Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

[Tubingluvr]

We currently live on a small lake (725 acres).
We currently run an 18 foot Searay bowrider.
We are interested in occasional trips to Lake Michigan.
We would be interested in a daytime trip and probably wouldn't venture
more than 3/4 of a mile from shore.
We would be interested mainly in tubing.
I would like to buy about a 24' to 26', but am unsure if that would be
a bow rider or cuddy.
Please advise

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

Your bow rider is fine for 3/4 mile offshore unless you just want a larger boat. I personally am no fan of open bows, have owned a couple, but would rather have a closed bow or cuddy cabin.

I assume you have an adequate tow vehicle for the 26' boat so if I were purchasing a cuddy, it would be the largest one I could tow. The reason for this is that you will gain a nice sleeping area with a head, possibly a water supply and refrigerator as well. Also a good place to put the kids if the weather kicks up.

 

[KCook]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

Small bowriders are at risk on big water. But I think bowriders 24' and up have a lot better handle on the big waves. That still leaves the classic bowrider vs cuddy arguments. As Mr. Ross already cited. If you'd rather have a bowrider, go for it. But you can find some nice cuddy cabins in that size. I'd say it just comes down to personal preference.

Nice to have choices,
Kelly Cook

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

Kelly is playn it safe, and as he should. you make no mention as to the size of your boat, aka what is the beam, how much v in degree's or how much it draft's.

I have a 17.2' foot boat that has a 7' beam and a 16 degree v and draft's 10" of water. And a 18.6 boat that has a 8' beam with a 20 degree and draft's 18" of water.

The 17' boat stay's in water where the chop or waves will not exceed 2-3' on a very bad day, the 18 can run over the top of a 2' chop like its not there.

There are time's where size does matter and in this case girth matter a lot...... Ohh and a few feet......


Ya gotta know your enviroment, 1 mile off shore is 120 seconds on a average day, are you paying attention, truly that is the bench mark, and this is not a dis just a heads up......

 

[rheyboer]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

Tub:

I have an 18' bowrider that I take to Lake Michigan WHEN conditions are ok.

-Get the marine forcast. If they mention 3' waves as even a possibility stay home. I've gone in 3 footers, on the way back to shore. Even trimmed bow up it was stress.

-Have VHF and cell phone and flares. Hand held bilge pump in case you lose power.

I'll be going to the Manitous, 7 miles out, in a couple of weeks. IF the forecast looks good. Some of my boating background is sailing Lake Michigan (Mac race...), so I,ve been out there in 8-12 footers. Fun and scary at the same time. With a BR you must respect that big, cold water. It sounds like you do. Have fun.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

We have decided against both no bow rider or cuddy for us.
We have decided to take the financial plunge and opt for a 28' to 30' Express Cruiser.
I personally don't see any point in a cuddy , if you can't have the forward seating then you might as well live up there.
A cuddy doesn't give enough room in the bow, if I'm going to go that route I'm going for it all.
Right now we are considering a 28' Baja Express Cruiser

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

i don't know much about the great lakes, swam there once. but we have a Chris Craft 230 Deckboat, we use in Florida, when going off shore we have the bow cover, with the support poles. which we can install if conditions get bad. we very seldom take any water over the bow, other than spray. it's also self bailing.

 

[burroak]

Re: Bow Rider or not on the Great Lakes

Over on the west shore of Lake Michigan, if it wasn't for open 18' boats and bow riders, all the fishing would be left to the white cable stitch sweater set in the marina mooring basins. Yesterday was the shake down voyage for our 18' Starcaraft bowrider that has been restored. The seas were from chop in the early AM to 2 footers by noon and the bilge never ran and back on the trailer not a drop came out of the transom drain. An 18' is very adequate for the Great Lakes.

A wise captain is the most vital part of a safe trip. Know your weather conditions. Listen to your radio for static; move closer to the harbor at that time. The weather band on you VHF is somewhat helpful, but don't risk your life on it. TD has the right idea concerning canvas over the open bow. It is a good indicator of when to make for shore. 30 years ago when the boat was fresh, I took two guys from Iowa out to fish in questionable weather, but when a wave popped the canvas cover out of the bow, as captain, I decided enough was enough. After my quests protested the decision, they were told, "This is a small boat, however, as captain, under maritime law I am allowed to shoot mutineers." I may have overstated that a bit. We did go in though.

All in all, you will that find an 18' bowrider will make the Great Lakes accessible to you as long as you are informed and use good judgment. No boat is big enough for the Great Lakes when they go wild.

Edmund Fitzgerald, anyone?