if you are coming from clam or torch it is a long.......................... boring idle to get to bellaire. even worse is to get there and find the two spots to dock are taken. did it once in a 16 foot jet boat , never again.

I have taken the Grass River all the way up to Lake Bellaire a few times on a pontoon boat. You can only go at minimal idle speeds, and it might be boring to some, but the scenery and tranquility is priceless----pack a lunch, load up the cooler and relax a little. I love taking that little trip every now and then.

Torch lake is amazing! Went there for the 1st time last year with my Checkmate.

Since I'm a 5 days away from getting may last COVID shot I've been making plans to head up this way - maybe to check out Boyne Thunder in July, since it looks like it will be back on again this year. In the mean time, I needed to make a new bartop for my backyard Tiki Bar and decided to drop a map of my favorite lake on it. Created this in a graphics program I have and had the local library (which provides very reasonable large-format printing services) output this on heavy outdoor-grade vinyl. I glue this to a prepped hollow core door (it is plenty stable enough and has to be light enough to remove each winter) and then will attach some bartop moldings around the outside. It will need 4-6 coats of spar varnish for protection, but should look pretty cool when I'm done. So at least I can think of being there, as I sip an ice cold Corona.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b5263d7908.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4f41f626fa.jpg

Still have it? Making it out to torch this summer and I like beer.

Heading up for Boyne Thunder tomorrow - hoping to get a chance to have a beer at The Dockside on Torch mid-day Friday, maybe take a quick dip at that little beach next door. Amazed that the little beach shack is still there. First visited in '62.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fc8e82501d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d8927af0f1.jpg

Congrats man...Nice looking boat.

Torch is just as beautiful as ever. Had a chance to have a beer in Alden and at The Dockside at Clam River. Weather was absolutely perfect.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...de8d8167cf.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0f9e3fdfbe.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1d7eefde5b.jpg

The best 2 lakes in northern Michigan IMO!!!!