Hello NIOCers...it has come to my attention that the West Michigan Offshore group is attempting to plan a trans-Lake Michigan run from Grand Haven to Milwaukee next August. Being a person that both enjoyed and attempted to make use of the reciprocity of membership between the two clubs last year (was fogged out of our attempt to run with WMO on Labor Day), I think it would be exceptionally cool if NIOC could coordinate a coinciding event running from Northpoint or just trailering up to MKE and partying with our offshore brethren from the Mitten. They are shooting for August 12-14...here's an excerpt from the email...

Milwaukee Trip 2016?


Even though summer 2015 is long over, the board is busy putting together a stellar schedule of events for next summer that will be one of the best in the country! One major possibility is an August 12-14 trip from Milwaukee to Grand Haven. Last September's survey showed 91% of respondents saying they would consider attending something like this. However, we need more information before we pursue something this intense and complicated.

Just a suggestion. Have a great winter...if it ever gets here!
mike

I agree Mike, I saw the email too and was going to reach out to them. Not sure about Aug as the water can be questionable that time of year for them to run across. It would be nice to arrange evening stay in Milw and run up and see them and hangout in Milw. If not for overnight it is an easy run up from Wintrhop for the day.

NIOC buddies,

It would be great for our two clubs to join forces for a weekend! How cool would it be for a bunch of your boats and our boats to hang out at the marina, hit the pubs, and talk boats for the weekend? So far, we have about 25 boats that have tentatively said they'd like to go. We could fill up the entire marina if you guys were there, too.

Anybody know how much transient space there is in McKinley?

It is about $1.80 a foot, they have a formula based on length.
When we went there years back with the club we stayed on K Dock. It was a dock that we all could get on and nobody was behind you so the dock was like 10' wide.

The downside with McKinely is you have to take the boat to get to the pubs on the river and then walk around. We used to put several on a couple boats for at night.

I believe Rick is right it was K dock were we stayed from what I recall they have that dock allocated for transients but I don't believe it will accommodate 25+ boats.

Another location to consider would be the state Park located next to the summerfest grounds (that is the protective cove next to Discovery world) from there you could walk into town. You would have to book that early and we would have the option to raft off.