Port Huron, Mi Marinas and Service
- Thread starter rraferty
- Start date
Bridge Harbor Marina seems to have the nicest amenities in the area. I've only been there by dinghy, but I've known people who docked there and they liked it. It's right up against I-94 though. It seems like there would be a lot of noise.
The municipal marina is directly up-river of Bridge Harbor. They had depth problems years ago, and it was all but abandoned for a a while. I don't know how much the facility suffered before they addressed the issues.
The municipal marina is directly up-river of Bridge Harbor. They had depth problems years ago, and it was all but abandoned for a a while. I don't know how much the facility suffered before they addressed the issues.
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Give some thoughts to Sarnia Bay Marina. It's just across the river from Port Huron.
Thanks for the inputs. I'll check out Bridge Harbor - wasn't impressed with the municipal around the bend. Sarnia would be nice except for the loooong lines at the bridge. Anything on the "cut" which connects to the lake on the north side?
I'm not sure which municipal you're referring to. There are "city docks" along the north edge of the river in town, but the municipal marina that I mentioned above is adjacent to Bridge Harbor - you can barely tell where one ends and the other begins.
The problem with those places is that they're around a LOT of bends. If I were on my other computer I'd plot it out for you, but I'd be willing to guess that you could cross the bridge/border, get to Sarnia Bay and be out on the lake in less time that it would take to negotiate Black River and the bridges.
Of course, it depends on what kind of boating you do. Sarnia has ok facilities, with easy lake access. Bridge Harbor has more/nicer amenities, but difficult access to the lake.
I heard somewhere that Sarnia Bay is putting a pool in this summer. I don't know where I read that though - I might be on their email list or something...
The problem with those places is that they're around a LOT of bends. If I were on my other computer I'd plot it out for you, but I'd be willing to guess that you could cross the bridge/border, get to Sarnia Bay and be out on the lake in less time that it would take to negotiate Black River and the bridges.
Of course, it depends on what kind of boating you do. Sarnia has ok facilities, with easy lake access. Bridge Harbor has more/nicer amenities, but difficult access to the lake.
I heard somewhere that Sarnia Bay is putting a pool in this summer. I don't know where I read that though - I might be on their email list or something...
I totally understood what you are calling the municipal marina. I was not impressed with it. I think the problem is that they do not have many boats which leads to the docks being heavily oxidized and ladened with bird(goose) droppings. I went through that at Reefpoint in Racine.
Any ideas on marinas north of Port Huron?
Any ideas on marinas north of Port Huron?
I don't know if you've been on the river, the current is something else, like 6 knots comming out of Lake Huron. For that reason alone I'd look for a marina up the shore of Lake Huron. Hanging around the river very much could be deadly. Loose an engine and Detroit here you come.
that's too bad. There's a lot of potential there. I bet our Floridian counterparts wouldn't even believe that we have marinas with upwards of 200 empty slips - and PH isn't the only example.
6 knots and deadly? That's a little dramatic, isn't it Jim?
It "funnels" at the bridge and can mess with you, as can the effect of rain and persisitant wind, but 2-3 knots is more typical throughout the river. It's overall a nice boating environment.
Lexington is about 20 miles north. It's a beautiful little town with an awesome marina basin. They have an incredible white sand beach and there's even a sandbar within the marina that kids like to fish from.
Worth checking out for sure.
6 knots and deadly? That's a little dramatic, isn't it Jim?
It "funnels" at the bridge and can mess with you, as can the effect of rain and persisitant wind, but 2-3 knots is more typical throughout the river. It's overall a nice boating environment.
Lexington is about 20 miles north. It's a beautiful little town with an awesome marina basin. They have an incredible white sand beach and there's even a sandbar within the marina that kids like to fish from.
Worth checking out for sure.
We came up from Lake Erie a couple of years ago around the fourth of July, the current was 6 knots in the middle of the river per my GPS speed reading. Ended up towing a sailboat into Lake Huron, they didn't have enough engine to fight the current. I have twins so I was not that concerned about loosing an engine, but if it was a single I would not have been a happy camper until I got out of there. Loose an engine and your best hope would be to get an anchor to catch, river is deep there and that would be hit and miss, then if it did there you are in the river with big freighters which can't be stopped if down bound, I'd call that deadly.
I'm a boater that believes Murphy is alive and well, I'm going to do all I can to stay ahead of him/her.
I'm a boater that believes Murphy is alive and well, I'm going to do all I can to stay ahead of him/her.
On July 9, 2006, my GPS logs show a downbound SOG of 29 mph. I cruise at 26 mph.
On July 5, 2005 the log shows 22 mph going upbound - a 4 MPH delta.
My logs didn't record date and speed in 2004.
The current can and will kick up, particularly at the bridge. I don't agree however, that the St. Clair River is too dangerous for a single engine vessel - it's certainly not more dangerous than dragging a sailboat though a current that he couldn't manage himself. Where did you think Murphy was THAT day?????
On July 5, 2005 the log shows 22 mph going upbound - a 4 MPH delta.
My logs didn't record date and speed in 2004.
The current can and will kick up, particularly at the bridge. I don't agree however, that the St. Clair River is too dangerous for a single engine vessel - it's certainly not more dangerous than dragging a sailboat though a current that he couldn't manage himself. Where did you think Murphy was THAT day?????
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I bet Lexington - we have been there the six years in a row for the Air Margaritaville concert. Great little town. The weekend concerts are held right next to the marina.
Good food in town also.
Only drawback is the height of the docks at the State Marina.
Good food in town also.
Only drawback is the height of the docks at the State Marina.
I ended up going with in/out service at Desmonds. I have only heard good things about them and my first few days were good. I figure I can always rent a slip for a day or two at the city docks when needed. Lexington is a nice town but once again the marinas have a lot of vacancies and a ton of sea grass. Also, it is a two lane road from Port Huron so the commute is at least 35 minutes versus 5 minutes from my home to downtown. Also, since I still will be living in Illinois for a while, I won't have a boat to worry about if the weather kicks up real bad.
Again, thanks for the suggestions. Even though I did not choose one of them, I did check them all out in person and made my decision with less apprehension. I have always had a wet slip so dry stack is a big change.
Again, thanks for the suggestions. Even though I did not choose one of them, I did check them all out in person and made my decision with less apprehension. I have always had a wet slip so dry stack is a big change.
I only have good things to say about Desmond's as well. Last summer after filling up, we mentioned to the attendent that we were going to pull away, wait for the bridge and dock at the city docks for the night. He offered a spot on the wall, with power and water, FOC. We probably used $1.50 in electricity, and for that they got loyal customers and free advertising (from comments like this one).
If they encourage all of their employees to treat customers like we were treated, you'll be very happy there.
If they encourage all of their employees to treat customers like we were treated, you'll be very happy there.