Lake Michigan Resident and Never Owned A Boat. Whats A Good Length To Start Out

@billgriffin - forget those preppy girlies - no pooping on the boat - bunch of dock queenetes. If you are in the middle of BFE are you going to be the one to tell the women they can use the head for their morning constitution? I didn't think so. Plus, it's good for the holding tank - keeps the right bugs growing to keep tank smells down.
Now, if the land facilities are there? Yea, don't use the boat.
 
Who in their right mind would want to use the boat head when there is a perfectly fine, filthy, smelly, public facility at the end of a long walk down the dock in inclement weather. Maybe someone who was severely toilet trained?
 
IMG_1332.jpeg
 
sbw1 said:
Who in their right mind would want to use the boat head when there is a perfectly fine, filthy, smelly, public facility at the end of a long walk down the dock in inclement weather. Maybe someone who was severely toilet trained?
Click to expand...
My marina has very clean, AC controlled facilities. Much more comfortable than the boat. :)
 
Golfman25 said:
My marina has very clean, AC controlled facilities. Much more comfortable than the boat. :)
Click to expand...
You need a more comfortable boat. Most transient marinas have dirty public washrooms. I can’t tell you how many I have seen and the Great Lakes have have pretty good facilities. Nothing better than your own clean boat.
 
Let me qualify. We very very seldom overnighted in a marina. We did and still do prefer anchor out, hence my love and requirement of Zodiacs. So ya if you’re entertaining in a marina of course use land toilets. We almost never did/do. Shatting in the head is a requirement.
 
sbw1 said:
Who in their right mind would want to use the boat head when there is a perfectly fine, filthy, smelly, public facility at the end of a long walk down the dock in inclement weather. Maybe someone who was severely toilet trained?
Click to expand...
Obviously, you don’t anchor out. Missing the best part of boating. Give it a try.
 
Hey Pirate Lady,
I don’t own a boat, hence, my original post for size recommendations. But, when I do purchase, I intend to explore much of Lake Michigan’s shoreline and will use the anchor, generator, galley, berth & head.
I just moved here last July only having previous boating experience as first mate on a 65’ in Ft Lauderdale. The possibilities here in Michigan are astounding.
 
My new marina has awesome bathroom facilities, spic & span clean, but I rarely use them. From the boat to them is almost a quarter mile, I'm not much for walking anymore, if I make it to my truck and drive up, when I come back someone has stolen my parking spot.

Hell, I've plopped my butt for a rest on just about every ones dockbox on the way to shore. Luckily I'm on a dock that is plumbed for pumpout in the slip, cost me an extra 1,000 to be on that dock but it's sure handy, I can poop in the head all I want, don't have to leave the slip to empty the holding tank.

The only boat heads I've used are vacuflush, so can't compare to anything else but once you learn how to use them they work well.
 
So I have stayed away from this thread on purpose, but I have to agree with Tom (@ttmott) about getting your feet wet in boating first.

But here is where we diverge, I would look at a 24' Sea Ray Sundeck. My reason is there is a small head on the boat for the admiral. Get a boat with no head and your boating experience is just about over.

That said, it also has some nice amities for a 24' boat. No over night's, no guest sleep overs, but it will let you see a little bit of what boating is about. There is so much about owning a boat that you don't know about.

Having a bout in a slip is a real nice convenience. I have been a boater for my whole life, grew up in a boat yard. If I had to trailer a boat, I would have another car instead.
 
Skybolt said:
Get a boat with no head and your boating experience is just about over.
If I had to trailer a boat, I would have another car instead.
Click to expand...
First boat after moving from Ohio to the Chesapeake was a 18’ bowrider SeaRay. Got that cause back in Ohio my only experience with boats was a friend’s bowrider. No toilet. I had that boat 5 WEEKS. Wife said this ain’t working. Traded it in.
I knew from jump street I was never gonna trailer, never ever happen. I like sports cars that dont tow. Wasn’t giving them up for a boat.
Sky, you and I think so much alike, we need to get together some day and pound some serious beers.
 
Pirate Lady said:
First boat after moving from Ohio to the Chesapeake was a 18’ bowrider SeaRay. Got that cause back in Ohio my only experience with boats was a friend’s bowrider. No toilet. I had that boat 5 WEEKS. Wife said this ain’t working. Traded it in.
I knew from jump street I was never gonna trailer, never ever happen. I like sports cars that dont tow. Wasn’t giving them up for a boat.
Sky, you and I think so much alike, we need to get together some day and pound some serious beers.
Click to expand...

New season, new adventures. Tolchester is always a in the forecast as is Fairlee :p

Would love to have a beer or two with you my friend.
 
I am messaging an owner of a 2002 340 and boat is still in water in upper Chesapeake Bay. Claims the marina does some bubbling method ( i guess to reduce ice forming ).
 
billgriffin said:
I am messaging an owner of a 2002 340 and boat is still in water in upper Chesapeake Bay. Claims the marina does some bubbling method ( i guess to reduce ice forming ).
Click to expand...

I would never buy a boat from there, or salt water, when you live on the greatest fresh water lakes in the world. There will be dozens, if not more, boats similar to what you are looking for popping up in a few weeks. Nope, not a chance I would look on the Chesapeake Bay at this point (nor Florida, etc.).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,182
Messages
1,428,060
Members
61,088
Latest member
SGT LAT
Back
Top