With the bigger boat comes the thought of actually going places. We'd like to launch at a marina and then travel for a few weeks, deciding where to go as we travel and spending a day or so, a day or so there.

Destinations in Michigan that call us are Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Mackinaw City, Detour, Cheboygan, Presque Isle as well as Door County across in Wisconsin.

But some questions come up.

Do we need to call ahead for reservations or are there ample transient slips available?

What if we put into a marina for a few days and the weather turns crappy? Can we stay there longer if they have reservations?

We have ample safety gear and navigation gear so we believe that we're well outfitted, but any suggestions about what we should think about taking with us are welcome.

What else do we need to know?

Thanks!

That's a tough call regarding reservations. Around holidays or local festivals the marinas will fill up. In Michigan all the government marinas are harbors of refuge and they would take you in bad weather i.e. storm, big seas although you may be rafted up. This happen to us once on Lake Huron, we ended up staying in a marina for three extra days waiting for a storm to die. Regarding gear I'd strongly suggest having good charts ( paper or electronic) and a working depth sounder, it gets very rocky fast in those waters. There's some beautiful places on your list.
ed

Thanks Ed,

Good point on the festivals; we just lived through Harbor Days in Elk Rapids. What a party! I think it would be good to google destinations to be sure we are missing the madness.

Don't forget Les Cheneaux Islands, although Hessel shuts down on August 10th for the antique boat show. We plan on mooring outside the harbor if it's nice and thumb a ride in. They have some of the most beautiful wood boats you will ever see. Mackinaw City always has slips available, not so on the Island, Cheboygan may get full but you can moor in Duncan bay next to the river. Duncan bay is a nice place to swim, warmer water with a sandy bottom. Lots of places to moor in the Les Cheneaux Islands. Make sure your charts are accurate and keep an eye on your depth gauge through the Islands. East of the bridge is some of the most desolate water in the US. Coast Guard Auxiliary are real nice in the Straits if you have problems, don't ask how I know that.

That does look like beautiful water there. Consider it added to the list!

You have listed many of our favs, You will not find it difficult to find an open marina in the northern areas unless its a holiday or Mackinac island. For Mac Isl your probably already late for next year. The further north and west you go the more open and friendly they become. Word of caution about Les Cheneaux, Cedarville, Hessel and north to the Sault. Stay on course. It looks beautiful but is very treacherous if you veer off course. Sault locks are unreal to go thru and at no cost. When you get to the area between Grand Marais and Marquette you can spend days looking for ship wrecks and beech bombing. All the marinas in those areas rarely fill.

I don't think Mackinaw Island is a busy as it used to be, especially on weekdays. Last time we were up there the marina was only half full. Check it out, you may get a slip.