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Lake Profile
Cass Lake
(Oakland County)
From the SailMichigan.org Archives
Lake Profile: Cass Lake, Oakland County
Cass Lake is the largest and deepest lake in Oakland county and is bordered by Waterford Township, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake Village and Keego Harbour. The lake is home to the Pontiac Yacht Club which has one of the largest fleets of Lightnings in the world and focuses on sailing education and competition.
The main access launch for the lake is located in Dodge State Park No. 4, at the end of Parkway Rd, off of Cass Elizabeth Rd. (see following Google map). This launch consists of 4 cement ramps divided by two short piers. The ramps and set-up area appear to be devoid of overhead obstructions (but always double check) and the ramps are bordered by a stretch of open shoreline. Although the shoreline my serve as a beachable surface in a pinch, it is not configured to be routinely used that way. The Cass Lake Marina (commercial marina) is immediately adjacent to the ramps (see photo). This proximity diminishes some maneuverability at the ramps and also may enhance onshore wave action from boats leaving and returning ot the marina. There is a vault toilet present at the ramp and a reasonable amount of parking.
The ramps discharge into Gerundegut Bay, which is a narrow area at the north end of the lake. There may be some limited sailing maneuverability in this area, depending on wind direction, until you get to more open water. Although the DNR has these ramps listed as type 1 ramps, sailors looking to launch centerboard boats greater than 21' may want to visit the ramps first and evaluate them for themselves.
The lake is popular and in close proximity to several population centers which means that boat traffic will be high during peak periods. The presence of the PYC provides a strong and organized sailing presence on the lake and it has been reported that it is possible to sail approximately 3/4 of a mile on most points of sail. Additional sailing comments and ratings for this lake are desired..
In the winter, this lake and launch location is a popular one for local DN Iceboat fleets.
Although national Iceboating (Ice Yachting) regattas have been held here in the past, the lake's size may be limiting to today's faster (or larger) ice boats. More specific advice for Iceyachting on this lake can be found on the IDNIYRA website.
General Lake Features
- Lake Type: River Fed/Lake Chain
- Surface area: 1278 acres
- Max depth: 123 feet
- Orientation: Northeast-Southwest
How can we help?
Finding a Boat
It begins with a boat. Maybe a ride on a friend's boat, but eventually you will want one of your own.
Finding a Club
Sometime a solitary sail is all you need, but often we want to find others to sail with and share sailing with.
Finding a Lake
Some are blessed to live on sailable waters, others of us need to find that perfect lake. Its lucky that Michigan is full of them.
Finding an Event
Be it a boat show, sailing open house, sailing class, or regatta, sometimes you just want something to do.
Finding a Charter
Michigan is blessed to have multiple Tall Ships. All of them offer inexpensive opportunites to experience a sail adventure.
Finding a ........
What are we missing? What else will it take you get you to sail? Let us know and it can be displayed in this catagory!
Finding a boat
Boats via Craigslist
Craigslist can provide the lowest barrier and cost to obtaining your first boat. There can be great deals, as well as scary offers, here.
Boats available via Ebay
Some bargans may be found here, however this is a national market. At any given time only a few boats will be relatively local to you.
Boats to support a cause
Are you a sailing non-profit? Do you routinely have boats for sale to support your organization? Let us know so we can help.
Corporate sponsor
Are you a for-profit sailboat dealer and wish to support this site? Talk to us and you can be featured here!
Finding others to sail with
Local Sailing Clubs and Organizations
Alpena Youth Sailing Club - Alpena (Lake Huron)
American Sailing Institute - Oakland and Macomb Counties (Kent Lake, Lake Saint Clair)
Bay City Yacht Club - Bay City (Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron)
Bay Sail (Sailing Education) - Bay City (Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron)
Tawas Bay Yacht Club - East Tawas (Tawas Bay, Lake Huron)
Albatross Yacht Club - Harrison Twp. (Anchor Bay, Lake Saint Clair)
Bark Shanty Sail Club - Port Sanilac (Lake Huron)
Barton Boat Club - Ann Arbor (Barton Pond, Huron River)
Bayview Yacht Club - Detroit (Detroit River, Lake Saint Clair)
Clark Lake Yacht Club - Clark Lake (Jackson County)
Creekfleet Sail Club - Shelby Twp. (Stony Creek Lake / Stony Creek Metropark)
Crescent Sail Yacht Club - Grosse Pointe Farms (Lake Saint Clair)
Detroit Boat Club - Detroit (Detroit River, Lake Saint Clair)
Detroit Model Yacht Club - Detroit
Detroit Yacht Club - Detroit (Detroit River - Lake Saint Clair)
Devils Lake Yacht Club - Manitou Beach (Lenawee County)
Grayhaven Sail Club of Detroit - Detroit (Detroit River, Lake Saint Clair)
Ford Yacht Club - Grosse Ile (Detroit River, Lake Erie)
Great Lakes Yacht Club - Saint Clair Shores (Lake Saint Clair)
Grosse Ile Yacht Club - Grosse Ile (Detroit River, Lake Erie)
Grosse Pointe Sail Club - Grosse Pointe Farms (Lake Saint Clair)
Grosse Pointe Yacht Club - Grosse Pointe (Lake Saint Clair)
Huron Pointe Yacht Club - Harrison Twp. (Lake Saint Clair)
Jefferson Yacht Club - St. Clair Shores (Lake Saint Clair)
Lake Fenton Sailing Club - Fenton, MI (Lake Fenton)
Lake Shore Sail Club - St. Clair Shores (Lake Saint Clair)
Lansing Boat Club - Lansing, MI (Grand River)
Lansing Sailing Club - Haslett, MI (Lake Lansing)
Mac Ray Yacht Club - Mt. Clemans, MI (Lake Saint Clair)
Michigan Sailing Club - Dexter, MI (Base Line Lake)
Monroe Boat Club Monroe (734) 243-8935
North Cape Yacht Club La Salle (734) 242-5081
North Star Sail Club Harrison Twp.(586) 463-2192
Pontiac Yacht Club Pontiac (248) 682-8020
Portage Yacht Club Pinckney (734) 426-4155
Port Huron Yacht Club Port Huron(810) 985-9424SE
Saginaw Bay Yacht Club Essexville (989) 892-5905
Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Bay City (989) 922-7245
Swan Boat Club Newport (734) 586-2002
West Shore Sail Club Trenton
Wolf Lake Yacht Club Jackson (517) 522-4211
Wyandotte Yacht Club Ecorse
Boyne City Yacht Club Boyne City
Burt Lake Yacht Club Brutus
Charlevoix Yacht Club Charlevoix (231) 547-9170
Crystal Lake Yacht Club Frankfort (231) 352-4691
Glen Lake Yacht Club Glen Arbor (231) 334-4013
Grand Traverse Yacht Club Traverse City (231) 946-9779
Leland Yacht Club Leland (231) 256-2681
Little Traverse Yacht Club Harbor Springs (231) 526-7919
Ludington Yacht Club Ludington (231) 843-9904
Pentwater Yacht Club Pentwater (231) 869-8921
Torch Lake Yacht Club Bellaire (231) 377-7829
Traverse Area Community Sailing Traverse City (231) 922-5922
Walloon Lake Yacht Club Walloon Lake
Bayshore Yacht Club Holland (616) 399-9844
Crystal Sailing Club Crystal (989) 235-4065
Diamond Lake Yacht Club Cassopolis (269) 445-3201
Eagle Lake Sailing Club Edwardsburg (269) 699-5820
Grand Rapids Yacht Club Grand Rapids (616) 949-8466
Grand River Sailing Club Grand Haven
Gull Lake Yacht Club Richland (616) 629-9714
Harbour Towne Yacht Club Muskegon (231) 755-4892
Indian Lake Yacht Club Dowagiac
Lake Michigan Yacht Club New Buffalo (269) 469-8100
Macatawa Bay Yacht Club Macatawa (616) 335-5815
Muskegon Yacht Club Muskegon (231) 755-1414
New Buffalo Yacht Club New Buffalo (616) 469-0808
Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club Coloma (616) 468-6300S
River's Edge Yacht Club Grand Haven (616) 846-0408
Saint Joseph River Yacht Club Saint Joseph (269) 983-6393
Saugatuck Yacht Club Saugatuck (269) 857-8665
Singapore Yacht Club Saugatuck (616) 857-2442
South Haven Yacht Club South Haven (616) 637-2305
Spring Lake Yacht Club Spring Lake (616) 847-8322
Tower Harbour Yacht Club Saugatuck-Douglas
White Lake Yacht Club Whitehall (231) 894-4516
Escanaba Yacht Club - Escanaba (Lake Michigan)
Marquette Yacht Club - Marquette (Lake Superior)
M & M Yacht Club - Menominee (Lake Michigan)
Mackinac Island Yacht Club - Mackinac Island (Mackinac straits)
Onigaming Yacht Club - Houghton (Lake Superior)
Learn More
There are over 80 yacht and sailing clubs in Michigan. One or more are bound to be near you. Many of these offer sailing classes and look for volunteers to crew on boats for weekly races. Click on the links to the left to go to their respective sites.
We recommend checking out:
- American Sailing Institute
- Creekfleet Sail Club
- Saginaw Bay Community Sailing
- Traverse Area Community Sailing
- Michigan State Univ. Sailing Center
Finding a Tall Ship / Charter
Manitou
Tours on the Manitou are conducted by the Tranverse Tall Ship Company in Traverse City, MI
Appledore IV
Appledore IV and V are owned and operated in Bay City, MI by BaySail.
Champion
The Cutter Champion is owned and operated by the Maritime Heritage Alliance in Traverse City, MI
Inland Seas
Inland Seas is maintained and sailed by the Inland Seas Education Association in Sutton's Bay (Lake Michigan).
Tall Ship Celebration
2019 is the year the Tall Ship Celebration will again be in Bay City, MI Multiple ships from several countries will be here.
Future Charter Info
Do you offer sailing charters and wish to be featured here. Let us know.
Finding a Lake
Kent Lake (Livingston Co.) - 1000 acre river impoundment, 2 ramps via Kensington Metropark $ for entrance & launch. 10 mph motor limit with amenities.
About Us
What Happened?
Since 2009, SailMichigan.org has endeavored to make entry and enjoyment of sailing easier. If you have visited us before, you will note the change. As much as we hated to do it, we could not financially support the changes necessary in the old site and had to retire it. We are now recontemplating our naval to see what is possible.
The future?
This is unknown. Will the full functionality of SailMichigan return? Perhaps, but not in the immediate future.
Our Mission
This has not changed. Our mission has always been to lower the barriers to sailing, especially small boat sailing.