Crossing Lake Michigan

View attachment 68475 I find all of the advice about spare parts pretty interesting. It's as if you are going to be able to perform major repairs in the middle of Lake Michigan. Any boat that is likely to need some of the work being suggested has no business being used for a crossing. Instead of a major spare parts for inventory, spend the money on preventive maintenance so repairs offshore are not required. We have been offshore in weather that would make a person with a cast iron stomach wretch their guts out if forced to work on a major mechanical issue in the bilge while the boat is going up and down and rolling 25-30 degrees. Need to be prudent when going off shore, but common sense prevents making issues from ever happening.
It doesn't take much rockin'/rollin' to make otherwise simple tasks difficult. I get scratched up and bloody enough when the boat is tied to the dock.
 
We bought our boat in 2005 in Seattle area and took it to Vancouver Island in November. We did not get any extra parts for the trip. Boat had a survey and it was in good condition. You need to know your boat before you go. If the previous owner has not gone over all systems with you figure them out yourself. We did not know the AC units were also heat pumps. We ran the generator and used the portable heaters on the boat to keep warm. Once you know your boat and what fails your spare parts list will grow. Empty the holding thank before you depart and fill your potable water tank.
 
View attachment 68475 I find all of the advice about spare parts pretty interesting. It's as if you are going to be able to perform major repairs in the middle of Lake Michigan..
I agree 100%. I can't imagine being down in the engine room on my boat if it's rocking and rolling in some heavy waves, and my boat is very stable in waves because of its beam.

Rather than spend the money on parts to store in your boat, spend that money on getting those parts installed so you don't have to lay on your belly, face down, trying to stay stable while you change out a part.

Here's what it will look like outside your boat if it's rough on Lk Michigan. Now imagine you with your head in the engine room.
 
When I picked up my 2000 310 Da. in Toledo to Catawba Is. I took my Standard Horizon CP190 chart plotter that I keep from the boat I sold mounted it to a suction cup mount then plugged it in to the lighter and besides paper charts on hand I was ready to go.
 
View attachment 68475 I find all of the advice about spare parts pretty interesting. It's as if you are going to be able to perform major repairs in the middle of Lake Michigan. Any boat that is likely to need some of the work being suggested has no business being used for a crossing. Instead of a major spare parts for inventory, spend the money on preventive maintenance so repairs offshore are not required. We have been offshore in weather that would make a person with a cast iron stomach wretch their guts out if forced to work on a major mechanical issue in the bilge while the boat is going up and down and rolling 25-30 degrees. Need to be prudent when going off shore, but common sense prevents making issues from ever happening.
Great point. And if you have all of those spares mentioned why not start with the maintenance first - regardless of how well the boat was maintained. New filter, belts, impellers, etc. As you stated - you.re highly unlikely to be changing a belt in 3-4 footer short sequence waves.
 
You can not fix your boat in rough water but if an item fails you are able to fix it when you get to a calm area. We had a raw water pump fail on a rough open area coming back from Alaska once. It sprayed salt water all over the engine room but when we got to a sheltered area we put in the spare. Spares are like spare tire you put them on when have safely gotten off the road.
 
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Raw water pumps are wear items. They generally start to weep before failing. Fix them in port.
 
Hey guys....I agree, good maintenance prevents a lot of headaches and will make for safer boating too but I'm not poo-hooing spare parts on a boat. What factors rate consideration?..... plain old parts availability, our own mechanical prowess, where and how we boat?

I'd suggest that a boat running the Canadian west coast to Alaska might have different needs than the boat that's usually within 10 miles of a nice port, parts, and a towing service.
 
Ok guys so the boat is finally home. Due to work schedule I was not able to drive the boat across the lake my self. Had some one drive it across for me and every thing went flawless. I wanted to take it myself but I could not get my work schedule to line up with flat water. Some pics attached of the boat in the slip! So happy to have the deal done with after having to wait so long to get the boat in the water due to Wisconsin’s high water and under water dock issues lol.
 

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I have crossed the lake from Kenosha, WI to Grand Haven, MI and back 4 times. It's a 3 1/2 to 4 - hour ride. You will lose cell phone coverage about 15 miles out and regain it back the same thing on the other end.
 

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