How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

[jay_merrill]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Good decision! We kinda like our new members around here, so I'm happy that you'll remain one by staying safe!

 

[hubbard53]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

I plan on playing on Erie someday, probably next season. Nothing major - just a run to Bass islands and back. Even in my 23' yamaha, I know that I'll need to watch the weather and will try to have a bow cover on to keep out some of the water - maybe even a larger capacity bilge pump. Open bows have a lot of open space and lots of opportunity to take on water..

oh and just because i like to show off - here she is

 

[bowman316]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

i have a closed bow, and i have had a wave carsh over the bow, and run up on the wind shield, and it was only 2-3 ft seas.
I basically ran the bow under a wave.
The water just ran off the windshield and i was fine, i didn't even really see the wave, i was looking backwards, and felt the boat slow down for a second.

Good thing i had the windshield hatch closed

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

I do take an 18' open bow out on LM. Of course I check the weather and wave predictions b4 going. If they mention even the possibility of 3 footers I don't go. The furthest out I go is 10 miles. When the 2 footers seem to be building throttle and trim experience really come into play. Have proper safety gear and add a hand held bildge pump.

 

[bekosh]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

i have a closed bow, and i have had a wave carsh over the bow, and run up on the wind shield, and it was only 2-3 ft seas.
I basically ran the bow under a wave.
The water just ran off the windshield and i was fine, i didn't even really see the wave, i was looking backwards, and felt the boat slow down for a second.

Good thing i had the windshield hatch closed

I've never stuffed the bow (knock on wood) but one time in, in those 2-3 ft waves, I launched at 50mph off the top of that one rouge 5 footer you always seem not see coming. Next thing I know I'm completely airborne with the engine screaming and a hard 8ft drop into the trough. Not a good way to make the wife happy.:redface:

 

[bowman316]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

when the seas get too big, you just can not get on plane in my boat. You have to go about 8 mph and ride the waves.
I had her in 4 ft seas, and i felt ok about it, i like the high transom and high sides.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Funny- never seen any mention of Seaswirl on this site. Excellent, well-constructed fiberglass boats that can handle almost anything except a hurricane.

I've run my 18' SeaSwirl across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas.

Some of us don't know any better, others of us just enjoy the adventure.

 

[Expidia]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

My Brother-in-law makes that trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale on his 46 foot Bertrum Sport fisherman.

He has to carry rifles and guns on board because of Pirates.

Not my kind of "adventure". You can keep Bimini, if I need armorment to get there!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Little windy and choppy out there today. All went well or me and a friend, stayed about 1000 yards offshore and cruised to Kenosha and back. Also cruised the root river, lot of folks working in the marina's launching and prepping boats, quite a few Chicago folks sailing boats down from storage here as well.
20 degree air temp. difference between lake temp and a couple blocks inland.

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Windsor:

If you want to go a little further South this weekend:



http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/04/world-war-ii-dive-bomber-recovered-from-lake.html

[

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Good choice Nitro....If you decide to do it later, simply add 10 ft. to the boat, along with a second engine, an enclosed cabin, a marine radio and radar. Just a small adjustment. LOL.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

My Brother-in-law makes that trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale on his 46 foot Bertrum Sport fisherman.

He has to carry rifles and guns on board because of Pirates.

Not my kind of "adventure". You can keep Bimini, if I need armorment to get there!

See, there ya' go. I feel much safer in the Bermuda Triangle than I do on the Interstate. I'll bet you've got no reservations about driving 70 or more on the interstate? We all have our comfort zones.

 

[Expidia]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

See, there ya' go. I feel much safer in the Bermuda Triangle than I do on the Interstate. I'll bet you've got no reservations about driving 70 or more on the interstate? We all have our comfort zones.

I'd probably have reservations if I was driving through Spartanburg, SC at 2AM

I don't know if they still do it, but 30 years ago, I never got a warm fuzzy feeling when we used to drive to FL and when we stopped for gas . . . maybe VA, NC or SC I forgot which states allowed it, but the gas attendants had sawed off shotguns strapped to their legs while they were filling your tank

 

[cbavier]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Maybe Ill scratch the idea, Ive been on alot of lakes, never Michigan though. Sounds to risky...

Thanks a ton guys!!

Now your talking sense. For a minute there I thought you were crazy.

 

[kurtisb310]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

I had the same question about a 1999 Chris Craft 308 30'. How much fuel would it take to cross from milwaukee to muskegon this saturday? The boat has twin 5.0 volvos and twin 75 gallon fuel tanks. They are forecasting a west southwest wind and I would be taking the ferry back. any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[aborgman]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Put your boat on the trailer and take this ferry, then launch on the other side:

http://www.lake-express.com/

Right in my home town... and about 2 miles from the house I grew up in.

It's a pretty impressive sight cruising through the channel.

--
aborgman

 

[Mark42]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

...

I have no problems with post like above if they would file a float plan before they left and signed it saying do not attempt rescue and do not resuscitate.
....

Actually, they should file a "rescue" plan. Then be advised of the cost of a rescue and be held accountable.

 

[QC]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Okay, I have deleted all of the posts related to the latest destruction of this thread . . . I could've simply locked the thread but thought getting all of that BS off was worthwhile as the original thread was not a total disaster and had some good info. If it starts again, I'll lock it as was/is . . .

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

Thank you, QC.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How much fuel to cross lake Michigan? 85 miles...

I was just sitting here and wondering.... "Has anyone ever done that on a jet ski?"....