The World’s Longest Raft-Off is an annual event held in Muscamoot Bay, Lake St. Clair, Michigan always on the 2nd Saturday of August.
The coordinates of Muscamoot Bay are N 42.55783 and W -82.66071
DNR Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws & Responsibilities
https://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/handbook/book.html
Some 60,000-100,000+ people attend.
Boats line up side by side and tie-off together, forming an arena called “The Gauntlet” in shallow water where people can walk around or cruise around on floats in.
The Gauntlet stretches for about 2-4 miles long.
Yes, some boat-less attendees take Champion’s Auto Ferry from the mainland of Algonac, Michigan to Harsen’s Island, Michigan.
They park their car on Harsen’s and just walk out in the shallow waist-deep water to the Raft Off, however, understand that the last couple of years they have cracked down on this.
Do not be surprised if your car is gone when you get back. They have started towing illegally parked cars and will ticket/arrest you if you cross private property on the island. Please take a boat.
The Raft Off is a fun time!
Guidelines for The Raft Off:
1.) DO NOT BRING MINORS! Yes, believe it or not every year, we see kids out there. Social services should be out there to ask “What the fuck are you thinking?”
2.) Pick up your trash. All of it! Put garbage bags on the back of your boat and make sure all of your guests use them!
3.) Have your lines and bumpers ready before you pull up to the line
4.) Do not bring glass bottles (Karma is a bitch and next time it’s you who will step on it)
5.) Designate a designated driver! There a lot of police just looking for you. It’s not worth it.
If you need to, call our friends at Designated Captains at 586.943.6339 if you need a ride from the ramp use code hfon6 and get a free Uber if you have never used them before or you can call Safe Ride Sue 810-734-2593. Do not drive your boat or car drunk.
6.) Pick up your trash!
7.) Bring water, food and plenty of sunscreen
8.) Sexual assault is a crime. Just because she is showing them to you does not give you permission to touch. Don’t be that douchebag!
9.) Everyone is there to have fun yet every year some testosterone and alcohol induced assholes insist on fighting anything that moves. You know who they are. Don’t bring them. If you don’t know who they are, then it’s you. No one needs the aggravation so stay home.
10.) Pick up your Fucking Trash!
11.) Be a good neighbor. Take care of each other’s boats as if they are your own. Don’t just untie people because you want to go! See a loose line, tighten it up! Be a good neighbor!
12.) Please leave the island/lake like you found it and pick up your trash
13.) The lake and the beach are not your ashtrays. Find and use one. Nothing worse than cigarette butts floating in the water.
14.) Look out for your brother and sisters. Don’t just watch, if someone needs help be part of the solution and help them. Even if it is just getting them to the sheriff.
15.) If everyone would tie a trash bag on to the back of their boat just maybe people would use them instead of the lake.
16.) Please respect the Sheriff’s and the Clay Twp Fire and Rescue. They are there for your safety, not to ruin your buzz. Give them the respect they deserve!
17.) Please pick up your trash!
The Great Lakes are not for throwing your plastic cigar butts, tampon inserts, or mylar balloons & ribbons.
Of course cigarettes butts, glass and cups are bad too.