Welcome to the GREAT LAKES CRUISING CLUB
Sharing Information to Enhance Cruising Since 1934
Resources and Relationships for Great Lakes Cruisers
Whether you’re an old salt or a novice, power boater or sailor, captain or crew, there’s always more to know about cruising the Great Lakes. Sharing information is what we’re all about. We are cruisers helping cruisers--to find remote anchorages; navigate locks and waterways; hone skills via online webinars; or connect with other cruisers and build friendships.
Many join GLCC to obtain access to our constantly updated online Harbor Reports--considered the most authoritative, accurate and up-to-date cruising documents on the Great Lakes. These reports provide detailed observations by members who have personally visited the area, anchorage, harbor or waterway. Is that restaurant still there? What about propane, hospitals or groceries? What’s the best approach? Current depth? How can I avoid rocks and shoals in an uncharted anchorage? A GLCC report is sometimes the only information source available for a particular remote location. Plus each report contains first hand and useful details, as shown in these three sample reports for anchorages in Lake Superior, The North Channel and Georgian Bay.
Unlike other guides, our reports are constantly updated – over 1000 since our start in 1934 — and regularly maintained by our members in a "wiki" format on the Web. They are viewable, printable and can be downloaded to your phone and computer for off line viewing while cruising.
And our renowned harbor reports are just the beginning…
• Many harbors have GLCC Port Captains, who provide local knowledge and assistance-- especially helpful for cruisers outside their home waters.
• A growing number of yacht clubs -- Great Lakes and beyond -- extend reciprocity to GLCC members.
• Member discounts for marine services, products, marinas and gas docks are available.
• Our online school www.glccschool.com offers live and recorded classes in all aspects of cruising.
• Collective member experiences provide priceless material for discussions, stories and boating tips.
• Besides our popular annual rendezvous, we arrange rallies, flotillas, and fun social events.
But the best GLCC experiences just seem to “happen,” when members find each other in the same harbor, refuge, anchorage, wilderness or dock. Having fun with fellow cruisers may be the best of all GLCC membership benefits.
Over 1000 Harbor Reports
One of the great member benefits of joining the Great Lakes Cruising Club is access to our detailed Cruising Guides for over 1000 harbors of the five Great Lakes as well as Lake St. Clair. Our Harbor Reports are continually updated by fellow GLCC members, and the latest versions are immediately available on this website.
Non-Members: Lifeline Newsletter
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Tuesday in the GLCCSchool – Cruising Lake Erie
Lake Erie offers Great Lakes cruisers many opportunities. Whether you are cruising the Canadian north shore or the US south shore Lake Erie’s small ports and fishing villages, major urban centers and wonderful island archipelago is a delight. Join veteran Lake Erie cruiser Mark Gagyi as he leads you all around the lake and shares his 35 years of Lake Erie cruising experience. Tune in this Tuesday for the GLCCSchool webinar Cruising Lake Erie.
Wednesday in the GLCCSchool – Cruising Grand Traverse Bay
Located in Lake Michigan’s northeast reaches, Grand Traverse Bay offers a fascinating cruising world away from the open waters of the big lake. With quaint small town and excellent anchorages, if Grand Traverse Bay is not on your cruising “bucket list” it ought to be. Join Steve Wyckoff on Wednesday, January 22nd as he guides you to the very best places the Grand Traverse Bay has to offer.
Thursday in the GLCCSchool – Cruising Lake Superior’s Canadian Shores
This Thursday the GLCCSchool returns to the Cruising Lake Superior Package with Part 3, Dave Carr’s presentation of Cruising Lake Superior’s Canadian Shores. For anyone considering or planning to visit the Big Lake this is the place to start.
The Lake Superior Package includes five sperate webinars presented by two very experienced and knowledgeable Lake Superior cruisers, Dave Carr and Niels Jensen. You can sign up for the whole Lake Superior Package or register for the individual webinars that best meet your needs.
Cruiser’s Net is a masterpiece of connectivity
Roy Eaton literally is the voice of the North Channel through his internationally known Cruiser’s Net. He will attend the 2025 GLCC Annual Rendezvous in Little Current. We visited with Roy recently to understand his background, a little history of Manitoulin Island and the genesis for the world-famous Cruiser’s Net.
60th anniversary Rendezvous coming soon
It is a privilege for us and the Little Current, Ont., boating community to host this year’s GLCC Diamond Rendezvous, marking the 60th event since the first gathering in 1965.
Meet the Matleys: The Club is core to their cruising
Lifeline is connecting with a few of GLCC’s active cruisers to gain insight into their favorite cruising grounds and perspectives. Here, we talk to Bill and Sandi Matley, active cruisers and Port Captains of Harbor Island (NC-2) and learn a bit about their boating background.