Get a current chart(s) of the lake and study the depths. If you do the trip you'll probably run not that far offshore and you would be surprised how shallow it can be in areas. With the low water levels some marinas may be unapproachable i.e. Harbor Beach.

ed

Does Huron kick up like Lake Michigan does? Michigan can go from 2's to 8's in a matter of minutes!

I've been chased off of both lakes by weather. I respect both but Lake Michigan always make me more cautious. a lot of that has to do with prevailing winds beating from the northwest or north on Lake Michigan.
Huron get hammered also but typically not as bad. I'm sure someone may disagree, I'm going from my experiences on the north end of both lakes.
ed

I have made that trip as well. Sunrocket has it right in post # 5. Lots of ports all along the way for fuel and to take shelter if need be. No need to run way off shore. Just follow the coast up always referring to your charts to stay in water deep enough. Buy a cruising guide that will give you all the info you will need. It can be a fun trip if planned properly and are prepared for the unexpected.
Enjoy and tell us about your experience when your done.

Bob

Thanks for all the great information Guys. I have a feature on my garmin GPS that if I set it, it will plan out my route in a min of 8ft of water and I was planing on staying close to the coast. Also this will more then likely be a one way trip. I will have the Wife and kids trailer up, then we will spend a few days at the island. I have boated on Huron lots of times but Lake Michgin and Lake Erie stress me out more with the big waves. I plan on taking video and documenting the whole trip. Got some serious planning to do. Thanks

Still got to watch the weather on Lake Huron, winds out of the north or south will cause big waves for the whole lake, if the winds are out of the west it is normally good for the near shore except for when you pass the thumb. The waves will come out of Saginaw Bay with a west wind and are no joke. Made the trip last week at work and we had west winds no problem 2-3 foot waves until we passed Saginaw Bay and it was 6-8 waves, then back to 2-3 after Saginaw Bay. If you go to www.weather.gov and select the marine forecast it will give you a near shore forecast and a offshore forecast, the near shore forecast is within 5 miles from shore.

Aww geez. You didn't pick a navigator yet? I will do the trip with ya and the girls can pick us up.

Sounds good, I just need to do all the planning first.

Sunrocket the Saginaw bay is one of my main concerns, looks to be around 30 miles across. The other concern is up by Alpena were the shore line cuts in. Not sure how big the waves are up there?

That is where you need to keep checking the near shore forecast on your way up and decide if you are going to run south of Bois Blanc Island or run north of Bois Blanc island on your way to Mackinaw Island. Once you round Alpena if the winds are out of the north you want to run south of Bois Blanc Island, if they are out the south run north of Bois Blanc, if the winds are east or west you will get a bumpy ride either way.

I made that mistake on the south side of Bois Blanc once before. Not fun