Lake Charlevoix weekend?
 

anyone going to be up north in Lk. Charlevoix this weekend? some gfs and I are going to be putzing in our little boat...

Hope to be on the water Saturday afternoon.
What kind of boat do you have and where do you normally hang out/raft/anchor?

missed ya!
 

hey-sorry, checked feedback on this and didn't c anything so i kind of gave up :-o went out Saturday- kind of crappy. we rafted just off oyster point on the backside-- met friends in chx. on a danzi... c u at the thunder maybe!

Where in Michigan is Lake Charlevoix? I have never boated in Michigan, but, I hear its quite nice

Michael

Lake Charlevoix is in the NW part of the lower peninsula - Above Traverse City and south of Petosky - the lake empties into lake MI, so you can head right out into the big water. In fact some serious boats will be doing just that next weekend at Boyne Thunder - the annual Poker run out of Boyne City. It is inland, at the eastern edge of Lake Charlevoix.

The lake is big, clean and beautiful - just like the whole region. It's really one of the best boating areas in the country (other than the short season) - if you can make it up there, you won't be sorry.

will you be at Boyne Thunder?

Terrible place!!! Definitely wouldn't recommend Lake Charlevoix. not worth the drive and don't tell any body about it either. Lol
:bsflag:

Kinda Freaky though, 10-15 ft deep and you see the bottom clear as a glass of water.

If you ever make it this way, pm any of the members from this area and we'd sure give you the best eat, dock, stay, see, and do, info around.
People from all around the country come to vacation here.

WOW, sounds like a real nice place! Friendly folks by the sound of it!

I boat mainly in the 1000 Islands area, but sounds like I should trek over to check out this area, thanks for the offer of hospitality!

I'm w/ ya Shawn D-- no place better! but... can it warm up a little? some of us are trying to enjoy summer on the boat... not much for a tan when I've still got my sweatshirt on :eek:

Shawn D We just made plans with several boats from the Lake Erie offshore club (LEOPA) to have a long weekend in Charleviox the second week in August. We have about 7 boats so far and are booked at the DNR docks in downtown from Thurs-Sunday, departing on Monday. I am assuming you know Tracy (Wrinkleface) Let me know if anything is going on that weekend, I hear there is an Art Fair, but that is not what we are going for, we plan to do some day trips to Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, Petosky etc. probably group up in one another's boat to save on gas. Most of our boats are between 38'-47', so for all go fasts, that is if you consider a BT a go fast:drink:

You should have a Great time. We are quite regulars in the Charlevoix Marina. Hal Evans is the Dock Master, Great guy. He was one of my sixth grade teachers 30 years ago.
Anyway, There is always some going on. The marina just went though a complete renovation and all the facilities are brand new - super nice. Usually a band playing in the park.


A walk off the docks to Whitney's Oyster bar, Andy's Deli ( great sandwiches), at closing time all the cool people end up at Helen's Top side bar
Endless fudge and Ice Cream shops.
Fine dining (not super formal) Grey Gables Inn ( 3-4 block walk), OR Argone Supper Club ( Quicky Cab - local drunk driver)

Beaver Island is 32 miles with the Shamrock bar.
Harbor has some great places to eat. (Tracy knows em)
Bay Harbor - gotta see this place. used to be a Cement Plant. I think the bar there is The Knot
Lealand is a favorite spot too. Typically go spend the night.
Petoskey Hmm Too Much Town for me. But I realy like to eat at White Caps. A walk from the docks

Boyne City Easy docks, Small shoppers dock though for 7) 38'+'ers
Red Mesa - great Latin American food.
220 Lake Street - food and bar

East Jordan - AKA South Arm of Lake Charlevoix - Nice cruise
Eat at the Landings in the narrows (Ironton) along the way. Kinda oh how do I say? different. not known for their great food or their low prices. But it is pretty cool to boat to there, tie up and eat right on the Docks as you watch the car ferry and other boats go back and forth. good for lunch.
once down in East jordan Murray's is the Bar

Raft out Places
Winds from the south -
Young State park
Loeb Bay 1st bay SE of Irish boat shop

From the N & NW
Oyster bay - A favorite!! straight across the lake from Charlevoix. Watch out for, but do check out the sunken Schooner. it is all the way in the back of the bay marked with a white plasic milk Jug. outline of the wreck is 1' under the water. we always anchor 15' from it. 7-9' of water, soft bottom. Look for Bald Eagles, there's a pair nesting in the back.
Holy Island great place when you want it to be warmer. just pass the norrows in the south arm.

SW winds
Forbidden bay. just West of Ironton. Forbidden, cuz someone posted no 'overnight anchoring' signs on the shore. Even through any one has the right to anchor there.

Obviously, everyone cruises the shores looking at the houses they can't afford. And believe me, regardless of how wealthly some are, this lake probably has some one wealthier. Going to East Jordan - South Arm on the North shore there is a beautiful Boat house you can put rigged sail boats in.


Hope the weather is great for You, after all it is Michigan

BTW if a PQ is a go fast, then so is BT. We just take our fridges, microwaves and toilets with us.

Thanks Shawn I really appreciate it, that's a lot of info you just typed.

Hopefuly we can meet up with you locals for a little fun and raft off on Saturday or Sunday. When it gets closer we will
talk more.

Donna

re reading your post has really made me anxious, Ian and I have been up there a few times, but really don't know the area and there is nothing like getting advice from a local.
Thanks again

No doubt! I was a local at one time (not as long ago as Shawn D I'm sure!) and a couple of those I wasn't sure of. We just got back from Cava in Bay Harbor, former Latitudes, and the food is still awesome-- no dress code, top notch food!

Sorry, I missed your post. Unfortunately, I could not make it up this year, as I am currently not working and had another commitment. Was there last year, though (sans boat) and had a great time.

Also used to vacation in this area as a kid for many years - mostly a little furthers south - at Torch Lake & Traverse City.

Will plan on being there next year, though - I'd like to spend the July 4th weekend on Torch and then just stay up there for the poker run on the following week...

What about the Villager, best Nachos around!!!

-Dave

You missed a good one- it was an awesome weekend! Sunny and warm-- some nice boats and lots of people in the party mood :drink: For sure Torch on the 4th-- and stay through Boyne Thunder next year!

nachos & burritos!

Yep! I musta forgot em, not really.. Yes the Villager Pub. They have great White fish too.
Also the Weathervane Terrace over looking the Channel on the north side is really Good too.
Also there is the little breakfast place Across from 7-11, used to be called Oma's. Not sure any more as I believed it changed hands

Locals still call it Oma's. I think it's called harbor view cafe or something along those lines now. Same menu. Good food.

we boated over & went to the Bistro- attached to Edgewater for breakfast-- it was awesome (even compared to Oma's). then I found out their dinner is even better so we went back and had dinner, yum! highly recommend it-- great view on the channel, close to the docks.

My wife, I, and another couple are thinking of spending a week in the area in early August. I have a 28' PQ that I will trailer. Would like to spend most days on the water, visiting various marina's, bar/restaurants, etc.... Given my boats size, we will need to reserve rooms in the evenings at hotels. Any help or suggestions in planning a nice vacation week, spending some time in the water, and visiting the towns would be greatly appreciated. I know nothing about the boating stuff in this area, and only a little about the towns. Thanks