boating on lake michigan?

[findinghomer]

i have a 20ft maxum cuddy, is the great lakes, michigan, or erie too rough for this boat?

 

[bekosh]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

Not at all. You do have to watch the weather closely and pick your days.

 

[findinghomer]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

Not at all. You do have to watch the weather closely and pick your days.

yea i am aware of how rough it can get during weather, however a friend of mine was claiming my boat was too small on a typical day. i just didnt see how.

 

[J. Howard]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

What exactly is a typical day? ;-) I boat on Lake Michigan exclusively and I still don't know what a typical day is. Plus, a typical day can have a LOT of different conditions. I see plenty of people out there in boats that size; it's just a matter of what you're comfortable with. As long as you're careful and smart about it, there's no reason you can't enjoy some time on the big lake(s).

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

What exactly is a typical day? ;-) I boat on Lake Michigan exclusively and I still don't know what a typical day is. Plus, a typical day can have a LOT of different conditions. I see plenty of people out there in boats that size; it's just a matter of what you're comfortable with. As long as you're careful and smart about it, there's no reason you can't enjoy some time on the big lake(s).

Exactly.
Their is no "typical" day on Lake Michigan. Your boat is just fine on
many days but if the wind is blowing and their are 3-4' waves well..
it might not be too fun.
CAREFUL AND SMART. And then go enjoy one the wonders of the world.

 

[Expidia]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

Maybe your friend thinks you are going to try and cross it at it's widest point = 120 miles.

Take lotsa fuel . . . and Beer

 

[Tig]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

a friend of mine was claiming my boat was too small on a typical day.

It's a pretty broad statement. Does your friend like to argue much?
Really it depend on location. If the prevailing winds are offshore, then a typical day will be pretty nice. North shore Lake Ontario is like that and I boat it in a 15' Whaler. My neighbours on the south shore may have a different idea of a typical day.

 

[findinghomer]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

ha ha, what are the laws on beer? Here in indiana beer and boating is not strickly enforced unless your acting like a wild idiot.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

I have been on and around Lake Michigan my entire life. There have been days that the water is glass smooth and good for skiing. I have been on Lake Michigan in many different boats and there have been plenty of times where I wouldn't even venture halfway out the channel.

I have taken the following boats out on the lake:

1965 16' Starcraft fiberglass
1990 17' Four Winns
1997 SeaDoo GS
1973 15' Saf-T-Mate tri-hull
1981 18' Four Winns cuddy

I have also been on many other boats over the years. We had friends with a Supra TS6m that I've seen on the lake....talk about a boat that probably shouldn't be on the big lake.

Choose your days, have a flexible schedule and don't risk it if the weather is iffy.

I like my current Four Winns project boat for big water the best. It has a nicely flared hull with a nice high freeboard all around. I have had it in 6' tightly spaced chop...I wouldn't want to to it again, but the boat kept me dry and rode it out extremely well.

The point being, any boat can be used on Lake Michigan on a good day. Only a boat that is designed to handle big water will be acceptable on a not so good day.

 

[TOPGUNmich]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

Theres days when no boat seems big enough!

 

[chifloater]

Re: boating on lake michigan?

I have a 20' celebrity cuddy cabin, I play up and down in the downtown chicago area all day...common sense and you will have no problem