Someday Lady II
Member
- Aug 12, 2010
- 301
- Boat Info
- 1991 350 Sundancer
- Engines
- T-340 hp Bluewater 7.4 L
Bravo II I/O's
Well, the long awaited day has arrived. I have dreamt, feared, anticipated and hoped for this moment since the deal on this one owner Sea Ray closed last November.
My friend, Loren who owns a trucking company, agreed to accompany me on the trip and we left Canada on Saturday for Grand Rapids Michigan.
I had been advised that the 7 new wheels and ST235/85R/16 tires that I had bought (now for sale!!!) would probably not fit within the trailer fenders, so reluctantly agreed to purchase 3 new 8.50 x 16.5 tires to replace three bad tires. On Sunday when we arrived we found that the wheel bearings had been greased, new surge brake actuator and 2 new brake lines had been installed and the trailer was pronounced ready to go. We put on the Oversize Load signs, removed the radar dome, put on the marker flags and were ready to leave in the morning.
Monday morning bright and early, we hooked up the equalizer hitch and the trailer to my 06 Duramax and backed my new (for me) boat out of the previous owners shop for the last time.
Avoiding construction in Michigan required innovative route planning but we still arrived at the Mackinac Bridge well before (almost 6 hours) before we would be allowed to cross with a wide load escort. I tried to take a picutre in Audie's Restaurant parking lot (GREAT place, GREAT food and GREAT service) of my boat with the Bridge in the background but it did not turn out that great, you can barely see the towers behind the trees.
We crossed the bridge and headed west on US 2 with the Duramax happily chewing up the miles and slurping down the fuel. Then came the ticket. 60 mph when restricted by permit to 45 mph on 2 lane highways. $40 bond and not sure what the ticket will be. The trooper told us to enjoy our 45mph tour of Michigan and then proceeded to follow us for 50 miles to make sure.
Overnighted in Manistique and departed Tuesday morning, Loren's alarm was still on CST and we were probably an hour late getting rolling.