The answer to that question is probably. I bought an O'Day 25 that's in Michigan City and I plan on sailing it to Chicago or Waukegan, IL in the spring. The boat has a bunch of sails (working set is in excellent shape), the starboard bulkhead will be replaced before launch, 25w VHS, 3w handheld, Saildrive (see my post other concerning this), head furler, working head w/tank, bimini and a whole lot more. My main concerns at the moment are that I have near zero navigational skills. What would you suggest I buy, read, learn, test etc before doing this trip?
Am I crazy? Lake Michigan crossing
- Thread starter Project_Mayhem
- Start date
As long as you don't go North, you should hit the western shore eventually. Pick a good weather window and invest in a GPS.
What could possibly go wrong?
What could possibly go wrong?
It's not an adventure if nothing goes wrong!
Any recommendations for a GPS? Tablet or dedicated hardware based?
I have an amateur radio license. Wouldn't it be better to use a ham or ssb radio since it's capable of much further distances?
How long does the average crossing take? I figured I would stop overnight in Chicago if I got a slip in Waukegan this year
Any recommendations for a GPS? Tablet or dedicated hardware based?
I have an amateur radio license. Wouldn't it be better to use a ham or ssb radio since it's capable of much further distances?
How long does the average crossing take? I figured I would stop overnight in Chicago if I got a slip in Waukegan this year
Have you used google maps before? The measured straight line distance is about 37 miles to Chicago so at 3 knots you are looking at around ll hours.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...2e2fee2dcd02c8!8m2!3d41.7075394!4d-86.8950297
https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...2e2fee2dcd02c8!8m2!3d41.7075394!4d-86.8950297
Basic, one that'll tell you your lat/long. From there, you'd plot your position on a paper chart.
Oh, a compass might come in handy too.
Yup.. a trip to begin about midnight so you'll get there awake and with daylight.. Hope you've had the water pump impeller on the Zephyr changed..
That is a meaty question! An onboard chart plotter would make navigation easier. If you have an iPad, there are several Apps for it. I use iNavX as a backup to my chart plotter. Paper charts are always handy also if all else fails. Weather on Lake Michigan can be tricky as you may know. It can and does often have its own environment. Waves have shorter periods than what you find out on the ocean making waves much more choppy rather than rolling. It might help the answers you get if we knew how experienced you are at sailing.
I'd probably plan to just stick within sight of land and make it a multi day sail to protected transit / public docks.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,821
With a moniker.. Nice one... Project Mayhem... I get the image of the insurance commercial guy
The most difficult step is to Untie the Dock Lines.
You can get all the fancy electronics to help make you feel better about the experience, but more than a PDF, compass and a VHF radio in a sound boat is overkill. You might not even need the compass, but I always say "If it was good for Christopher Columbus I can make it do"....
Choose a day when the weather is nice. Let folk know when you leave and where you are going. Say a tearful "I'm out of here!" and untie the lines.
The first half hour you will be an adrenaline junky jumping at every boat movement and noise, but pretty soon that wears off and looking around you might even ask... What the H*ll took me so long?
That is when it will hit you, Man I really like this sailing thing.
Next you'll be sharing your experiences on line... Oh your already doing that... See your journey has already begun. It is just a long time to wait till spring...
You can get all the fancy electronics to help make you feel better about the experience, but more than a PDF, compass and a VHF radio in a sound boat is overkill. You might not even need the compass, but I always say "If it was good for Christopher Columbus I can make it do"....
Choose a day when the weather is nice. Let folk know when you leave and where you are going. Say a tearful "I'm out of here!" and untie the lines.
The first half hour you will be an adrenaline junky jumping at every boat movement and noise, but pretty soon that wears off and looking around you might even ask... What the H*ll took me so long?
That is when it will hit you, Man I really like this sailing thing.
Next you'll be sharing your experiences on line... Oh your already doing that... See your journey has already begun. It is just a long time to wait till spring...
I've sailed a good amount of dinghies when a was a kid. I picked up my Starwind 19 a couple of years ago. It was a trailer sailor for a year and then I got a slip at Waukegan this past season. That boat got tossed around quite a bit in Lake Michigan but I had an absolute blast in large waves and heavy winds. The crazy part of me likes dangerous situations.
@Boomer54 I had a lot of mediocre boat names pop in my head before I had an aha moment. I'm still debating if I want to change the original boat name, Stargazer, to Project Mayhem.
I've heard a lot of people mention iNavX. What's the advantage of a chart plotter over the iPad? Paper charts are a great backup but they seem to be a bit pointless if I have no idea what my current position is.
@kloudie1 No, see my post about it https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...-be-realistic-about-the-omc-saildrive.194241/
@jssailem I honestly can't wait to untie the dock lines. I'm tossing around the idea of having the marina do some work on the boat over the winter so I can get sailing sooner. I really just wanted to jump in but age has taught me that I should have at least a little bit of a safety net
@Boomer54 I had a lot of mediocre boat names pop in my head before I had an aha moment. I'm still debating if I want to change the original boat name, Stargazer, to Project Mayhem.
I've heard a lot of people mention iNavX. What's the advantage of a chart plotter over the iPad? Paper charts are a great backup but they seem to be a bit pointless if I have no idea what my current position is.
@kloudie1 No, see my post about it https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...-be-realistic-about-the-omc-saildrive.194241/
@jssailem I honestly can't wait to untie the dock lines. I'm tossing around the idea of having the marina do some work on the boat over the winter so I can get sailing sooner. I really just wanted to jump in but age has taught me that I should have at least a little bit of a safety net
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,821
Understand that... But that is because you still have a way to go... As you continue to age... and survive past the "The crazy part of me likes dangerous situations" you get to a point when ...
If I don't go now I may never go...
Your dinghy experience will be a valuable element to help you avoid the big cliffs. Not saying you might experience pot hole or two. But these are more likely beyond your control.
Most of what gives newer sailors problems is going out in to weather that they have never experienced and they panic.
Watch the BBC movie about the Fastnet race of 1979
My take on the event is the folk who Hove to in order to weather the storm had the best chance at survival. The post race analysis was that many of the boats that were abandoned were found still floating after the storm subsided.
So if nothing else gets added to your boat develop a plan for how you will address all of the conditions you might imagine could happen with what you have on the boat.
One of the best results of this exercise is you are better prepared to deal with something that you did not imagine as you know what you have on the boat to help you. Kind of a MacGyver training exercise and you will deal with the event rather than letting panic get the better of you.
All depends on who's listening. USCG monitors VHF 24/7. Other advantage is nearby boaters will also hear your call ( if they have the radio on) and can lend assistance quicker than CG.
As far as boat names go, I’ve seen several Stargazers but no Prohect Mayhem.
Advantages of Chart Plotter over iPad? I have both, but today the apps are every bit as good as a chart plotter I believe and certainly less expensive. Plus, if you go somewhere else, you can take the iPad with and get charts for that area. I have chartered in the BVI and Greece and had my trusty iPad along.
Paper charts, well , if you have a handheld gps, you can plot your position based on your coordinates from that. You can also practice ded reckoning (short for deductive reckoning) which works with paper charts, compass bearings, speed etc. google it to get an idea, it isn’t all that difficult to do.
It's 45 Nautical miles From Florida to Bimini, across the gulf stream., In my 25 footer it took me 10 hours
have a gps, an Iphone, and a laptop with nav program on board, And I STILL carry paper charts- and when offshore, log position every hour
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,821
That is just because you are wisely cautious going off shore into the Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle or Hurricane Alley. There have been US Navy Pilots that disappeared in that very area...
I think you just summed up my entire life since age two in one sentence
Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that VHF is basically line of site. How far can a signal typically reach on a cloudy and on a clear day?
I like the idea of marking locations at regular intervals. The boat has a vintage handheld eTrex GPS if other GPS's fail
Pick a weather window, and enjoy the sail. Don't get stuck in a deadline or schedule, allow the weather to dictate go or no-go. 12hrs plus in a 25ft.
VHF, I googled and see results in the 20km range, so a float plan is a good idea. here is more information from West Marine
VHF, I googled and see results in the 20km range, so a float plan is a good idea. here is more information from West Marine
As has been said, let someone know your float plan, Better yet bring a buddy to share the adventure with and always wear a lifejacket! On our boat on Lake Erie depending on the weather we can hear VHF from along way away.
You can always call someone every hour to let them know your position either a friend, relative or coast guard.
Congratulations, once you do this there is no holding you back!
I am a big fan of compass, paper charts ($20 or so) and plotting your course and being safe and having FUN.
Watch the weather and pack a lunch with some granola bars ETC.
You will be great and share the expierence with us!
You can always call someone every hour to let them know your position either a friend, relative or coast guard.
Congratulations, once you do this there is no holding you back!
I am a big fan of compass, paper charts ($20 or so) and plotting your course and being safe and having FUN.
Watch the weather and pack a lunch with some granola bars ETC.
You will be great and share the expierence with us!