I would like to make a 5 day boat trip to the Lake Michigan side of Michigan this summer. I have a 46 Black Thunder, but don't have the vehicle to tow, and don't want to spend a lot of time launching. I can have it delivered anywhere I choose and the 5 days later picked up. So, I'm looking at launching and then staying in the water for 5 days. I would prefer to dock and spend nights on the boat. I want to travel around though and see as much as possible

There will be 4 of us --- all adults. We like the normal boating stuff; bars, restaurants, a mix of cruise/runs, drop anchor and play around, hanging out with other boaters, etc

I'd love to go to the sandbar on Torch, but it doesn't look accessible from the lake and I don't want to just spend 5 days at Torch.

Any advice anyone can give for a fun week is appreciated. Thanks

Sounds like an amazing trip that I know you will love! Black Thunders are sweet boats!

Launch in Traverse City. Spend a day in the bay and power island. Clinch Marina downtown is a great place to overnight!

Head up to Charlevoix for a night. Explore lake Charlevoix, Boyne City, Bay Harbor, etc.

Torch is great but I promise you that West/East Grand Traverse Bay Lake Michigan is just as beautiful!

Call me anytime look forward to seeing you on the water! Kevin 231-534-5060

For some pictures of the area check out Traverse City Offshore Fun Runs Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/traversecityoffshorefunruns

Agree with Kevin. With a 46 BT, you might go to Beaver Island also.

Clinch Marina in Traverse City is new and very nice and great to stay at but have the boat launched at Elmwood Township Park - plus you can walk to whatever you want to do downtown...coffee/breakfast to cocktails at night. Charliviox (downtown marina) is the same set up and lots to do, plus you can do Beaver Island as Kevin said plus Boyne City, etc through Lake Charliviox. Elk Rapids is a beautiful but not allot for four adults to do at night....good spot to stop at on way from Traverse City heading north...you can easily go city to city...marina to marina

No way will you be able to get that monster into Torch without going through a local Marina to launch it for you...no access from Lake Michigan directly.

Thanks for the tips. It sounds like a fun area.

Thanks for your advice. Here is a very tentative plan. I will probably run at around 40 MPH. I only want to spend a couple hours between stops.

I can drive to TC on Wednesday night. Spend the night in a hotel and just hang out in TC

Have the boat delivered and launched at elm wood township. Run to charlevoix and get a dock (any suggestions for a good place?). Throughout the day run lake charlevoix to Boyne City. Back to charlevoix for the night

Friday morning head to harbor springs. Stop for a few. Beaver island for late lunch. Head to macinaw and spend night

Saturday mornimg run to presque isle.

Sunday to Lexington

Monday morning home

Thoughts? Suggestions? Good stops?

Sounds like fun. You'll miss a lot of northern Lake Michigan area, though, but on the other hand you'll see lots of Huron side, too. I might pick one lake and spend more time on it seeing the towns, but your plan looks good, too.

In Charlevoix, the municipal marina is right downtown and the best location. Others are quite a ways from town. You'll want to make reservations ahead of time there.

In Harbor Springs, the burgers at the Harbor Bar rock, and it is right there by the water. There are three or more marinas there, I haven't stayed at any so can't give advice. Check out reviews on ActiveCaptain.com.

Beaver Island has some good restaurants and bars and is a fun stop.

In Presque Isle there's not a lot to do but the restaurant there is pretty darn good and it is a beautiful area. Great ice cream across the street from the harbor, too.

That would be a nice trip but seems rushed and your missing a lot.

You could just take a trip by boat north to Mackinaw and back South so you can enjoy beautiful Lake Huron, stopping at different ports along your way north and south.

A separate trip enjoying Traverse City, Sleeping bear sand dunes, Beaver island, Lake Charlevoix, Bay Harbor, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, etc.

Yeah, I'm trying to squeeze too much in. There is so much to see in Michigan. Even though I'm missing some, I have the time this year, and have someone willing to deliver the boat to TC. Starting at TC, saves lots of money for me --- as I live lake st clair and wouldn't have to do a full round trip.

Now I'm thinking of starting in TC, running to charlevoix (stop), cruise lake Charlevoix, go to Petosky (stop), and the on to harbor springs to spend the night.


On day 2, run to Beaver island (stop), spend the night on macinac island.

Day 3 and 4 do Lake Huron ( not sure of stops ) Presque isle, tawas, Lexington, Port Huron?

Don't leave Boyne City out!