I've always wanted to cross Lake Michigan in a boat. For those of you that do it, where is the narrowest spot to cross? I'd be starting on Michigan side. I'll have to trailer there, so it doesn't really matter where I start. On a map it looks like leaving around Manistee and going over to Manitowoc is the easiest. However, is there anything to do in Manitowoc? I don't want to just cross and turn around and come back. What time of year is the water the flatest (on average)? How many miles, roughly is it? I can go at least 100 miles at 3/4 throttle and I can bring extra fuel. Not looking to get killed and don't need to do it fast, just thought in the right conditions it could be fun! It would be just a buddy and I and a lot of safety gear. Finally, I have a 23' bowrunner that has a pretty deep V on it (23 degrees I think) so I can handle decent size waves. Is this a crazy idea or am I just paranoid?

Also, I have run about 10-15 miles off shore around Traverse Bay, Lake Charlevoix without trouble, does it get any worse the farther you get out? Also, frequent Lake Huron and St. Clair.

Sorry to ramble and thanks in advance for your replies.
Nick

you can cross just about anywhere if you can go 100miles on a tank....wides point of Lake MI i believe is like 82 miles...we went from Chicago to Grand Haven few years back...to just under 3hrs...not haulin a$$ or anything but just takin it easy....didnt see land for a good hour at one point! cool yet scary feeling

I've gone from Hammond up to Saugatuck...about 80 miles. Came back in 3-5s in my 29 PQ...that was NOT an enjoyable experience! I was so nervous the whole way...when we got home I kissed the docks! This was my first or second year owning a boat, so I didn't really know how to drive yet. Good luck...make sure you've got a good radio...no cell towers out there!

Yeah I have a marine radio, GPS, etc... I'm not a stranger to the great lakes, just don't usually venture out too far. Been boating for many years, so I am confident in my abilities, just question my boats ability a bit. Sounds like this would be easily achieved in the right conditions with my boat. Thanks guys!

I grew up in Muskegon, MI and now keep my boat in Racine, WI. Have logged many hours on lake michigan....

In my opinion, the best place to cross Lake Michigan is between sheboygan, WI and Pentwater, MI (both have very nice harbors) I believe the distance is somewhere around 62 miles. Lake michigan is roughly 83 miles wide from Muskegon to Milwaukee.

Yes you could cross lake michigan in good weather in that little boat, you could cross an ocean in good weather in a little boat. But, weather in Lake michigan can be extremely unpredicable and can blow up in a hurry. A few summers ago, my brother and I just went from muskegon to grand haven, went all the way into spring lake, visited some friends, and headed back for home (approx 2 hours later). Our pleasant trip down was now a nightmare coming back. Still sunny and clear, however the wind was now out of the north with good 5-6 footers coming our way.... A good website to check is "weather.gov" and go to the marine forcast area. You can click on the great lakes and specifically Lake michigan. Check to see how different the conditions are out in the middle of the lake compared to the shoreline areas. I think you'll be surprised. Also, I would recommend to go across on the lake-express ferry (muskegon-milwaukee) at least once and experience a crossing for yourself... you'll find it's extremely lonley and unforgiving out there even in that 175' boat. Which leads me to my last...um...

What the he11 are you doing trying to cross that lake in a 23' bowrunner. At least have a closed bow for something like that. Deep V or no deep V, all it would take is one largish wave and now you're swamped, taking on more water with smaller waves... now your electrical goes out..........Not to be Joe Safety but, Read the book: "Boatsmart chronicles, lake michigan devours it's wounded" available from barnes and noble or amazon.
The book is written by a somewhat overzealous retired coast guard captain, however, it has 100's of stories of DUMB boaters. Most of them were not paying attention, did not know much about boating, or doing things with their boat they had no business doing - pushing the seaworthiness of their boat

If I haven't talked you out of it yet, and this is something you're going to do anyway.... have no "set" schedule for this and leave on a morning when the wind is dead calm and you have extenesively checked the weather. Spend the day on the other side and come back whenever you can get an identical weather day. As I pointed out before, even on a "good" weather forcast day, the wind out there can switch during the midday heat (the middle of the lake really never warms up) and come out of the north causing some really rough seas. Bring lots of extra fuel. If you can only get approx a little over 100 miles on a tank, what happens if you get hit with a headwind... you're gonig to burn right through that fuel fighting the waves.

In closing, I would encourage you to really think this through. If it's something you just have to do, think about getting a sailboat (much more seaworthy), or a larger powerboat with a closed bow.

Good luck brotha'

Thanks for your input nmogren. I'm not trying to do some crazy Evil Knievel chit. Just a thought. Not some life goal or anything like that. I'd be doing it in a 23' bowrunner because that's what I have, at least until I can sell it and by JIMKID's 30 skater. I can be talked out of it for sure. Never even decided I was going to do it. Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts.

Just do it with a group of boats so yo uhave a backup way of getting home if something happens....and go for it

I wouldnt try it in an open bow.

Back in 1997 or 98 I was out running with a buddy.

I had just bought my 272, he was is a 21' open bow.

Had 2 waves come over the bow and took it right down.

He had the bow canvas on to,, ripped it right off.

I don't think i'd do it in an open bow boat either. I don't like open bow boats for boating on anything but small inland lakes. Just too many stories of taking a big wave over the bow and sinking.

Frankfort to Sturgeon Bay. Somewhere in the 60-ish mile range.
No way in an open bow. The lake can be extremely different condition-wise from one side to the other.
And just cause NOAA says it's calm doesn't mean squat. Sometimes I think they're looking in their bath tub when they say the waves are calm. Been out there before bashing thru 5+'s and listening to NOAA say calm to 6 inches