Port Huron to Mac Options

[KMC]

Has anyone gone up to view the start of the race by boat?? Do they close the river at all before the start?

Saturday looks like it might be a real nice day, and that could make a real nice trip up and back, as well as rest in between to grill a little and watch some cool boats.

Any suggestions??

[Numbskull]

I plan on going out to watch the line ups and some of the starts. Have a couple of friends racing in it again this year.

The starting point is in Lake Huron about 3 miles north of the bridge. The first race starts at 11:30 am so there will be a lot of traffic coming out of the Black River and heading north all morning.

Here are some links from the Bayview site.

Starting Times

Course Maps

GPS Tracking

[Suck My Wake]

I was in the race once. I dont recall any areas being closed off, besides maybe the start line.

I would like to get up there and watch the starts from the boat one of these years.

[freckles]

We've hung out in Lake Huron, just north of the bridge and saw the boats sail by.

[Speedo Man]

On Saturday morning and early afternoon, the whole St. Clair River from the Black River north to Lake Huron is a no wake zone. The water in that stretch of the river is usually pretty choppy, and there is a stiff current running through there. As a result, you will have a long, slow, ride through that portion of the river, and you will be bobbing up and down the whole way. I'm not trying to discourage you from going - I'm just letting you know what to expect.

[Jimbo]

If you dicide to go out and watch the start of the races your best vantage point will be located at either end of the starting line. The starting line can be identified by a Large power boat with an "RC" flag flying. The other end of the line will be a bouy.
In a sailboat race, they have running starts. It best to be just at the starting line at full speed as the gun goes off. Being at either end of the start line will give you the a view of the boats as they jockey for best starting position.

[mnmbrewing]

I have done this race several times. They do make the river a no wake zone from about 9am on I believe. If you are going out to watch this is also about the time the boats start moving out of the Black River onto the St. Clair River. The Coast Guard also keeps a spectator fleet off the east I believe. I am not sure you can get as close to the starting line as Jimbo makes it sound. Not to mention that depending on the wind I would not want to be anchored near the start line anyway. Some of the starts get a little heated and the boats make some wild and crazy moves to keep from crashing into each other (ask me how I know this ).

All that being said, IF the forcast holds the start should be awsome to watch as the boats will be on Spinaker for the start.