Detroit river

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river

It's a shame, for sure. Remember the old concession boat at Crystal? I'd say we are on the losing end of this one, crystal clear beautiful water vs. the weed bed that we know as the rock wall...

oh dunbar and Sullivan, just a few miles north at the tip of the Livingston channel is a good place to hang out too, quieter than the rock wall. As already noted in this thread, it's where the old equipment got left from when they dredged the river 40'ish years ago, pretty cool place.

And heck yeah, it was awesome when I had jet-skis back in the day before the restrictions took place and it became topless, my early twenties, how I miss them . Actually it's US waters back by the rope swing, but anybody with a brain will not go back there (or you have balls of steel, or a really small boat). The US Canada comradary in boating sure has changed

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

Ahh yes - the "Burger Boat"!!!! I remember that from way back in my high school days in the late 70's when my buddy's dad was foolish enough to let us take his 26' Lyman skiff out cruising. We used to scuba dive over in hidden lake as well. I say we take the bay back from the authorities - if we get enough boaters with water balloon launching sling shots I'm sure we can drive them off!

 

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river

Let's just get them to call it international waters

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

Hey brivander - I saw Drew over the weekend but did not see Mark. I related the story of "Captain Work Rat" and he knew exactly who I was talking about. Anyway I managed to get the boat out without killing myself or other boaters. I shot up to D&S and dropped the hook for a while and then went down to the crossdike. There were quite a few boats out on Sunday. Quick note - I gassed up at Humbug and they did ask if I was a Boat US member and honored the fuel discount.

 

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river

Cool, any maiden voyage without incident is a good one! Which dock did you go to? Were they both open? Maybe I had the docks mixed up, but I'd guess the one you didn't go to is the one that doesn't give the discount, but that may have changed since last year...who knows. Anyhow, I'll see you soon I'm sure!

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

I used the main Humbug gas dock (gas pump sits on land next to their store) - not the pumps across the canal to the north that actually sit out on the docks. Yes they were both open.

 

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river

Hey was at the marina and saw your boat, it's super nice! -- you got some prime real estate where it's at! Hope to be there soon, this work is taking longer than expected!

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

Thanks for the compliment on the boat. Unfortunately I had to travel to Chicago this past weekend for a family function and didn't get out on the boat. Good luck getting your vessel ready for launch.

 

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river

Saw them working on your outdrive over the weekend, hopefully just doing regular maintenance!

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Detroit river

Was at Crystal Bay last night. If you drink or have booze on your boat you had better have the proper equipment on your boat. IE Factory installed head, sleeping area, and cooking ability. The Bay has turned into the family zone and the Cross Dyke is the party zone. Aslo there are 6 levels of police enforcement in the bay now a days just from the Canadian side alone, Amherstburg Police, Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP (Federal), Canadian Coast Guard, Erca (local concervation authority), and the Ministry of the enviroment. They all have their own boats and looking to justify their existence on the water by giving tickets. Especially the A'burg Police. Don't see any reason they are out there. Then you have from the US side Wayne County Police, Michigan State Police, Boarder Protection Guard Boat, and then lastly the US Coast Guard. This is due to the back half of the bay being in US Waters. If you can say over regulated then you will be right. Hell in one day I had my safety gear "inspected" 7 times in a matter of 3 hrs. It really gets tiresome after a while. I think I had to change my flashlight batteries just from the use of show them it worked........

Make sure you have your safety gear in perfect order. Non working batteries are no excuse. They all are looking to write tickets.

My kids love floating in the bay and swimming though. Its alot safer now adays. Everyone needs to remember. A few people have either been killed or drowned in the bay over the years. Normally the cause was linked to booze.

I don't know how the cross dyke is with enforcement. Just the bay is a safe zone now adays. Unless you have the boat that has the requirements and planning on staying the night.

 

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river

Was at Crystal Bay last night. If you drink or have booze on your boat you had better have the proper equipment on your boat. IE Factory installed head, sleeping area, and cooking ability. The Bay has turned into the family zone and the Cross Dyke is the party zone. Aslo there are 6 levels of police enforcement in the bay now a days just from the Canadian side alone, Amherstburg Police, Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP (Federal), Canadian Coast Guard, Erca (local concervation authority), and the Ministry of the enviroment. They all have their own boats and looking to justify their existence on the water by giving tickets. Especially the A'burg Police. Don't see any reason they are out there. Then you have from the US side Wayne County Police, Michigan State Police, Boarder Protection Guard Boat, and then lastly the US Coast Guard. This is due to the back half of the bay being in US Waters. If you can say over regulated then you will be right. Hell in one day I had my safety gear "inspected" 7 times in a matter of 3 hrs. It really gets tiresome after a while. I think I had to change my flashlight batteries just from the use of show them it worked........

Make sure you have your safety gear in perfect order. Non working batteries are no excuse. They all are looking to write tickets.

My kids love floating in the bay and swimming though. Its alot safer now adays. Everyone needs to remember. A few people have either been killed or drowned in the bay over the years. Normally the cause was linked to booze.

I don't know how the cross dyke is with enforcement. Just the bay is a safe zone now adays. Unless you have the boat that has the requirements and planning on staying the night.

This is why nobody goes there anymore, it to much of a hassle.

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

Saw them working on your outdrive over the weekend, hopefully just doing regular maintenance!

Yes just routine maintenance. Didn't get a good answer from previous owner (through the broker) on when last impeller change was done so had them do that and routine outdrive service to get new lube along with an eyeball on gimball, bellows, etc. I also had a problem with my tilt/trim switch at top of throttle - could not bring drive up - had to use the "trailer" button to bring drive up - turned out to be a loose wire thankfully. How's your boat coming along? I have been hanging out at the crossdike mainly - usually on the north side.

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

Was at Crystal Bay last night. If you drink or have booze on your boat you had better have the proper equipment on your boat. IE Factory installed head, sleeping area, and cooking ability. The Bay has turned into the family zone and the Cross Dyke is the party zone. Aslo there are 6 levels of police enforcement in the bay now a days just from the Canadian side alone, Amherstburg Police, Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP (Federal), Canadian Coast Guard, Erca (local concervation authority), and the Ministry of the enviroment. They all have their own boats and looking to justify their existence on the water by giving tickets. Especially the A'burg Police. Don't see any reason they are out there. Then you have from the US side Wayne County Police, Michigan State Police, Boarder Protection Guard Boat, and then lastly the US Coast Guard. This is due to the back half of the bay being in US Waters. If you can say over regulated then you will be right. Hell in one day I had my safety gear "inspected" 7 times in a matter of 3 hrs. It really gets tiresome after a while. I think I had to change my flashlight batteries just from the use of show them it worked........

Make sure you have your safety gear in perfect order. Non working batteries are no excuse. They all are looking to write tickets.

My kids love floating in the bay and swimming though. Its alot safer now adays. Everyone needs to remember. A few people have either been killed or drowned in the bay over the years. Normally the cause was linked to booze.

I don't know how the cross dyke is with enforcement. Just the bay is a safe zone now adays. Unless you have the boat that has the requirements and planning on staying the night.

Hey j_k - just out of curiosity what "procedure" do you use to officially report in to the land of beer and hockey to the north? (Nexus, I-68, passports with a call in from Duffy's, etc.?) As Brian mentioned - major hassle keeping most US boaters away.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Detroit river

Seeing I am Canadian I don't call in. I mainly stick to my side. Hell as a Canadian the saying goes, don't even look across the river or the Boarder/US Customs will be pulling out the rubber gloves!!!!

I remember the day when the actually was good will shared across the boarder. Seam like perinoid secerity freak *****holes have taken over the world these last couple of years. Not saying that security is not a good thing. But It's almost like there military is running the board and Canada is consider the USSR during the cold war. Hell just invade us and get it over!!!!!! Then we can go back to the way we where.......

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

Seeing I am Canadian I don't call in. I mainly stick to my side. Hell as a Canadian the saying goes, don't even look across the river or the Boarder/US Customs will be pulling out the rubber gloves!!!!

I remember the day when the actually was good will shared across the boarder. Seam like perinoid secerity freak *****holes have taken over the world these last couple of years. Not saying that security is not a good thing. But It's almost like there military is running the board and Canada is consider the USSR during the cold war. Hell just invade us and get it over!!!!!! Then we can go back to the way we where.......

What the hell - if invading Canada means cheaper Labatt's and Molson in my cooler then count me in!!! It's too bad about the situation (reporting hassle) for recreational boaters from both countries just looking to drop the hook a few hundred yards (er..... meters ) across each others (water) borders with no intention of setting foot on inhabited soil.

 

[mrchev]

Re: Detroit river

where about is the cross dyke from the bay. is it in us or canadian water. i go to the bay most of the time or white sands, looking for some new places.

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit river

where about is the cross dyke from the bay. is it in us or canadian water. i go to the bay most of the time or white sands, looking for some new places.

The cross dike is not far from the bay at all. Just go across the "hole-in-the-wall" and head south. I whipped up a picture for reference. You need to be aware of the US / Canadian border as it runs through the area on a diagonal line. I threw a rough estimate on the drawing but reference your GPS. You have more real estate in Canadian waters on the south side of the dike. Both sides are popular hangouts. The Sugar Island cut between the west end of the dike and Sugar Island is safe to navigate but stay in the middle.

 

[bobhat2001]

Re: Detroit river

Yes this is just about a couple miles North of Sugar and is a little more "chill" than the rock wall, and usually quieter I like it here too...Plus snorkeling around some of the old equipment is pretty cool, as long as you've had your shots

Is is easy to get in there or do you need to be aware of shallow areas? about how deep is it in there?

 

[brivander]

Re: Detroit river



Here is a picture -- head north up the livingston channel to where it opens up and hang a 180 degree left. Stay North of the red line I drew unless you are in a pretty small boat or really know where the hazards are. A pretty BIG boat can get through there (south of that line) -- the sheriffs do it all the time...but I guess it's easy when the boat isn't yours

What really sucks about crystal bay is that a GOOD portion of it is in US waters and you still get messed with, not really sure how they get away with it. Hidden Lake (to the left) is all us waters, we used to jet-ski back there all the time, since that is about the only thing you can get there easily, or without balls of steel, that's just not for me -- there used to be a huge rope swing back there off a ridge in a pretty big tree.... The "Hidden Lake: the the right of Crystal has a beach etc...I can't remember what it's called anymore, the channel going to it caused many a busted outdrive back in the day...I never understood why people attempted to take anything more than a dinghy back there....maybe it's different now, who knows.

Do some searching around on Google Earth, it a cool area, no doubt.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Detroit river

On the Canadian side I spent on Sunday with the kids anchored of of Amherst/bell point. There is a beach there that is all sand. The kids loved it. I drove the boat close into shore, about 100 yards from shore. Anchored in 6-9' of water. No houses so no spectators. Wifely likes it, she can sun bath and work on her tan. Also not cops. They tend to stick to the bay and the cross dike.

This area is sand/gravel bottom. No messy silt where I was. Also fairly clean water. Your not seeing bottom, but you are not swim in weeds either. There was not weeds on the bottom. Just another place to go.

Just a suggestion for those who have families with kids, like swimming and hate weeds
nipping at your feet. Hell the Bay right now has weeds 3' under the water. I hate that.

Warning though about getting to this place. You need to make sure you take a wide turn around the point. There is a hell of a sand bar along the beach infront of the houses at Amherst Point. It's only 1.5' deep there. If you stay out in the cannel untill you see around the point or the end of the houses, then start cutting in perpendicular to the beach, you should be ok every time. I have buddies that live in that area and the talk about how at least 1 boat every couple of days gets grounded on the sand bar. It normally takes the Coast guard to get them off.