25' Nordic big enough for Lake Michigan?

[MOD220]

I live in downtown Chicago and would love to have a boat docked locally to use. budget is tight so i'm limited to a 25' boat, and a friend has a nordic for sale. by no means do i plan on crossing the lake or being on the lake overnight, just something to wakeboard and have some fun relatively close to shore. i've been getting mixed reviews here, some say no way, 30 ft minimum, others say 25' is fine. any thoughts?

[Hot Stepper]

Originally Posted by MOD220

I live in downtown Chicago and would love to have a boat docked locally to use. budget is tight so i'm limited to a 25' boat, and a friend has a nordic for sale. by no means do i plan on crossing the lake or being on the lake overnight, just something to wakeboard and have some fun relatively close to shore. i've been getting mixed reviews here, some say no way, 30 ft minimum, others say 25' is fine. any thoughts?

Took my 280 Velocity from Benton Haror Mi all the way to your town last fall 2-4 footers took about 1 1/2 hours. If your keeping it locally you could get away with somthing even smaller I would think.

[pookie]

Originally Posted by MOD220

I live in downtown Chicago and would love to have a boat docked locally to use. budget is tight so i'm limited to a 25' boat, and a friend has a nordic for sale. by no means do i plan on crossing the lake or being on the lake overnight, just something to wakeboard and have some fun relatively close to shore. i've been getting mixed reviews here, some say no way, 30 ft minimum, others say 25' is fine. any thoughts?

You have to pick your days on Lake Michigan but a 25' boat would be fine. I have been on that lake on everything from a 16 foot jet boat to my present 47' Fountain. No matter what you have, there are days that are neither pleasant nor safe.
Make sure you check into all the costs associated with keeping a boat downtown. It can get very expensive. There is also a waiting list for the harbors in Chicago. It may be shorter with the economy the way it is, but usually you have to spend a few seasons on a "can" (bouy) before you can get an actual dock slip.
Also, it is usually too choppy to enjoy wakeboarding.

[Outlaw00024]

25 foot is fine for great lakes.. I have been on Georgian Bay which is a huge.. 3 to 4 feet on a windy day.. really windy it can blow up to 12 feet. but those days are obvious.. you can usually see the weather comming in on a big lake like Michigan. 4.5 feet is about the biggest wave heights you would want to be out on.. I have been out in 6 foot waves in my outlaw 24 but it wasn't very comfortable.. I pick my days like pookie said.

[GK]

Bigger is better on any large body of water. Nothing less than a 35' if you plan on spending time on Lake Michigan because you will get caught in 4-5' waves if you do any traveling. There are some real sweet deals out there for nice used 35-38' boats between 70 to $90K.

[MOD220]

thanks guys. my budget and lack of boating experience lead me to the 25'. i hope to go with a big boy in a few years. from what i gather 25' is sufficient, if the weather is right and i know my limits.
i just want to go up and down the lake a bit, enjoy meals on the boat and catch a few sunsets. thanks for all the guidance.

[fountain 47 sc]

Like others have said, choose your days and you'll be ok in a 25 footer. On bad days in my Fountain 47 Sport Cruiser (which has a much taller deck than the Lightning), I've taken water over the bow and although the boat is very smooth and fast, there will be water on Lake Michigan you shouldn't be out on in anything (except in a Coast Guard cutter).
Also, the marinas have a waiting list and are fairly expensive. If budget is a concern be sure you check everything out before you buy. Hidden expenses add up fast on performance boats in Chicago. The harbors are all run be Westrec marine. They have a website for info and to apply for a spot. (chicagoharbors.info)

[Magic Medicine]

Originally Posted by pookie

You have to pick your days on Lake Michigan but a 25' boat would be fine. I have been on that lake on everything from a 16 foot jet boat to my present 47' Fountain. No matter what you have, there are days that are neither pleasant nor safe.
Make sure you check into all the costs associated with keeping a boat downtown. It can get very expensive. There is also a waiting list for the harbors in Chicago. It may be shorter with the economy the way it is, but usually you have to spend a few seasons on a "can" (bouy) before you can get an actual dock slip.
Also, it is usually too choppy to enjoy wakeboarding.

What he said!

[Reality Check]

Originally Posted by Magic Medicine

What he said!

Ditto!

[Revd Up]

I really watch the weather sites before I go. Pray for low wind. Go for it.