Now if they could just get the water of Saginaw Bay to stay put.

Frank Gallo said that water levels at the marina have dropped five feet since 1998. While heavy snowfall last winter contributed to a one-foot increase in water levels this year, the water is still down four feet from Sunset Bay’s heyday when it served as a favorite launching point for sailboats.

“At one time, we had nothing but sailboats here,” Gallo said. “When the water levels began to drop, we lost all the sailboaters because they have deep keels. It takes 3 1/2 to four or five feet of water (to launch sailboats).”

So where did all that water go? Frank Gallo said that there are a few contributing factors to the lower water levels.

“Primarily I think it’s because of the lack of precipitation over the last seven or eight years ,” Gallo said. “Lack of snow, lack of rainfall, pumping water out of Chicago, new subdivisions going in all over the state of Michigan taking more water, a few bottling plants have opened up taking ground water and that also affects the lake levels to some degree.

“Mother Nature: It’s unpredictable one year to the next. You don’t know what you’re going to end up with.”

Gallo also mentioned that many of the ocean-going vessels that deliver freight and resources will often refill their holds with lake water after delivering their goods. This additional weight serves as ballast and improves stability on the ocean.

But while the sailboat crowd waits for deeper water and prays for rain, people who like to fish recognize Sunset Bay as a prime destination.

“This is the best spot on Saginaw Bay for walleye fishing,” Gallo said. “People go straight out about two to 2 1/2 miles and they’re in 13-14 feet of water. There’s a lot of walleye out there. There’s a lot of bass fishing right here at the marina and catfish, some perch and crappies.”

For those that don’t have a boat, Sunset Bay allows anglers to drown some worms from shore for a minimal fee.

Sunset Bay also boasts a number of campsites, both primitive and those with electrical hookups. In the course of creating a channel out into the bay using a dragline, the Gallo family, with the blessing of the Army Corps of Engineers, created a sand and rock breakwall that protects the channel.

Gallo said that during one particularly nasty storm in the 1970s, the entire breakwall washed away. The family rebuilt the breakwall, which is now an enticing, tree-lined bit of land that juts out into the bay and providing fisherman with easy access to the bay.

The shade afforded by the trees also provides a pleasant setting for camping. Most camp sites also feature a pit to build a campfire.

Gallo said that one advantage Sunset Bay has over its competitors is its proximity to the deeper water of Saginaw Bay.

“Our marina goes out 1500 feet into the bay, so we have the nearest access to deeper water of any marina on Saginaw Bay,” Gallo said. “If you launch your boat at Sebewaing... those fishermen have to go out 15,000 feet to get where we’d have to go 600 feet. There’s a vast difference between 600 feet and 15,000 feet.”

Another feature that sets Sunset Bay apart is its sandy swimming beach, giving campers a place to take a dip.

And, Sunset Bay is still a great place to launch a boat. The marina has its own 25-ton open-ended marine hoist capable of removing boats up to 45 feet in length from the water and vice versa. Two boat ramps also offer quick access to the bay.

And it’s private and quiet, although Frank Gallo intends to change that.

“What’s so disappointing is that we’ve been here for 55 years and people still don’t know we’re here,” Gallo said. “People say that they really like how quiet it is here, but we’re trying to run a business.”

Sunset Bay Marina is located 20 miles north of Vassar. Take Vassar Rd. north past M-25, and follow the signs. Sunset Bay is located at 5825 Loomis Road. For information call the marina office at (989) 674-2668. Sunset Bay Marina is currently offering a number of special rates and coupons.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009