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

[nitrorocket]

I am looking at some boats. I am looking at 3 different engines, the I4, 4.3, or 305 v8.

The boats are ranging from 18' to 21', Sea ray's and Bayliner 2150's...

I want to cross Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Michigan straight across.

Any info on fuel consumption? Approx fuel from other similar boat owners?


Thanks!

 

[tmh]

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

Only load up with about 1-2 gallons. That way, you won't get far and it will save you and the crew from drowning!

18'-21' boats are NOT even close to enough to cross a great Lake! Weather changes fast and violently. Even going along within 1 mi. of shore on a long trip in a small boat can be dicey, but at least you can likely get to shore in time.

 

[Rowroy]

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

A few years ago, I went with some friends on a fishing trip to Lake Erie. There were four of us and we had two 20' bass boats. When it was all said and done, one of the boats sunk and the other had a cracked hull, broken windshield, and lost the trolling motor.

We went out in the morning (when it was very calm) and were almost dead by afternoon. That was the scariest thing that I have ever endured.

 

[CATransplant]

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/

 

[RotaryRacer]

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

I have considered crossing the lake myself.....then I thought about it a little more and decided it probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Fuel load is a concern. A boat of that size will likely only be able to average about 3 mpg in relatively calm seas and wind. So on a perfect day you would need no less than 35-40 gallons to "safely" cross.

Although, fuel consumption should be much further down the list than safety. As the others have mentioned crossing the lake isn't something to be taken lightly. It is really hard to describe how helpless you are if you get stuck in the middle of the lake with a storm coming in. Heck for that matter even on a beautiful day you can go from calm wind to 15-20mph winds that kick up a 3-5' sea instantly. 3-5' waves when you are 40 miles from shore in a bowrider can literally be life or death. The lake is unforgiving. Once you are out a few miles from shore it is likely that you won't see another soul for the duration of the trip.

Why do you want to cross the lake? The only reason I could come up with to do it is simply for the sake of the challenge. Someday given the right boat and right circumstances I still think I will do it. However, I see no need for anyone to attempt it in a 18-21' bowrider.

Don't let these warnings deter you from buying a boat. You will still find a boat to be used for near shore adventures will be extremely fun and worthwhile.

 

[fishdog4449]

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

I wouldn't take a small bowrider 1 mile offshort let alone across the lake.

 

[bowman316]

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

My rule of thumb is that if you can not sleep in it, don't take a trip like that.
If it does not have a cabin below deck, it is prob not big enough to handle it.

Remember, a storm sunk a 700 + ft ship, It was on lake superior thou, the Edmund Fitzgerald.
So anyone can sink at any time.

 

[J. Howard]

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

I've made the trip from Michigan City to Chicago (about 35-40 miles) in my 25' Sea Ray, and I echo the sentiments above. No way would I make the trip in anything smaller, and even in my boat, I wouldn't do a straight-across trip like you're talking. The trip that I make allows me to stay closer to shore if I need to -- I would never for any reason want to be out in the middle of the lake in a boat that size. It's just asking for trouble.

 

[bowman316]

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

you might as well be going 40 miles off shore, you will be 40 miles from the nearest land at the half way point.
maybe on the gulf coast of FL that is the norm to do in a 21 ft boat, but no where else.

 

[bekosh]

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

I run my 21ft Wellcraft on Lake Michigan a couple of times per year. I run from Port Washington to Milwaukee and back. I only run about 4-5 miles out. Lake Michigan can be alot of fun and very beautiful.

That being said, you have to be VERY, VERY,VERY and did I say VERY! aware of the weather forecast, especially the wind & waves, with this size boat.

One run 2 years ago we had a nice ride down with 1-3ft waves on Sat so we decided to overnight and go back on Sun. Overnight the wind changed and the run back was head-on into 4-6ft waves and that made for a rough, nasty, wet ride. Any larger and it would have been too dangerous to even try.

Good day

Bad day

And that could be the same day.

The only way I would even consider running across to Michigan would be in the company of several other larger boats and with a flexible enough schedule that I could lay over as long as needed to make a safe journey back.

To the original question, my boat gets 2.4mpg so for 85 miles that would be 35 gallons + minimum of 10% reserve. So at least 40 gallons, 50 would be better. I'm willing to bet that neither the SeaRay nor the Bayliner have over 35-40 gallon tanks.

Bottom line, if you want to make that trip, I think you're going to need a bigger boat.

 

[rrhodes]

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

That is not a lake!!! That is a Freshwater Ocean!!! I would have never considered taking my 19' Cuddy off shore fishing for Mahi 40 miles out. What you are wanting to do is no different. If this is something you have to do then expect it to be a one way trip.

Of course I do see people 30 miles out in John Boats...

 

[bowman316]

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

they really should be called seas, and not lakes.
But the Sea of Michigan would not sound right.

 

[Huron Angler]

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

I've got to weigh in on this one. I have to agree with the comments made thus far. 18-21 foot boats have no business crossing a great lake, even if it looks like glass at the outset. The lakes have minds of their own and have ADD as well. They get bored with no waves.

I've been on Lake Michigan and Huron throughout my life on various fishing/cruising boats. I once experienced 10-12 footers in a 20' Sea Nymph aluminum(pretty high sides with bow cover and full windshield) with a 90hp Johnson and we were barely able to keep a line down in the 30 minutes we braved the lake(we did have a salmon on but the waves allowed enough slack for the hook to be thrown).

The only reason we were out there that long was that it was during the Rogers City Salmon tourney and we thought we might be able to outlast the other boats long enough to catch a fish. The weather was so bad that year('88 maybe) that I think a 15lb Chinook may have won the whole thing.

I've also been on some 4-6 footers on a 24' Seaswirl Striper hardtop(designed for waves like this) w/ a 225hp Yamaha and while she handled well I'd never recommend heading straight over to the Canadian side of Huron unless you have made already peace with your maker and written a will(insurance on the boat as well).

I have always wanted to make the trip but like mentioned above, I will most likely stick to a winding route where I'm always within 15-20 miles of shore at the most. It's just the prudent thing to do.

 

[dingbat]

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

Obviously no offshore guys here. Otherwise running 85 miles from dock to dock would seem like a short day at the office

Making that trip in a 18-19? foot may not be ideal but certainly very possible to do safely if you have the fuel capacity.

 

[Huron Angler]

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

http://www.seaswirl.com/models.cfm?model=749

If anyone really wants to run across the big lakes I'd recommend this rig. She will hold 160 gallons of fuel and you'll be able to take a wave straight across the bow and still stay dry at the helm. Throw some dual 175's on there and hit it. Radar would be a welcome addition for the trip in my opinion as well.

Funny- never seen any mention of Seaswirl on this site. Excellent, well-constructed fiberglass boats that can handle almost anything except a hurricane. That's not a problem in the Great Lakes though.

 

[bekosh]

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

That Seaswirl would get the job done. But not quite my cupa tea. My idea of 'offshore' runs more to a Scarab 29.
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/6451

 

[rrhodes]

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

Obviously no offshore guys here. Otherwise running 85 miles from dock to dock would seem like a short day at the office

Making that trip in a 18-19? foot may not be ideal but certainly very possible to do safely if you have the fuel capacity.

I make OffShore runs all the time. 65 miles out but in a SeaCat...

 

[OldePharte]

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

From where are to the end of our lake it is 82 miles. I have a 73 gallon tank and a 225 OB. I have never made it to the end without refilling at least once. But then, marinas are few and far between at that end.

Nitro - I hope the others have given you a satisfactory answer to your question.

 

[Moody Blue]

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

Have to echo the sentiments of others here and say no way would I attempt that crossing in that size of boat.

Had an experience in the early 80's on lake Ontario where we were lucky to make it back to the marina. Set out on a picture perfect day for some fishing about 3 miles out and 12 miles down the shore in an 18ft runabout with a 115hp outboard. Within a VERY short period of time the lake went from near glass to wild breaking waves 5-6ft (maybe more). We were only able to idle along as waves were breaking over the bow and over the windshield and the prop would come out of the water as the bow buried itself into the waves. A terrifying ride that gave me a new respect for how fast and how dramatically the conditions can change.

 

[Mark42]

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

There is only one reason to cross the lake.... Booze Running! Whoo Hoo!

Back in the 1920's guys used to do it in 16' wooden boats that leaked and (OMG!) HAD NO FOAM!!! AAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!! The horror of it all!