BIG day on Lake Michigan yesterday

Stee6043

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2015
6,706
West Michigan
Boat Info
1997 Sundancer 400
Engines
7.4L Gassers
I made my way from Grand Haven to Saugatuck on Saturday for an outstanding evening out in Saugatuck without our kids (this was our first adults only boat weekend in 3 years). Had a blast. Got an early start back yesterday knowing they were calling for big waves later in the day. Small Craft Advisory went into affect at 1PM so we were on our way by 9:30AM.

I didn't even get out of the channel in Saugatuck before I stuffed my anchor into a roller. The 2-3's in the forecast were more consistently 4's at 10AM.

I tried to be on-plane for a bit but that got to be unmanageable. A few miles north of Saugatuck and we were seeing pretty regular 6 footers. Whitecaps on all sides, making 8 knots. Very, very uncomfortable. I've been boating Lake Michigan for a lot of years and this is the worst I've been out in for more than a few minutes at a time.

I think the worst part (for me) was knowing that the lake was going to continue to get worse as I was trying to get to Holland. And it did. I was soaked by the time we got to the pier in Holland. 45 minutes in a washing machine to go about 6 miles. And the anticipation of getting broadside into the waves to enter the pier was not pleasant.

We got in safely and found a transient slip at a very nice marina in Holland. Had a couple of beers at their yacht club while we waited for a ride back to Grand Haven.

What a day. I know with absolute certainty I would not have left Saugatuck had we been with our kids. But I still wish I had turned around and stayed. It wasn't worth the stress.

The ole Sea Ray performed like a champ. Though I've never felt like 34' was quite so small before...
 
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These lakes can be brutal. We plowed into 3's and 4's at 8-9 knots for nearly 3 hours to go 30 miles on Lake Ontario a few weeks ago. Like you said, being on plane is impossible in those conditions. Not easy on the fuel bill either, we were turning like 2000-2200 at that speed and just chugging gas.
 
Nice job by the Captain and First mate another water story-thanks for sharing
 
Got her back to Grand Haven last night. What a difference a day makes. Nice calm 1-2's.

It does indeed make for a good story. And a good gauge of what I won't accept the next time! Good times...
 
These lakes can be brutal.

Especially the western coasts! The Ontario shoreline of Huron is similar. The dockmaster in Grand Bend, ON has been known to tell boaters approaching his jetty to "stay on-plane until you can read the fuel prices on the pumps."

It can be nerve-wracking, but I'm sure it boost liquor sales once we're all safely docked.
 
I've always said that anyone can drive a boat on calm waters. Being out in the conditions you were in does few things: Builds your self confidence, builds confidence in your boat and let's you realize that the world is not coming to and end just because the wind picks up and the waves get bigger.

Good job and a nice writeup.
 
We were out off Saugatuck this afternoon (flat as a pancake) amazing what a few days can do to Lake MI waves.
 

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