North Channel

colbysmith

colbysmith

Active member
Thinking about doing the North Channel this or next summer, and wondering if I only went with one, which would be better, The Richardson Charts or the Ports Cruising Guide. Or do they both compliment each other? (I have Richardsons for Lakes Michigan and Superior, and like them for the navigation!) I know there are some other past threads on the North Channel here, but if anyone has any updated information to share, that would be appreciated too. Thanks. Colby
 
We have the Richardson, but you really need a guide more than the charts. The guide will show you the places to anchor and the areas to get to. So many of the spots are in shallow waters but very doable with the right guides. We shaved the Great Lakes Cruising Clubs binders (5 large binders), but there must be some other guides out there with all the great anchorages outlined.

Reading the chart booked will just make you think you can't go to many of the areas because of shallow water when in fact many are small narrow channels.

Look for Skipper Bob's North Channel guide - that might be a good one. But by far the best is the Great Lakes Cruising Club.
 
I did just join the Great Lakes Cruising Club the other day, at your suggestion. ;-) The Richardsons is quite a bit more pricey than the Ports Guide, but the experience I've had with Richardsons cruising the Apostles and up and down Door County has been very helpful. I plan on downloading into PDF files the harbor reports from GLCC, over time, but sounds then like the Ports guide would be worth the cost. Someone else in one of the earlier threads recommended it as well. Colby
 
Thanks Bill. Actually I do have theirs for Lake's Superior and Michigan as well. They do provide nice information. However, I think the other comment I found discussing the Port books actually said the Ports were better than those produced by Lakeland. The Lakeland books don't really give a lot of indepth charting information, but rather local information on the towns and Marinas. At least that's pretty much how I use the ones I currently have. Colby
 
Colby, I have the Ports Guide for The Trent and find it an excellent resource. Many aerial photo's that give you a birds eye view of tricky passages. Information on anchorages, marina's, fuel, accommodations, locks, tourist attractions, waterway history, fishing areas, etc. You still need to have actual charts though. Before you buy it check when the next printing is due out. A new edition for The Trent is out this month - or so I was told. At the Toronto boat show some retailers were offering the current issue for $10. off because of the new one coming out. Other retailers were still asking full price! Anyway it is well worth the $40. cost. If you are a Power Squadron member you can also get a discount ordering it through them.

Enjoy the North Channel.

Regards, Rob
 
I just ordered the Ports book late yesterday online through landfallnavigation.com. Hope I didn't jump too fast into ordering it. But I'm sure it's the edition that's been out there for a while. Colby
 
Colby, Thanks for starting this thread. I have considered taking the C Dory to this area at some point. Based on your posts and the responses, I have checked what cruising guides I have, downloaded what is available on Active Captain, and the charts. Looks like a place we need to explore in the next year or so! Yes, I'll get the Port Guide and Richardson's charts, as well as probably join the Great Lakes Cruising Club before going to this area.

Question to those who live and have cruised in this area, where would you suggest launching and leaving the truck and trailer for several weeks?

Would you consider it best to launch on the Michigan or Canadian side?

Thank you!
 
Bob,

I live in Michigan and have spent some time in the North Channel and surrounding areas. My suggestion would be to consider Spanish, Ontario as your launch site. It is centrally located and there are plenty of areas to park your truck and car. I personally use the Municipal Marina but there are other marinas available. While you are up there, consider spending some time cruising the St, Mary's River, the Locks at Sault St. Marie, MI, Drummond Island and surrounding area, and the Les Cheneaux Islands. This area is can get very windy and rough so be prepared. There are some pics in my photo album of these areas.

Best regards,
Rollie
 
Rollie, Thank you for the suggestion. We had considered covering a good distance----other than the North Chanel itself, but with an open itinerary--so if we liked one area we can explore it more in depth!. I realize that these waterways can be rough--at times rougher than some ocean passages, and we are prepared for that based on our extensive cruising and racing history. The best preparation is often to wait it out!
 
I would also suggest launching in Spanish Municipal Marina. They have plenty of parking for truck and trailer. Once in the water, you'll be close to many many anchorages. We have launch the CD22 from Spanish on 3 different trips and we also took our 32' Sundowner Tug from Sturgeon Bay and spent two months in the North Channel.

This year I plan on taking our CD22 on it's on bottom from Sturgeon Bay, WI (Door County). Even though the waters can get rough, if you watch your weather windows you can cruise on calm Lake Michigan / Lake Huron. The family will take the truck/trailer to Spanish and I'll meet them there.

Certainly join the Great Lakes Cruising Club for one year to have access to their Harbor reports - we did it 10 years ago (before they had the reports online) and spent $400 for the 5 large binders of harbor reports. Very much worth it. Now I think it is only $200 to join and you can download the Harbor reports.
 
To join the Great Lakes Cruising Club, as of last month, $95 initiation fee, $105 annual membership. The secretary told me they are seeing a surge in trailer boaters again. I joined at Brazo's recommendation for the harbor reports, but also to learn of others cruising plans so as to maybe join up with them. I like the cost of the c-brats membership better (free ;-) But I guess some things just come with a price. It'll be interesting to see if the forums are as interesting and "educational" as C-brats. But a little diversity with other boaters can't hurt. Colby
 
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