Well, this sucks. Might or might not make it back to Elk Rapids tonight. NOAA lies!

Still, we remain hopeful, if not optimistic...

Did you stop at Killarny? The fish they sell at the School Bus (Mr. Perch) used to be the best fish ever. It has been a few years so I am not sure it is still there.

Padraig

Didn't make it that raf east. we got to LIttle Current and then puddled our way back west. We'll alot more vacatiom time for the next North Channel trip, and provision better so we can anchor out for a few nights.

Blue Oval we will be putting in Charlevoix on Monday and overnighting in the marina. Will you still be around?

Dave

Never got around to wrapping up this thread. We made it back to Elk Rapids fine, despiote NOAAAs dire predictions. The next day we drove to Boyne where I met BlueOval and had a nice chat with him while my wife and a friend shopped. Shopping is much less painful when you stay in a bar and turn the girls loose....

Back to the trip...
Bottom line, do the North Channel.

Customs in and out is easy, (And would be even easier if you get Nexus or the I-68 permit).

A week is not enough for a good trip. We did fine seeing selected areas, but wanted more time. And provision yoourself for some off-island anchor nights. We didn't but will next time.

The people there were great, and out timing was great also. Late in the year the marinas are only partially filled and slips are easier to get. On the downside, some places have limited hours.

Bring fenders. Most Canadian docks seem to lack teh 8x8 upright posts we're used to here in Michiagan,so you need to protect the boat from the often-abrasive fire-hose-type 'padding' on the docks!

And again, thanks to those who gave insight before the trip. And for anyone thinking about it, PM me and we can chat!

Had a great weekend, great talking boats at lunch Friday, awesome you brought Tug up to say hi! Great talking to you Dave at the Charlevoix Marina. Going to be a let down this weekend with 60's and no boaters to BS with!

Nice thread, thanks. I'd like to do this but not sure we could anchor off in the checkmate. It's definitely on the list of things to do.

Yeah... the Checkmate might get a bit small for anchoring. But for sure try to at least find a secluded spot to kill thge engines and have a quiet few hours. Seeing a whole gaggle of Loons around us was awfully darn cool.

On a good note, the Mrs has figured out that the whole anchoring out thing would be a lot nicer in the 400SS, so... maybe in two or so years we might be upgrading!

Hope to catch up with you sometime to hear more about it. Thanks for the pics and the write up. The crawfish reference from earlier was a hint at eating at Pearl's in ER.

I'm with you on Pearl's.

The Missus' 50th was a few years ago. I bought her a nice ring from Mullaly's in ER and had the waitress at Pearl's (Kelly, I think it was) bring it out in a fruity drink with one of the plastic spear things in it that they use to hold orange slices in the drink. The waitress had quietly gotten everyone in the whole surrounding area in on the gig and when the Missus saw the ring they all cheered.

Man, did I get some 'good-husband' points for that, but damn, now I gotta try and top it!

Looks likje just one more bloat triop this year in a few weeks for tghe fall layup. Then we have the long winter to look forward too..... :faint2: