Do any of you have experience boating from the mouth of the Saginaw river out to Tawas? Looks like it is about 50 miles one way?

What about the Charity Islands?

I run the river and bay often but never venture past the #1 light.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Tip #1 Wait for warmer weather, you have a checkmate not an ice breaker.

What you need to know, run it a fair amount.

I run it quite a bit myself. It's a great ride on a nice day. The only thing to be cautious about is the weather, coming back if the weather starts to stir it could be rough which I guess it’s still fun, just might take longer.

Hotjava- If you ever want to take a run from BC to Tawas let me know I’m always game, that is if the boat is running. LOL!

I guess I was just wondering if there were any sandbars to watch out for. Do you run straight across to Augres to the buoy and then north?

Safest way is straight out the channel, then head for Gravelly Shoal light. From there head between Charity and Point Lookout but keep closer to the point than Charity. Then run the coast up to Tawas, if you stay a couple miles offshore your clear.

Things to be aware of: if you run in towards the north shore of the Bay from Linwood to Au Gres there are usually a ton of fish nets. Point Lookout has a sandbar that extends close to a mile off the tip, it's pretty apparent though just keep in the dark blue water. There is also a rock/gravel bar coming off Charity towards Point Lookout so keep clear. The deep gap is very wide though at least 5 miles so hedge towards the point and your good. The next bump north of Pt Lookout is Whitestone Point. There is an area of big rocks in there so keep offshore in that area. Just south of Tawas there is the old loading facility at Alabaster for the gypsum plant. There are a string of old piers and a building pad going out in the lake. They are big so just be aware of them, water is deep all around.

A decent GPS can be a big help to see where stuff is.

And as Jason said, be aware of weather. A strong south or soutwest wind can get the outer bay bumpy and a northeaster can get nasty.

I am always game to run up there if it works out. We usually stop at the beach on the north side of Point Lookout for a swim and break.

For sure! I don't run the bay as much as I used to but always game for that. Hope your project comes together, looking good, been watching your thread.

Boat out of AuGres a lot, grandma lives on bay. Very shallow along shore. If you stay out between points your good. There are big boulders out there by islands, water usually clear enough to see them. If you are going into cove on big charity you have to enter the break wall from north, DO NOT ENTER FROM SOUTH... Don't ask how I know hahaha. Light house is privately owned, they don't want visitors.

Cool this is what I was looking for. I have been looking at the Noaa charts all day.

Thanks

I would be willing to make a run there this summer too. I was hopelessly limited to #1 buoy last year for fear of hitting something due to my lack of knowledge of the bay and lack of gps. You would all have to go slow so I could keep up though. .
I have been looking at the lowrance elite 5 but still not sure.