Proposed itinerary for midwest roundup June 16-18

[mgoller]

Hi Gang,
Here is a proposed itinerary for the "Midwest Roundup".  We are hoping we have a few more boats in our squadron, right now there are four or five.

June 15 Thurs eve or June 16th Fri morning  - Arrive Elk Rapids MI, M-31  
Launch and take a slip for the night, motel or boat camp
Launch in the morning / park and provision the boats,
June 16th - go over passage check weather, sail at 10 am - 23 miles to Northport, stop for lunch along Old Mission penninsula, short hike to the old Mission light House.  
This is a broad reach all the way to Northport with the typical south - west winds.  Should manage 4 knots maybe better.  Arrival at Northport @7pm, sundown at 10pm.   Alternate harbors - Old Mission Harbor, or Omena Bay.

June 17th - breakfast, optional excursion to Dunes, North point lighthouse or wineries by bus or cab. Set sail at 2pm, for the 17 miles south to Sutton's Bay.  Sail past Gull island. We may need to swing out farther from shore to stay away from ground shadowing of south westerly winds.  Arrive at port around 7 pm, might take longer if winds are from the south so we'll check and ajust the day before fooling around.

June 18th - breakfast, fool around, check weather, 23 miles to Elk rapids with a swing around Old Mission shoals.  This is a broad run (bring your wisker pole or your spinnaker), and then a turn to starboard which will be a broad reach to Elk Rapids.  We should make 4 knots all the way at least.  So there could be a stop along the way for lunch and fishing, or if people are anxious to make port and get home we could just get there mid-day.  

There are many other places to see, to ditch in bad weather and if any one wants to extend the trip we can.  The above itinerary doesn't really offer the easy camping opportunities of a visit to Marion (Power) island which is farther south on the west arm.  This itinerary does provide for comfortable sailing avoiding lots of tacking and close reaches.  If weather gets bad a safe harbor is usually just 5 miles away.

Bay Breeze rents boats in Traverse city and the Traverse City airport is a nice regional hub.  So if anyone wants to join but doesn't want to bring their boat this is an option.

[sawyer]

Marcus:
That itinerary sounds great. Do you know if there is tent camping at
Northport or Suttons Bay?  I found that our boat is much too snug to sleep on.  You are doing great work/research here, I'm sure everyone appreciates it, I certainly do. Thanks!
Doug

[mgoller]

Hi Doug,
Looks like there is a nice place about 4 miles to the north of Northport.  Leelanau State Park  (231) 386-5422.  Try calling them and tell them what you are planning.  Maybe they can suggest some ideas and you can see how this could work.  That area is really pretty and there is a lot to see.
Address for the park  15210 North lighthouse Point Rd, Northport MI 49670