I've been out on torch quite a few times last two July 4th's have been spent out there it's a pretty awesome lake. I've never done the chain of lakes at Torch because I've always been scared of the stumps in Skegemog. Been out on West Bay two or three times and went out to Power Island but I never ventured much further than that. I'm looking forward to trying check out some new stuff this year!!

You will want to avoid Traverse that week. Also be aware of the expanded swin areas around Traverse City. They have boat restrictions that extend around them and if you leave your boat on the hook for more than 48 hrs in Traverse now it is a ticket and the police are getting a lot of pressure to enforce it. They think it is B.S but it is local politics. They are trying to get enforcement on the use of anchor lights in town too. Crap we haven't done here for over 4 decades.
Your coming during Cherry Festival so there will be extra law enforcement out. Sheriff, Coast Guard and DNR. Be careful!

I get out on Elk Lake and Skegemog and the river into Torch quite a bit, I launch into Elk Lake since it is close to me, never had a problem in the lakes with stumps, the river going into Torch I have bumped a couple with my skeg on my current boat with twins and 4 or more people, never with a previous 26 ft boat and a single, the stumps in that area are marked.

It depends on the water as to how far out of TC bay you're gonna want to venture....
Last year I made a trip from Elk Rapids around to Sleeping Bear dunes with a stop in Leeland for dinner. Wind kicked up out of the SW pretty good which made it pretty bouncy for the trip home but not to bad.
A trip up to Charlevoix is a must do if you haven't done it. Charlevoix is a nice town to walk around and the Villager Pub has the best fish you'll find. As was mentioned if you're gonna be around for a while, check out the Boyne City poker run.


mb.

4 shore, B here 4 BT!!! Gunna B awesome this year! Great part about Lake Char is if it gets rough on the big lake U can find a nice spot 2 hang out on a gorgeous lake!!!! Look us up!!! Tracy

I absolutely want to check out Lake Charlevoix, I was there for an afternoon last summer but we drove into town. It was pretty cool watching all the boats come into town through the channel. I've absolutely loved every boating experience i've had in Northern Michigan. I'm also very excited about checking out BT looks like an awesome time.

Excited for you to come visit TC! Power Island is a fun place to tie up. West Bay and East bay rarely get rough enough to stop your boat so even if you don't make it to charlevoix you can at least zoom around between elk rapids, suttons bay, and TC. The run to charlevoix is easy from elk or TC and if its to rough you will know it and can turn around back into the protection of the bays. Obviously if the skies look good and the weather forcast is good you will make it from the protection of the leelanau penninsula to lake charlevoix before you are in any danger! Its about 50 miles between charlevoix and TC which is a easy run in a Baja, IMO. Look forward to seeing you out there!