Crossing from Sturgeon Bay, WI to Manistee, MI - Who's done it?

[Stee6043]

Congrats man, we're looking to jump to a 400/410 possibly next season. I'm going to end up with the same gas vs diesel dilemma boating on Lake Ontario. Diesel sounds great, but gassers could get me anywhere on this lake we need to go and as a DIY mechanic when I can be the room sure is welcomed. Good luck with her and post pics of the trip

Diesels are the clear winner in just about every category. It's nearly impossible to justify gas in a boat this size unless the stars align properly. Which, for me, they did. I am a short range boater using the boat as much as a cottage as we do to get around on the water. I run the boat right around 50 hours per year, 80%+ of it at hull speed. We have three young kids who are happy just about anywhere we go so long as it involves them ending up in the water.

Speaking of three young kids....my budget is somewhat restricted for future "what if's". If I blew a diesel motor in the next 3-5 years I'd be in a rather uncomfortable position. A position that would include ramen noodles and really, really cheap beer.

Passionate online debates aside, Sea Ray sold a boat load (awesome pun) of 400/410's with gas engines back in the day. For some folks it just makes sense. For many more, it doesn't.

I'm two days away from curing my six foot itus. Maybe in another 5-7 years I can earn the respect of the real boaters around here and get myself into a diesel powered rig. I doubt they'll accept me ino the 400 thread willingly based on my inferior power plants. But at least I'm not buying a sail boat. Nor a Cruisers...

 

[Woody]

I was hoping not to jinx it but with the current forecast....the damage is already done. I'm heading over to take possession of a '97 400. It looks like we'll get to spend a couple days at the dock getting to know her before coming across. I don't want my first trip in this boat to be a brutal experience and the weekend wind forecast is not trending favorably.

I figured you were keeping a secret, congrats.

 

[Boatingnut]

The Frankfort-Sturgeon Bay trip, on a nice day, can be like a two lane highway. Very popular crossing in the summer. Easy run, for sure. Done it several times!

 

[Strecker25]

Diesels are the clear winner in just about every category. It's nearly impossible to justify gas in a boat this size unless the stars align properly. Which, for me, they did. I am a short range boater using the boat as much as a cottage as we do to get around on the water. I run the boat right around 50 hours per year, 80%+ of it at hull speed. We have three young kids who are happy just about anywhere we go so long as it involves them ending up in the water.

Speaking of three young kids....my budget is somewhat restricted for future "what if's". If I blew a diesel motor in the next 3-5 years I'd be in a rather uncomfortable position. A position that would include ramen noodles and really, really cheap beer.

Passionate online debates aside, Sea Ray sold a boat load (awesome pun) of 400/410's with gas engines back in the day. For some folks it just makes sense. For many more, it doesn't.

I'm two days away from curing my six foot itus. Maybe in another 5-7 years I can earn the respect of the real boaters around here and get myself into a diesel powered rig. I doubt they'll accept me ino the 400 thread willingly based on my inferior power plants. But at least I'm not buying a sail boat. Nor a Cruisers...

Yup, got a 3 week old at home myself. The whole idea of the cost to replace a gasser vs a rebuild of a diesel makes the decision harder, and the performance of the 400's with gassers is actually pretty respectable considering the size of the boat. I do have dreams of lots of travel with the little guy once he gets older though, so diesels would be more favorable in that way. Can't wait to start looking myself, enjoy the new boat!

 

[Stee6043]

Had a blast of a weekend though the trip across didn't go exactly as I had planned. The winds on Friday and Saturday were 20+kts. We heard stories at the gas dock of 7'+ waves just outside Sturgeon Bay on Saturday. As a result we stayed put hoping for a weather window on Sunday.

We ended up staying at the Quarter Deck marina in Sturgeon Bay. If any of you guys/gals find yourselves in the area you should stop in. The folks at this marina were amazing. The nicest around. And the facility is outstanding. It actually made me feel like I'm over paying a bit down in Grand Haven

Sunday morning came and one of the folks we met at the marina was going to make an early push across. So we followed him out the channel at about 6:30AM. We hit the open water and set a target for Ludington. Waves were 2' +/- when we left, it calmed a bit in the middle and was sub 1' as we approached Ludington. As a result we pushed on to Pentwater for gas. At that point we decided to keep going for Grand Haven. I had thoughts of staying due to the forecast for the afternoon but we were making good time and decided to give it a shot. It got quite a bit rougher south of Pentwater. We were in consistent 3's with the occasional 4' as we pushed past Muskegon. This 400 will plow through 3' +/- chop at 16+/- kts. It was impressive. Not the most comfortable ride but the boat felt worlds more comfortable in this kind of water than my 340 did.

Here's our trip home. She ran like a champ. Has a slight leak in the steering at the helm that will need to be addressed but otherwise it was a great first weekend on a new-to-us boat.

 

[copb8tx]

Congrats on the new boat and making it across safely.