By Doug Asbury, HBYC Cruise Director

Those of you that are north have a tough time thinking about cruising right now, but I live an endless summer, so I sail all year.

We have an opportunity to have a great summer cruising, but it will take some planning on all our parts. Please do not procrastinate, sign up early. If a cruise fills, the deciding factor will be first registered first consider.

The first cruise is to Kelly’s island and in past years it has been called the dog cruise. It is on memorial weekend so you might have to get your boat in a little early to make this one. We will be docked at Seaway Marina check out their site http://www.kelleysislandseawaymarina.com/ The dates are Friday May 22nd , Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th out on the 25th.

HBYC’s second cruise is the 10-day cruise that will tie in with Leamington at the end. We first cruise to Middle Bass on Sunday June 21nd and then next we go to Ford Yacht Club on the 22nd and 23rd. The next day up the river to Milliken State park on the 24th . Then we go to Lake St. Clair Metro Park (near Mt. Clemens) on the 25th, 26th and 27th. This park is extremely nice. The 28th we make it back to Ford Yacht Club. Going down river should be easier. The 29th we will arrive at Leamington and stay until July 2nd. At that point you are on your own to go to Put-in Bay for the 4th or maybe home.

The third cruise is to Middle Bass, Becky and I have decided we will lead this one again and it will be a pirate party, ARRRG! Plus of course there will be the Music Fest going on at Lonz Winery.

The fourth cruise will be to Huron July 24th and 25th for “Christmas in July”, you will want to decorate yourselves and your boat.

Our fifth event is not a cruise, instead it is a sunflower raft-up on Sandusky harbor. The date is August 22nd. I would like to have someone with a drone to take a picture from above.

The sixth cruise is to Scudders for the Music Fest. This is a great place to go to explore and to hear music and maybe have some wine.

Seventh cruise will be to Vermillion for the Labor Day Weekend. If water allows, we have the whole marina less two slips.

Eighth cruise is to Lorain is September 18 and 19th. The Spitzer marina is now operated by Oasis Marinas and is supposed to see many upgrades. I was told that a water taxi will be able to take us downtown. This a great opportunity to show that we support what Lorain is doing to bring back their community plus it will be fun.

Important note:

The two Michigan Park Marinas are going to give us a block of docks and a code so we can individually book our docks together. The block will only be open from March 15 to March 30th. After that we are not guaranteed a dock. You can always cancel for a cost, but that would be better than to miss the cruise.

The Middle Bass Marina will not take reservations until May 1, however if you register early, I will give the marina a list and it increases our chances or getting dockage. May 1 you will have to contact the marina to purchase your dockage.

Another important point, after April 15th do not send the registration to my Florida address. We will be traveling from May 3rd to June 8th and at that point we will be in Ohio. You can send me an email by clicking here - Email Doug.

My final thought is plan early! Cancel if you must. Let’s have a great cruising season.

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