Question for Lake Michigan cruisers

[River Cruiser]

We stayed put in Alpena today, didn't want to fight the waves like we did yesterday. We will check the weather in the morning and then make a decision on whether to go or stay another day. S. Manitou was my favorite stop so far, Beaver was a close 2nd. The flag is here in the harbor, I took this pic this morning. Be safe and enjoy yourself

[Dave0549jv]

I think today is going to be a lovely day on Lake Huron. Seas under 2' across the lake, and no more than 15 knots of wind in the forecast. I'll be northbound off Alpena at around 0800 myself. Small world, eh? What's the next stop?

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Dave0549jv

I think today is going to be a lovely day on Lake Huron. Seas under 2' across the lake, and no more than 15 knots of wind in the forecast. I'll be northbound off Alpena at around 0800 myself. Small world, eh? What's the next stop?

If not careful the Middle Island Reef...

[River Cruiser]

We will get a late start this morning because we will get fuel after the marina opens at 9:00 am. Harrisville is the 1st on our list then it depends on the lake conditions if we go farther. The middle island reef is well marked and is not a area to get close to. Have a good day.

[appick]

Glad you're finally able to make the trip. Sounds like all is going well thus far. Aren't ya glade you waited? Good luck and fair winds on the rest of the trip.

[River Cruiser]

I'am very glad we waited, I'am back on my boat now on the upper Mis river, got back late Saturday afternoon. It was a terrific trip that I really enjoyed, the best cruising area on it I believe is Lake Michigan and I intend to go back in the future with my own boat. The only part that wasn't particularly enjoyable was going thru Chicago with the locks and all the tows. The lock masters were great as were the tow captains but it was a long day each lock was busy and we always had to wait but when there was room we were allowed to lock thru with tows. I don't even want to think about all the bridges we passed under or thru again. But I would do it again in a heartbeat if someone needed help moving a boat again. I will make a post with more information when I go thru my notes and will try to include anything that might help others doing something similar.

[River Cruiser]

Here's the data for our trip from the 283 mm upper Mississippi River to Wyandotte, Michigan on the Detroit river. The boat was a 1971 47' Concorde, 40,000 lbs with twin 350 hp 8v71 Detroit Deisels for power and a onan gen with a 2 cylinder yanmar, fuel capacity is 650 gallons, water 200. We ran mostly at 1100 rpm this equalled 6.2 to 8.6 knots, occasionally we would speed up to 1300-1350 rpm. We anchored most of the time except for 1 night in Hammond, Indiana to top of fuel & water tanks, 1 night at Beaver island towards the north of Lake Michigan for provisions & water and 2 nights at Alpena, Michigan because of weather and took on 120 gallons of fuel. At the start of the trip we topped off the fuel tanks at Port Charles on the Mississippi near the confluence of the Illinois river. Again at Hammond, Indiana, on this 1st load of fuel our burn rate was 5.5 gallon per hour and 1.1 mpg including the gen time. The owner added another 120 gallons at Alpena, he wanted enough fuel to get to his marina to top off the tanks there because he could get a bulk truck and save some money. He spent $580.00 on provisions, all meals were on the boat, it also had a combination washer/dryer that helped not having to stay in marinas but did require a lot of gen time.
Monday - 8 hours = 62 miles
Tuesday - 9 hours = 50 miles
Wednesday - 7.5 hours = 60 miles
Thursday - 11.5 = 71 miles
Friday -11.5 = 62 miles lost 2.5 hours at SR lock
Saturday - 15.5 hours = 71 miles + 4 locks 122' total lift
Sunday - 4 hours = 30 miles - 368.5 gals Fuel - Hammond Marina
67 total hours & 406 total miles.

Lake Michigan

Monday - 7.5 hours = 51 miles
Tuesday - 8 hours = 58
Wednesday - 8.5 hours = 58 miles
Thursday - 8.5 hours = 66 miles
Friday - 9 hours = 65 miles

Lake Huron

Saturday - 7.75 hours = 50 miles
Sunday - weather day
Monday - 11.5 hours = 81 miles
Tuesday - weather
Wednesday - 8.5 hours = 68 miles
Thursday -12.5 hours = 118 miles entered St. Claire River
Friday. - 4.5 hours = 33 miles / end of trip Wyandotte, Mi.

Totals = 1054 miles / 153.25 hours / fuel bought during trip 786 gallons






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[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by River Cruiser

I'am very glad we waited, I'am back on my boat now on the upper Mis river, got back late Saturday afternoon. It was a terrific trip that I really enjoyed, the best cruising area on it I believe is Lake Michigan and I intend to go back in the future with my own boat. The only part that wasn't particularly enjoyable was going thru Chicago with the locks and all the tows. The lock masters were great as were the tow captains but it was a long day each lock was busy and we always had to wait but when there was room we were allowed to lock thru with tows. I don't even want to think about all the bridges we passed under or thru again. But I would do it again in a heartbeat if someone needed help moving a boat again. I will make a post with more information when I go thru my notes and will try to include anything that might help others doing something similar.

Looking at you last post with the milage, it looks like the run into Chicago, you did 71 miles & 4 locks over almost 16hrs. Of course you were tired and worn out.

Next time stage at the Joliette Free wall the night before and that run becomes 39 miles with 2 locks and you can call ahead for the 1st lock to see if it will be open before untying. The downtown lock is mostly small tourist boats so there shouldn't be a lot wait there.

[River Cruiser]

I will definitely do it different next time. We anchored about a mile above Ottawa, Illinois before the run thru the Chicago area. We spent the night tied up to a finger at a boat launch ramp on the cal sag it was the only place available to get out of the channel. The next day was a short day to a marina at Hammond, Indiana for fuel and water. Here's a couple of pics at the launch ramp.



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