muskegon mi
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Muskegon, MI Lat: 43° 13.567 Long: 086° 20.612 |
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DESCRIPTION Muskegon MI harbor is effectively a lake with a channel cut through to Lake Michigan making it accessible to the Great Lakes. The lake is deep and completely protected. The channel is quite wide and dredged to a 26 ft/8 m depth. The outer harbor is a very good size and well-protected with two seawalls that extend about .5 nm out from the shoreline. The city lies mostly along the southern shore of Muskegon Lake. Most of the marinas are found along this area as well. The north shore is more natural but the water depths are quite shallow. Muskegon is the largest city on the east coast of Lake Michigan. Established in the first half of the 19th century, Muskegon's earliest days were as a fur trading center. In time, as the lumbering industry took hold, Muskegon prospered. In the 20th century, Muskegon built a strong industrial base. Today, the city is investing in its waterfront as tourism has become an important aspect of the local economy. With over 1,000 slips, this is a city that welcomes sailors. |
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APPROACHES The approaches to Muskegon MI are clear from all directions. Coming from either north or south, it is better to keep offshore to avoid any inshore obstructions (several charted) or fish nets. The harbor entrance faces west. Any course within an arc of 35oT to 105oT should safely bring you into the entrance. The entrance channel is wide and the outer basin quite large. The channel from the outer basin into Muskegon Lake is well-dredged and straight-forward to navigate. Once inside Muskegon Lake, you have a number of options from which to choose. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Harbortown Marina (231) 755-2218 VHF 9 Harbortown Marina lies immediately inside the entrance channel, to your starboard. This is a 243 slip marina with approximately 2 dozen transient slips available. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and pumpout station. There is water and power available at all slips. There are restrooms, showers and laundry. An on-site restaurant has a menu with selcetions that range from summer casual to fine dining. There is also an outdoor deck and bar - all of which overlook the harbor. There are also picnic and BBQ areas. There is internet service. This marina is located quite a ways from the downtown and the harborfront facilities located there. However, there is a trolley that runs along the shore that will take you right into the downtown. Muskegon Yacht Club (231) 755-1414 456-7890 VHF 9 MYC is located south of Harbortown Marina. MYC has several slips available for transient sailors on a reciprocal basis. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. Power and water are available dockside. Restrooms and showers are available in the clubhouse. The clubhouse also has a lounge, bar, kitchen and swimming pool. There are picnic areas and BBQ grills. There is internet access. Visitors can board the trolley for a trip into the downtown. Torresen Marine (231) 759-8596 VHF 9 Torresen Marine refers to itself as ;sailboat specialists' and, with customers in 75 countries, it seems that this claim rests on solid foundations. This is a full-service marina with extensive facilities for cruising sailors. They have over 150 slips with a number set aside for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock but there is a pumpout station. Water and power are available at dockside. They offer a wide range of repair and maintenance services. including engine, mechanical and electrical systems, rigging repairs, fiberglass repairs and painting. They have a very large parts inventory and their chandlery carries over 1/4 million items - and its available online as well. Internet access is available also. They have haulout facilities. Their committment to sailing shows in the small things such as free seminars for sailors on a variety of topics. Great Lakes Marina (231) 759-8320 VHF 9 Great Lakes Marina is another full-service marina. It has over 400 slips with some 3 dozen set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. There is water and power available dockside. They are able to carry out a full range of repair and maintenance services including engine work, mechanical and electrical repairs as well as fiberglass and wordworking. They have a travel lift for haul outs. There are restrooms, showers and laundry services available. Other amenities include a swimming pool, picnic and BBQ areas and internet access. Immediately off the property are a supermarket and pharmacy. You can also catch the trolley into the downtown. Hartshorn Municipal Harbor (231) 724-6785 VHF 9 This is the public marina and is located adjacent to the ferry docks. They have 164 slips and 102 moorings with space for about 50 transient sailors. There is no fuel dock. There is a pumpout station. Water and power are available dockside. There are restrooms and showers. Other amenities include picnic and BBQ area. You can also cathe the trolley into the downtown. Terrace Point Marina (231) 722-4448 Terrace Point Marina is a luxury marina that has pulled out all the stops to create a destination marina. They have 114 slips with approximately 2 dozen available to transient boats. There is no fuel dock but the is a pumpout station. Water and power is available at each slip as is internet and cable TV. On-site amenities include restrooms, showers and laundry facilites in a moder clubhouse. There are also hot tubs and a swimming pool. There is a hotel on-site. There is also a very well-regards restaurant and bar with a great view of Muskegon Lake. Pointe Marine (231) 744-3236 Pointe Marine is located on the north shore of Muskegon Lake. After clearing the inner channel, maintain a course bearing of approximately 072To for 1.3 nm. This will bring you to the entrance of Pointe marine The entrance is marked with a Fl GREEN light and a F RED light. There is no fuel dock. There is a pumpout station. This is a full-service marina They have several slips available for transient sailors. Water and power are available dockside. They are able to carry out a full range of engine repairs, electrical and plumbing work, mechanical and rigging repairs as well as fiberglass and hull repairs. There is a clubhouse with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. The clubhouse has full kitchen facilities as well. Other amenities include BBQ areas. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Torresen Marine is a full-service marina (See above) Great Lakes Marina is a full-service marina (See above) Pointe Marine is a full-service marina (See above) There are several large grocery stores in central Muskegon. Plumb's Valu-Rite Foods is relatively close to the harborfront area but still a taxi ride away. There are a number of banks and ATM's in central Muskegon. Fifth Third Banks and PNC are downtown and have both counter service and ATM's. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES Muskegon MI has a major health network that includes 2 hospitals and all of their related services. Mercy Health (231) 672-2000 is located about 5 mi/8 km from the municipal marina. There are a number of pharmacies across Muskegon. Rite Aid (231) 755-0500 is likely the closest to the waterfront area. There are a number of pharmacies across Muskegon. Rite Aid (231) 755-0500 is likely the closest to the waterfront area. The Meijer Grocery stores, mentioned below, each have an on-site pharmacy as well. |
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PLACES TO EAT Dockers Fish House and Lounge is a very popular bar/restaurant located at the west end, near the harbor entrance channel. It has a tiki bar with great views of the surrounding beach areas and Muskegon Lake. Located close to the shore of the south side of the outer harbor is The Deck BBQ & Beer. The Lake House is located at Terrace Point in the downtowm. It is a relaxed, casual environment with a great outdoor deck overlooking the marina Fatty Lumpkin's Sandwich Shack is a very popular sandwich and deli restaurant. There are several breweries and distilleries, including Pigeon Hill and Unruly Brewing. 18th Amendment offers spirits, mixed drinks and a light menu, and Smash Wine Bar offers a fine menu with wine and other alcoholic drinks. All are within an easy walk from either Hartshorn or Terrace Point. Bear Lake Inn is located at Pointe Marine. It is a popular local pub with good food. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT There is lots to experience in Muskegon MI during a visit. For sailors, the first draw has to be the Great Lakes Memorial and Museaum. Located immediately south of the entrance channel, it is home to USS Silversides, the most decorated WWII submarine in the U.S. Navy's fleet and USCG McLane, a Coast Guard cutter from the prohibition era. There is naturally a wide range of exhibits and displays about the United States submarine service and shipping generally on the Great Lakes. Downtown Muskegon MI has a number of cultural venues such as the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, Muskegon Museaum of Art and the Muskegon County Museum. In the downtown and within an easy walk from either Hartshorn or Terrace Point is the LST 393 Museum, a well-maintained WWII tank landing-ship that served in Normandy on D-Day and elsewhere in the European theater. Tours are regularly available. Next to Great Lakes Marina is the Milwaukee Clipper Museum, a restored passenger ship that last ran as a ferry between Muskegon and Milwaukee. The Clipper has been restored and sports classic Art Moderne with furniture designed by Warren McArthur. Anchoring on the north side of the outer harbor, boaters are just offshore from Muskegon State Park, which offers lovely beaches, snorkeling along the north arm, and miles of sand dune hiking trails. Muskegon also offers major festivals throughout the summer and fall, including the Lakeshore Art Festival in early July and the Irish Festival in mid September. Hackley Park features a Party in the Park every Friday during the summer. Here is the Muskegon MI website which may give you some ideas on getting the most of your visit. Return to Lake Michigan Return to Home Page |
