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Hey we have a group of 3 whalers planning to do the crossing this Saturday the 11th. We plan to leave Ludington around 8:30, dock at Manitowoc marina, have lunch then head back. The weather looks great but this is a weather dependent event. If interested let us know and we can send the details. Thanks!!
As an experienced Lake Michigan boater, I can tell you that is an ambitious one day round trip. I have wanted to do it for years in my Outrage 25 with twin 200's, and have never been able to catch the right weather window for several days in a row, even for a boat like that.
With your small boat fleet and single engines, be sure each boat carries enough fuel for 90 miles each way. Also be sure at least one boat has a decent towing harness, about 100' long, in case someone has engine trouble. A tow line has to be hooked to the bow eye and stern eyes, not cleats.
I am actually heading up there for five days in the Door County peninsula for some "Ribside 21" boating in about an hour, and will actually be stopping at the Manitowoc Marina, and also Twin Cities this afternoon, on the way up.
Have an enjoyable and safe trip! The nearby WWII submarine museum in Manitowoc is worth a visit. You can go on the sub. Over 60 were built there during the War. With the longer days, I would stay a little longer on the WI side.
Finnegan I was hoping you would join us.
I agree with your comments and as an experienced Great Lakes boater myself I know what is involved. I agree alone is iffy but we'll have a group staying close together. I must do a VE on the other boats in the flotilla.
Yes we don't have dual propulsion but with modern 4 strokes we hope to be fine. Yes I have a tow bridle and have towed large twin engine cabin cruisers back to the harbor and hope we don't need it.
It is one trip to cross off from the bucket list and but I have done Door county with another dinghy in the past trailered over using the Badger and did the musea in Manitowoc.
We on purpose want to do it round-trip, all our 4 strokes should be good for gas and we re-fuel in Manitowoc (both soul and boat).
If the Lake stays as forecasted it will be a nice adventure.
We were to respond back and didn't my apologies.
The reason we didn't; was a low turnout. Only two boats and the 3rd cancelled the day of. We did run out with the SS Badger but as the condition weren't favorable we decided not to cross in the 170 and 150 Montauk. We stayed within a couple of miles from shore and ran up and down the coast visiting Pentwater (going all the way up the river there), Went to see in the light house North of Ludington, (Big Sable Point)
We went up Linciln Lake and did Pere Marquette Lake and the river.
All in all we had a great day with wind but decent weather and ran for 65+ miles.
Edited by EJO on 12/05/18 - 10:03 AM
Skipper E-J
m/v "Clumsy Cleat" a 2008 Montauk 150
