Great Lake boating

[hubbard53]

This year will be my 2nd season as a boat owner. I plan on keeping the boat on an inland lake on a lift for easy and convenient access. It will be my season to really get to know my boat (23' yamaha sx230)

Something that is in the back of my head is the desire to haul it up to Erie or to my friend's house on Lake Michigan.

However, I hear and read that boating the great lakes is much different than boating inland lakes due to waves and weather. I understand that you need to watch the weather and not get caught in 2-5 ft. water.. but, what is the actual risk? Is the risk taking on water? Why are sailboats capable of managing rough water as opposed to boats such as the yamaha?

Just curious, looking to be educated.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Great Lake boating

Sailing vessels and motor boats have the same potential for getting in trouble.The important factor is the experience and the common sense of the operator.
There is nothing wrong with boating on the great lakes but one should realize that a passing thunder storm can change the lake from a placid place into a raging storm with 6 foot waves in a few minutes time.The wave periods on the great lakes are typically four to seven seconds.This means a constant pounding of waves and not enough time to turn around to face these waves.
2 seasons of boating may have taught you a lot,but unless you know exactly what your boat is capable of, it would be a real good idea to go out with experienced people who know what their boats and the lake are capable of.
The main risks are taking on water and capsizing,or having the engine stall out because of water coming into the carburetors.
The bad part is that thunder storms always happen on the nicest sunniest days.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Great Lake boating

You can use your Yamaha on Erie.You just need to excercise common sense and keep an eye on the weather.

 

[mars bar]

Re: Great Lake boating

I've fished Erie many a time and I'll tell one thing. It could be mild as say a meter high wave at 15 klms winds (Canadian) and within minutes a change of wing brings on increasingly bad waves. The waves are quick and turning into them could pose a problem. I've seen 20 + footers with both of the screws out of the water. Last summer I went Bass fishing and got caught in 7' waves in my 14' very scary. The current past Pt. Abino is towards the river and may cause the erratic wave conditions.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Great Lake boating

If a wave's coming over the bow, yell for everyone to tuck in!

Definitely check the forecast ahead of time and might want to monitor it by radio.

It all depends though. On my trip from Mackinac City to Sault Saint Marie I didnt' see anything over a foot. On my Jet Ski (X2 stand up) at Petoskey I was hitting 4-5 footers.

I've spoken to a gentleman that lives on Drummond Island and he said you're okay as long as you can keep the bow pointed into the waves (better ride when crossing at a 45 but I'm not an experienced seaman). If the engine(s) quit and you can't drop anchor to keep you pointed the right way, you're done for.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Great Lake boating

I fish Lake Erie all summer long with my 16' 60HP just be alert and know the weather forcast.
I've seen days where you could spit in the water and that little bubble of spit would just float there with you all day, other times when the forcast called for fair weather yet the horizon is getting darker by the minute and you finally convice yourself to run, the wind picks up a little and next comes them little white caps followed by OH **** lucky we got off the lake when we did.
Usually it's in the Spring and fall when the weather is most unpredictable, but generally the forcasters predict it pretty good.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Great Lake boating

The biggest thing you need is not a bigger boat but more boating/seamanship knowledge. I would strongly suggest you look into the U.S. Power Squadron in your local area. This national organization is really one of the best (and low cost) resources for basic thru advanced boat education. They have an extensive array of classes, from basic boating to celestial navigation to electronics and mechanics... Be encouraged because Capt. Bligh made one of the worlds longest open boat cruises in a very small, open, overloaded row boat! You can do it.... just get prepared. It's tons of fun.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Great Lake boating

you dont need a bigger boat...but i dont think i would go on lake michigan with anything smaller than...21 footer. for the most part near the shore by me, its pretty choppy.

 

[dkennedy]

Re: Great Lake boating

One of the best boating destinations is port stanley.

 

[wuttja]

Re: Great Lake boating

In addition to what all the folks above have mentioned, the Great Lakes may have different requirements for the equipment on your boat because Federal Regulations apply. Check out http://www.uscgboating.org for more information. I have been toying with the idea of checking out Lake Michigan with my 21' Sea Ray, but there are plenty of nice lakes near me that have kept me away so far plus I would have to purchase flares and a radio before heading out on water like that. So far the largest lake I have been on is Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, and that is just one giant bathtub that turns into a big mess when the wind picks up. It's a big, shallow lake that was worth trying out, but not really for me. That experience helped temper my desire for giving Michigan a go.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Great Lake boating

Lake winnebago is pretty large for a shallow lake, like you said. if you were so close to winnebago, why not just hit up lake michigan? i would be there instantly if i had your boat. not to mention great fishing.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Great Lake boating

hey all, thanks for the info. I was hoping to get some good info.

I dont plan on hitting the great lakes this season. This is season is for really learning more about the boat and boating in general.

Next fall is when I get into the boating classes to learn mroe in-depth theory.

On other boards, I just hear so many horror stories that it makes you second guess yourself. But it sounds that as long as I use common sense, I'll be ok.

I've taken a 19' out into Calibogue sound (hilton head) for the past several years ... shouldnt be TOO different, rght?

 

[wuttja]

Re: Great Lake boating

Lake winnebago is pretty large for a shallow lake, like you said. if you were so close to winnebago, why not just hit up lake michigan? i would be there instantly if i had your boat. not to mention great fishing.

The main reason I haven't hit Lake Michigan yet is just wanting a little more experience (last season was my first as a boat owner) and of course the additional equipment to meet Federal Regulations. Maybe this season will be the first adventure out on the big lake. I would love to make a trip from Milwaukee to Kohler Andre State Park, but that probably won't happen this summer. I have a 5 year old and a 6 month old and not sure they are ready for a trip like that!

 

[cbavier]

Re: Great Lake boating

hey all, thanks for the info. I was hoping to get some good info.

I dont plan on hitting the great lakes this season. This is season is for really learning more about the boat and boating in general.

Next fall is when I get into the boating classes to learn mroe in-depth theory.

On other boards, I just hear so many horror stories that it makes you second guess yourself. But it sounds that as long as I use common sense, I'll be ok.

I've taken a 19' out into Calibogue sound (hilton head) for the past several years ... shouldnt be TOO different, rght?

Wait another year and get a little more experienced with your boat.
Take the Boaters. Coast Guard safety course. A good time is Spring when it's still too cold to be out on the water in a boat. Here in Michigan it's free and time well spent and then get the list of equipment required and have your boat Coast Guard inspected. That too is free. happy Boating. Sounds like your from Ohio?

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Great Lake boating

The main reason I haven't hit Lake Michigan yet is just wanting a little more experience (last season was my first as a boat owner) and of course the additional equipment to meet Federal Regulations. Maybe this season will be the first adventure out on the big lake. I would love to make a trip from Milwaukee to Kohler Andre State Park, but that probably won't happen this summer. I have a 5 year old and a 6 month old and not sure they are ready for a trip like that!

oof. yeah, i dont know about that 6 month old....but you could always try!
im assuming you are from milwaukee? I love Kohler Andre. Awesome place. thats where i got my senior pictures taken! haha. wow, i cant believe that was 6 years ago already. i feel old.

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: Great Lake boating

Lake Erie is an extreamly dangerous body of fresh water.All the great lakes are dangerous but erie will get you in trouble fast.Being the shallowest it kicks up the quickest.And the winds are notorious for switching.Thus turning it into a soup bowl.Its also capable of producing.huge waves.ive seen 10 and 15+ ft rollers out bye the canadian border.I am an open water troller so what you see at the shore line is not what it is beyond the 5 mile marker.We lost alot of ppl this year due to boater error and weather.youll get hypothermia in july.Happened to 3 men this year.All 3 had there life vests on to.I,m not trying to scare you erie is a great body of water.Super clean best walleye and perch fishing around.But it demands respect and some common sense,and dependable equipment.It was my first year as a boat owner my father always had them when i was a kid but they were always speed boats.that got run only a few times a year.So i was taught to respect it at an early age.I actually prefer it to kick up once get to where im going just becuse walleye fishing is normally on when its like that.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Great Lake boating

Wait another year and get a little more experienced with your boat.
Take the Boaters. Coast Guard safety course. A good time is Spring when it's still too cold to be out on the water in a boat. Here in Michigan it's free and time well spent and then get the list of equipment required and have your boat Coast Guard inspected. That too is free. happy Boating. Sounds like your from Ohio?

that's the plan for 09 - after we take her out of the water for the season. Yes, I'm in Ohio... got lots of lakes to play on without going to Erie

 

[wuttja]

Re: Great Lake boating

oof. yeah, i dont know about that 6 month old....but you could always try!
im assuming you are from milwaukee? I love Kohler Andre. Awesome place. thats where i got my senior pictures taken! haha. wow, i cant believe that was 6 years ago already. i feel old.

I'm out in Oconomowoc now, my senior pictures were taken a few more than 6 years ago... more like 19. Now I feel old!!

As far as boating on the Great Lakes (trying hard to stay on topic!), I've been on chartered fishing boats on Lake Michigan which was a blast and I took a car ferry on Lake Huron on the Canadian side right by Georgian Bay. That is a beautiful lake. Green Bay along Door County would be fun to try too. Lake Superior is amazing as well, but I've only driven a car on it (yes, on it). There is a county highway during the winter from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island that is plowed and maintained when the ice is thick enough.