St Clair Spring Boating
#1
I just purchased a new to me Formula 370ss located on the Canadian side of St. Clair and I need to bring it across the lake to put it on a trailer. Being form Northern Michigan nothing opens up around here unit after may 1st and I want to get my boat back home as soon as possible. Just wondering form boaters in that area about the earliest I could safely cross the lake? Thanks
#3
I'm sure I could but being a wide load, I'm told it complicates the process with importation and it is supposedly a pretty easy check in via water. Its in heated storage right now so its not that big of deal, I just have no idea when LSC usually thaws and was hoping someone local to that area could shed some light for me. Any other year I wouldn't even think about getting the boat out until mid May but I am anxiously awaiting spring right now. I am hoping by Mid April I can bring it across but I guess it all depend on the weather. Thanks
#4
Registered
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 8
From: Southeast Michigan
This.
I went out the first weekend of May last season and was still dodging some limbs and logs, more as we approached Belle Isle. I’m not saying I won’t do it again this season, but I’ll put the cheap SEI lower unit on and make sure my BoatUS towing is up to date.
#5
Registered

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 18
From: Lapeer, MI
I talked to my Grandpa, hes been boating on LSC for 60 years now. He said people start putting boats in the water around April 1st. But most just do that to get it off of land.. not really going boating.
#6
Registered

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 409
Likes: 88
From: W. Mich.
I have no idea how wide load affects import paperwork but depending on width annual wide load permits are simple in MI.
Enter boat, trailer, and truck info (you need a permit for each) and your CC info, hit “submit” and other than printing your permits you’re done.
Our 43 is 9’ 6” wide and permits are all that’s required at that width; no banners, signs, flags, chase vehicle, etc.
there are some road & travel time restrictions but for the most part they make sense.
Just my .02 but I think I’d find out exactly what the hassle is at the border before I’d risk damage to my boat. We were in Grand Haven not long ago & I can’t believe the amount and size of the logs and other debris we saw in the channel.
Good luck
dave
Enter boat, trailer, and truck info (you need a permit for each) and your CC info, hit “submit” and other than printing your permits you’re done.
Our 43 is 9’ 6” wide and permits are all that’s required at that width; no banners, signs, flags, chase vehicle, etc.
there are some road & travel time restrictions but for the most part they make sense.
Just my .02 but I think I’d find out exactly what the hassle is at the border before I’d risk damage to my boat. We were in Grand Haven not long ago & I can’t believe the amount and size of the logs and other debris we saw in the channel.
Good luck
dave



