Sail across Lake Michigan?

Has anyone tried to sail across lake Michigan (from Chicago East) in a Hobie 16?

Can it be done? I'm not familiar with the lake conditions yet, but I'm wondering what people think of that undertaking and if anyone has done it or tried it.

If we did attempt it we'd have a motorized chase boat come along.

G

It can be done but why?

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Smooth Sailing

Challenge - have you done it? How long did it take? What was the weather like?

No I have not done it. But it can be done.

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Smooth Sailing

I'm sure you've seen my silly ass plan to sail all the way around Florida next year. That should make you feel better about the lake, although you cant see land from the middle of the lake, and I dont intend to be that far from land. Plus alot of my trip will be in the intracoastal waterway.

I have seen your plan - it sounds like fun too!

G

On Saturday I sailed across Lake Michigan from Evanston, Illinois to Benton Harbor, Michigan. It was 62 miles - awesome!

Pretty cool being in the middle of the lake completely out of sight from land!

I crossed on a 20 foot Nacra 6.0 NA. For those of you not familiar with Nacras, it's basically a 20 foot Hobie with a spinnaker.

It took 5.5 hours.

Let me know if you're considering a similar trip and I'll tell you what type of safety/emergency equipment I brought along.

sounds like alot of fun...

Starting in the country, Sailing 60 miles across americas largest lake to pull up to port In a big city, in a little 16ft hobie
Sounds like my kinda trip!

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

Hope the wind doesnt die tho ...

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

I have crossed Lake Mi over three dozen times in everything from a F-24 trimaran to a 70 ft monohull, Queens Cup, Clipper Cup Tripp Cup& the old TransMI. Fastest time is 8 hours 6 min and slowest was about 26 hours. On the right day with the right conditions it can be done. I however have seen the conditions go from good to really bad quickly. Proceed with caution.

My long distance cruises or races on my beach catamaran will be along the shoreline. I hate to paddle and/or its tough to reef in the lake.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

I used to sail from Montrose Harbor, Chicago to Michigan City, IN which was about 40 miles, the best I can recall. It was about an 8 hour sail and the weather can pick up pretty fast. It is an adventure but be prepared.

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Brooks

My friend crossed from Stoney Lake (North of Muskegon area) to Wisconsin (many years ago when we were teens) on his hobie 16. He had some calm air times and it took many hours. I think he siad it was like 18 hours... He landed on a beach and went to try and sleep in the staircase of a apt building. Two guys found him and upon hearing his tale - had him in for a steak dinner and sleep.

NExt day he started his way back - hit a storm shortly into the crossing and was forced down to Chicago. That is when I found out about it. I was reading the sunday paper and there was a AP photo of him on his boat in Chicago with the story. He then made it up to south Haven and was exhausted... so he then called his folks to come with the trailer and pick him up.

A few weeks later he joined the Marines.

A guy at the boat shop was talking about his trip across. Him and his buddy sailed two hobie 16's all the way across on a screaming reach. They averaged 7 and had their teenage daughters on board. He said it was a great time.

I sail out of Wilmette and always thought it would be a great adventure to sail across the lake. The north winds have already started and the water will be warm enough for a month, so now you've got me thinking how cool it would be to reach across the entire lake......

Great idea. This is a longshot, but anyone looking for a first mate for some long distance L MI coastal cruising in a 16 or 18 this (2012) summer? Or even a crossing on a nice day? I've had a HC in the past, ASA bareboat charter cert, ocean experience. I'm good in dark, heavy weather, open water. Speak Wisconsonese. [email protected] East Lansing MI