Traversing Michigan from Traverse City to Mackinac Island

Take Another Route prepares for this summer’s sailing trip with 6 monohull sailing vessels, 36 friends from Texas, and our usual enthusiasm to explore. I thought it would be fun to preview the preparations with you.

How did we come to select Lake Michigan as our destination? Well, that was easy. You put a few like-minded friends in a conversation, toss out the idea and see who takes the bait. In this case, knowing our friends Barb and Sean have visited the area often, and Sean happens to be a University of Michigan alum, he was an easy target. The conversation went like this. “Sean, I heard sailing in Lake Michigan can be absolutely beautiful. Is that true? Maybe it would be a good destination for next summer’s trip.” I should mention that this conversation took place 12 months prior to what is not our departure date. Sean and Barb were eager to introduce us to one of their favorite summer spots. He made a few calls to other sailor friends, and the next thing you know, the group email went out “WHO’s IN!”

Lake Michigan has numerous ports and marinas along its shores, providing access to various sailing destinations. Our route will begin in Traverse City, where we have secured our bareboat charter from Great Lakes Sailing Co. The float plan will take us to 5 ports, covering approximately 200(nm) nautical miles in 10 days. We plan to visit the ports of Sutton Bay, Charlevoix, Beaver Island, the famous Mackinaw Island, and Petoskey.

Here are a few tips if you plan to bareboat sail and make your own route and marina plans.

Most ports have marinas that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages. All reservations can be secured online, and their slips are reasonably priced. Slips are based on your vessel’s length, but you should also know the beam and depth of your keel.
As we planned ports of call, the significant discovery is that the reservation system is not open until 6 months before the date you want to book. SERIOUSLY, not a day before. Sean was laser focused on securing our slips at each destination by getting up at daybreak, logging in several consecutive mornings, and booking slips for the 6 boats in our party.
Researching the time of year, we plan to set sail; we knew our July schedule required diligent planning. Considering the well know America’s Offshore Challenge™, also known as the “Race to Mackinac,” takes place in July, we carefully selected our dates. This race brings together something like 240 boats and 2,100 sailors from around the world to compete in the 333-mile or 289.4 nautical miles course up Lake Michigan. The Race to Mackinac is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. Why is this important? As the race will conclude on Mackinac Island, we knew boat slips in Mackinac would be impossible if we tried to “slip in” after this race. Through careful planning, we were able to navigate around the racing crowd. BUT WAIT, we also discovered that The Ugotta Regatta takes place annually on the weekend following the second of the Mackinac Races. Making minor adjustments to our float plan allowed us to set our dates and routes and secure our marina reservations.

Traverse City will serve as our base for arrival and departure. Our plan includes pre-sailing time in Traverse City to enjoy the local attractions. Traverse City is known as the “Cherry Capital of the World.” The area is also known for its natural attractions, like freshwater beaches, vineyards, wineries, and breathtaking sunsets. We have found an array of cultural activities, recreation, and a well know Old Mission Peninsula wine trail, to name a few things adding to the itinerary. In addition, and to be noticed, is Sleeping Bear Dunes. Definitely on the schedule for what we are told to witness the most spectacular sunset and view looking across Lake Michigan; Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Park. I have secured my America the Beautiful Parks & Recreation pass, taking advantage of the senior lifetime pass for $80.00. However, several different passes can be secured in advance online. Visit the US Parks Pass website.

Thanks for visiting Take Another Route and my Drop Anchor contribution. The Lake Michigan trip has many moving parts to the itinerary, and I look forward to navigating each port and delivering my stories to you. Please check back for my Lake Michigan Series and discover what I uncovered as I Take Another Route.
If you want great packing tips, check out my post, Travel Hacks.

Till then, Fair Winds and Following Seas

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