munising michigan
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Munising, MI Lat: 46° 24.797 Long: 086° 39.125 |
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DESCRIPTION The first European to pass through this area was likely Etienne Brule, the great French explorer and courier du bois in the early 1600's. Several decades later, the French voyageurs and fur traders Radisson and Groseilleurs are recorded as being in this protected bay. It was Brule who first used the term 'la mer douce du nord' or "Sweet Sea of the North" - the Sweetwater Sea. Throughout the 1600's and 1700's, the region saw mostly fur traders and voyageurs moving along the coastline. In the early 1800's, land was transferred from the Ojibwe people to the U.S. government and by the mid-1800's a village plot had been laid out. The economy moved from fur trading to lumbering and iron ore mining. And the village prospered. Today, Munising Michigan is the county seat and a year-round vacation and tourism center. It has a deep, natural harbor that is a welcome haven for sailors exploring Lake Superior. |
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APPROACHES Munising Michigan lies at the head of the South Bay. South Bay is protected by high ridges on three sides and by the large Grand Island to the north. It is an excellent harbor. Entrance into South Bay is by the channels on either side of Grand Island. FROM the EAST Coming from the east, you need to keep a sharp lookout for 2 shoals. The first is on your starboard side as you approach Grand Island. It is marked with a Fl RED light and bell. The second, about 1.8 nm SE, lies off Sand Point on your port. It is marked with a Fl GREEN light and bell. There is a charted range of 217°T and a course along this setting will bring you safely down the channel. FROM the WEST There is a charted channel that brings you around Grand Island and into South Bay. Enter the channel north of Wood Island and follow it down between Williams island and Grand Island. Swing wide as you round Powell Point and you will see Munising at the head of the bay. The large Neenah Paper Mill is easily visible. The harbor lies between the range line and the paper muill and is formed by a long 'L' - shaped pier. The entrance is at the north east corner. It is marked with a Fl RED light, visible 4.3 nm. A number of tour boats operate out of Munising Michigan so you need to keep an eye out for them. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Bayshore Marina (906) 387-3445 VHF 16, 18 Bayshore Marina has 19 slips, 10 of which are set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (gasoline only) and a pumpout station. There is a service station several blocks from the marina where you can get diesel fuel if you have proper jerry cans. Water and power are available at dockside. There are restrooms and showers on-site. The downtown area is just minutes away. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Bob Marinoff is a local marine mechanic who can carry out essential marine repairs. Bob's IGA grocery store is located about .25 mi/.33 km from the marina. Citizens Bank is about 3 blocks from the marina and has ATM and counter service. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES Munising Memorial Hospital (906) 387-4110 is located about 2 mi/3.2 km east of the marina. Putvin Drug Store (906) 387-2248 is located 3 blocks from the marina. |
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PLACES TO EAT There are several small restaurants where you can get a casual meal. Dogpatch Restaurant and Navigator Restaurant are both located in downtown Munising Michigan. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT One of the principal attractions in Munising Michigan is known as the Pictured Rocks. made up of colorful weathered sandstone, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore can be enjoyed by taking on of the tour boats based in Munising Harbor. Grand Island National Recreational Area is part of the 1 million acre Hiawatha National Forest and offers superb hiking and exploring opportunities. Other tours operating from Munising harbor include a shipwreck tour. The area abunds in natural beauty and the Munising Michigan Visitors Bureau site will give you more ideas on how you can enjoy your time here. Return from Munising Michigan to Lake Superior Return to Home Page |
