Cruise Planning Center & Boating Itineraries

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	ICW Cruise North - 50 miles per day average	ICW Cruise North - 50 miles per day average
2.	Chesapeake Bay to the Hudson River	Start off cruising the Chesapeake Bay crossing the C&D Canal to the Delaware River. Head along the New Jersey Coast until you enter the Hudson River.
3.	Fernandina Beach, FL to Northeast Harbor, ME	This cruise begins in Fernandina Beach, FL and ends in Notheast Harbor, ME
4.	Florida to New England	This cruise takes you from Miami in Florida to New England.
5.	Heading North: Florida to Ontario	Heading north along the Intracoastal Waterway toward the Chesapeake. Venturing into the C&D Canal into the Delaware Bay heading toward Cape May. Enter in the Atlantic Ocean at Cape May, then full throttle along the New Jersey Coast to New York. Enter the Hudson River en route to the Erie Canal. After the Kingston Municipal Marina enter the Erie Canal in Waterford, NY. Trek through the 34 locks heading north on the Oswego Canal making way to Lake Ontario.
6.	ICW North from Miami to the Chesapeake Bay	This is a leisurely trip north on the ICW leaving from Miami heading to the Chesapeake Bay. The cruise takes approximately 3 weeks and averages 50-70 miles per day.
7.	ICW North Standard	This is a sample of a stops along the ICW heading north to the Chesapeake Bay. This sample includes stops that are approximately 50-80 miles apart. For a faster route, please refer to ICW Cruise North Fast.
8.	ICW South to North: Expanded Notes	The cruise below combines the serentity of the ICW with recommendations on when to hop on the outside to avoid tedious bridges and hold ups. Going Miami to Norfolk to, see the estimates below. Visited www.bluewaterweb.com/newsletters/9-01ditch.asp for more information about the numbers below. Six-knot sailboat: 40 miles per day or 30 days minimum Eight-knot trawler: 55 miles per day or 20 days minimum 25-knot powerboat: 150 miles per day or one week minimum Please note that these are MINIMUMS. Running eight hours or ten hours a day, seven days a week is no way to enjoy your trip. Bridges will surely slow your passage, and weather will slow your progress some days.

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	A Leisurely ICW Cruise From Norfolk/ Hampton Roads to St. Mary's, Georgia	Take your time as you cruise the ICW from the Norfolk/ Hampton Roads to St. Mary's, Georgia. This cruise includes anchorage options combined with marina stays to give you a good mix for your cruise.
2.	Chesapeake Bay South to Key West	Cruising south along the ICW with an average of 50 miles per day.
3.	ICW Cruise South (option 3)	This is another option for boaters heading south down the ICW to Florida.
4.	ICW North to South: Expanded Notes	This cruise starts at the ICW in Portsmouth/Norfolk area and heads south to Florida primarily along the ICW but with notes on convenient options to go outside if the weather permits.
5.	ICW South with Abaco side trip	This cruise leaves Norfolk/Portsmouth area and heads south on the ICW to Palm Beach, FL, a jumping off point for the Bahamas.
6.	Maine to Florida	Cruise from Portland, Maine through Gloucester and on to Fort Pierce, FL taking the ocean route and inlets.
7.	Mitch and Denise Nathanson Cruise the ICW South	On Nov. 10, 2011, TRIO, a 55-foot Fleming, and her crew—Mitch and Denise Nathanson and their Portuguese Water Dog Morgan—started down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) from the Chesapeake Bay headed for Key West. This was our second time making this trip, and, as always, traveling some nearly 3,000 miles round trip has its challenges. We visited more than 24 marinas along the way north and south and here are six of our favorites.
8.	New York to Florida on the Outside	This cruise starts in NJ and heads south to Fort Lauderdale.
9.	Norfolk to Bahamas	This cruise starts in Norfolk and heads south on the ICW to the Bahamas.

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	Chicago to Mobile, AL	This portion of the Great Loop takes you from Chicago to Mobile, AL and the Gulf via the Illinois River, Mississippi River, the Tenn-Tom Waterway. There are many locks you will have to pass through on the way.
2.	Crystal Beach, TX to Mobile, AL	This cruise takes you from Crystal Beach, TX to Mobile, AL
3.	Down East Circle Route Part 1	This cruise begins in Oswego, NY and ends in Summerside, PE.
4.	Hudson River Cruise	The Hudson River portion of the Loop departing from New York City and heading north to Albany, NY.
5.	Little Loop	This cruise begins in Alexandria Bay, NY and ends in Kingston, ON.
6.	The Great Loop - Fort Lauderdale to the Illinois River	This takes you from South Florida along the East Coast via the Chesapeake Bay to the Hudson River, Lake Ontario, The Trent Severn Waterway to the Georgian Bay to Lake Michigan and the Illinois River.
7.	The Great Loop Cruise	Cruise of the Great Loop
8.	Trent Severn, Georgian Bay and The North Channel	This cruise is a template for those boaters exploring the Trent Severn Waterway, the Georgian Bay, The North Channel or all three! There are many locks to consider for this cruise so the legs are kept very short. IMPORTANT: Please note that the mileage provided is approximate and should be used for planning and information only. The data provided is automatically generated based on GPS data and offers line of sight mileage only (as the crow flies). The mileage provided does not take into account routes that require detours around land masses. Marinalife does not guarantee the accuracy of this data. NOTE: Due to the large number of locks on the Trent Severn, if you are trying to make it an enjoyable transit in a boat of larger size you should not attempt to go more than 40-45 miles PER DAY.

Get in the Loop visit www.greatloop.org.

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Kemba DeGroot- Diamond Marinalife Member and AGLCA Member
"Many years ago when cruising the Great Loop was but a distant vision for us, we had so much to accomplish and learn about our boat and seamanship, that we didn’t even take into consideration the stops along the way. The stops at marinas are vital to the enjoyment of the overall adventure. When we got underway, we had enough on our hands without having to take time to call and check out marinas, make reservations, change reservations, and/or cancel reservations. And we were new enough to the experience that we didn’t feel like just "winging it" all the time, or to just take our chances with availability or dock space...."
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Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	Mexico to Central America to Panama Canal	Mexico to Central America to Panama Canal
2.	San Diego to Mexico	This cruise leaves San Diego and heads south into Mexico. There are very long distances between many of the legs (and fuel stops) on this cruise. There are anchorages that you could use between these legs suggested below to break up the long distances.
3.	Bahamas - Bimini to Berry Islands	This is an easy short cruise to take from South Florida to Bimini and the Berry Islands and back to Miami.
4.	Bahamas - Grand Bahamas to Abacos	This is one of the more popular cruises that offers a sampling of the Abacos and Grand Bahama and is easily accessible from the West Palm Beach area. Clearing Customs in Freeport/Port Lucaya: www.grandbahamayachtclub.com/customs.asp
5.	Bahamas Adventure - A Trip of a Lifetime	This is a summary of a 6-week trip that George Bassett and his wife Sharon took in 2011. Called "A Trip of a Lifetime" here is a summary of their cruise.
6.	Bahamas and Caribbean Cruise	This cruise leaves Miami and heads to the Bahamas and then to the Turks and Caicos and then into the Caribbean.
7.	Bahamas- Best of the Exumas	The Exuma chain known for its gorgeous, clear water and many snorkeling opportunities. The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands, beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau. This cruise begins in Miami Beach, taking you through the great island of the Exumas. Heading to the tip of the Bimini Islands to Berry Islands making way to the Exumas. Stopping along the coast to each of the islands popular marina destinations. You head south stopping at Georgetown, your furthest destination in the Exumas.
8.	Bahamas- Cruising Eleuthra and Exumas	This cruise takes you east to Eleuthra. You cruise south along the end of the island looping up north to Cape Eleuthra. Head south west to Staniel Cay then making your way north through the Exumas back to Nassau.
9.	Bahamas Hopping	This cruise takes you throughout the Bahamas from the Abacos to Eleuthera to the Exumas and Paradise Island and ending up on the Berry Islands and Bimini.
10.	Best of the Abacos	This cruise starts in West End which is an easy first stop from the Florida Coast and then to the Abacos for a fun-filled cruise offering boaters quaint towns, great snorkeling and plenty of marina and anchoring options. The waters are usually calm and the distances between ports are short making it a great place to relax.
11.	Cruising the Abacos in the Bahamas	This cruise was done by Marinalife members traveling with their family. After inviting our daughter Aynsley, son-in-law Tom and 26-month-old granddaughter Ella to join us aboard M/V Island Hopper for 10 days in the Bahamas, we realized that plans needed to be firmly in place for this to be an enjoyable family vacation for everyone. The operative word being everyone. Successful family boating holidays don’t just happen, they are the result of good pre-trip planning. Setting the itinerary was key to starting the adventure on the right foot. Our schedule had Island Hopper docked two or more nights at each location. This allowed us time to grow accustomed to living together on the boat and gave us the chance to really experience each different cay. We also wanted to make the pre-cruise travel and packing as manageable as possible for Ella’s parents, so we arranged to have items on board that couldn’t easily be brought in their luggage. To prepare for the 10-day cruise we focused on the following five categories: Food, Sleeping Quarters, Entertainment, Safety, and Essentials.
12.	Exumas starting in S. Florida
13.	Fort Lauderdale to Elbow Cay
14.	Key Largo, FL to Exumas, Eluethera, Nassau	This cruise leaves from Ocean Reef in Key Largo and stops in Nassau and then to the Exumas, Eleuthera and back to Nassau before heading back to South Florida.
15.	Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island	Navigate the coast of Nova Scotia, then cruised to Prince Edward Island, backtracked through the Canso Canal, and explored Bras d'Or Lake. The trip involved more than 1,200 nautical miles and experience everything from full-service resort marinas to deserted anchorages in beautiful coves.
16.	The Virgin Islands Cruise	The Virgin Islands are comprised of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). Most yacht charters begin at noon at a marina on Tortola, BVI and end at the same marina at noon seven days later. This cruise template reflects a seven-day BVI itinerary. Included at the end of this cruise template, is a three-day cruise extension to the USVI (St. John and St. Thomas) that can be added after Day 5 of the BVI cruise to round out a ten-day charter or cruise. To finish the ten-day cruise, just pick up the BVI charter intinerary at Day 6 after the three days in USVI. Note that when entering USVI waters from BVI, it will be necessary to clear out of BVI and then clear in to USVI for customs and immigration. And when entering BVI waters from USVI, it will be necessary to clear out of USVI and then clear in to BVI for customs and immigration. This cruise template is designed with stops at nearby customs and immigration offices in mind.

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	A Chesapeake Bay Adventure	Debra and Sy Israel, who have cruised extensively throughout Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, had never been to the Chesapeake Bay, even though they knew the region was a favorite for boaters. With trip-planning help from Marinalife, the Israels arrived in the Bay in the summer of 2011 aboard their 66-foot Offshore Motoryacht Happy Heart. Baltimore served as their base, due to its central location and easy access to the airport. This was key, as their grandchildren and several friends joined them for different parts of the journey. During the four-month cruise, the Israels visited more than eight rivers and 30 marinas. Here are some of the highlights from their summer.
2.	A New England Boating Adventure	By Tom Rose We left Tampa Bay on April 26 on a long-planned trip up the East Coast to New England for the summer on our 1982 ketch with a motoring speed of 6.5 knots and a draft of almost 7 feet and a mast height of 63.5 feet. We had concerns about the depth and height restrictions we would encounter if we chose the intra coastal waterway route. We also had to solve the issues of being away from home, pets and family for a 5,400 mile six month cruise. We cruised along the coast, sometimes on the Intracoastal Waterway and other times offshore and arrived in New England on July 13. For the next two months we enjoyed ports of call from the Long Island Sound to Winter Harbor, Maine. The roundtrip lasted seven months (and 5,400 nautical miles), returning to Tampa Bay on Nov. 30. Joining my wife Anne and me on the Seraphim crew were fellow Marinalife members Tom Dugan and Becky Moreland.
3.	Annapolis to Washington DC Cruise	This cruise takes boaters from Annapolis south on the Chesapeake Bay to the Potomac River ending up at the National Harbor Marina in Washington, DC.
4.	Best of Maine	This cruise will take you to great stops in Maine such as Camden, Vinalhaven Island, Bar Harbor, Winter Harbor and more.
5.	Chesapeake Bay - Annapolis to Washington DC to Southern Bay	This cruise heads south from Annapolis along the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay up the Potomac River Alexandria, VA and Washington DC and then crosses over to the Eastern Shore to hit great destinations including Oxford an St. Michaels and then finishing the cruise in Baltimore.
6.	Chesapeake Bay Southern Loop	Cruising the Chesapeake Bay South leaving from Baltimore, this cruise explores the unique ports of the Chesapeake Bay
7.	Chesapeake Bay to the Hudson River	In September 2012, Marinalife members David and Lynn Pitts departed their home port in Baltimore, MD. and began their maiden ocean voyage aboard Peaceful Too (P2), their 3-year-old 53 foot Selene Trawler. Their emotions were running wild. It was an exciting yet anxious moment for the pair since they had never taken her outside of the Chesapeake Bay. They planned to travel 600 miles up the New Jersey coast, into the New York Harbor, up the Hudson River and then head back home.
8.	Chesapeake Bay, C&D Canal, NY: Summer Voyage	Marinalife Member, Bob Arrington, shares his 2010 summer voyage to New England and back to the Chesapeake Bay.
9.	Cruising from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach	This cruise starts in Jacksonville, FL and heads south along the ICW to St. Augustine, Palm Coast ending in Daytona Beach.
10.	Cruising Long Island Sound	If you’re looking for variety, this is the right place to go cruising. Stretching between Connecticut to the north, and Long Island to the south, the waters of Long Island Sound touch shores that are as diverse as they are beautiful. The southern shore offers lovely destinations in its bays, while the northern territory is marked by rivers and islands where you can find shelter and get a good taste of coastal cruising, New England style. Even with the bright lights and breakneck pace of New York City to the west, there are many peaceful places to drop the hook or tie up for the night, take a deep breath and let the blood pressure drop. Start your cruise mid-Sound on the Long Island side at Port Jefferson, New York, then make a counter-clockwise loop around the east end of the sound, eventually heading west along the Connecticut shore.
11.	Cruising the Hudson River	Explore New York’s Hudson River and its unspoiled scenery and charming small towns. Here is a great week-long itinerary along the historic waterway that allows you to take in the best the area has to offer.
12.	Cruising the Long Island Sound to Nantucket	Victor Dituro and his family have been actively cruising for nearly seven seasons. Each season Victor, his wife Rosemarie, his 11-year-old twins Peter and Olivia, and their three dogs frequent their favorite destinations throughout New England. Victor’s love for boating began in 2006 when he bought a 27-foot powerboat, hired a captain and took lessons. His wife had grown up on the water, so he wanted to give boating a try. After just a few lessons, he immediately realized that boating could become a lifelong passion. He quickly upgraded to a 2007 40-foot Meridian Motoryacht named Time Well Wasted (and he and his family have been the first ones in the water and the last ones out ever since). Rosemarie named the boat after her favorite country-music song “Time Well Wasted” because, “relaxing on the water as a family and enjoying each other’s company is time spent wisely.” Here are some of their most cherished stops.
13.	Cruising through History: Potomac River Civil War History	This is the 2nd cruise in our series of "Cruising through History" cruise itineraries. Although it was nicknamed “the Nation’s River”, the Potomac reflected the division within our country during the Civil War. That river not only served as the border between the Confederacy and the Union states, its importance was also reflected in the name chosen for the North’s first army, the Army of the Potomac. Throughout the war, the Potomac River served as the primary transportation route between Washington, D.C. and Chesapeake Bay. It allowed the free flow of soldiers, supplies and munitions for the Union army in one direction, but it represented a threat to our nation’s capital by the warships of the Confederate navy in the other.
14.	Cruising Through South Florida and the Keys	The cruise brings you south traveling through Miami Beach, Key Largo, Islamorada, Duck Key and Key West.
15.	East Coast Cruise on the Outside	Cruising North from Florida to the New York, this cruise takes you along the outside with dockage near easy ocean inlets.
16.	Exploring Kent County, MD	Summer is the perfect time to explore all that the Chesapeake Bay has to offer, and in one weekend trip you can hit several unique destinations. In this installment of Weekend Warrior, we set out from Baltimore and head east across the bay toward Kent County, Maryland, stopping first in Fairlee Creek, a lovely anchorage spot that’s a favorite of many Eastern Shore boaters. The marina in Fairlee is an excellent place for a family getaway, with many kid-focused features, plus beach parties and live entertainment on the weekends for adults. From Fairlee Creek, it’s a scenic cruise to historic Georgetown, where the marinas have terrific amenities, including restaurants that are destinations in their own right.
17.	Fernandina Beach to Miami Beach - FL East Coast	This cruise runs along the East Coast of Florida using the ICW.
18.	Florida Gulf Coast - Tampa to Sarasota	The gulf coast of Florida has a laid-back reputation, the opposite of the Atlantic side’s fast-paced party attitude. In truth, both coasts can be low-key one moment and high-octane the next. In this issue we explore two weekend-long itineraries originating in Tampa, one heading south and one heading north. There’s plenty of gulf coast tranquility—and a healthy dash of wild-side fun—to enjoy along the way.
19.	Florida West Coast - Marco Island to Fort Myers Beach	The Southwestern part of Florida is a delightful get-away spot for boaters traveling the west coast of Florida from the Keys or from the Panhandle. The waters are sparkling and the towns are home to fantastic restaurants, world-class shopping, golf and plenty of fun for travelers of all ages.
20.	Florida West Coast to Stuart Via Lake Okechobee	This cruise starts in Marco and heads north towards Fort Myers and then across the Calossahatchee River to Lake Okechobee ending in Stuart on the East Coast of Florida.
21.	Florida, Bahamas, & Keys Cruise	This cruise is a good sample of several hot cruising areas in the south with hotel recommendations throughout. It begins and ends on the West Coast of Florida. From Fort Myers it goes through the Okeechobee (Always check with Corps of Engineers first http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divisions/Operations/Branches/Navigation/NavNotices.htm) and uses Palm Beach as a hop-off spot to the Bahamas. The cruise goes through the Abacos then hits the Berry Islands and Bimini on the way back to Miami. From Miami you will go down into the Keys then up the West Coast of Florida.
22.	Georgia Coast	The Georgia Coast combines history and nature in wonderful cities and untouched beaches. Whether you are heading for the sunny skies of Florida or transiting the ICW, a boater can find a trip filled with adventure and fun.
23.	Grand Strand	Weekend Warrior plan: Southport, NC to Myrtle Beach, SC to Georgetown, SC
24.	Hudson River Cruise	This cruise will take you from the New York City area up the Hudson River with stops at many great marinas. These suggested marinas also offer great side trips for example to West Point.
25.	Hunting for Adventure on the Historic Hudson River	If you’re looking for a trip that will leave you entertained, excited and refreshed, head for New York’s majestic Hudson River. The port of Jersey City is an excellent place to begin your cruise.There are two outstanding resort marinas there, each offering panoramic views of the New York City harbor and Manhattan’s world-famous skyline. Liberty Landing Marina (201-985-8000, www.libertylandingmarina.com) is located in Liberty State Park.This full-service 520-slip facility has floating docks in the calm, deep waters of Morris Canal, just off the Hudson River, with striking views of the Big Apple. Newport Yacht Club & Marina (201-626-5550, www.igy-newport.com) sits directly across the Hudson River from downtown Manhattan and offers 154 slips surrounded by a luxury nautical village, which features great shopping, dining and entertainment. When you’re ready to take a break from the bright lights of the city, cruise north to explore the rich history and natural beauty of the Hudson River.
26.	Lower Chesapeake Bay	Find marinas in the lower part of the Chesapeake Bay.
27.	Massachusetts to Naples, FL	This cruise leaves from the New Bedford area and heads south on the outside/ocean and partly on the ICW to the Florida Keys and then to the west coast of Florida ending in Naples.
28.	New England Favorites	This cruise leaves from Montauk in Long Island and stops at many of the top New England destinations ending in Maine.
29.	New Jersey Coast Cruise	Chances are you’ve taken in your share of cruising idylls over the years, from the silky shores of Florida to the quintessential New England ports of Connecticut and Massachusetts. But what about the New Jersey Shore? Occasionally, boat owners will limit their experience of the Garden State to a quick overnight stop while en route to another place, and you have to wonder if this is because some of us can’t shake those pop-culture clichés: the Sopranos, Snooki, the spray tans. But the truth is, if you haven’t yet spent time exploring the Jersey shoreline, prepare to be surprised. There are different flavors along the way, in ports large and small, from the high-rises and high stakes of Atlantic City to true beach towns with vintage ice-cream trucks, kettle fudge and retro flavor. Even with the bright lights of Manhattan just a day’s ride away, there are great places to drop the hook or drag lines for the day. Let’s assume you’ll start your cruise from the south and explore New Jersey on your way north to New York waters.
30.	Ramblin' the Panhandle	Three ways to cruise Florida’s Emerald Coast Panama City Beach is a great starting point for your cruising adventure.The sugar-white sandy beaches and clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico attract boaters all year round.
31.	South Carolina and the Civil War Cruise	For all the bluster and saber rattling by the secessionists in South Carolina in the run up to the Civil War, it is suprising that so few battles took place in the Palmetto State. The battles that were fought however, were concentrated around Charleston and Hilton Head Island, which now happen to be favorite areas for boaters cruising the ICW and the South Carolina coast. Using the unique perspective of your boat, you can visualize the strategies of the opposing forces as you cruise through history in Charleston Harbor or Port Royal Sound.

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	British Columbia to San Diego	This cruise begins in British Columbia and ends in San Diego. Please note that some of these legs are quite long and may require anchoring between legs.
2.	Marina Del Rey, California to Mexico	Marina Del Rey, California to Mexico. Please note that these are long legs and there are anchoring opportunities between stops.
3.	British Columbia - Seattle to Port Hardy	This cruise takes you north from Seattle through the San Juan Islands to Port Hardy in British Columbia.
4.	San Diego to Mexico	This cruise leaves San Diego and heads south into Mexico. There are very long distances between many of the legs (and fuel stops) on this cruise. There are anchorages that you could use between these legs suggested below to break up the long distances.
5.	San Diego to San Francisco	This cruise departs from San Diego and finishes in San Francisco.
6.	San Juan Islands Cruise	The San Juan Islands, some 60 miles north of Seattle, are a democratic archipelago: there is something for everyone! This cruise takes you through and around the San Juan Islands. Beginning in Anacortes head west through the islands cruising south west direction passing through customs into Canadas territories. Head to the east side of Salspring Island then up to Galiano Island. Back into the states to the tip of San Juan Island and head east to Sucia Island, WA. Crusie north to Blaine, WA for your final stop before heading back to Anacortes to Cap Sante Marina.

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	Cruising Door County, Wisconsin	Often referred to as the Cape Cod of the Midwest, Wisconsin’s Door County has more than 300 miles of shoreline packed with activities and great boating destinations. The 75-mile-long peninsula is studded with restaurants, boutiques, and performing arts venues, and hosts numerous summer festivals. The surrounding waters are excellent fishing grounds. Start your cruise at Sturgeon Bay, near the peninsula’s southern end, then head north to explore the charming outposts of Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and Washington Island.
2.	Erie Canal History	The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about 363 statute miles from Albany on the Hudson River to Buffalo on Lake Erie. When it was opened in 1825, it was the first navigable route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Today it is part of the New York State Canal System. This cruise will unfold the history of the canal that opened the East Coast and overseas markets to Midwestern farm products and enabled a western migration of European immigrants to the U.S. It also made New York City the greatest port in the world. At it's height in 1855, the Erie Canal moved 33,000 commercial shipments a year. Today, it is used almost exclusively by recreational vessels.
3.	Great Loop via Lake Huron/Erie	This cruise is of the Great Loop via Lake Huron/Erie. The cruise begins on St. Augustine, FL and ends in Stuart, FL.
4.	Harbor Springs, Petoskey and Charlevoix with a side trip to Beaver Island	If you’re looking for a place with scenic views, friendly people, and great resort-like boating communities, then the northeast shore of Lake Michigan should be added to your weekend-getaway bucket list. The quaint towns of Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Charlevoix surround Little Traverse Bay and are filled with Victorian architecture, great restaurants, and charming shops. The entire area moves at a gentle pace, more reminiscent of older times.
5.	Indiana to Florida	This cruise begins in Aurora, Indiana and ends in Florida.
6.	McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River	Cruise through the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River.
7.	Port Huron to Kentucky Lake Fast Cruise	This cruise leaves Port Huron, MI and ends in Grand Rivers, KY.
8.	Sandusky Ohio to Saugatuck, MI	This is a fast cruise that goes from Sandusky Ohio to Saugatuck, MI.
9.	The Great Lakes – The Voyage of Le Griffon	René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, was the quintessential 17th century French explorer. He set out to make his fortune in the New World during the reign of Louis XIV, France's Sun King. In 1667, La Salle, age 24 and the scion of wealthy cloth merchants from Normandy, sailed to New France (the forerunner of Canada) to become a seigneur or landlord for King Louis. In 1669, La Salle exploring with a party of missionaries visited Niagara Falls between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Ten years later, La Salle returned to the area and constructed a small fort and ship yard about six miles upstream of Niagara Falls, at Cayuga Creek along the Niagara River. La Salle and his men brought along provisions, trading merchandise, ammunition and the ships stores needed to build a barque to sail the Great Lakes. The audacious La Salle was prepared to build the first European sailing vessel to ply the waters of Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan, from the green timber of the wilderness of what is now western New York State. He christened it Le Griffon, or Griffin, a mythological creature that was part of his family coat-of-arms. On August 7, 1679, Le Griffon and a crew of 32, set sail west upon Lake Erie cruising on waters previously traversed only by birch bark canoes. On the third day, they entered a strait 30 miles long at the western end of the lake. La Salle simply named it “le détroit du lac Érie” meaning the strait of Lake Erie. Today, we simply call the city there Detroit. It took La Salle 13 days to cover the 75 nautical miles connecting Lake Erie to Lake Huron. Le Griffon then sailed along the north shore of Lake Huron to the confluence of the waters of Michigan, Superior and Huron, to an island called “Mishi-Mikinaak” by the Ojibwe nation. La Salle anchored at Mackinac Island on August 27th. A short time later, Le Griffon continued westward through the Straits of Mackinac, along the northern edge of Lake Michigan . La Salle then sailed into Green Bay, where he anchored at Washington Island, now a tourist destination in Door County, Wisconsin. Later Le Griffon sailed back eastward through Portes des Morts (Death's Door) onto Lake Michigan with a crew of six. Her first port of call was to be Mackinac Island to take aboard a load of furs which La Salle had waiting there. Gale force winds blew across the northern Great Lakes on September 19th , Le Griffon was never seen or heard from again.

Cruise Name

Cruise Notes

1.	Cruising the Texas Coast from Port Arthur to Galveston Bay	Everything is BIGGER in the Lone Star State, and the Texas coastline stretching along the northwest edge of the Gulf of Mexico is no exception. Measured on its own, the coast clocks in at just 387 miles, but add in all the islands, bays, river mouths and inlets, and there are more than 3,300 miles of beautiful waterfront to explore—not to mention hundreds of attractions and annual events.
2.	Exploring the Tenn Tom	The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (known as the Tenn-Tom) is a manmade waterway that was built to connect the Tennessee and Tombigbee rivers for commercial traffic. Construction was a massive undertaking that took 12 years to complete and moved more dirt than the Panama Canal project. In addition to its commercial use, the Tenn-Tom has become a joyful destination for boaters. Ken Crutcher and his wife, “Admiral” Myra, have been cruising the Tenn-Tom on their boat Moon Shine regularly since 1996. It was on one of these trips that Myra took her nickname as Admiral when she teasingly stated to Ken, “If you’re the Captain, I guess that makes me the Admiral!” Titles aside, the Crutchers know their way around the Tenn-Tom. Here are some of their favorite stops along the way.
3.	Kentucky Lake to East Coast of Florida	This is a fast cruise from Kentucy Lake to the East Coast of Florida via the Florida Keys.
4.	Louisiana to Georgia (Mandeville to Brunswick)	This cruise takes you from Slidell, LA to Melbourne, FL via the Lake Okechobee Waterway.

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