Across Lake Michigan

Hugh Straub · Jan 11, 2013

tgrass462 said:
This summer (mid-July) we hope to join a couple of other boats (a 27' and a 24') in our Hunter 260 and sail from Washington Island, Wisconsin to LeLand, Michigan. It's about 53 NM - at 5 Knots we should make it in about 10 1/2 hours.

My questions - have any of you done this sail? How was it? What would the smallest boat you would recommend setting out on this? (We have friends in a Catalina 22 swing keel - would that be appropriate for this trip?). This presupposes of course that we have a nice, wide weather window.

If you did part of the sailing at night - was it easy to spot lake freighters or other traffic?

Tom Grass
Creve Coeur, Missouri

I know nothing of Lake Michigan sailing. However, I do know that you do not want to arrive at a new to you port at night. Plan your departure, even if before sunrise, so that you will arrive at LeLand in daylight. Landfall at at strange place after dark is NO FUN.

Kind regards

Hugh

topcat0399 · Jan 11, 2013

If you ask such a question in such an open forum such as the internet someone will always say your boat is too small or not capable blah blah blah. If you search the same open forum you will find plenty of examples of amazing things people have done in equipment others have judged totally unsuitable.

People have crossed Lake Michigan and much much larger bodies of water in very small boats. Row boats, Lasers, sail boards, natives in canoes, etc.

What it really is about is you. You learn about the subject and you decide if you can do it. You decide if you are prepared or ready to accept or deal with any consequence.

Accidents and mishaps are almost always crew caused - not the boat. Scared crews abandon perfectly good boats all the time.

If it were me with your boat - I would make sure she and I are prepared and I'd go. That's not that big of a trip. But that's me - I well know my limitations and I like sailing in weather.

My humble opinion on your situation is - if you are asking us - then YOU are not ready. If your boat is in good repair its probably fine for the job.

Happy Sails

edit - sorry I neglected to try and answer some of your questions:

Even made that trip? No; but many similar. How was it? You can let us know when its over

. Smallest boat I'd go in? Catalina 22 swing keel smallest one you have. Weather window? Carry a weather radio and listen to it - often. Check the appropriate forecast. Spotting Traffic At Night? All craft have lighting requirements - hopefully you know about the subject. It is remarkably easy to see in the dark if you religiously stay away from all white light after sunset. You are required to keep prudent watch - fog complicates things. Stay sober. We sail after dark all the time-love it. Especially full moon. Depart in the dark and arrive in the day. Easy cheesy.

Paladin27 · Jan 12, 2013

I did about 90NM from Chicago to South Haven last year in an old leaky 29' boat that hadn't been floating in 7 or 8 years prior to us splashing her in Chicago. Everything was busted, I wired up the navigation lights WHILE we were under sail out of Chicago, the inboard was busted but we brought an ancient 1950 Evinrude outboard, we hit a nasty lightning storm during the crossing, and then the wind totally died to zero knots for nearly half the trip, so it took us 24 hours sailing time with a stop over in New Buffalo, we did 12 and 12 on a Sat/Sun. All in all, it was my favorite sailing trip so far!

Check your safety gear and supplies, make sure the radio works, watch the weather, give people on land your estimated route and times and go for it!

Crazy Dave Condon · Jan 14, 2013

When planning a trip over open water, it is sound advice to leave early and arrive in daylight. However, take a course on weather and anticipate for good weather for several days. Make sure you take the necessary safety gear and so forth. If in strong winds, I would advise against it with the 23.5. I should know as I am the one responsible for that boat. by the way, other 23.5 's have made trips over open water but if you are inexperienced, then wait until you feel comfortable. You are the one when it comes to the final decision to go, not this forum.

crazy dave condon

Jackdaw · Jan 14, 2013

A general bit of advice for passagemaking: do not let the sense of security of others being nearby sway your decision. Ideally you would base your go/no-go on YOUR ability to handle the any conditions and circumstances that you might meet by yourself. If you can see that, go. If not, wait.

At the end of the day you are alone on your boat.

Captn TJ · Jan 14, 2013

Tom

You ask a question that has a lot of considerations. Also not sure of your Great Lakes skills or the skills of the other captains. We have cruised the Great Lakes for 30 years and found the weather to vary from becalmed to terrifying sometimes in the same day.

Weather is the biggest consideration as 10 hrs could be a pretty big weather window. Last summer we were anchored in the north channel of lake huron when a forecast thunderstorm (we listen to weather radio, use a barometer and have Sirius Weather radar on our MFD) turned into a full blown squall lasting 2 hours. Weather radio finally sent out the alert after the squall had passed

Given the size of your boat you'll find the westerlies a nice ride starting out but could be challenging by the time you reach the eastern shore because of the fetch. Also remember the nice westerly breezes you'll have will turn into a head wind for the way back. So the 10 hour return trip could be 15+ by the time you're back to Washington Island

Outside of weather, Some excellent feedback has been already given such as you don't want to arrive in an unknown harbor at night. To your question about freighters you will be crossing a major shipping lane and they come up a lot faster than you think. With a mAIS app such as boat beacon and cell coverage you'll be able to spot them and see their direction and speed. Also if you are traveling at night as mentioned in a previous post be very familiar with ship lighting scheme. The freighters will be easy to spot but the barge that's a couple of hundred yards behind the barge - different story.

My .02: pick a shorter journey (heading northeast) and hop from harbor to harbor. You and your crew will have a lot more fun. It'll be a confidence builder and if something does go wrong it'll be a shorter run into a harbor.

BTW the upper Great Lakes are beautiful and wonderful sailing. Also join GLCC.

rickwarner · Jan 23, 2013

Hunter260 can cross Lake Michigan with precautions

I recently downsized from a Hunter 30 to a Hunter 260. In my previous boat, my wife and I crossed Lake Michigan over to WI and back many times, including sailing in the area from Traverse Bay along the coast all the down to South Haven. My 'new' Hunter260 feels very solid in many ways as solid as my older keel boat. With some understanding of the Hunter 260 limitations, I think your adventure can safely be accomplished. The Hunter260 is a bit more tender and can over respond to strong puffs that are prone to Lake Michigan so a good knowledge of reefing capabilities is a must. The roller furling can help balance out the boat. Since you now have an outboard, an extra fuel jug would be reassuring. Like my previous Hunter, I would run jack lines down both sides of the boat and harness all crew, especially at night. The 260 is also not known for speed, so count on some extra time on the water. We have crossed many freighters in the past and the area you would be sailing in is a bit of a choke point for traffic up and down the lake. Keep a good look out and be ready to respond early without assuming the big guy is monitoring your channel. Remember that the most dangerous piece of equipment on a sailboat is often a calendar so plan ahead. We were in the middle of the lake several times when there was no wind and no waves. Night travel is spectacular under a starry sky. In short, with some basic planning and a good weather window, I think that the Hunter 260 would do just fine in a crossing.