Door County, WI

[imstriker]

Good morning all... We are looking at renting a house and going up to Door County next May. I'm trying to decide if I should take the boat up.

Last year that time, we took our little boat up and ran around the Intercoastal in Michigan. It was a lot of fun but I shied away from the Straits in my little boat. Is the water around Bailey's Harbor, Fish Creek, Washington Island, etc. runnable for a little 17ft open bow speedboat? It's about an 8hr drive up for me. We're excited to go up either way, just wondering if I should drag the boat up

Thanks

 

[Struc]

Re: Door County, WI

Take what I say with a grain of salt - I've never personally boated in these waters.

However, I have spent a lot of time in Fish Creek. My mom and step-dad used to have a condo there. The grounds were on the water, and I've spent a lot of time just relaxing, watching the boats / water. Green Bay, during nice days, was similar to what I see around the inland lakes I normally boat on. I would have no reservation boating around there, and see a lot of speedboats out there.

No so sure about a Washington Island trip - it gets quite a bit more choppy out that way, due to being mainly open water. I've taken the ferry across to Washington Island, and didn't remember any small boats out that way.

As with anytime you are boating, just be aware of the weather forcast. I woudln't want to be out there during bad weather or a windy day, but on average summer day, I'd say go for it - you'll likely enjoy the trip a lot more if you get some time on the water.

I'd personally stay on the Green Bay side of the peninsula (Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, etc), just for peace of mind, but do what the weather allows and you feel comfortable with.

 

[last930]

Re: Door County, WI

I spent a week boating up there a few years ago; the conditions ranged from glass smooth to too choppy for our 32 footer. All around it was some of the coolest boating I've ever experienced. Take the speedboat but pay a lot of attention to the weather. The water will be very cold in May- be careful.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Door County, WI

We can sleep on our boat so we take it to WI and use it as a camper in the campground there and use it on the water as weather permits.

If you're gonna be on the island a week you'd probably find time to enjoy your boat, but there's plenty to do without it for a few days. In either case stop be Shipyard Island Marine (SIM) and say Hi to Andy.

 

[imstriker]

Re: Door County, WI

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. After looking at this and some other threads I ended up going a different direction. We decided to rent a house on Norris Lake in TN instead. It's something new for us but seems like a great option. Thanks again, maybe we'll try Door another time...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Door County, WI

I boat Door County often, my best friend has lived up there all his life

you have to know the water, weather and wind prior to heading out. the area around Washington Island is called Deaths Door for a reason. it can be dead calm, then the wind changes and your in 7' rollers. if the wind is from the east, the bay side is usually OK.

I recommend launching in Sturgeon Bay, head due west, hit Green Island, then north to Chambers, East to Horseshoe island, then north to JJ's in Sister Bay for a really great lunch and a few Margaritas. if you see the Rogue in the water, wave me over.

there are two inland lakes that are great to boat on with a 19' boat or smaller. one is Clark Lake, 960 acres. the other is Kangaroo Lake, 1100 acres. the ramps are shallow and if you could get something bigger off the trailer, you wont be getting it back on.

get a set of charts or a chart plotter for the area. you can go from 120' of water to 1' of water with some of the reefs and shoals in the area, especially just to the east of Chambers Island.