Boating from Cheboygan, MI to Mackinac Island. Advice?

[cook89fourwinns]

Hello. We're thinking about staying on the Indian River at a Marina and taking a trip out to Mackinac Island. My boat is kind of small, a 1989 Four Winns 215 Sundowner. I do have a ship to shore radio, compass, two bildge pumps, flare gun, signal flag and light...

I'm thinking I would run out twords Bois Blanc Island, maybe stay close (1/4 mile?) to the shore and follow it up to the straights and over to the Island just to be close to land. I wonder about depths, shipping lanes and other things I may need to look out for.

I'm kind of nervouse about this trip, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Matt.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Boating from Cheboygan, MI to Mackinac Island. Advice?

We did it last fall in our 20ft. Bowrider, just the wife and I. Pick your day when it is calm and you will be fine.
Depths are plenty deep, and it's hard to miss a 600ft. freighter.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Boating from Cheboygan, MI to Mackinac Island. Advice?

Yeah, that is an easy run on a good day. There are a few shallow points that stick off the south shore of Bois Blanc, but they are pretty obvious. No need to worry about the shipping lanes. If you see a ship just stay out of its way and you will be fine. In fact being in the shipping lane is probably your safest bet b/c you know there is plenty of depth.

Your boat is probably more sea worthy than any I have taken out on those waters. A few years ago we planned to make the trip in an 18' cuddy. The waves were up to 4-5' so we didn't go. 2 days later is was glass smooth.

I'd spend some time on google maps (or others) looking at the satellite images to get an idea of where the shallow spots are and maybe look at a few possible routes. It is possible to go up around the north side of Bois Blanc if the winds are "wrong" to make the straight run to the W-NW.