Portage Ponit Inn.Onekama, Michigan.
Hi All;
Hope everyone is in good health, spirits and is gearing up to hit the ignition on our favorite boats to enter the 2011 season.
If this is of interest, please read this all the way through. I have tried to mention all the details that you would need to decide if this is something for you.
Rather than mention this on the Chat Page, as I have in the past, I though I'd put it here. Before I describe the scenario, I want to mention I am not overseeing or organizing this get-together. It is strictly between you all and the management of Portage Point Inn to book rooms, reserve dockage and agree on pricing. I am merely suggesting it since both Jason's and my 16's will be there. Gold-N-Rod and JustSayNo2 have given it their official "thumbs up;" and the potential exists for great photo opp's in the shallows in front of the Inn.
THE PLACE.
South of Traverse City and North of Ludington lies Portage Lake. It is one of only 2 ports of entry on the Western Shore of Lake Michigan that has clean water. (Lake Charlevoix is the other.) It is roughly 3 miles long, has an adequate ramp in the village of Onekama at the foot of the lake and good depths in most areas. You'll need your mate to drive the tow vehicle and empty trailer to the softball diamond near the Inn to drop off the trailer while you run the Donzi across to the Point. Leave the Green Can Bouy to Starboard as you pass Andy's Point on the way to the Hotel.
Portage Point Inn was where I worked as a kid in the 70's. It has an old, laid-back feel to it and plenty of dockage is available. The Hotel is retro and has a "warm fireside" vibe to it. Here it is..
www.portagepointinn.com
If you decide to call to investigate further, ask the front desk personnel to put you in touch with the marina staff for dockage rates and info.
PLEASE be aware that while there are several docking options, the hotel is in a free-running area of the lake. Therefore, there is NOT a No Wake Zone, and the wakes from passing boats are endless during daylite hours and good weather. PLEASE tie and fender accordingly! Plus, occasionally there are strong East winds preceding inclement weather and the 3 mile fetch of the Lake allows for short stacked 2-3 footers in extreme conditions.
THE REASON.
Depending on how many of you make the trip, the potential exists for multiple Donzis. This alone makes it worth considering.
When Lake Michigan is rough, Portage Lake offers limited, but adequate cruising. Your rigs could be wound up to full bore on the South Shore with reasonable caution. On calm days, the offshore runs on Lake MI are some of the finest scenery anywhere. Hi sand dune bluffs, forests and deserted beaches and clear water. Vis has been as much as 20 feet on my depthsounder in certain conditions. Frankfort lies 18 miles North with Arcadia in between. Manistee is 8 miles South. Both are easy runs in calm seas and both have waterside restaurants with dockage.
Our band will perform in a large tent near the beach Friday and Saturday nite, July 22nd and 23rd. With all modesty included, it's a rockin' act(Ask Jerry Eisele) and there are cottage summer residents, Hotel guests and large cruising rigs that make the run up the lake to see us. Great atmosphere and comraderie everywhere.
THE DATES
As mentioned, July 22 and 23rd are our performance dates, but Jason and I will be there for the week before and the week after.(We perform on the weekend between the two weeks.)
THE NUMBERS
Call for info..(231) 889-4222 Mention Bill Hayes of The Flying Toasters and they will get you room and dockage rates.
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Originally Posted by magicalbill
