Summer Cruise 2010 Update: North Channel


The North Channel is a sailor's paradise on Lake Huron in the Canadian province of Ontario.  The channel is overflowing with picturesque islands, crystal clear blue waters and superb wilderness.  This cruising area should be on every Great Lakes sailor's short list of top destination. 

We originally considered the North Channel as a destination when we hatched our plan for a 3 month summer cruise in 2010, but ruled it out because of the distance and isolation.  Distance and isolation in and of themselves make the North Channel appealing in many ways.  However, for us, having a 28 foot boat and two young daughters (ages 4 & 7) made the distance and isolation serious considerations.  After doing some research and speaking/emailing with several fellow cruisers and a few staunch North Channel advocates (thanks Rolland!), we've decided to again consider the North Channel for our 2010 itinerary.

In addition to the previously mentioned research and conversations, we'll be attending a couple of North Channel-specific seminars at the upcoming Strictly Sail sailboat show in Chicago (Jan. 31 &31).  The seminars are titled "Cruising Lake Huron's Fabulous North Channel" and "From Lake Michigan to the North Channel".  Hopefully the seminars will help to solidify a decision and answer some of the questions we have.

Logistically speaking, the North Channel is about 260 miles one way from Grand Haven.  This is likely a 4-6 day sail for our crew, pending weather.  Our original loop was to cover about 650-700 miles under sail.  Adding the North Channel will add roughly an additional ~235 miles if you consider it as a side trip from Mackinac Island.  That would mean total miles under the keel for the entire cruise could be somewhere in the 900-1000 mile range.  That's some serious sailing!

Comments

  1. TerryLynnJohnson22 January

    Wow! What a blog! You guys seem like some serious sailors!
    Thanks so much for your awesome email! You made my day. My next article is coming out in Sailing Magazine about our trecherous crossing of Lake Huron when we first bought our boat. Great to meet another intrepid sailing family.

    note: we DID circumnavigate Manitoulin Island summer 2009. But in kayaks! Left the sailboat in berth. We're a little nuts like that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The crew of Crush24 February

    If Crush (aka. hannabel)can do it, I'm sure the crew of Island Bound can nav-it just fine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown06 October

    Cool

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous24 February

    Great one I just now saw that the north channel was perfect for sailing. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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