First boat trip to traverse city?
 

Hello everyone,

Very excited to be planning my first TC / boyne Thunder trip in July, I've been to TC without the boat plenty but never with her in tow.

My question for everyone is where abouts on the two bays should we explore ?
It's the wife and I on a 32 fountain fever so light chop is ok but not much more for her comfort.

Any and all suggestions please fire away, we have no idea where to go once we launch at elmwood.

Thank you all in advance,

Sincerely


Joe

If you want to see Boyne Thunder, it is a bit of a ride, albeit a beautiful ride, from Elmwood to Charlevoix. You could stop in Northport or Elk Rapids, which are card stops for the run. There is Power Island, which is a great spot to anchor/tie up for a beach or swimming. I am not the expert that others are, but there are several towns with marinas dotting the bay where you can dock, but just as nice are the quiet bays and places to get away. You can boat to anywhere in the world from there, so in theory, it's all an option. Common sense says watch the weather and know where you are, that water can get big too.

Suttons Bay is also a nice stop. Even though it's a bay it can get nasty depending on the wind direction.

Power island, Bowers harbor, omena, Sutton's bay, downtown beaches, northport are all west bay places.

Here are some of our favorites...

Elk Rapids- our home port and home of Chef Charles' pizza. Also some nice shops and let us not forget Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen.

Suttons Bay- good shopping and good dining

Northport- not much for shopping, but a couple of nice dining spots

Leland- well worth the run around the Leelanau peninsula. Good shopping, good dining and delectable smoked fish at Carlson's.

Charlevoix- good everything! Don't forget to go to The Landings at Ironton, assuming they are done with their rebuild and are open by then.

Boyne- good everything here, too.

That should get you started, and others will certainly chime in with other ideas. We've boated here for twenty or more years and still aren't bored with the area.

The Landings is still running behind. Sadly might be August 1st. I hope they figure it out before that! Plenty of other places to eat up here until then.

Well heck and dangnation.

Sure there are plenty other places to eat, but they lack the "Cool Factor" when you eat right where you dock!

That's the one rap on T.C. , lack of places to dock and eat.

If Clinch Park has spots you're all set and close to town. But with the Zoo gone it feels like town has moved in on the marina.

Your going to have a blast there's so much to do!

Look forward to seeing you on the water

We enjoy staying at Elmwood, last time at clinch they put us next to the sidewalk . Bums drove us nuts wanting returnable's. Bad part about that was 2 of them where from Boyne City. True story.

Head up West Bay to just north of the Grand Traverse light to see the poker run boats as they run from Elk Rapids to Northport.
ed

Sounds like there is going to be a whole lot of OSOers in that hood in the next couple weeks. Myself, KSFlyer and team synergy are going to be at Elmwood over July 4th weekend. Doc Pete will be in Sutton's Bay. RT930Turbo, ss022mag, and jriggs will be there at that time and boating around up there before heading over to Boyne Thunder. Just met two more guys in South Haven this weekend that are coming up for the 4th...40' Hustler and a 42 Outerlimits.

Can't wait for Kevin and Kristy to show us their 'hood. :flag:

Our favs are Elk Rapids and Harbor Springs & Leland Fish Town is cool. You can run out to the ship wrecks. Those three can keep you busy for a few days. Marinas are nice and locals are friendly We stay in East Jordan.

The whole area is great
 

We are going to be at Suttons Bay over the 4th too!!!!

Really enjoyed Elk Rapids when we stayed there.
Not at trip by boat, but the Legs Inn at Cross Village is a cool car ride and visit if you are able.

Plenty to do in West Bay...especially with the air shows on the 4th & 5th in Traverse City. Will be a heavy boat traffic area both days. Power Island to hang out or ev n close in by town. Surround Bay is an easy run for lunch. Apache Trout Grill & Holiday Inn have "boater friendly" docks now...cocktails/food/etc. Fireworks Sat nite over West Bay/TC

Going beyond the end of the Old Mission point - Better make sure the weather is good or you could be in for a long day unless you like big close waves:flag::daz:

See u out there!

SORRY! Darn auto-type!!! "Suttons Bay"....not surround...wtf....

I'll be up from Sunday the 28th through Sunday the 5th... Was talking to Kevin about getting a lunch run to Charlevoix one of the days but open to suggestions... lets get something planned for a meet-up maybe Monday or Tuesday to start.

Stopped there in 2011 when we rode our bicycles from New Buffalo to Mac Island...

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If anyone is wondering what the water temperature is in West Bay, my wife today.

Looks like it's gonna be a party:flag:

I bet it is real cold!!!!!!

Anywhere Fun Michelle goes...it is a party...

Mr. and Mr. JRiggs, Mr. and Mrs. RT930, BigBoat28, and Fun Michelle...in a Formula cabin...

52 degrees, she was in long enough to get wet and surfaced screaming how cold it was.

True story! After watching her I couldn't resist the temptation and dove in myself.....she made it look easy ED!

Didn't help that the south wind blew all our warm water out that day. It's starting g to warm up now though.

Thank you all so very much😎!!!! Amazing information, I'm so glad I asked OSO.

Anyone interested in meeting up ? We are in TC July 8th and 9th than Boyne City 10th - 12th.

It's just the wife and I so if anyone is interested in meeting for a day run or raft/ swim email me!

[email protected]

I think July 9th we will spend the whole day in west bay, so let me know :)

Thanks again!!!!

We will already be at Boyne on the 9th or I would!

Hey Kev...you have any plans for a "fun run" over the 4th?

Ok, we will be in Boyne early afternoon on the 10th, any cool coves or romantic areas on lake Char ? Sand bars ?

Is Boyne Thunder rain or shine on Saturday ?
Thanks gentleman :)

There is a small "bay" called oyster bay just a couple miles east of the coast guard station coming out of round Lake into Lake Char on the north shore!! Popular spot 4 boats to anchor/raft up! Nice spot!!

Pretty much yes

We'll be in TC Friday , staying until Wednesday when we head to Boyne.:)

Weather permitting Bill, we plan on boat'n down 4 the air show on Friday!!! Hope 2 catch up w/ ya!!

Thinkin about hitting west bay tomorrow (wednesday)... Anyone else going to be out??

Nope, my jerk boss won't give me the day off.

Same here. Be up Friday around noon.

Air show is on Saturday Jack Wagon.....

Sunday too, Jack Wagon....

Hell yeah! Weird Al playing on Sunday night! http://www.cherryfestival.org/our-events/concerts/