www.iFourWinns.com

Any Lake Michigan boaters out there?

I an wonder about how the new 210 would perform on lake michigan.

I have only been out there on 30+ footers which seemed to respond well even with rough water.

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

Down around Chicago smaller boats like ours tend to only go out on calm days and stay in within the breaker walls, or cruise the canals taking the scenic loop tour.

Although I keep my H200 up at our lake house in Wisconsin, I too have thought about taking her out on Lake Michigan. Unlike many inland lakes, you must have the appropriate CG approved safety equipment on board including daytime and nighttime visual distress signals (flares).

Knowing how quickly Lake Michigan can kick up, and knowing the brutal frequency and sometimes lack of common direction of the resulting waves (at least around here), taking one or more over the bow is of concern in an open bow boat. I believe the stock bilge pump could easily be over-run, and the engine flooded if this were to happen. Not a good place to be. I've upgraded from the Rule 500 to a Rule 1500, and have plans to add a second when I install the second battery - this may sound extreme, but I did some reasearch and found this to be the minumum recommended by Pascoe. Still, keep to days where the Lake is calm, and stay close to shore and you should be fine.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I had my 21 foot cuddy on Lake Michigan a few times, but I had to pick my days carefully. We ran from Muskegon lake to Grand Haven and back without problems, but it was a bit bumpy in the 2-3 footers. When it's calm, it is a great ride.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

90% of our boating is done on Lake Michigan. Just keep an eye on the weather and you will be fine. Make sure you are up to date on all required safety equipment as the Coast Guard and Sherriff are out there all the time. I get boarded at least once a summer even after having the Coast Guard inspection sticker. Not a big deal if you are following the rules...I would rather have then out there rather than not.

We boat mainly Muskegon to Grand Haven and back. There have been many days where the water is like glass. On the days where it is too rough we stay in Muskegon or Spring Lake.

Same here. Slip our boat on Muskegon Lake, and spend most of our days on Lake Michigan. In a 20 footer, you have to pick your days so everyone will enjoy the ride. We had a 20 foot cuddy for 9 years, and had no problems on the big lake on the right days.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy