Our two boat flotilla will start from Sandusky Bay on 8/6, and reach Odjig (Squaw) Island around 8/16 after cruising up the Canadian side. We will then sail west and pull into Presque Isle, MI on the 27th. We will be in Lady Lillie, a '77 h27, and our friends the Nilssons will be in Gelan Gar, an '82 h30.

On 12 September, we will return to pick up Lady Lillie, and return to the North Channel, ending up in Mackinaw around the 22nd, and then cruising down the Michigan coast, arriving home in early October.

We are splitting the 6 week cruise in two parts to allow time with our families, and our jobs.

We will fly our burgee, and look for you as we head west.

To Arthura
If you only stop in marinas you will miss the best part of the North Channel, all the lovely anchorages. But, yes the north side of Manitoulin Island is much better than the south side. There are very few spots to stop at on the south side. Marinas are Meldrum, Kagawong (limited), Gore Bay, Little Current, Kilarney and on the mainland, Thessalon, Blind River, Spanish (I assume you less than 5 feet). Weather should be fine but one never knows.

To KenAlt
There are a lot of good anchorages, you girls can swim off the boat in any of them. Water usually in the low 70's unless it is unusual weather either way. I would try the Benjamins for sure. Lots of exploring on land also. Turnbull, John Harbor, Bear Drop, Hotham, Eagle, Haywood are all good places to stop.

hello- i am a new member to the GLCC and i am just getting started with the web site, planning the trip and itinerary. My family and i will be sailing West to East and back for the first two weeks of August. We have 2 young girls that really like short hops and calm anchorages with good swimming.

If anyone has suggestions of good anchorages i would love to hear your thoughts.

Hope to see some of you up there. we will be on a blue Jeanneau named One Love.

Glad to hear so many people will be in the region during early August. We are coming up from Victoria Harbour, and going east to west through the North Channel Aug 6-8, then crossing to Mackinac Island for 3-4 days, and then going back home W to E through the North Channel again August 12-14. Looks like we will run parallel to you for part of your trip, Jody and Tina.

For the general group doing this trip, we have questions: we have a 31 ft Sea Ray and plan to stop overnight at marinas. Any advice as to how to make best use of our time and where to stop overnight? What should we expect weatherwise during that period? Is the North Channel relatively sheltered cruising as compared to the S side of Manitoulin.

Thanks

Nancy and Arthur

While in the North Channel, be sure to listen to the Cruisers Net every morning at 9 AM on channel 71. Roy Eaton will give the news, weather and then have boats check in (this will take awhile). He broadcasts from Little Current with a high powered antena. As Mel says, a lot of us will be in the North Channel having atteneded the GLCC Wilderness Rally in late July. Fly your burgee so we can also spot you. Favorite hangouts (among others) are Turnbull, Bear Drop, Hotham Island (west bay), Eagle, the Benjamins, and Haywood.

Your places for provisioning are Gore Bay and Little Current. Unless you have a shallow draft, yo won't be able to get into Spanish - check before you try to go in.

Well you're covering a lot of ground which will be fun. A vast portion of the GLCC Fleet will be out and about during your trip. Look for the burgees aboard our boats and say hello. Call the Port Caps as needed. Let us know how you fare. And have a fun trip be safe.

Mel Wallbank
Vice Commodore
s/v Bliss