boat parking near st. clair

[thedude]

So i have "volunteered" to teach a programming class in downtown detroit - mostly because my work will pay me to drive there with a boat and teach a 3hr class and then i can go fish st. clair for a few hours before or after, essentially for free.

That being said - need options on somewhere i can park a boat for a few hours and have it be reasonably safe while i'm downtown.  I've thought of just going to 9mile and paying to park and leaving the rig in the lot.

[bob o]

i would start by calling some St Clair marinas and ask that same question, at least that way it would most likley be in a fenced parking lot of an open shop. unless its in someones driveway or back yard

[dartag]

What time of year will you be over.   

[thedude]

trying to schedule the classes to be a weeknight in may.  i'm guessing i will drive over sometime in the am and the class will be in the evening.  depending on the time i may stay overnight, which basically solves the problem and i can leave the boat at the hotel for a few hours.

[motocross269]

I would be willing to bet Anglers point at Selfridge would let you leave your boat in their lot for a few hours....You could also call Sportsmen Direct by the Crocker launch they may be able to help you out also....

[djkimmel]

People often leave trailers only or boats on trailers only in the MDNR ramps over there. I did it once or twice at Harley and once at Lake St. Clair Metropark many years ago. Not sure if it is really allowed, or that I would recommend it though?

Check with Sportsmen's Direct first. Tell them you're a GreatLakesBass.com member. Talk to Justin Clark. Might work something out.

[Got Fish??]

Look dude I WOULD NOT! leave my boat in a lot, or leave it alone. In or near Detriot. If you know  witch ramp you want to use. Maybe you can leave it  a members house close to that ramp. StClair is a good run from Detriot. StClair Shores has a lot of nice motels and marinenas. I would put in at the StCliar Shores ramp. It's at 11mile rd and Jefferson.

[21XDC]

I would put in at the StCliar Shores ramp. It's at 11mile rd and Jefferson.

I would like to know the address or where this boat ramp is.. I use the 9 mile ramp 90% but always looking for others to try.

[Cy]

The launch is at 11 MI and Jefferson.  Directly behind the library, you can't miss it.

[Got Fish??]

This ramp is owned by the city and was $10 to put in last year

[thedude]

yeha i had thought about just parking it at 9 or 11 mile since there's a guard on duty.

assuming i haven't sold it by then, i do have a lot of insurance on my boat...

[djkimmel]

Are they letting nonresidents in regularly at 11 Mile Rd? I keep getting told that it is still residents of St. Clair Shores only, and that at least one of the attendants enforces that at least part of the time? I asked them to reconsider that last time I talked with them but haven't checked the status in a couple seasons.

We looked at the 9 Mile Ramp as a possible site for improvement. Not sure where any status is on that but I have heard we expect a hopefully positive status on another boat ramp in May.

Justin Clark told me people are regularly parking in the overflow now at Crocker (Clinton River Cutoff BAS) since there's rarely an attendant there. Leaving a boat where there's a dependable attendant would probably be less nerve-wracking.

[Waterfoul]

There are two West Marine's in the area... St. Clair Shores on the south end of Jefferson and the Harrison Township store at the north end of Jefferson (near the Harley ramp)... I know I can get you a spot to park it there if needed.  Both managers would have no issue with it if I let them know in advance.

[Firefighter Jeff]

   I used 11 mile last year a couple times during the first week of catch and release and didn't have any problems Dan.

[TimH]

I live about a 8 minutes from the 9 mile ramp, and about 25 minutes from downtown Detroit.  If you want, you could drop your boat in my driveway before you teach your class.  That way you can back it in the drive, close the gate, and not have to worry about anything.  Send me a message if you want to talk further about this option.

[djkimmel]

That's a very nice and friendly offer! Thanks!

[thedude]

Thanks for all help guys. Once i get my schedule figured out i will definitley be returning some IMs.

Dan - @ 11 mile, we've launched there serveral times in the spring over the last few years with no trouble. Maybe in the summer when there is more pleasure boats it becomes an issue with parking spots?

[Got Fish??]

Generally during the week there is no problem. Weekends are a little different

[djkimmel]

That's helpful to know. You're a redhead too. Sort of. So you should see some of the effect I do... though you're thedude... so that probably offsets most of the effect...

I've gone out of 11 Mile with other people in their boats a couple times. One of them wasn't even from Michigan. No issues. I did have a hat on, it wasn't my boat and it was during the week...?

I'll have to check with the city again this year to see if their position is evolving yet on their boat ramps too.