Raft off 2013...
 

Is anybody going to this? This would be a first time for myself... actually it will my first time on st. clair with my powerplay. Im a little intimidated considering that I live on a 800 acre lake and thats all I know...

I go every year. It is a fun time but I usually park the boat behind the line and take a stroll through. Let me know I can run out with you if you want.

Matt

Yep I also go every year. It can be very intimidating for anyone that's never been. I also stay just outside the line and stroll in throughout the day. Just take it easy and watch out for everyone else, you'll be fine. I typically come in slow until its shallow enough to walk the boat into position. A lot of guys like to be in a big hurry kicking up sand and dredge the bottom. If your dropping in at selfridge, you'll need to be there pretty early. We are leaving marina at 11am which is close to selfridge so you can follow us out if that's your plan. We have seven boats heading out. Let me know if you want to follow or if you have any questions in general.

We have a group staying at Metro friday and saturday. We will do the raft off on saturday, then run the lake sunday.

X2 If you need a group to run and hang with at the raftoff be at the slips at metro around 7 am. if you want more info just PM me.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.. Im pretty sure that myself and my buddy of mine are going to get there Friday and stay the night on another friends 38' sailboat. Then get a somewhat early start Saturday... Ill be in no hurry what so ever getting out there and Ive been looking at the depth charts here and there. I have a nice marine navigation app on my ipad that I can bring but I think the best move would be to kind follow a group. Never used that app on a bigger lake before so I question it.

I am just little concerned about keeping up with a group though... just because I dont have a big boat like you guys do... but I know with my 24 degree hull I should be able to take more then the average Crownline or sea ray if theirs some big chop. Any feedback would be great on that...

Thanks again fellas

I got your number and will get in touch next week. Don't worry about the keeping up part as we are just gonna take it easy heading out, not like we are going for a run. It's only about a 10 minute ride at a slow cruise, 40ish mph.

Chris, I also am coming out for my first time. I can vouch for Nightlife And RFGONZO. They are good people. That's who Im meeting up with, I know it's not a race with them, it's about making new friends. I've got a Baja272 called COMFORTABLY NUMB. If you see me please drop by and say hello. Good luck have fun.

I have had two xlt 185's and used them exclusively on St. Clair. You wont have any problem with that boat out their.
Steve

Even if people take off on the water we would never leave anyone behind

This will be a first time for myself but on my dads 38ft sailboat... how close can we get to the raft off with it? I think he said his draft is like 7ft...

Jackdonz you can't get close with a sailboat with a 7 ft draft. The deepest part of the moot is maybe 5 ft. Better leave the sailboat at home and take the Donzi! I will be leaving at 11am myself from Belle Maer on my 32 Sunsation with a full boat, if anyone wants to follow me and tie up outside the line just let me know!! I am meeting up with others friends from LEOPA to tie up with and have a good time!! :)

Night
What time are you guys heading over in the am? Do you know if any docks are left at the Marina? Were throwing around the idea of trailering up from Cleveland area.
Thnx

whoya i think there are still slips left at metro i didnt have any issues when i got mine the other day not sure on the time but if you want to meet up in Toledo friday afternoon we could run up together

Still up in the air as of now. GF trying to get Fri. off. What time are you looking at heading up? How many boats getting together Fri.? Everybody rafting off together Sat.? What time do you guys go over Sat.?

i think there is going to be around 10 or 12 boats in our group we will all tie off together i would like to leave my house around 12 which would put me in toledo around 1 not sure what time we leave from Metro was thinking it was around 9 ish last year cant remember i was just a passenger ill PM you my number

The problem with the donzi is that its a open bow... I wouldn't be able to stay the weekend or even one night... I hate not having a cuddy! Would it be even worth coming out for just the day?

saturday is the actual raftoff friday night and sunday is just our little group getting together there are motels about 10 minutes away from Metro Marina

Yes. Definitely worth coming for one day, but if you plan on drinking a bunch, loading up and trailering home wouldn't be so cool. It's something to see if you never been.

I just booked my slip the other day with no problems. Marina was not full at all last year. We are hoping to leave around 1 on friday that would hopefully get us there before 5 with getting fuel and everything. I know that John said he wants to leave early like 8 saturday to get in line, we left latter last year but I don't think that was the plan.

It's a great time if your looking for something to do. Not as crazy as Jobbie. Friday night and saturday after we get back from the moot we just chill at the dock with some tents and a firepit. Sunday we will probably run down to the Detroit river for the heck of it, maybe goto one of the eateries to get some chow.

Come hang out.

I would never drink too much and drive home, but I plan on bringing the Donzi and ill just enjoy the experience. Looks like metro is only 14 bucks for the whole day for parking so I'll just do that. It looks like Ill be coming solo... dad really isnt a go fast kinda boat guy.

Hope you didn't take that the wrong way as I didn't mean you would! Was just saing in general. Solo or not, there are plenty of us to hangout with. Let me know as you are more than welcome to hangout with us!

For the guys that want to meet at Metro I was their today and they still have slips for Fri and Sat. The plan is for everyone to be at the docks around 7 am have some food & coffee load up the boats and try to head to the moot around 8am. To make things easier around all the chaos we will all tie up together outside the line then push into the line.

Well guys looks like were in, thats if you guys don't mind some more people??? We are coming with another boat but not till Fri. evening sometime. For the docks are they all in one area? Looked at google maps and saw a bunch in a U, Is that them? I launched at that ramp once, I think its the same place. Anybody have a number off hand to reserve docks? Are they marked on the water side? I would imagine the Marina will be closed will that be a issue? Might be dark when we get there.
Thanks for the info.

the marina closes at 5pm so i think you will just have to grab one and take care of it on saturday morning and yes it is on the u shaped ones call the south docks you can reserve it online and call them http://www.midnrreservations.com and tell them you will be late LATE ARRIVAL NUMBER: (586) 463-4581 tell them you want with lake st clair run and that shold help you be with our group

it is exit 236 on rt 94 go east about 3 miles

Im looking at the reservation drop down list. What name is the Marina/harbor under? Guess I should of asked is it the docks closest to the ramp or a little further? Both kinda look like a U

lake st clair ( metro marina )

Thanks totaly missed it.

no problem see you tomorrow night

Looks like we waited to long, called earlier and no docks avaliable for tonight. We have them for tomorrow. Looks like were on the sea wall tonight, first come first serve though. See you guys tonight. Im guessing you guys might be the only ones with tents/canopy up???

Whoya glad you and the rest of your crew made it up this weekend

Nice to meet all you guys, hope you all had Fun!

Had the time of my life. What a crazy birthday weekend. You guys really made us feel welcome and I really appreciate your hospitality.

Yes nice to meet you guys and the raft off was crazy. We will definately do it again. Would like to run down the river with you guys. You guys are probably doing that for the nooner next year, thought I heard not for the 2nd one?
Joe

yea we only do the one in June and the raft off we launch in St Clair for the one in June

Lake St Clair Run.com

actually it is this web address john added some spaces LOL http://lakestclairrun.com

You should have stuck around Ed, we ran down the Detroit River to the Ambassador Bridge. Then we all went to dinner, you missed a great time!

yea i know hell i ended up not getting home until about 5 pm by the time i made a couple of stops on the way home i actually helped you out by pulling my boat though if i would have left mine it it would have rained LOL