Windsurfing & Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Michigan
Alternatives to Blue Lagoon?
So most of us probably know the generalities of the Blue Lagoon situation... It truly is unfortunate that we have lost that as a place to sail but now I really need some advice on a place that will also work for a N wind day!
I switch between Metro and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club for S, SE, and SW, but I have yet to find a place that works with the northerly wind directions other than BL.
Any places that are within the general area of Macomb County? I can only afford to make as much as an hour drive one way to get a nice sail in...
Thanks in advance for the help!
Chris
Views: 297
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Don Ferguson on
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Hey Chris if you don't mind crossing the border. Our side is great in many Northerly directions. You can hit Belle River or just out side of Windsor to the East our launch site is 12998 Riverside Drive East Just pull up just above the sidewalk to allow others to park as well.
https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.329931,-82.877578,3a,75y,19.45h,85.0...!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s_56nk_0y_qt9vMXqvImEcw!2e0?hl=en
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Permalink Reply by Brian on
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Chris,
Other than crossing over to Ontario, some people go to Harsen's Island, but there's a ferry ride involved. Also, if the wind is N -->NE-->E, Lexington is just over an hour from Metro Beach.
Caseville is a 2 hr drive, but sailable from SW-->N-->E, with NE being the best (IMO).
Brian
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Permalink Reply by Chris Righi on
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Brian,
Is there a specific spot in Lexington that you guys sail from? That sounds like a good option for me as I am currently waiting for my passport anyways... I have an enhanced driver's license though, so Ontario is definitely still an option. I will be trying Lexington first! So if there's an address to the launch site there I'd love to get that so I can go within the next couple of days!
Chris
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Chris,
I don't sail there and haven't been there in years, so I'm hoping Tom Janicki will jump in here. Find the marina on google as a reference point. You want to park in the DNR lot, north side of jetty, rig on grassy area near fence and then carry your stuff either around the fence or place it over the fence and then walk around and retrieve it. There's private property there, but the beach is public property.
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Enhanced drivers licence is good enough. Use the tunnel north to Riverside Drive and straight East! about half an hour once on our side!
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Permalink Reply by Chris Ferrara on
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Chris, the location is Lexington State Harbor. Park at the boat launch. Beach is on the south side of lot. Follow Brian's direction. Just make sure you park your gear in front of the public access between the first and second house. The residents are pretty sensitive about the public squatting on "their" beach. We are aloud to walk on it but not set up camp.
Awesome sailing on a north! Dead flat shallow and sandy on the inside and big rollers outside past the break wall!
Watch out for boulders on the inside a little further south.
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Permalink Reply by Tom Janicki on
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https://www.google.com/maps/preview?q=Lexington,+MI,+USA%4043.26665...
Here is a good description of LEX from GLK
Lexington
Wind Directions - N, NE, E, SE
Launch south of the breakwall on northerlies. This place can produce some giant waves on big north wind. Waves wrap around the breakwall and are very glassy due to the marina jetty blocking the wind for 200 yards out. Sandy launch area and shallow protected water on the inside makes for one of my favorite spots.Dangers - I do not reccomend this spot for beginners. If you get downwinded there are alot of boulders and rocks which make it difficult to get out. On a SE the north side of the breakwall is safe if you get pulled down the shore.
Chris F also described it well.
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park and rig area and beach launch
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Harsens Island Location
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//9718-9730+S+Channel+Dr,+Harsens+Is...!3m1!1e3!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x88253bf7880f5b5d:0x5f575d5369b15b71!2m2!1d-82.6590775!2d42.5489
Although signs say no parking, on week days it is generally ok to park. You will be ticketed on summer weekends during peak boating season.
Harsens Island from GL
Wind Directions - S, SW, W, NW, N
It is located on Muskamoot Bay and is 4 feet deep almost all the way across. There is a channel that runs through the Bay but is pretty narrow. This place works best on SW and W winds, very steady and a straight shot across the bay. South winds are offshore and tricky to launch but once you get out you will find dead flat water and rock steady winds. When you get past the point you will be in the middle of Lake St.Clair with nothing blocking the wind, heading directly toward Metro Beach.NW and North winds can also be slightly gusty but great direction for going down into the bay where it can be dead flat behind the marsh islands or going up and around the south tip and to Gull Island. This place is great for exploring I have found some great secluded dead flat coves and I am excited to find more. Go explore!
Location - ALgonac 23 mile road east to the Harsens Island ferry. When you get off the ferry take 154 south all the way till it ends.
Dangers - The locals tell me the bay is filled with boaters on the weekends in the summer. Also you have to walk over some small rocks going into the water, after that its all sand bottom.
Kiting is popular here along with windsurfing.
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Awesome! Thanks for the responses guys... Very helpful! Hope to see you out there soon. Lexington looks and sounds great with the shallow conditions in the breaker wall and the rollers!
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