Grand Traverse Bay

[ROBINIK]

I am looking for advice on cruising Grand Traverse Bay. My wife and I have been everywhere in southwest and central Michigan from New Buffalo to Manistee during the past few years and are looking to trailer our 27ft mid-cabin up to the Traverse City area late summer to do some harbor-hopping. We're planning about (6) nights afloat and are looking for the following:

1. The best town/marina to launch from, preferably municipal, with long-term parking (we're open to anything on the west bay or possibly east if necessary).

2. Most worthwhile stopovers/activities-both day cruises and overnight (i.e. Traverse City, Sutton's Bay, Northport, wineries, etc).

3. Ports that have wall mooring and courtesy docks as we will not be bringing our dinghy.

4. Finally, any other general advice/things to avoid when cruising Grand Traverse Bay (anything from navigation to restaurants/pubs).

Thanks!!!

 

[sugilbert]

It's been many years, but if you're going north &/or east; Charlevoix is beautiful & quaint. Lake Charlevoix is quite large and is beautiful to sightsee as well as sheltered if Lake Michigan decides to get nasty. Town has wall docking, but I found that ammenities at Irish Boat Works, just into Lake Charlevoix, were far better.

Southwest from there is Leelenau which is small but delightful. North from Charlevoix is Harbor Springs. Your admiral will love shopping there, but restaurants are great too.

If you're into few ammenities, but quite quaint, don't miss Beaver Island.