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Put in Bay - Christmas in July
JoeStang
Member Posts: 1,116 ✭✭✭✭
Anyone else planning on going? It's July 21-23, and it should be a riot. I've never been to Xmas in July, so that'll be new for me.
If anyone sees a pretty blond yelling at her bf, it's likely me. Come say hi.
If anyone sees a pretty blond yelling at her bf, it's likely me. Come say hi.
2013 276 Cuddy ~ 350 MAG / B3
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After boating out of Monroe, MI on Lake Erie for 21 years, I am a veteran of PIB Xmas in July. I agree with Wildboating...the actual week of Xmas in July, particularly the weekend, is a Zoo.
I stopped going during that time after my boat was damaged by some drunks at the dock. If you want to experience Xmas in July by boat I recommend the following relative to dockage:
1. If staying at the public docks, travel with other boaters that you know and tie up as a group. The public docks require rafting off of four boats at a time so, if you can raft off with people you know you will likely have a better experience.
2. Never, ever tie up on the east side of C dock. If the wake from the jet express doesn't bang your boat around, any easterly wind will. East winds on Erie are common and the lake gets rough. Dockage on the west side (outside) of A dock is better but you will get rocked a bit from the wake of the taxi boats that run between the Boardwalk and the mooring balls in the bay.
3. B dock is the most protected of the 3 public docks. It is also the "party dock" so if you want to get any sleep or are bothered by continual loud music you may want to tie up elsewhere.
4. Private docks/marinas fill up early so reserve well in advance to get a spot. There are only 2 chances of getting a spot in a private marina by showing up without a reservation during Xmas in July...slim and none.
5. If you have reserved a dock in the Marina on the east side of the Jet Express dock make sure you have plenty of fenders. Most of those docks are open to the east. I've seen boats there rocked severely during a storm of in the event of high wind.
Like Wildboating, I'm thinking of going to PIB 7/28-30, so perhaps we could meet up for a cocktail there! Regardless, have fun at PIB!
I'm definitely going to the b docks, and I'm leaving lake st clair at like 7am on Friday, so I'm thinking I'll beat the crowds at the dock if I show up around 10-1030am.
I dont care about people walking across my swim platform, but I wont stand for walking on my boat or cushions.
I'll probably leave up my camper canvas when I'm gone, so there's really no way for them to walk on my cushions unless they unzip it.
From my experience though, most boaters are fine. Its the amateurs that come on the Jet Express and party at the bars that cause issues.
She's my number one right now though, maybe even keeper status eventually
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX
Will do! I have to go through and organize em, plan on doing that tonight.
Yeah, it was a bit much, especially on Saturday night. Fortunately I knew where to go to avoid the worst of the worst, but it still as not without a little drama. Overall though it was a great time. I'll write up a story a little later, but I'll just say it involves grand theft auto.
Passed a bunch of freighters on both trips
Lake Erie was literally flat calm both ways.
Middle Sister Island
Frosty's Pizza. Pretty sure I burned off every taste bud that night, didnt realize the sauce was literally molten lava out of the oven.
Picked up a couple hitch hikers LOL
Mojito Bay. We had Mojito's. Lots of Mojito's.
SandBar. There was no sand, but lots of Bar. LOL
I even got to be a passenger most of the way home
Missed a nasty rain storm by about 1/2 hour
And I was on my boat with 3 other people. Last year i did labor day weekend 100% solo! Well solo ride there and back.....
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express