Cruise with fellow GLCC members on a flotilla this summer
By Rear Commodore Dee McClure, 2026 Flotilla Coordinator
Flotilla schedule and ports of call updated as of: March 28th
Who hasn’t dreamed of exploring new harbors on lakes Michigan, Huron or Erie, crossing the lake for the first time or cruising Lake Superior to explore the legendary Apostle Islands or take in the breathtaking beauty of Isle Royale?
All of the above are doable as part of flotillas with fellow GLCC members. Hop on, hop off flexibility allows members to join wherever it fits into your schedule. Sail with new friends, make new connections, and explore new destinations, all at your own pace.
The Flotillas, meet ups for both sailors and power boaters, provide planning and support and are designed to take the stress out of planning, letting you focus on what matters: adventure, camaraderie, new connections and discovery. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or a grand voyage, you’ll find a flotilla segment that fits your interests and timeframe.
The Flotilla stops were designed for reasonable travel days for sailboats. With 50% of the flotilla interest stemming from power boats, we anticipate many power boats may skip stops or start late to meet up OR coordinate amongst themselves to travel in groups. Whatever floats your boat works!
Daily mileage for flotillas ranges from 31 to 69 miles (50 to 111 kilometers), with, as mentioned sailors and power boaters able to modify stops and distances to suit their preferences. To assist our members, the Club is also coordinating slip holds in key areas, including along the southern shore of Lake Superior. Currently, the Club has confirmed slip holds (and some discounts) at Washington Island, Frankfort, Northport and Munising, along with anchoring or Coal Dock wall accommodations in Marquette. Note our slip hold for Jacobsons at Frankfort (call marina) ends on March 31st and for Beaver Island ends April 12th- so make your dock reservations now! For Beaver Island dock reservations, reach out to Dee McClure (waterbeachsail@gmail.com).Consider joining flotillas in your area to explore a new port or visit historic Mackinac Island and/or Sault Ste. Marie. Better yet, join one or both of the GLCC rallies planned for those harbors.
Currently, there are 50 boats which have indicated interest in "Hopping On / Hopping Off" somewhere on the Flotilla route- make plans to join us!
Intrigued? Check out the attached (1) large scaled chart and routes with mileage, (2) preliminary dates and direct links to each port's Harbor Report and (3) a PDF of the Flotilla webinar updated presentation slides (with speaker comments) below. Specific timing questions? Reach out to the Segment lead or resource in your cruising area for more information.
Segment Leads/resources, with links to their emails, are:
Segment 1 Lake Michigan: Racine to Mac Island Port Captain Mark Wild
Segment 2 Lake Huron: Detroit/Bay City to Mac Island Commodore Joe McKeown
Segment 3: Mac Island to Sault Ste. Marie/Soo Locks Rear Commodore Rob Hillman
Segment 4: Lake Superior: Soo to Duluth/Superior Rear Commodore Nelson Stone
Segment 5: Lake Superior: Post Rendezvous - Cruising
Up Wisconsin Coast to Thunder Bay and Isle Royale Rear Commodore Nelson Stone
**For any other questions, reach out to the Flotilla Coordinator: Rear Commodore Dee McClure (waterbeachsail@gmail.com)
This page and attachments will be updated as flotilla’s firm up. Check back often for future updates.
GLCC School webinars:
There is an excellent GLCCSchool’s Flotilla webinar recording available HERE. The webinar provides an overview of the flotilla by segment, information on ports of call, recommendations and suggestions from avoiding shoaling to great restaurants or sites not-to-be-missed along with information about slip hold expiration dates for each harbor.
Additionally, there are several related GLCCSchool Webinar recordings which may be of particular interest, they include:
Cruising Lake Huron with Rob Hillman
Introduction to Cruising Lake Superior with Dave Carr
Cruising Lake Superior’s South Shore with Niels Jensen
Cruising Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands with Niels Jensen
Wilderness Cruising Lake Superior’s Isle Royale with Niels Jensen
Navigating Locks with Bill Rhode
The flotillas and the float plan provide most of the planning needed to make this unique adventure personalized to your individual interests and timeframes. We look forward to seeing you out on the water!