North Channel Dinghy Cruising Q's

[hospadar]

Hi all!

I'm just starting to think about planning a 1-2 week long cruise on the north channel (waaaay out, probably summer 2026?).  I have some questions which are maybe north-channel specific and maybe just general to cruising on a small boat.

Background info:
I've built several rowboats and owned a couple sailboats (a zuma and a sunfish for a couple years, and even a potter 15 for a summer), but have never sailed anything bigger than the potter and never cruised overnight.  I live in Michigan and have always wanted to do some dinghy cruising and the north channel has always been on my list.  The potter 15 was really just a _little_ too much boat for me from a maintenance/moving-it-around-the-yard/size perspective (and while I did technically fit in the cabin, I think I'd much rather have an open boat and a tent).

One of my biggest questions is about choosing a boat that'll be a fun time - I'll try to buy something next year so I have plenty of time to get it all ready and set up how I like for a 2026 cruise. 

• The crew will be me and one other adult.
• I'd prefer to camp on land most of the time, so the sleepability of the boat isn't of utmost importance to me
• I'm thinking I'd really like to cruise around some lil islands in something like a wayfarer (or its canadian clone the CL-16 which is often readily available in michigan for much less $$) or any of the zillion other 14'-16' open day sailors which can generally be had in decent shape on a good trailer around these parts.

Any strong suggestions for a boat you think would be ideal for this voyage?  I'm not really interested in anything with a cabin, and more interested in stuff I can get my hands on fairly easily without driving halfway across the country.  The budget for a boat+trailer is probably going to be $1k-$2k (maybe a little more if everything were truly pristine).  I can do just about any repairs and upgrades the boat might need, but I'm not interested in a serious restoration project. 

One big question I have is about the anchorages/shorelines around the north channel, from what I've read and pics I've seen, it seems like most places are rocky/boulder-ey and beaching a boat might not be an option.  Is it crazy to think that I might tow some kind of tender behind my already-pretty-tiny mothership?  Or a plastic double kayak? or a small canoe with a cover? or an inflatable packraft?  A little pram or a cool skin-on-frame boat I build this winter? Is that going to be a total un-necessary hassle?  Am I overthinking it and I shouldn't be worried? I'm not opposed to wading/swimming to shore but I really have no idea how to know what to expect and what's going to be a good/bad time.  In one of my books the authors discuss cruising the bahamas with a hobie cat towing a canoe so I suppose it's not _crazy_ but maybe it's still totally unnecessary for the location.

Also also, any good resources for learning more about the north channel and/or dinghy cruising in general?  I've already got my hands on "Beach Cruising and Coastal Camping" as well as "A Well Favored Passage" (a delightful if outdated north channel guide).

Honestly would love to hear any opinions about dinghy cruising, the north channel, where to go, what to read.

[Wolverine]

I have only been up there once, but I found several islands with pebble beaches one could pull a small boat up on.  I also tied up to rocky islands and was able to wade ashore, or some areas, the water was deep enough to tie the boat against the rocks to go ashore. While I slept on my Compac 19, I met some young women who were touring the channel in canoes and sleeping ashore.

[Doug SC]

I have not been there so can't help with that.

Regarding a Wayfarer you might want to check out this fellow's videos for possible camping modifications. He also has some sail camping in FL videos. I am considering the locker build for my Wayfarer. One big advantage is in a capsize it greatly reduces the amount of water in the boat after righting. I know from experience that a Wayfarer takes on a lot of water. You can sail it out with the venturi vents but that takes a good bit of time and mine has only one. They are easy to right if the centerboard is down.

An inflatable paddle board and paddle might work as a dingy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6wfwcM9d9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsUBQ3TD5Oo

[Wolverine]

I forgot to mention, I did bring an inflatable dinghy with, but never needed it. I found most of the "beaches" had fast drop offs and I tied up stern to shore with an anchor off the bow. My  Compac 19 draws 2' and aloud me to walk to shore.

[pgandw]

I've been in the North Channel twice in an ODay 25 - once as a couple, once with 2 adults and 3 kids.  The second time we towed an Avon 8ft inflatable with a 1.2hp Sears outboard.

We found that after sunset, the mosquitos on land became unbearable, and so were only too glad to sleep on board, anchored at least 50ft out from shore.  But during daylight hours, we usually dinghied or swam ashore, cooked and ate our meals there and went hiking and exploring.  The kids and I were quite happy with swimming ashore, the kids wore life jackets, and we all had footwear.  We would usually tow the dinghy to shore while we swam.  Always found a way to climb up on the land.  Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Hoping to do the North Channel again (solo) in my 19ft Mariner.  With the smaller boat and being solo, I prefer to be in the company of other boats, so will probably do it as part of the North Channel Trailer Sailors (Facebook Group) annual cruise.  I hate Facebook, but they have a lot of sailing groups than can't afford the expenses of setting up their own website.

Fred W
Stuart Mariner #4133  Sweet P

[rfrance0718]

I have friends who have sail/camped up there with a little Hobie (I think) trimaran. They had lots of fun and repeated the trip at least once. I've been there 3 times, but always slept on the boat. We took Tami's kids with us once and they tried to tent out at the Benjamins. They ultimately gave up and returned to the boat because they couldn't stake down the tent on the rocky shore. I've been to Turnbull Island twice and tying a boat to a tree and camping on the Island seems doable. Not sure about mosquitos. I think that your big challenge will be finding suitable spots, close enough together, for short hops from one place to another. As far as boats go, we have a Daysailer, and I've considered using it for what you are proposing. I would work on its self rescuing properties first. I would probably rig up a mast float and add some floatation under the stern. There is a bow tank, but it would need some work to make it more water tight. Good Luck!