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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This Week in the GLCCSchool – NOAA’s Custom Chart Application
Are you in a flux about nautical charts in this new age of technology? Do you fear your paper charts are getting so old they will just crumble before your eyes? And worse yet, are you one of those people who never figured out what a “raster” nautical chart even was? If so, this webinar is for you.
Originally presented on January 25, 2024, this GLCCSchool webinar recording will help you understand and sort out the future of Nautical Charts. Join us as Lucy Hick, the former acting Great Lakes Manager for NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, explains the new NOAA Custom Chart Application, how to get them and how to use them.
Thursday in the GLCCSchool – Cruising Lake Superior’s South Shore
This Thursday the GLCCSchool returns to the Cruising Lake Superior Package with Part 2, Niels Jensen’s presentation of Cruising Lake Superior’s South Shore. 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.
Foundation explores Wisconsin lighthouses via documentary
The Great Lakes Foundation received a grant request from PBS Wisconsin to help fund the development of a documentary program entitled Wisconsin Lighthouses. We granted this request in early 2024