The old sneekins bar in Eastport?
looked at that, I am looking into buying the old Eastport township hall and EMT building across the street, icecream, candy store, bakery, coffee shop,and yes maybe a bar with local entertainment in the evenings,( simular to the old brownwood) with a boat repair and restore shop in the old EMT building.
What did Ms. Carleton teach?
I graduated in 82
JR

Nope, sorry I have never seen that building.
Where is it located? or was located?
JR

Mico's...Now owned by Gordy (dochside) it burn't years back.

I should have said its a parking lot now.

Yes - unfortunately.

In the 60's it was called Fetz's Lodge - The Dockside was an IGA store, and the rental unit next door was a Pancake House.

After coming back to the area after many years, I was sad to see the parking lot - the staff over at Butch's told me about the fire. Too bad. Overall, though - the area is pretty much like it was back then - we used to stay at the Northaire Resort over on Clam Lake.

Don't forget about Stan's ,awsum burgers back in the 60's.

The people up there are pretty nice too----but of course there is always an exception to the rule. A perfect example of this, is this local guy I ran into up there that goes by the name of "Rick"---owns a auto repair shop somewhere and hangs out with Michael Moore at Torch Lake---he seems to think he owns that too! :party-smiley-004:

Bunch of us doing a trailer trip to TC in Aug, where are the good stops for boats in the 38' range ?

A couple of boats that size trying to launch at Torch could be an issue. I have a horror story about launching my boat into Torch last year the day after Boyne Thunder. Great Lake once you're out there, but what a B#@tch getting there.

I heard Luhr's Landing on the Torch River is adequate enough for 40+ footers....I think someone said a 40' Skater launched there last year. I have never launched there myself, but I know some of the locals up there who know those waters well and they said Luhr's Landing can handle some of the bigger boats.

I usually launch in Elk Lake in downtown Elk Rapids---not sure I can do that anymore with the new hog I have now.

Mark what did you end up buying for a boat?

Wow nice Sunday on Torch Lake!
 

Hi Everyone
All I can say is "Burnt up" :evilb::eek:WOW SUNDAY WAS A GREAT START TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN SUMMER!!!!!!!
Torch was awesome!

Now, i hate to do this but there is a GREAT! the best launch on Torch Lake in Torch Lake Mi, I would say you can launch a 30' + maybe even 40' footer with a max 10' beam in this launch, just make sure you have the truck to be able to pull it out, the ramp is steep and the water gets deep fast, so low slung trailers might be a issue,I have launched 27'- 29' with no problem!
Google earth Torch Lake Mi you will see the launch to your right nice big pier for handling large boats
5 dollars to launch and park cheap!
The big negitive is its about a 10 mile trip south to the sand bar
But what the hell, no big deal, you get some good "go fast time" :drink:

I grew up up there, these kind of people, just ingore, i used to be one of those people, there not much going on up there most of the time and some of the locals need to feel important at times, and summer bring them out!
JUST ENJOY!!!!! :coolcowboy:

WOW, How easy I forget!!!!!!:lolhit:
I never spent much time in there, but i do remember that place now!!!
Always spent our time in Dockside, loved the river!!!!!
Ate at Dockside these past several weekends, fun place!
Need to talk to Gordy though about the service was a little rough, girls looked great! service? needed a little help with organization, kitchen did great! food was good! Going to be in trouble this memorial day weekend if service is like its been these past several weekends!!!!!! :eek:
Gordy needs to crank people through there!!!! :drink:

Not sure I understand your first sentence---hate to do what?

Nutn' special....just a galvanized warsh tub wit a toranady strapped own da rear!

Oh by the way, it DOES happen to have a little bitta yella or yeller own it! :D (how ever ya's want to say it) :lolhit:

Coming from Elk Rapids - do you ever have any issues getting through the stump field at the top of Skegemog - before Torch River? Seems most people say the channel is well-marked enough that they don't have any problems - but I have never been through there myself....

Hate to tell to many people, might give up a parking spot and have to walk from clear up on 31, that happens on the Fourth Of July if you dont get in early enough! :lolhit:

Most of the way the stumps are marked, it can get a little tough in heavy traffic, I try to stay clear of that area on busy weekends.
And I suggest you dont do it at night, unless you have really good lighting and know the area.

Idle speeds, drives trimed just to be safe, and stay in the center and you shouldn't have any problems.

I never had a problem with my 32' AT, and I know of a 38' Powerquest that goes through there all the time.

A word to the wise, as you APPROACH the STUMP FIELD from Elk Lake, it is wise to come OFF PLANE and at idle speeds 100-150 yards BEFORE you actually enter the stump field (you will see the markers). That is what I do---and I do not care what the other boats are doing....most of the time they are smaller boats anyway.

I know of someone who was just slowing down and coming off plane just before he entered the stump field and one of his drives hit a stump. So, don't rush it, stay focused and use common sense. Even so, if I owned a 51' OL I would still feel very confident coming through the stump field. As you have said; it is well marked and way more than ample room for 2-way boat traffic. Most of the time you will see other traffic coming through.

Also, Lake Skegmog is pretty murkey water...nothing like Elk Lake or Torch. As I have looked over the side while going through the stump field, it almost looks as if I catch quick glimspes of the bottom here and there, but I am not sure because of the clarity of the water the bottom appears to be black muck...but not totally sure of what I am looking at...the murkey water or the black muck bottom.

Once you begin to enter the Torch River it seems the scare of hitting a stump is over with, however I still keep my drives trimmed. There are a few shallow spots just up river from Luhr's Landing...mostly muck bottom with some weeds. You will want to hug the left side of the river as you go up river after passing Luhr's Landing. It seems that most (not all) boat traffic know to hang to the left side...even so still I manage to stir up a little muck. Just do NOT follow a pontoon boat!

Once you get passed that and a few more minutes of idle time you will be approaching the Rapid River on the right side which T's right into the Torch River---this is where all the murkey water comes from. And once you get passed the Rapid River it is like you hit crystal clear blue water from heaven---with nothing but a sandy bottom with some pea sized gravel here and there. It is truly almost unbelievable! Makes you just want to dive right in and go for a swim....from there Torch Lake is only about maybe 1/4-1/3 of a mile away.

Here's a few photos in succession. The top left photo as were going through the stump field towards the Torch River and eventually Torch Lake...

Hey Mark,whats with this MichaelMoore sh@t? Guess we'll be seein you in a new ride on the water this summer hea? You can plan that any time the way the weather has been lately.Theres a couple of places to launch at the so. end,Aarwood trail access sight,Luhrs Landing.They are no big lake michigan ramps but if you can handle your truck and trailer ok they work jus fine..

Thanks so much. That is the best, most useful guide to navigating that stretch of water that anyone's ever posted. Of course, I can never look at too many pictures of that area, either - it really is something else!

The only other comparable stretch I've passed through in that area is the Grass River, connecting Clam to Lake Bellaire. It was narrower and not too deep - I've only gone through myself in a big rented pontoon, but passed some 24-28' cruisers who made it up and down there...

I think I passed you in the Torch River Sunday?

DOCKSIDE restaurant Torch Lake/Clam River
 

Here's a few shots of the Dockside restaurant/bar on the Clam River just off of Torch Lake. The water is plenty deep enough to tie off your boat here to grab a bite to eat---Obivously, it will greatly depend on how many other boats are tied off there at the time as well which can complicate manuvering as well as other traffic passing through the channel from both directions at the same time...and that current can really mess you up fast.

It's best to have a little plan, your fenders and lines ready BEFORE you get in this tight spot if you plan to tie off at the dock to eat at the restaurant. You have to be nimble or you can find yourself in a bit of a mess very quickly----The current can be a bit tricky here. Make sure you have some deck hands at the ready.

I usually drop someone off at the end of the dock first before going in---so we have somone to throw a line to once we are commited further in the channel.

Here are some photos with lots of different angles...

Nice pics!!!!! :drink:

Big weekend on Torch!!!! :drink:
Whos all going to be there?

And of course the well known "Sand Bar" hang out on Torch Lake...

By the way, does anyone know if they have a dock at this launching site now? Also, how long of a boat/trailer will this launch ramp accomodate?

depends on traffic, and Im sure you know the parking situation. but put in a borrowed tooner there last year (24') and was a pain in the azz trying to turn around and launch with others in there. long trailer would probably be hanging out in the channel though others have said they launched 30+ footers in there

Mark,used to be able to but the power loaders have formed quite a bank up.Best to launch early also.

Yes, there's a dock located there, one sider, shallow launch,we had a tough time unloading our little 202, i would say max 24' max shallow draft!

Yep, that ramp is a joke although it provides some good entertainment for spectators. I would launch at Luhrs Landing it is worth the couple bucks and the ride up the river is pretty nice.

U would not know a launch if it hit U in your big AZZ!! Don't U have a diaper 2 change or sump'n!!!!:party-smiley-004::lolhit:

WOW
I think he knows that launch, it really is a bad launch!
The nicest launch for you go large fast guys is Torch Lake Mi north west side. quiet for the most part. :party-smiley-004:

shoot the new dad a bit-a-slack wrink,sumin bout glass houses and throwin stones......

A new dad and he still has the boat!
AWESOME!!!
AND CONGRADULATIONS TO THE NEW DAD!!!!! :coolcowboy:
OOOOH YEAH, AND THE DOCKRAGE IS A AWESOME SPECTATOR EVENT, SOMEONE SHOULD ADD A THREAD WITH DOCKRAGE VIDEOS:lolhit::angry-smiley-038::evilb::eek::drink: NOT ALOT OF :kiss:GOING AROUND AT THE DOCK!!!! :lolhit:

Probably skip Torch this weekend and head for Elk Rapids to do some boating on Grand Traverse bay, head into Traverse, etc...

Looks like the weather will cooperate. :evilb:


mb.

i'll be up this weekend... ill be at the dockside and the sandbar i have a powerquest 290 enticer with red checkers... if ya spot me ill have a cold beer waiting for ya dont be shy... see ya out there!

Alright, my plan right now is to be out Monday morning, I have my daughters graduation and family events this weekend, might make it Sunday afternoon!

I know, By Monday everyone is going home and trying to recover

Hey I have every weekend!

Thanks for the invite and have fun and be safe!
All white 202 Chris Craft stinger named boondocker
John Russell

That's funny, the 27 Baja is my buddy Mike and that was 3 years ago. lol

Yeah, a boat full of guys having a great time. I remember it looked like the timing was right (as you guys were coming in) for a great photo shot as I was trying to get some good angles of the Dockside Inn.