Anyone familiar with west side marinas?

[futureboatowner]

We're buying our first boat, most likely a 312 Fiesta Vee, and we're considering Sheboygan for next summer. Is it as rough and wild over there as people say? We live in the Chicago area so there are other options (we love Michigan too and we might look at Winthrop Harbor) but we have family in Sheboygan.

Any input would be helpful.

[frodo13056]

Just spent the weekend in Kenosha at Southport marine - nothing but positive to say about this marina. I'm considering moving my 320 there for next season. Excellent facilities, appears to be quite a bit to do on those days you can't go boating - 2 hot tubs, big pool, workout facility, etc. and rates are pretty reasonable.

[cmelt]

I hear New Buffalo has a very nice Marina. Depending on how far you are willing to drive, there are a lot up the MI side of Lk. MI.

[futureboatowner]

We love Michigan. . . spent the best 5 years of our lives in Kalamazoo and South Haven was such an easy drive. . . but we also have family in Wisconsin and would like to be closer to that side of the lake for now. Spending a few nights in the Door County area is appealing. Once we're better boaters in a year or two, we'll look at some trips over to the Michigan side. And yes, if we change our minds, New Buffalo wouldn't be a bad option. We love the Warren Dunes area.

[Gehrcke]

Lake Michigan on the Michigan side is not so bad.  We have some beautiful marinas and sand beaches.  However, the water does get rougher than the Wisconsin side of the Lake the the wind typically blows out of the West.  Good boating though.

http://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/harbormap.aspx

[Black_Diamond]

A bit slanted on my opinion being in Michigan here...the benefit of a port about every 15 miles for cruising is great, plus add in sandy beaches.  The west wind will get the big lake moving, but in the summer that means warm water too.

South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven are all great places, not at all to say others are not good too.  Spent a week in Michigan City, IN..very nice Municipal marina with the beach steps away. 

Personally, the people make the place...a friendly group with similar interests makes all the difference.  We're family boaters, so slipping up with the party scene is pretty low on the list. 

[futureboatowner]

We'll try Sheboygan for a year, then move on to Michigan if it doesn't work. Agree that friendly people will be a plus and I hope that's what we find. Last weekend we were in South Haven on a beach and Lake Michigan had gale warnings. . . glad we weren't boat owners just yet!

[cmelt]

Yeah, we had to basically sit in the slip for Labor Day weekend. It was pretty bad. On the other hand, Mermorial Day and July 4th were the best that I can remember. What can you do? Here in MI, if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes, it'll change......

[Black_Diamond]

This past September has been a bit wild with the winds, buy May through the end of August was the best we've had in a while.  You just learn to deal with the waves and the weather and jump on the flat lake days!