America's Boating Club Grand Traverse Bay

A boating club with activities all year long, from the Shakedown Cruise in June through the Cruise of the Bay in September to our monthly winter dinner meetings, there is always something happening.

We offer boating classes through Extended Education Services of Northwestern Michigan College that range from a basic boating course for the Michigan Boating Safety Certificate, to advanced classes.

NEW DINNER MEETING SIGNUP

There is a new procedure for signing up for the monthly membership dinner meetings. You will be able to sign up and pay for dinner similar to the registration form used for the Lobster Bake this summer.

An email will be sent to everyone containing meeting information such as entrée choices, program details, and a link to the signup form. We will no longer have pay at the restaurant. As in the past, the Administrative Officer needs to know the number of attendees by the Saturday before the meeting so the restaurant can be informed well before hand.

Using the form is very easy. Just click on the link, enter names of those attending, select entree choices, enter payment information, and click on the submit button.

It's that easy!

Hopefully, this method will be simpler, quicker, and more precise than the old one. It will also make the treasurer's job a lot easier.

Lobster Bake

The 2025 Lobster Bake was a resounding success! About 70 people enjoyed "The Bake" with hamburgers and all the fixings on Friday evening and Prime Rib and Lobster Saturday. Local Grand Travere Bay members were joined by members of Detroit, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, Flint, and Lansing clubs. It was a delightful weekend with blue skies and warm weather--until Saturday dinner when dark clouds rolled in with high wind gusts followed by rain. It was a gale that came on fast but fortunately left fast and didn't dampen the spirit of the festivities. A big thank you to Donna and Brian and the committee for putting on another fantastic event. Next years Lobster Bake is August 7-8 so save the date.

eQuality Cruise: Three Weeks in the North Channel

The 2025 eQuality Cruise found three boats doing the complete trip together, while several boats joined in for part of it. The route was from our home ports on Grand Traverse Bay to Beaver Island, St. Ignace, Harbor Island, Meldrum Bay, Gore Bay, Little Current, Wilfrid Island, Blind River, Detour, Mackinaw City, Bay Harbor and back to home ports. It was a fun filled and exciting adventure from meeting friends in St. Ignace, to anchoring at Harbor Island, to seeing First Nation dancers in Little Current, to the fantastic coffee machine at Bay Harbor. There were a few mishaps too like an autopilot not working after only a few days and hand steering was required for the rest of the trip, a wallet going overboard, late busses, lines wrapped around props, and heat! And of course the sailors lament, no wind or wind on the nose. However, all that was minor compared to the fun, food, activities, and camaraderie enjoyed by friends old and new.
Thanks to eQuality Cruise organizers Tom and Jan for creating another fantastic summer club event.
Next years eQuality Cruise is staying closer to home so more members may take part. Stay tuned for more details.

Shakedown Cruise Was A Huge Success

Friday evening Brian grilled hamburgers for everyone and there were lots delicious potluck dishes and some wonderful desserts including Nancy's artful cake pops, what a treat.
Saturday, we gathered at Little Fleet for great camaraderie, people watching, food, and drink.
Thanks to organizers Tom and Jan Stone for making the Shakedown Cruise another resounding success.
A good time was had by all. (It was guaranteed!)

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Today is Thursday November 13th 2025