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Anyone taking a yacht up to the Great Lakes this season; plans? route?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Capt J, May 4, 2020.

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  1. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    We can't go anywhere in terms of going to a port, getting out and exploring, eating, so we take trips to nowhere. This is our third weekend doing so. Nowhere is somewhere within a day, somewhere to anchor for the day. Either there and back on same day or overnight and back the following day. Many of the 80-100+ you refer would normally have gone up the coast, perhaps to the NE, or headed to the Bahamas or even the Caribbean. So, we enjoy the trip to nowhere. About to head home from ours for today. Just a nice day on the water.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    They have. I have a friend who runs a 130', Normally leaves for up North end of April, delayed now until June 1st last I spoke to him. I ran a yacht past 3 days and ICW very busy for a week day. Lake Boca busy for a week day.
  3. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    It’s always better running with company, and Dave is a great guy to cruise with. Almost 30 days in, and we’re still laughing and enjoying the trip, which should end today.

    Short of being held up a couple of hours by a less than professional tow Captain in the canal, we had a great day yesterday. Stopped at Sunset Harbor Marina and will head out shortly. Hopefully O’Brien will take us right in, but if not, we can just sit right here until they can.

    Planning to drive up to Cheboygan MI to head back south with that 53MY.
  4. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Well, 30 days later, the trip from Stuart, FL to Racine, WI ended at about 7PM yesterday. We left Sunrise Bay Marina at 5:15AM, and O’Brien was open and ready for us. What we didn’t expect was a two hour delay at Nickel Plate Bridge (RR) and a bridge tender who was MIA.

    When we entered the lake, it was pretty sporty, even for this big Hatt. We had the arch very well secured, but once we left the harbor into that mixed up mess, we decided to sit a spell in Hammond to let things settle. We weren’t in any particular rush, and it made for a much nicer, six hour finish to a great trip.

    I couldn’t have asked for better travel companions than Dave and Trina who were awesome! In short, we had a blast from start to finish. Now it’s off to Cheboygan, MI to bring friends south in their recently purchased 53MY.
  5. GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    We had planned on taking a Pluckebaum for a spin on the Mississippi but that's not gonna work on our timeline. Instead my sons will be taking their vessel from Newfoundland to the St Lawrence as far as Kingston, then play the rest by ear.
  6. GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    Lake Michigan chop will get you everytime. Three to five second waves upset alot of bluewater boaters.
  7. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    It was perfectly flat today. Bringing that 53MY south and left Cheboygan MI yesterday.

    Stayed at Jacobsen’s in Frankfort and headed out about 5:30AM to Racine. About an hour out now.
  8. yr2030

    yr2030 Senior Member

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    I'll probably see you in Newfoundland. Have a tow up there going to the Davis Straits
  9. yr2030

    yr2030 Senior Member

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  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The track looks like it's a bit West of the entire Tenn Tomm and very weak by the time it gets to the Mississippi river, but still. AS IF, it isn't challenging enough to get a yacht into the Great Lakes this year, between having to go the Tenn Tomm route, the flooding of the Illinois River and now this!
  11. yr2030

    yr2030 Senior Member

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    It was supposed to make landfall this am. However, it's not the rain as much as it is the wind on the northeast side of the storm. Those western rivers are so dirty and filled with flotsam, you'll need to scrub your hull after Chicago locks.
  12. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    I’m at Polestar now awaiting an AC water pump that I ordered on Friday. Been miserable since Thursday when it went out.

    Flooding on the Illinois isn’t as bad as it was on that northern delivery, but it’s still very high on the southern end. The Mississippi is running hard right now, even here. Should make for an interesting run back south.

    Turns out I’ll be taking this 53 Hatt all the way to Gulfport, MS. Will keep you guys posted on water conditions.
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You should be flying if you're going South.
  14. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Made the diversion canal at 7. Current was 5-6MPH. Sure is more fun going with it instead of against it!
  15. captaintilt

    captaintilt Senior Member

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    Glad to see Capt J and Freebird making way up the Tenn-Tom Route and to their final destinations. After much deliberation with the owner, and with some help from Rodger, we loaded the Yacht on a ship on Monday in Port Everglades to be offloaded in the Great Lakes at the end of the month along with a few other Yachts. Was fun making the arrangements and getting the Yacht on the ship the other day, and looking forward to getting it off the ship and delivered to its owner. Good luck to Freebird on your return trip!
  16. GhostriderIII

    GhostriderIII Senior Member

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    We decided this morning to not go. We'll follow you up to Iqaluit instead. Better sailing - just to avoid the bergie bits
  17. yr2030

    yr2030 Senior Member

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    We will be on the lookout for you
  18. Freebird

    Freebird Member

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    Departed Grand Harbor at 5AM and hope to make Columbus. We’ll see, but the lock gods will have to REALLY be on our side.

    Short day yesterday after a 16.5 hour run the day before. I would have preferred stopping at Bay Springs, but we had a birthday girl onboard. Drove into Corinth for a nice dinner.
  19. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'm thinking by leaving at 5:00 AM, Columbus isn't likely to be a problem for you today. It does seem a delay for you between Montgomery and Rankin though.
  20. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Colombus marina is very shallow in between the 4 entrance channel markers directly in front of the fuel dock. I got stuck with a 4'2 draft. It is just soft mud.......