Longer distance trips around Great Lakes question

Almightys

Almightys

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jun 15, 2015
665
Warren, MI
Boat Info
1995 500 DA with diesel loving Detroit’s
(SOLD)1992 Sundancer 330
Engines
6v92 Detroit Diesel
I’m Curious for those who take trips around the Great Lakes at what you feel is reasonable hours at the helm daily?
I am hoping to be. Anew owner of a boat in Benton Harbor and want to plan a trip out of getting it home to lake St Clair. is making this a 4 day trip reasonable or is that stretching it?
 
Last edited:
I’ve done 7 hours cruising before but that was a stretch. 4 hours is about enough in one time for me.
 
It depends entirely on conditions. In calm seas, clear vis and with auto-pilot, I’m good from dawn ‘til dusk. If we’re bouncing or if I have to strain to see, I start looking for a port.

Nearly all the boaters I know these days tend not to leave their area code. Heck, many don’t leave this ZIP code. I hope you don’t hurry past all the beautiful ports Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have to offer.
 
It does completely depend on conditions. One year we spend 4 days in Frankfort waiting for the lake to lay down. 4 days of winds out of the south at 20MPH so the lake was producing 4-7 foot seas non stop. This is normally an easy 4 1/2 hour run for us to Grand Haven. Autopilots are a big help because they reduce fatigue and keep your fuel consumption to a predictable level since your tacks are straight. You burn lots of extra fuel if you wander from the correct course heading. Stopping for fuel takes time. If i were doing the trip from Benton Harbor in a 33 SD, I would try to make Harbor Springs in 2 days. That is very doable. You do not want to be tired going through Gray's Reef to the bridge. So leaving in good weather from HS makes for a nice run. Once you are in Lake Huron it is down hill.
Garwood 003.jpg
 
I agree with the 3-4 hours running. If you are in no hurt, enjoy the ports along the way and allow for weather days.
I ran from Mackinac to Lexington in one day with a fuel stop because the lake was like jello and I was running with smaller boats, so we decided to keep going. 10 hours in all, but it was an easy 10 hours. I’ve had 2 hour runs that will wear you out, with an angry lake.
Play it by ear, enjoy the scenery and watch the weather.
 
I agree with Steve. I'd plan on 4-5 hour runs. If the lake is rough, you'll be beat by then. If she's calm, stretch your legs and go further.

But, if you can, an idea would be to move up a port or two each week. Talk about a priceless experience, seeing all the beautiful harbors.
 
Something to remember about boating: the most dangerous thing to have on a boat is a schedule. Trying to keep to a schedule can lead to bad decisions, such as heading out when the weather is poor. Many a mariner has perished in the name of keeping to the schedule.
 
I’ve often dreamed of cruising but I’m not mechanical and don’t want to be tinkering w systems constantly so I’ve hesitated in buying a 340 etc but boy that trip sound magical if you stop on the right places.
 
We are on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh but my goal is to take a weekend (or whole week) trip to Lake Erie. Either Erie PA or out around Catawba Island. Wouldn't mind doing the Chesapeake also. Bucket list is a trip to the Bahamas but that will require us to tow to FL. Erie is definitely very easily doable for us. Probably near Catawba rather than Erie PA as Erie PA doesn't seem to have as many marinas with attractions unless I missed them. Been there a bunch by road but never by boat
 
We're about to take the boat down the Columbia, around the coast, down the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Seattle. It's 325 miles to the mouth of the Columbia but we're slowed down because of the schedule of the 4 locks we have to go through. Then it'll be 170 miles up the coast to our next stop. Then another 80 miles or so to Seattle with a stop for fuel along the way.

We're not pushing it except for the long run up the coast. The rest of the trip we're making it a fun journey for the 3 of us who will be on the boat.

Just a suggestion--if you do make the trip in long distance runs, take along a couple of boating friends to share the helm time. We will do 2 hour shifts with one on the helm, one watching for debris, buoys and obstacles, and one just kicking back. That way nobody gets too tired from being on alert for hours.

Oh, and have fun!
 
We slipped in Ludington for years and made the trip from there to the Straits a few times. With a fuel stop, that's an eight hour day on favorable seas and was more time at the helm than what is enjoyable. That was a 185 miles and a very enjoyable two day cruise. So given that experience, about 100 miles/day would be my pace if the goal was merely to get to the finish line.
 
I just yesterday ran from Leland to Grand Haven. 150+ miles. One gas stop in Ludington. Total time about 9 hours slip to slip. Flat seas with a little chop around Pentwater. No autopilot but have one scheduled for install next week (thanks Goram). Not a typical run, But it was necessary. I generally like 100 miles or less per day depending upon seas.
 
Last edited:
I purchased my 360 in Mt Clemens, and made the trip up and around to Grand Haven. Great way to get a feel for the boat, and see what she can handle. It completely depends on conditions. Take advantage of the clam seas if you have to get back quick. I did my trip in 3 days. Rough run in 4'-5's from after i passed Mackinaw City to Charlevoix. The boat handled it better than I did.
I agree with the other comment regarding adding a crew to your trip - people who know how to handle a boat and lines. It's great to have relief, and the added lookout.
I don't think I would go so far into Harbor Springs. Charlevoix is a good jumping point before heading into the reef. HS adds time. Just my opinion.
Other piece of advice is to enjoy the ride. You won't do this too often, so enjoy the stops, scenery, etc. Even with Covid...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,098
Messages
1,425,901
Members
61,018
Latest member
IslandGirls1020
Back
Top