lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

this is just the beginning, rough draft so to speak, i agree with you totally about everything youve said, according to my numbers they are jiving with yours. im going to purchase a couple of high quality maps to assist in my plotting. i fgure i can hit pentwater in around 8 1/2 hours at 3/4 throttle. spend a night there, i get around 30 miles to the gallon, so with fuel onboard i should be able to get most of the way there and probably refill in petosky somewhere.

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

i know its dangerous, thats half the allure to the trip

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

i wanna thank you for going over all this with me, yeah its pretty cool having so much spare time, not that long ago i was a union carpenter, than an infantry marine, lots of time in the sand, now im a full time student and loving every minute of it, heck yes it is a stretch, and its very ambitious to put it mildly, but if it was easy, would it still be as much fun?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

Hey Gunt!

Give me a heads up...

When is your spring break?

Welcome to iboats!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

When I was in my 20s, I ran the length of lake Champlain in a 15 foot closed bow with 55 HP. Great trip in calm, but I got stuck in some weather and had the livin bejeesus scared out of me. I would think twice about doing that again. And, Champlain is what? 1/20 the size of Michigan?

You sir, have a bigger set of seeds than me. It's Nature's way of ensuring the crazies don't reproduce---LOL

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

to late my friend i already started the next generation of crazies!

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

Hey Gunt!

Give me a heads up...

When is your spring break?

Welcome to iboats!

not exactly sure when spring break is, but at least i have the winter to get my gear squared away, and my plans in order.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I get around 30 miles to the gallon, so with fuel onboard i should be able to get most of the way there and probably refill in petosky somewhere.

I'd double check that 30 miles per gallon figure.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I'd double check that 30 miles per gallon figure.

I checked out some numbers on this and 30mpg isn't unreasonable for a 4-stroke 15hp outboard.

http://www.tohatsu-outboards.com/fuel-consumption.htm

According to Tohatsu(I know different make) their 15hp 4-stroke gets 1.5 gallon/hour ballpark. This amounts to a cruising speed of 19mph achieving 28.5 theoretical mpg. (19x1.5=29.5)

In reality of course this may not be the case depending on lots of variables.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I checked out some numbers on this and 30mpg isn't unreasonable for a 4-stroke 15hp outboard.

Yes, it is. Your math is wrong.

http://www.tohatsu-outboards.com/fuel-consumption.htm

According to Tohatsu(I know different make) their 15hp 4-stroke gets 1.5 gallon/hour ballpark. This amounts to a cruising speed of 19mph achieving 28.5 theoretical mpg. (19x1.5=29.5)

Time for a math lesson.

If you want miles/gallon and you have miles/hour and gallons/hour, you don't multiply.

miles/hour x gallons/hour = (miles*gallons) / (hour*hour)

You need to divide to get miles/gallon

19 (miles/hour) / 1.5 (gallons/hour) = 12.66 miles/gallon

That being said, using the Tohatsu numbers are probably actually pretty good. Depending on when the Mercury in question was made, it is quite likely a Tohatsu that has been labelled and marketed as a Mercury. Also you'll note I had mentioned a 1.5 gallon/hour burn rate in my previous post also. It is a general guide that a gas engine will consume 1/10 of its hp output in gallons/hour when at WOT.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I just took another look at the route.

If you go close to the bridge the total length ends up being about 385 miles.

Fuel stops and distances between them really need to be considered. If you don't have a fuel flow guage, I would highly suggest getting one and spending several hours running in different conditions at different speeds to determine what your realistic fuel burn rate is going to be. Always plan for at least 1/3 of your fuel load in reserve.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

Yes, it is. Your math is wrong.

Time for a math lesson.

If you want miles/gallon and you have miles/hour and gallons/hour, you don't multiply.

miles/hour x gallons/hour = (miles*gallons) / (hour*hour)

You need to divide to get miles/gallon

19 (miles/hour) / 1.5 (gallons/hour) = 12.66 miles/gallon

That being said, using the Tohatsu numbers are probably actually pretty good. Depending on when the Mercury in question was made, it is quite likely a Tohatsu that has been labelled and marketed as a Mercury. Also you'll note I had mentioned a 1.5 gallon/hour burn rate in my previous post also. It is a general guide that a gas engine will consume 1/10 of its hp output in gallons/hour when at WOT.

I stand corrected:redface:...didn't take physics in school.

Thanks for setting me straight Rotary. I agree that the "rule of thirds" is a good one to follow. 1/3 for the trip out, 1/3 in and 1/3 extra. Murphy tends to show up and make that last third useful on occasion.

In your case I'd want basically twice as much fuel as I need to get to the next port/fuel location.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I'm planning my spring break trip right now and im planning on taking my small boat up the western coast of michigan to the U.P where i have a cabin to do a little backpacking.

not exactly sure when spring break is

OK, well I was worried about ya. More so now. I'll assume late March, early April.

Anyway, the guys have some good stuff up the way there as far as logistics go so there is no need to repeat that.

When I read about your trip I keep thinking about what might happen if you swamp/capsize - big waves, weather, wind, mechanical malfunction, navigation issues, fuel issues or any combination might provide an opportunity for a large amounts of water to find it's way into your boat. Bottom line, you could find yourself in the water for a very long time. Given the water temps of the big lake in early part of spring, you'd be an ice cube in minutes.

It seems like you have already made up your mind on this trip, that is cool.

If you do go may I suggest one of these...

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2255&pdeptid=1174

...some of these (huge plus that you have a closed bow 12 footer)...

http://kayak.nrsweb.com/display.php...tom&w=Canoe Float Bags&isort=score&method=and

...and one of these...

http://www.acrelectronics.com/

..to go along with all the other logistical stuff already mentioned (and more, including an excellent communication/rescue plan).


I have spent a fair amount of time sea kayaking Lake Michigan in just about all conditions and all temps. She can be beautiful and she can be scary. Sometimes both.

If you have planned and prepared, are experienced on big water, and can make solid decisions when bad stuff happens, trips like this can be awesome.

If not, you'll make the paper.

I am a huge fan of big adventures, Starcraft boats, Lake Michigan and spring break too for that matter. But please, think it through and be careful man!

Have fun!!

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I'd double check that 30 miles per gallon figure.

its a pretty close estimate, running to lighthouse at a known distance and how many trips i made back and forth it works out pretty close.

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

OK, well I was worried about ya. More so now. I'll assume late March, early April.

Anyway, the guys have some good stuff up the way there as far as logistics go so there is no need to repeat that.

When I read about your trip I keep thinking about what might happen if you swamp/capsize - big waves, weather, wind, mechanical malfunction, navigation issues, fuel issues or any combination might provide an opportunity for a large amounts of water to find it's way into your boat. Bottom line, you could find yourself in the water for a very long time. Given the water temps of the big lake in early part of spring, you'd be an ice cube in minutes.

It seems like you have already made up your mind on this trip, that is cool.

If you do go may I suggest one of these...

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2255&pdeptid=1174

...some of these (huge plus that you have a closed bow 12 footer)...

http://kayak.nrsweb.com/display.php...tom&w=Canoe Float Bags&isort=score&method=and

...and one of these...

http://www.acrelectronics.com/

..to go along with all the other logistical stuff already mentioned (and more, including an excellent communication/rescue plan).


I have spent a fair amount of time sea kayaking Lake Michigan in just about all conditions and all temps. She can be beautiful and she can be scary. Sometimes both.

If you have planned and prepared, are experienced on big water, and can make solid decisions when bad stuff happens, trips like this can be awesome.

If not, you'll make the paper.

I am a huge fan of big adventures, Starcraft boats, Lake Michigan and spring break too for that matter. But please, think it through and be careful man!

Have fun!!

you guys are awesome thanks a million, im gonna plan and prepare like hell, but if it looks like a no go situation ill sit it out till the next opportunity.

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

I stand corrected:redface:...didn't take physics in school.

Thanks for setting me straight Rotary. I agree that the "rule of thirds" is a good one to follow. 1/3 for the trip out, 1/3 in and 1/3 extra. Murphy tends to show up and make that last third useful on occasion.

In your case I'd want basically twice as much fuel as I need to get to the next port/fuel location.

roger that.

 

[sasto]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

The prevailing winds out of the west can make your trip very difficult. I traveled that streatch many times in the summer in a 65footer. I've had it handed to me more than once. My favorite chiropractor is in Petosky (Petos Key to the locals).

The trip to Beaver Island...tough from Petoskey. On a good day you will have a pretty good chop on the quarter bow all the way. Long ride, not safe.

My stops were traveling south...Harbor Springs/Petoskey, Charlovoix, Traverse City, Luddington, and Frankfort, then to Chicago.

I wouldn't do it now with your boat, but then again, there are alot of things I don't do now.

Plan well, having some areal shots from Google Maps would be helpful. In case of an emergecy you may find a place to duck in and land. I would keep my eye on charts and photos constantly to know exactly where I was.

Good Luck!

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

The prevailing winds out of the west can make your trip very difficult. I traveled that streatch many times in the summer in a 65footer. I've had it handed to me more than once. My favorite chiropractor is in Petosky (Petos Key to the locals).

The trip to Beaver Island...tough from Petoskey. On a good day you will have a pretty good chop on the quarter bow all the way. Long ride, not safe.

My stops were traveling south...Harbor Springs/Petoskey, Charlovoix, Traverse City, Luddington, and Frankfort, then to Chicago.

I wouldn't do it now with your boat, but then again, there are alot of things I don't do now.

Plan well, having some areal shots from Google Maps would be helpful. In case of an emergecy you may find a place to duck in and land. I would keep my eye on charts and photos constantly to know exactly where I was.

Good Luck!

Thanks!, im gonna need it

 

[tcgobucks]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

this is just the beginning, rough draft so to speak, i agree with you totally about everything youve said, according to my numbers they are jiving with yours. im going to purchase a couple of high quality maps to assist in my plotting. i fgure i can hit pentwater in around 8 1/2 hours at 3/4 throttle. spend a night there, i get around 30 miles to the gallon, so with fuel onboard i should be able to get most of the way there and probably refill in petosky somewhere.

30 miles per gallon??? I don't think that's possible, even with a 15hp motor. I used to play around with a 7.5 hp when I was a kid and couldn't get close to 30 mpg with that. I really think your calculation has to be off somehow.

 

[grunt]

Re: lake michigan in a 12' starcraft

30 miles per gallon??? I don't think that's possible, even with a 15hp motor. I used to play around with a 7.5 hp when I was a kid and couldn't get close to 30 mpg with that. I really think your calculation has to be off somehow.

well like i said its a rough estimate, my motor is a 2009 mercury 4 stroke, and my boat weighs next to nothing, the light house i run to is 6 miles from shore, i can fill my gas tank, (5 gal.) and i can get abot 12 trips out of it, plus i run 110 octane racing fuel which really really helps the gas last longer and burn cleaner. ive been experimenting with this thing for the past 2 summers, i got the gas mileage down pretty good.