Relocating to Lake Michigan

[zieggy]

Thinking about spending the summer on the Lake Michigan east coast instead of staying at Port Austin next summer.

Would like some suggestions of marinas, state or local, prefer not to be in a real crowded harbor if possible.

My boat is 37 ft with 12 ft beam, draws 3 ft.  Would like water, electric and WiFi accessiblity.

I'm located in mid-Michigan.  Boat currently at Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay area.

[rdlegacy]

zieggy!

Hmmmmm! I think you need to be a little more specific on location..., north end, middle, south end?.  The east coast of the lake (west side of the state) is a very long coast and all beautiful.

Also, some harbors do not have marinas you can get a full time slip...i.e. Leland!

We are in New Buffalo at the south end of the lake.  NB is a quite small harbor town and I would recommend NB any time!

The Lakeland Boating Harbor guide for LM will provide a lot of details for you, just pick a harbor!

Just a few suggestions, or favorites:

North:  Petosky, Bay Harbor, Manistee

Middle: Ludington, Holland, Grand Haven

South:  Saugutuck, South Haven, New Buffalo

Bob

[PiRita]

We echo Bob's comments about New Buffalo. Great little town, nice marina's and a terrific selection of restaurants and shops plus easy access to Chicago by train. It's also nice to have helpful, friendly neighbors like Bob & Pam of Water Music.

We both slip ours at Oselka's Marina in New Buffalo.

Jim
PiRita
2008 260 EC

[zieggy]

Thanks for the replies.

Considering middle area,  Muskegon, Manistee, Ludington, Onekama.

Family used to spend lot of time on MI west coast before I got a place in PA and boat.

May just skip from port to port, then head back to LH.

Still looking.

[cmelt]

If you want the middle then anywhere in Holland or Grand Haven, or even Saguatuck is very nice.  They all have a lot to do, and Grand Haven has the Coast Guard festival, which is very fun!

[bsieggy]

Zieggy

2009 I will be assigned a slip in Ludington's public marina.  There is a waiting list.  At first it was a two year wait when we put our name on the list.  But after a year and first part of 2008 we were contacted and could have received a slip this year due to cancellations.

You can contact the city hall in Ludington if you want your name on the list.

Couple of other marinas but I have no information on them.

I have seen your boat and it be nice to see you.  Good luck if I hear of any slips I'll contact you.

Sieggy

[zieggy]

Bsieggy

Curious as to cost of slip, also when dock will be open for business.  When do they close?

Thinking about cruising to Lake Michigan rather than haulng over land.

When are you going to come to some of the meetings & events?  Meeting 1st Monday of the month.  Lots of things going on.

[zieggy]

To you Rinker Owners on Lake Michigan,

Went to the Grand Rapids Boat Show Friday night.  Stopped at Barrett Boat Works & North Shore Marina booth.  Got some prices on slipping in that area.  Sounded real appealing, plus they have slips available my size boat.

I know there are some of you in that area, maybe even in those marinas, need some feedback on the area, those marinas, stuff in general.  I know you have access to Spring Lake.  Just how maddening is the traffic in the area?

Thanks for any replies and hopefully I make it there this year. 

Oh yeah, how bad were gas prices there last year, vs your normal prices?

[cmelt]

I live in Grand Rapids and also went to the GR boat show, both on Wed and Sun.  I have a slip at Keenan’s, which is a decent place. Keenan’s is right on Spring Lake, and it takes a little to get to Lake Michigan.  North Shores is the first marina that you come to off of Lake Michigan.  It is a very nice place.  Not sure about Barrett’s.  Keenan’s is very affordable, and has some very good people there.  Gas prices there were about 40-50 cents more for the marina gas, so it averaged about 4.40 a gallon, if memory serves me.  If you were thinking about Holland, Eldean's is a very nice marina, but mostly has sail boats.  Email me if you have any questions or want any additional help!

Chris

[Black_Diamond]

Grand Haven is nice, but BUSY and it can be a long haul out to the big lake.  Holland is nice and not busy with easy beach access...Eldeans gets rough in a west wind, better off at Yacht Basin Marina or Anchorage in Holland..nice places and good for family and yet fun!

Saugatuck is nice, busy, busy though.  Hella night life though.  About a 45 min no-wake out the river to the lake too.

From Holland, you are at a great center point for travel north/south or across the lake.