whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

[streetwise83]

i have a 20' open bow w/ 4.3 v6 and went out to lake michigan on what was a calm day and was tossed all over the place. we didnt go more than a mile out of the break walls either. Im now looking for a newer boat and wonder what size would be recommended im lookin at a 24-26ft open bow rinker

 

[ne7800]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

If I was to go out on the big lake i would want at LEAST a 23 ft clossed bow but thats just me

 

[Splat]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

I go out on Lake Erie in my 16 foot crestliner all the time.

Its just about being smart. Lake Erie is tricky because its the shallowest of all the great lakes, you just need to watch the weather before you go out, and keep a eye on the sky while out.

Just be smart about it.

Bill

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

Most of the Great Lakes can kick up in record time. I'd look at a 26' minimum with a cuddy.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

What is that you consider a calm day? I don't know if Lake Erie can be compared to Mich. but I feel very comfortable in my 16' closed bow MFG up to about 3 ft waves been out a few times in 4 footers too and that was no fun at all, I've been out on a glass day, you could spit in the water and it will just float around beside you all day. I've heard a bigger boat tosses and jerks you around just in a different way because rather than up and over between the waves, the bigger boat doesn't settle down between waves because your already onto the next one, I've just heard that a smaller boat depending on how close the wave action is rides better than a biger boat.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

Must of been a wierd calm day, I run my 20' on lake ontario up to about 3 foot waves...so long as they aren't breaking. No worries here, perhaps it's a trim issue? Also a calm day will have it liquid smooth, an off shore wind will leave it pretty calm for quite a ways out, an off water wind will whip it up pretty ugly real quick though. I grew up on Lake Huron, and spent plenty of time on Lake St. Clair in an open aluminum 16'r as well. That said, only launch in conditions and weather predictions that you are comfortable with.


ian

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

On a calm day any boat can be used on Lake Michigan. If you were tossed around in a 20' boat it wasn't a calm day.

I've been on the lake in everything from an old 16' f/g Starcraft to a SeaDoo to my current 18' closed bow Four Winns. I have also been on the lake in a 28' Bayliner. The day I was on the Bayliner it seemed calm going out the channel in Grand Haven and then while we were just south of the piers a strong North wind kicked up. There were 6' waves instantly. It was very interesting to say the least getting back into the channel.

It totally depends on the weather.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

Mostly always rough here too, the 2'-3' chop which is pretty normal even throws 25' cuddy's around from my observation.

Those days when it is glass are lovely. I watch my local Michigan boat launch ( its 6 blocks from my home) and there were no boats out today, the chop was a bit worse than yesterday but yesterday there was atleast 2 dozens boats out.
Was down in Chicago today also. A few boats out there, really bopping around tho.

Sailboats seem to work good on Michigan but most around here are around 35'.

 

[grego]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

Most of times, it is the "number" of boats that are making the chop. High powered V-8s. I had been cruising in heavy chop and did not see the wake of a large boat and dipped the nose of my 19.5 boat under water and thought "OH CHIT!" "two years ago memorial day weekend." A 19 ft. boat should be enough to boat on that lake, in the off season.

 

[mphy98]

Re: whats a good size boat for lake michigan?

I would only go out in Lake Michigan if it was dead calm and going to stay that way in anything but a 26' or larger with a full cabin. I have had my 18' bow rider out there in a 1 to 3 foot chop and it is not a fun ride to get to my fishing spot. I have been on that lake since I was 4 years old and would go out with my grandfather on his commercial fishing boat, and that lake is no lady, she is a witch. People who have never been out there do not understand what a 3 to 4 foot chop can do to you and your boat. An open bow will take on water quickly if you do not know what you are doing. Also unlike the ocean, the waves are quite close together and can tear you apart. So please be careful and get to know the lake. Take a coast guard course as well.