Hello. I'm purchasing an Oday 22ft sail boat this spring. I plan to learn to sail in protected waters. My question is, how safe would it be to sail a boat of this size up and down the coastline of Michigan. I would like to venture 15 to 30 miles one way. Of course, I realize I would need to keep and eye on the weather. Anyone with personal experience sailing this area?
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No Problem
I did the same thing many years ago on Lake Huron. I did this in a Columbia 22. Go for it.
I did the same thing many years ago on Lake Huron. I did this in a Columbia 22. Go for it.
Joe, As for sailing Lake Michigan, you shouldn't have a problem with the Oday 22 out in the areas which you spoke of in your message. Two major points: weathe is watching for constantly changing weather on the Great Lakes. (you knew that) and secondly get a good chart of the area you plan to cruise along. Depending on what ports or places you'd like to anchor at during your cruises. I used to be in the Navy Reserves, in which we augmented and worked with the Coast Guard being involved with rescues and cases along the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Biggest advice I can give is be prepared. Waves, wind and weather, all can mess up a seemingly good day. Be prepared and have your boat ready and equipped, after that I agree with Don K's reply, "..no problem!" I have an Oday 23 myself which I'm restoring.I intend to do some coastal cruising along Wisconsin and Upper Michigan in 2004...then after getting used to the boat and area, venturing out on longer cruises. Keep us updated. Best informed, Mark
Go For IT!!!!!
I took sailing lessons a year and a half ago on a inland tiny lake in 14 foot dinghies. This taught me the basics. A week after lessons were over, I bought a 24 ft keel boat and started to sail on Lake Huron. I spent much time at the dock figuring out what all the lines did, and when it was calm, motoring to get a feel of the rudder and docking. I finally got a calm day with a 10kt off shore breeze and pulled the sails up and taught myself how to sail my new boat. After 2-3 trips, my wife and I delivered it to our home port 12 miles away. Weather was calm and ended up motoring for 5 miles of it, but the trip still gave some more confidence. Just this past summer I have sailed 1500 nautical miles on my boat. This included many cruises to neighbouring ports and a 16 day cruise to the North Channel. I have had her in 35kts of wind and 15 foot waves (not by choice!!) and have learned alot. Short answer is take it slow for the first few trips and gradually build up your confidence. As you do you will find you will be reaching farther and farther over the horizon. Good Luck
I took sailing lessons a year and a half ago on a inland tiny lake in 14 foot dinghies. This taught me the basics. A week after lessons were over, I bought a 24 ft keel boat and started to sail on Lake Huron. I spent much time at the dock figuring out what all the lines did, and when it was calm, motoring to get a feel of the rudder and docking. I finally got a calm day with a 10kt off shore breeze and pulled the sails up and taught myself how to sail my new boat. After 2-3 trips, my wife and I delivered it to our home port 12 miles away. Weather was calm and ended up motoring for 5 miles of it, but the trip still gave some more confidence. Just this past summer I have sailed 1500 nautical miles on my boat. This included many cruises to neighbouring ports and a 16 day cruise to the North Channel. I have had her in 35kts of wind and 15 foot waves (not by choice!!) and have learned alot. Short answer is take it slow for the first few trips and gradually build up your confidence. As you do you will find you will be reaching farther and farther over the horizon. Good Luck
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Plum Island
I spent a wonderful summer in 1984 up at Coast Guard Station Plum Island. Wonderful sailing in those parts. Just be careful near Port d'Mort Pass. There's a reason it's called "Death's Door". I have fond memories of Washington Island. I think I still have my Bitters Club membership card somewhere..... maybe I should visit to renew it!!!
I spent a wonderful summer in 1984 up at Coast Guard Station Plum Island. Wonderful sailing in those parts. Just be careful near Port d'Mort Pass. There's a reason it's called "Death's Door". I have fond memories of Washington Island. I think I still have my Bitters Club membership card somewhere..... maybe I should visit to renew it!!!
Everything is Good for a 22, BUT
I do recommend that you not even launch in the Great Lakes without a VHF installed. This will allow you to monitor other traffic (as well as NOAA), but can be a real lifesaver in the unlikely event that you have some problem. Enjoy the sailing!!
I do recommend that you not even launch in the Great Lakes without a VHF installed. This will allow you to monitor other traffic (as well as NOAA), but can be a real lifesaver in the unlikely event that you have some problem. Enjoy the sailing!!
Hey SCURVYDOG
Have they improved the harbor since the late 70s. There were a number of nights in that harbor that I would have been better off out on the lake.
Have they improved the harbor since the late 70s. There were a number of nights in that harbor that I would have been better off out on the lake.
Sailing Lake Michigan
Having sailed Lake Michigan for many years you will find that once you sail there you will not want to sail anywhere else. I had a Catalina 22 that I first went on Lake Michigan with out of St Joseph with and my family and I began our first cruising trips with it. It was a little crowded wit 2 adults and 2 kids, but we had a great time. I did many modifications to that boat in order to make cruising life more comfortable. If you begin sailing out of Muskegon, you can sail around the bay and venture out into the big lake as you get more comfortable with how the boat handles. I am very familiar with the area that you will be sailing in as that is the area that I sail in when on vacation. You can even take a short cruise to Grand Haven just to try everything out before taking a longer venture. You will find that 3-4 foot waves is about all you will ever want to venture out in on Lake Michigan in a 22’ boat. The wave period is very short on the Great Lakes, which makes the ride much rougher as it gets wavier. Make sure you have a dependable motor too. When storms come up quickly, and they do, you want a motor that will not fail you. If you want some more information, feel free to e-mail me. I’ll be glad to share any information on the ports or modifications that I have done to the C22. Fair Winds, Gerry
Having sailed Lake Michigan for many years you will find that once you sail there you will not want to sail anywhere else. I had a Catalina 22 that I first went on Lake Michigan with out of St Joseph with and my family and I began our first cruising trips with it. It was a little crowded wit 2 adults and 2 kids, but we had a great time. I did many modifications to that boat in order to make cruising life more comfortable. If you begin sailing out of Muskegon, you can sail around the bay and venture out into the big lake as you get more comfortable with how the boat handles. I am very familiar with the area that you will be sailing in as that is the area that I sail in when on vacation. You can even take a short cruise to Grand Haven just to try everything out before taking a longer venture. You will find that 3-4 foot waves is about all you will ever want to venture out in on Lake Michigan in a 22’ boat. The wave period is very short on the Great Lakes, which makes the ride much rougher as it gets wavier. Make sure you have a dependable motor too. When storms come up quickly, and they do, you want a motor that will not fail you. If you want some more information, feel free to e-mail me. I’ll be glad to share any information on the ports or modifications that I have done to the C22. Fair Winds, Gerry
Don K. Goderich is now excellent
I have only been in Goderich for four years, but the harbour is excellent now. The commercial harbour is not a good place to anchour. I have seen some people anchour behind the breakwalls and that just doesn't offer enought protection for me if the lake gets nasty! There are now two marinas up the Maitland river (just north of the harbour) that offer excellent protection and showers, washrooms, etc.. The only catch is the river mouth can be very turned up in a strong north west blow!
I have only been in Goderich for four years, but the harbour is excellent now. The commercial harbour is not a good place to anchour. I have seen some people anchour behind the breakwalls and that just doesn't offer enought protection for me if the lake gets nasty! There are now two marinas up the Maitland river (just north of the harbour) that offer excellent protection and showers, washrooms, etc.. The only catch is the river mouth can be very turned up in a strong north west blow!
Thanks Gerry
As I'm puchashing the boat this spring, I've been reading up on how to sail. I made one trip this past summer with my uncle at the controls and caught the bug. But other than one trip as a passenger, I have no sailing experience. Safety is my primary concern but I dont want to be stuck in lake muskegon all summer. Any updates or tips you may reccomend be greatly appreciated - express898@hotmail.com Thanks, Joe
As I'm puchashing the boat this spring, I've been reading up on how to sail. I made one trip this past summer with my uncle at the controls and caught the bug. But other than one trip as a passenger, I have no sailing experience. Safety is my primary concern but I dont want to be stuck in lake muskegon all summer. Any updates or tips you may reccomend be greatly appreciated - express898@hotmail.com Thanks, Joe
Movin' Up as you learn
I started out on Lake Michigan on a Southcoast 22 and equipped the boat in the event of rough weather. That means an oversupply of pfds, VHF, jacklines and tethers, oversized bilge pump with back up bucket, tool kit for servicing your outboard, and other safety equipment. Put an extra reefing line in your main and jib. We then nudged up to a MacGregor 25, all with the same level of emergency equipment. Sailing offshore in a small boat is safe if you use your head and watch for weather changes, which can sweep across the lake in a hurry. One nice thing about sailing in this area in a small boat; the bottom is predictable and you will most likely have a swing keel. Sail your small boat after you have equipped it like a bigger boat. If you are careless about venturing out, the lake doesn't care what size boat you have; you are more or less just a bigger or smaller hor d'orvre.
I started out on Lake Michigan on a Southcoast 22 and equipped the boat in the event of rough weather. That means an oversupply of pfds, VHF, jacklines and tethers, oversized bilge pump with back up bucket, tool kit for servicing your outboard, and other safety equipment. Put an extra reefing line in your main and jib. We then nudged up to a MacGregor 25, all with the same level of emergency equipment. Sailing offshore in a small boat is safe if you use your head and watch for weather changes, which can sweep across the lake in a hurry. One nice thing about sailing in this area in a small boat; the bottom is predictable and you will most likely have a swing keel. Sail your small boat after you have equipped it like a bigger boat. If you are careless about venturing out, the lake doesn't care what size boat you have; you are more or less just a bigger or smaller hor d'orvre.
One suggestion
One suggestion as a single hander. When you venture out by yourself or with non sailors, wear a harness. They are inexpensive and can save your life. When learning to sail the boat, you will be distracted with trying to sail the boat rather than proper footing. A properly secured harness will snag you before falling overboard!
One suggestion as a single hander. When you venture out by yourself or with non sailors, wear a harness. They are inexpensive and can save your life. When learning to sail the boat, you will be distracted with trying to sail the boat rather than proper footing. A properly secured harness will snag you before falling overboard!
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