in that area the week of the 13th?
K Albus posted 07-08-2014 09:09 AM ET (US)
I heard from Jeff that he is not going to be able to make it on Saturday.
In light of that, and the otherwise generally underwhelming response to this thread, I am CANCELLING this event. I still plan to be out on Lake St. Clair on Saturday, weather permitting. However, I don't want to be stuck hanging around Goose Bay all day, hoping for somebody else to show up. I'll be monitoring channels 9/16 if you want to contact me. I answer to "Outlier."
K Albus posted 07-08-2014 05:02 PM ET (US)
This event might be revived. I have received an email expressing some interest. If anybody else out there was planning to show up, but doesn't want post on this thread, please send me an email: kalbus@gillarylaw.com.
K Albus posted 07-10-2014 04:19 PM ET (US)
No additional inquiries received. EVENT CANCELLED.
home Aside posted 07-10-2014 08:45 PM ET (US)
Sorry I couldn't get the time off work, thanks for your efforts Kevin....hopefully I can meet up with you on the water some time soon!
Pat
EJO posted 07-11-2014 01:51 PM ET (US)
KA maybe you can get more interest for the "Jobbie Nooner" get together from us Whaling folks
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2& ie=UTF-8#q=jobbie%20nooner%20pictures
lol
Teak Oil posted 07-12-2014 09:46 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the effort Kevin I would still like to meet up with you guys on St Clair some time soon
K Albus posted 07-12-2014 07:40 PM ET (US)
It was a beautiful day out on the lake today. My wife and I launched at the Selfridge launch, cruised up the North Channel, down the South Channel, and then back across Anchor Bay. It was a bit choppy out in the lake, but the river/channel runs were nice. Sunny and about 80 degrees, with water temps around 70.
EJO - There's a Jobbie Nooner-like party every Saturday and Sunday in Muscamoot Bay. There's typically two lines of boats rafted in about 3 feet of water, with each line tied to the other, leaving a 20-foot wide path between them. Loud music, drinking, and miscellaneous debauchery. They call it The Gauntlet. See: http://www.idratherbeonmyboat.com/Muscamoot-Bay---The-Gauntlet.html . BTDT.
Bob, Pat, and the others, maybe we'll try again next summer.
jimh posted 07-13-2014 08:45 PM ET (US)
Sorry I could not join you. We had to be about 270-miles away on some business on Friday. We did not get back until later afternoon Saturday. I think you picked the right day. Today, Sunday, it was blowing 20-knots from the West. It would have been a rough day on Lake St. Clair.

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Author	Topic: Lake St. Clair Rendezvous - July 12, 2014
K Albus	posted 04-11-2014 08:38 AM ET (US) Planning has started for a rendezvous on Lake St. Clair on Saturday, July 12, 2014. Possible activities including the following: - A cruise up or down the South Channel for a close-up view of some freighters - A peaceful, quiet cruise up or down the Sni Bora (Chenal A Bout Rond) - A cruise up or down the Middle Channel- mostly to get wherever we're going - A raft-up in either Goose Bay or Muscamoot Bay for a swim and a gam - A cruise through Metro Beach metropark to boats and people - A shore lunch at the home of a fellow Whaler enthusiast on a canal near Metro Beach Let me know if you're interested, and if you have any other ideas for things you might like to do. I will most likely be launching my boat from the Selfridge DNR boat launch at around 8:30 or 9:30 a.m. I think we should plan on meeting up somewhere around 9:30 or 10:00, followed by some boating, and then a lunch break at around noon. We can follow that up with a raft-up and some swimming, and some more boating. We can wind things down around 4:30 or 5:00. For guys with smaller boats, please note that Lake St. Clair can get fairly rough on summer weekends. The Middle Channel, the Sni Bora, Goose Bay, Muscamoot Bay, and Metro Beach area are all relatively calm and shouldn't present any problems for smaller boats. Crossing the lake to get between some of these places, however, may be a bit of challenge. But there's safety in numbers.
Jeff	posted 04-11-2014 02:47 PM ET (US) Sounds fantisic Kevin. While I always love a cruise, I would be in for just a nice day of hanging on the hook swimming and gaming.
Teak Oil	posted 04-11-2014 08:07 PM ET (US) DOH! I have been waiting for a gathering like this, but I will be canoeing on the Au Sable River that weekend.
wannabe	posted 04-11-2014 11:39 PM ET (US) I will put this on the calendar and hopefully make the trip from Toledo with my Outrage 18. Drew
Lionheart	posted 04-12-2014 07:17 AM ET (US) If you are interested, I would be willing to host an all day get-together on Peche Island on July 12th. There is a very nice beach, lots of beautiful nature trails, ruins from the Hiram Walker family, eagles, beavers and warm water swimming streams within the island's interior. I will supply the food and the barbeque. You can pull up on the beach, or anchor and swim just a few feet from the beach. Water is crystal clear and walleye fishing is also excellent at this location. Peche Island is a hidden gem, located just east of Belle Isle on the Detroit River. Thank you, Len Strahl
Jeff	posted 04-12-2014 03:28 PM ET (US) Len, it has been years since I have been there. In fact it has been about 30. Isn't that island Canada land though? That could cause some extra hassles no?
wannabe	posted 04-12-2014 09:28 PM ET (US) Yep, the island is in Canadian waters. I finally got my passport recently and now I need the I68. I friend told me it cost $18 for the I68.
Lionheart	posted 04-13-2014 07:30 AM ET (US) Yes, Peche Island is a Canadian island. You would require an I-68 document or you can use your Nexus card. During the summer months, many American boaters visit the island. You just call the Canadian Border Services on your cell phone and tell them where you are. Easy, no hassle. Another option is to trailer your boat to Windsor. There are beautiful ramp launch facilities where I live, and just 2 minutes from Peche Island. In this case, you would not require an I-68 or a Nexus...just your passport when you go through the Tunnel.
wannabe	posted 04-13-2014 08:04 AM ET (US) That is a nice little way of getting around not having a I-68. Yes, Canada has a much prettier waterfront with parklands than the contrasting U.S. side. Wherever it is decided to meet up, I am looking forward to it if the schedule works out for me. I think I will get the I-68 no matter what. Drew
K Albus	posted 04-13-2014 04:30 PM ET (US) Len, thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, I think we'll have to take a rain check this time. It may be easy to cross into Canada, but it's not so easy crossing back into the U.S. I'd like to keep this event based in the U.S. this time around. Hopefully you can join us.
Lionheart	posted 04-14-2014 06:02 AM ET (US) Thank you Kevin. I understand. Keep "Peche Island Day" in the back of your mind for a possible future rendezvous. This island truly is an all natural hidden gem. Next time you are in the area, check it out, you won't be disappointed. Len.
Jeff	posted 06-05-2014 11:03 AM ET (US) The day is getting closer and I have another event that has popped on this same day so, trying to firm up plans. Who's in?
K Albus	posted 06-05-2014 02:02 PM ET (US) I'm still in. I haven't yet launched my boat this summer. I'm planning on getting out on Lake St. Clair on Saturday, June 7. While I'm out there, I'll come up with some sort of itinerary for July 12 (I need to scout out a couple of locations).
dfmcintyre	posted 06-05-2014 02:43 PM ET (US) Possible. I'll monitor this thread. It's also the absolute busiest day of Port Huron; the start of the Port Huron to Mackinac Island Yacht race. Which also is a great time for the locals to vacate. Especially those of us with boats.
home Aside	posted 06-05-2014 03:24 PM ET (US) I'd like to, but have to see if I get the day off or not....I haven't launched yet this year either, I took the boat out of storage well over a month ago, it's still at the shop, tuneup, compression check, lower end check & oil change, rebuild of fuel pumps, new impeller/water pump kit, etc, etc, etc, supposed to be done in the next day or so....I think there was a long line of boats getting spring checkups and most came out late because of the extended winter weather.. I'll keep monitoring & let you know Pat
jimh	posted 06-09-2014 01:28 PM ET (US) Pat--I saw your boat in the shop last week when I visited your mechanic. Kevin--I don't have my work schedule for July, so I cannot commit yet. I have never explored those shallow bays to the Southwest of Harsens Island. Do you know the water depth and pathways in and out? It is charted as very shallow.
Jeff	posted 06-09-2014 02:17 PM ET (US) Buckda and I were out tooling around out there yesterday and the water levels are up 12"-14" over this time last year. Even in the lower levels I could get my 22 Outrage a good ways up in those bays, but could not navigate the cross channel cut throughs. You might be able to now with water levels.
K Albus	posted 06-10-2014 09:28 AM ET (US) I wasn't able to make it out to the lake this past weekend. In any event, I'm leaning toward the following itinerary: 1. Meet up in Goose Bay at around 10:00-10:30 a.m. (Approximate coordinates: N 42 deg, 34 min; W 82 deg, 41.5 min. There will likely be numerous other boats in the area, so we'll have to agree on an approximate location for the meet-up.) 2. Cruise up the Middle Channel, then west down the North Channel, and then down the Chenal A Bout Rond (aka "the Sni Bora"). This will allow us to miss most of the No-Wake Zones. 3. Return to Goose Bay by about noon or 12:30. Hang out there for a couple of hours while having lunch and checking out each others boats. 4. Break up the party when it feels right. With a plan in place, people can join up with us when and if they want. In the meantime, here are some resources for the lake: - Interactive Chart of Lake St. Clair: http://www.marinecruiser.com/chart.html - NOAA Chart of Lake St. Clair: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14850.shtml - NOAA Wind and Wave Forecast for Lake St. Clair: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=forecasts/marine/ great_lakes/lc/lcz460.txt - Map of No Wake Zones on Lake St. Clair: http://basstothefuture.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ stclairrivernowakezones.pdf
K Albus	posted 06-10-2014 09:47 AM ET (US) By the way, my proposed itinerary in the post above is small-boat-friendly. The Middle Channel and the Sni Bora are no-wake zones for boats over 26 feet. Regarding Goose Bay, it is shallow and sandy. It is a nice, family-friendly area to anchor your boat, take a swim, and walk around from boat to boat.
home Aside	posted 06-20-2014 09:30 PM ET (US) Sorry to say I was unable to get weekend of the 12th off, so I won't be able to attend. I might be able to drive over & meet up after I get off work at 3:00PM if things are still going...I'll keep watching Pat
K Albus	posted 06-25-2014 09:22 AM ET (US) We're still a "go" for July 12. A slight revision to the plan, however. Rather than conducting some kind of organized tour, we're just going to meet up in Goose Bay to hang around, chat, swim, and have lunch. Goose Bay is sandy, shallow, and warm, and is a nice place to hang out for a few hours. If people are interested in taking a tour, my suggested route of cruising up the Middle Channel and down the Sni Bora is a nice little trip which should take about an hour or maybe a little longer. That circuit can be started right near our rendezvous point, and will also bring you right back to the rendezvous point where you can rejoin the group. I made a run out to Goose Bay this past weekend, and it appears that the water levels are above the charted depths. I never saw less than 4 feet on my depth sounder on the route I took into the bay. You can see my track here: http://tinyurl.com/lsykrls . If you compare my track to the chart, you will see that I tried to follow the deepest route in.
Jeff	posted 06-26-2014 04:10 PM ET (US) I am still planning on meeting up. I am up for doing a cruise but I am also up for just hanging out on the hook and swimming. I can bring both of my paddle boards out for the group to use. I prefer and plan to launch at the South River Road DNR ramp. It's large and very spacious and never feels overcrowded.
EJO	posted 06-30-2014 12:15 PM ET (US) Love to have made it but I'm "Up North" for a week at Elk and Torch Lakes starting that weekend. Anybody else in that area the week of the 13th?
K Albus	posted 07-08-2014 09:09 AM ET (US) I heard from Jeff that he is not going to be able to make it on Saturday. In light of that, and the otherwise generally underwhelming response to this thread, I am CANCELLING this event. I still plan to be out on Lake St. Clair on Saturday, weather permitting. However, I don't want to be stuck hanging around Goose Bay all day, hoping for somebody else to show up. I'll be monitoring channels 9/16 if you want to contact me. I answer to "Outlier."
K Albus	posted 07-08-2014 05:02 PM ET (US) This event might be revived. I have received an email expressing some interest. If anybody else out there was planning to show up, but doesn't want post on this thread, please send me an email: kalbus@gillarylaw.com.
K Albus	posted 07-10-2014 04:19 PM ET (US) No additional inquiries received. EVENT CANCELLED.
home Aside	posted 07-10-2014 08:45 PM ET (US) Sorry I couldn't get the time off work, thanks for your efforts Kevin....hopefully I can meet up with you on the water some time soon! Pat
EJO	posted 07-11-2014 01:51 PM ET (US) KA maybe you can get more interest for the "Jobbie Nooner" get together from us Whaling folks https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2& ie=UTF-8#q=jobbie%20nooner%20pictures lol
Teak Oil	posted 07-12-2014 09:46 AM ET (US) Thanks for the effort Kevin I would still like to meet up with you guys on St Clair some time soon
K Albus	posted 07-12-2014 07:40 PM ET (US) It was a beautiful day out on the lake today. My wife and I launched at the Selfridge launch, cruised up the North Channel, down the South Channel, and then back across Anchor Bay. It was a bit choppy out in the lake, but the river/channel runs were nice. Sunny and about 80 degrees, with water temps around 70. EJO - There's a Jobbie Nooner-like party every Saturday and Sunday in Muscamoot Bay. There's typically two lines of boats rafted in about 3 feet of water, with each line tied to the other, leaving a 20-foot wide path between them. Loud music, drinking, and miscellaneous debauchery. They call it The Gauntlet. See: http://www.idratherbeonmyboat.com/Muscamoot-Bay---The-Gauntlet.html . BTDT. Bob, Pat, and the others, maybe we'll try again next summer.
jimh	posted 07-13-2014 08:45 PM ET (US) Sorry I could not join you. We had to be about 270-miles away on some business on Friday. We did not get back until later afternoon Saturday. I think you picked the right day. Today, Sunday, it was blowing 20-knots from the West. It would have been a rough day on Lake St. Clair.