Charlevoix

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We're planning a cruise in '08 that will include some stops in the Little Traverse and Grand Traverse Bay areas. Bay Harbor is a given. I think I'd like to get to Northport and/or Leland as well. We've always skipped past Charlevoix because of scarce dockage, but I'd like to make a stop there.

Does anyone have any strategies for securing dock space in Charlevoix?
 
I can't answer your question as we go past it too. On our annual trip we leave Jacobson's in Frankfort, MI and go north to Bay Harbor ($$$$) or Petoskey. We have never docked at HS. The idea of standing off 'til mid afternoon hoping for a slip has no appeal. Our plan usually is to get reservations at Petoskey and cab to Bay Harbor and HS on the days we want to visit, Actually the three mile walk through the woods to BH is worth doing.
I hope you get a good detailed answer here as I am interested in Charlevoix as well.
 
It's been many years, but have been to Charlevoix several times; and enjoyed it tremendously! There is a very good marina on Lake Charlevoix, just south of the entrance from Round Lake called Irish Boat Works. It's full service, and space was always available.
 
If you have to choose between the two, I'd pick Leland over Northport. Fishtown is very unique. I've never had good luck either getting into the municipal at Charlevoix but they just renovated the marina and added slips so it may be easier next summer. I'll probably try there again too. It's a great spot.
 
Thanks Steve. I had heard about that before, but I was confusing it with the Ironton place inside the South Arm. That looks like an option, as well as the NWYC, but they seem like they'll be a long walk/dinghy ride into town. (we'll also be travelling w/ dinghyless boats, which limits options somewhat)

PJS, I had heard about an effort to expand the city docks, but the only thing I could find in searches about it were statements about the townsfolk voting it down. I'm going to try to get reservations for the city docks and see how it goes. It's listed as having 60 transient wells - that's a LOT more than I thought. I'd like to avoid reservations so far from home, but I'll have to lock in Mac Island anyway, so I guess it's no big deal.

I've been following the renovation of the island marina - whoo-hoo! I'm disappointed that they're not adding docks and I'll apparantly have to carry out my plans to disable the engines in the entire Arnold fleet to enjoy a wake-free afternoon at the dock, but it looks like the improvements will make the street-side slips usable by more than 22-ft boats.

I included Northport because I spent many summers there as a kid, and I guess I want to re-live a little of that. It's one of the few towns I know that just doesn't seem to change. That can be a bad thing, as there isn't a lot to do and restaurants are scarce. Leland may very well be a better choice.
 
Yes, the expansion has taken place in Charlevoix. And now that you mention reservations I think I read that in order to get the project money from the State they agreed to be part of the harbor reservation system so you may be able to make advance reservations (they never did that in the past). We've stayed at Northwest before and while it is a nice marina it is a significant walk to town.

Leland, like Charlevoix, is a very popular marina and they don't take reservations as far as I know. But they rarely turn anyone away as they are very good at rafting boats to the ends of the piers etc. We've done this a number of times and it works well but does require long electrical cord runs to get to the power posts. I've heard they will be renovating soon too.

Will you be cruising all the way from Cedar Point?
 
Sounds like it'll be at least worth a try.

I thought that the Leland docks were relatively new? (less than 10 years?) I'm not sure where/how I heard that - never been there by boat.

Yup - we'll be coming from Cedar Point, accompanied by 1-6 other boats. (or most likely, alone...) In an effort to maximize vacation time, we'll take the boat up to Lake St. Clair the week before the trip and use it as a starting and ending point so we can complete the trip within 2 weeks.
 
Avoid Charlevoix--too French sounding.

Here we are at Leland in 2004....brought UB from Michigan City IN to Grand harbor, OH with a brief sojourn (too frenchish--make that brief trip) to the North Channel.

Of all the ports, I liked Leland the best.

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walking the shoreline>>>>>>

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Nice pics Buck...Looks just like that sitting in our building! LOL Just cooler and darker
 
Yup - nice looking boat, no doubt. She looks even better now, with black bottom paint. Not that you would know Ram, haven't you been on vacation for like a month?? :)

I think I'll skip Northport to fit in both Charlie-Vox and Leland. I think I've also swapped a stop at Mackinaw City for St. Ignace. Does anyone have input on that? I've been to Mack City many times, usually as a fallback when the island was full. I've never been to St Ignace.
 
Charrlevoix is not difficult to get into. You just need to know about three options that always work. You put your name on the list and then go to Northwest around the corner and check back with the city dockmaster the next day. You are usually ln the city marina within 2 days. Another option is to rent a slip at the mushroom house on Round Lake that allows transients to stay overnight. The harbor master has the phone number of the lady who rents its slip out. Our favorite approach is to put our name on the list and drop a hook in oyster bay. The harbor master does a roll call very morning and when your name comes up you are in.

The slips at Leland are not new. The renovation was put on hold for political reasons.
 
An option for Charlevoix would be at the end of Lake Charlevoix at the Harborage. Really a nice place. Never stayed there but bought my Tiara from a guy that keep it docked there. Boyne City is a nice little town a short walk away. Do any of you Lake Michigan boaters ever make it up to the straits? This coming season I plan to lease a slip at Duncan Bay. Really a nice place with plenty of available slips. Check out their web site.
 
You guys are making me dream of my next trip to Lake Michigan and Huron. We trailer our boat to Traverse Bay area and visit Charlevoix, Mac Island, Manatou Islands, and Leland. I really enjoy visiting Leland, and hope to stay in the little Inn next to the dam and water way. Such a quaint township. We had trouble getting day mooring at Charleovix in the past. Last year was a bust for us with the wife almost losing her leg in an accident, not much travel or boating at all.
 
Always a must for me is Beaver Island. Small, quaint, laid back. QUIET.
 
I found drawings and pics of the new Charlevoix docks - it looks like they've done it right. I'm encouraged.

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Wow! Very nice. I just might have to go back after roughly a 20 year absence.
 
I just secured my reservations on Mackinac Island. The DNR online system allows for reservations 6 months in advance. I couldn't believe how many docks were already reserved just a few hours into the available window. whew.

So St Ignace. Decent? What kind of risk am I taking in July if I don't make reservations?
 
I stopped for gas at the St. Ignace municipal marina last summer but never stayed there. It looked like a very nice marina. It is probably the last to fill-up after Mackinac Island, and Mac City but if you're going around the 4th of July it could be crowded there too so reservations might be a good idea.

What a great way to spend winter days...planning summer boat trips!
 
St. Ignace is very nice! The employees very friendly and facilities clean and well kept. Just a short walk to several good restaurants and free transportation to the casino.
 
quote:
Originally posted by sugilbert

Wow! Very nice. I just might have to go back after roughly a 20 year absence.
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I only wish they would have installed some spring piles between the slips so your boat is not run into by the next guy coming into the adjacent slip. My last boat was damaged by a guy who came in on a windy day and bent the heck out of my rub rail. It was a combination of poor boat handling skills by the skipper and no help from the marina staff. The guy behind me told me about the accident as no one else bothered to let me know. The guy that hit me denied it at first.
 
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