www.iFourWinns.com

We are looking to split some time next season between our home waters and the beautiful shores of Western Michigan. We are in the process of arranging for storage for our boat in South Haven part of next summer and we're wondering what the protocol is for boaters using the beaches there. Van Buren state park is nearby to South Haven and I was wondering if it's acceptable to pull your boat up to the beach and set up on shore. Is there a "boater's beach" nearby? Here in Indiana they only allow you to enter the parks by car and will kick you off the beach if you enter by boat

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I have never encountered any issues using a state park beach as a boater. It is very common at all the state parks in Holland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven and Muskegon. I would assume that South Haven is the same.

That being said, you don't "pull up to the beach". You need to anchor bow out in at least 3ft of water and wade in if you are going on shore.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

At South Haven and also at Grand Mere, just south of St. Joe, you can anchor off shore and drink on the boat, but DO NOT bring it on shore or you will get a ticket or worse. Just on the south side of the Nuke plant at South Haven, there is a stretch of beach that we have docked at and brought picnic on shore with no problems what so ever.

Another boater's beach closer to St. Joe. I'm pretty sure it is Whirlpool property as the boats I have seen there are from some people that work there. They party on the beach.

Have not gone north of South Haven yet, but want to soon.

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1994 235 Sundowner w/351 Ford