Torch Lake
 

Any one going to torch this weekend?We will be there from Thursday to Sunday we have about 10 boats in our group.

From what I heard on the news it's supposed to be a pretty nice weekend.....so far that is. Is there anything special going on up there this weekend at Torch?

Nope just the week we go up every year.

Venetian fest in Charlevoix this w/e!! Fireworks 2 nights!!!:ernaehrung004:

Jimmy Buffett will be there Sat. night for the boat parade.

We'll be there Saturday. Might spend the night so I can keep on partying! :D

Anyone know a good spot to stay on Torch Lake for the Aug 1-4 w/e? Is it worth dragging the boat up there, or can you rent jet ski's/ pontoon boat there -- just would like to tour the lake, relax by beach/water, and have a look around the area.

Thanks, Dave

If you really don't want to drag your boat up there, you can rent a pontoon at either Butch's Tackle and Marine (231)377-6787 at Clam River...or Luhr's Landing (231)322-2868 on Torch River. I've rented a 24-ft. pontoon at Butch's before, and it's right across the channel from The Dockside...maybe the funnest place to eat and drink on the chain.

Any idea where to stay, my sister said just to stay at Traverse City and that it would be close enough, but if there was a nice place right on the lake -- I'd rather do that.

Oh and thanks for the #'s Black Jack.

Yes, definately worth hauling your boat up there. If you didn't then you might end up being sorry. You can also stay in Elk Rapids which is only about 7-10 miles from Torch Lake. Elk Rapids sits right on Grand Traverse Bay---so, you can launch your boat there too if you like and tour the bay...just read the charts before you go or follow some one who knows the waters well.

Did anyone see Jimmy Buffett at Charlevoix this weekend?

I think I saw him on a 31' seaRay cruiser Saturday Night in the Parade. WTF. Seems like a guy like that would be on Nortech or somthing.

A lot of people rent their places for weekends and whatnot. There really aren't any hotels or anything around there. Renting a house might be your best bet.

As others have said your best bet is to stay in Elk Rapids or find a house to rent right in Torch.

And yes, definitely worth the trip!!!

Do you have the yellow HTM with flames? I saw it sitting in Whitewater Park when we were putting in Saturday morning.

Great weekend, put on 120 miles in two days. Blew a power steering belt on the way back two miles from the dock on Sunday afternoon but other than that a great weekend!

http://www.torchriverresort.com/

Here is the link for the Torch River Resort. It is located at the south end of Torch Lake. Although not right on the water the Torch River Marina is right accross the street and they have slip packages with room rentals.

Good Luck

Bubba, U R so PUDDY whip'd already! Makes me sick! Honey, I want 2 go and get fudge on Mack Isle!!! Yada Yada Yada!!!:grinser010::evilb: Oh, clean the toilets while U R at it!!!:eek:

Thanks for the replies, I ended up booking Grand Traverse fro the w/e, I'll try and take in all the sights, anything really good that I should try not to miss??


Dave

If you're going to be there long enough to do Torch and still have time, put your boat in on West Grand Traverse Bay and head out to Power Island--great sandy mooring spots on the southeastern end of the island and deep water abounds on the West Bay. Go to www.oldmission.com and check out all that is available on old mission peninsula. We were just there last weekend at my parents place and did both Torch and the west bay--great times on both always. Clinch park marina is a good launch--right in TC. Your best best for Torch will be to launch out of Whitewater Twp. launch on Elk lake--close to TC and the casino. Wish we were going back this weekend--Michigan boating at it's best! Enjoy and let us know how it was.

if your boat is a twin and a butt dragger like mine be carful of the w.w. launch and the torch river. keep the drives WAY up and at least follow someone who looks like they know the way.

He's right the Whitewater Twp boat launch is a very nice launch, but looks a little shallow---although I have had guys tell me they have launched boats larger than mine there (my boat is 32'). I remember getting out of my truck and looking at the launch and was about to launch my boat there for the first time, but I decided not to at the last minute because I was by myself and it was a bit windy and I didn't want to take the chance of launching there that day with the waves bobbing my boat up and down in the shallow water and then coming back in to put my boat back on the trailer without someone to help me with that wind and short dock. I also spoke to the park emloyee and he told me he has had larger boats than mine launch there.

I decided to launch over at the launch in downtown Elk Rapids which is plenty deep enough---the problem is my trailer has 16.5" wheels and I am just barely able to get my boat off the trailer there without my tires going over the ramps edge at the end. I have launched there several times since. Josh aka "Perfectmix" has a 38' Powerquest and says he has launched there many times without any problems...probably because he has a smaller wheel base on his trailer. Josh knows those waters very well around there.

Also, coming from Elk Lake you do not want to go through the stump field by yourself in Lake Skegamog for the first time. Josh can tell you some stories about that as well. I would not let any of this deter you from going, just ask lots of questions from other boaters when you get there or try and have someone with a boat that knows the waters up there meet with you when you launch your boat----especially if you are launching from Elk Lake and heading for Torch Lake via the dreaded stump field in Lake Skegamog. It's ALL FUN though!

we launched a 42 fountain with drive guard over the 4th of july no problems other than the drive guard went into the mud at the end of the launch.

Have 42 formula launched several times at state access right next to torch river bridge. Not bad at all just go early to get parking spot. And also you will have to back in off road, very doable and safe. Torch over to lake skembog can be a tuff ride at night. Mark

Whitewater is a lot deeper than it looks. I've seen some 36+ footers launch there.

And the stumpfield is marked much better this year. Just cruise between the buoys and you're good.

Now the river does have some shallow spots around a couple of the islands that you have to watch for.

Was that your Saber at the Whitewater dock last Sunday(July 27th) morning? Tribal design paint, I think blue and yellow. If so great looking boat!

Has anybody gone from Torch, then up Clam Lake, through Grass River to Bellaire? I've done it in a pontoon boat, and passed a cruiser or two - but that was several years ago....

I have done it a few times. We took a 26ft cruiser thru. Its most shallow point is at the mouth of Bellaire. Its a very long sand bar only a few of feet deep. A twin engine boat might be a bit to deep!

Scott is correct, in general the water is much deeper that it looks on these lakes due to the clarity. It is not uncommon for an occational 43 Black Thunder to launch at White Water, the docks are just a little short. The Stump Field as you call it is marked well with water depths in excess of 4ft. The only problem is when some Jack AZZ takes off in 4ft of water and stirs up a suprise log or stump. You just need to come off plane sever hundred feet before the markers. In the river it has a few shallow spots but they are pretty easy to see. To go into Bellaire can be done but not recommended in any boat other that a small I/O, or Pontoon.

Ya Bubba, U stick down there on the small pond U Wuzzy!! U R already so PUZZ Whipped it is sickening! Get a life & get up here where the real boat'n is!!! Get a life!!!:party-smiley-004::evilb:

We'll be heading to Torch this Saturday with a group of Donzi Classics. Can't wait! :ernaehrung004:

- Jeff

Wrink,shoot PM (josh) a little slack his plate tis a bit full rite now.Careful or i'll havta bring my firebreathin SXL up and open up a case a WHIPAZZ on the n-t.lol!!!!!

Hey D-hole. Some of us done't have a 5 day boat weekend :D How is the Poormans Poker Run turing out. My dad(26sxl) has apparently figured out how to register to OSO and wants to know if he can play. I have another frigin wedding to attend. I will get up to Charlavoix before its all over I promise.

Don't know much about the PMPR other than it is this SAT. Weddings, Mack Isle!! Yada Yada Yada:grinser010:

nope not me, this is mine....

Will be there tomorrow and on the TC bays Sat and Sun! I've got an 07 Sunny Dom MCOB

Perfectmix/Josh, Looks like Dave Wesseldyk has your brother's engines pretty much all done and dyno'd. I am going to be up at Grand Traverse Bay and Torch Lake area during the Labor Day weekend and hope to see him running.

I took this photo from the Dockside at Clam River on 7/13 - we stopped there after going up to check out Boyne Thunder the day before. It was so windy, no one wanted to sit out on the deck. Still beautiful, though....

That lake is the best! we just sold our 4500sqft house on the lake. We got 500 bucks a night to rent it! but it was brand new everything.

The dockside wis a really good place that was my normal hang out for about 2 weeks when on vacation.

But we have been thinking of building another place and renting it. Would anyone on her rent on the lake? Ive been trying to talk dad into building another place since we still have people calling every day to rent.

my boat at Torch.