www.iFourWinns.com

I was at the Marina this past weekend getting acclimated with some of my new neighbors. The conversation came up about cruising Lake Michigan at night. The gentleman proceeded to tell me that there is a speed limit on the lake after dark of 10 mph. I found this hard to believe. Is that true?

I have no intentions of seeing how fast I can make it from Chicago to Michigan City at 3:00am but if the situation presented itself for an evening cruise, I would be interested in the rules. I never crusie above 25 mph anyways. Thanks.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

There is no speed limit on Lake Michigan to my knowledge. On inland lakes, yes there is.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

What is the speed limit on inland lakes? I never heard of that either. The only speed designation is "No Wake" that I am aware of.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

There is no speed limit on the Great Lakes after dark. I have full electronics, but after one very scary incident 10 years or so back I will not cruise without it being clear and their being at least half a moon.

Different inland lakes have different speed limits. I know the Elk/Torch Lake area have a 25 mph speed limit after dark.

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2005 Silverton 50C
2009 Four Winns 200SS

The speed limits vary by location and lake size. All I know for sure, is on Muskegon Lake the speed limit is 55 mph during the day. I have seen a couple of go fast boats get pulled over for speeding before. No worries for me, no boat I ever owned went that fast.

*Some Michigan lakes and rivers have speed limits as well as regulations about when high-speed boating can occur. Citations may be issued for excessive speed or reckless operation by your local Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol. Use common sense, and operate at a safe speed at all times — especially in crowded areas.

*Excessive speed is a rate of speed greater than is reasonable or prudent without regard for conditions and hazards or greater than will permit a person to bring the boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

http://dsam-mi.org/content/view/213/128/

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Some of our local inland lakes have 35mph limits, a few of which have radar to enforce. I take the opportunity early in the season to open it up when no one is watching

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Are these speed posted in some sort of way? Or are you just supposed to know? interesting

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

They're posted at the launch along with the lake regulations on the signs that most people probably don't read. Some of the lakes are flexible with limits as long as you are safe, but one in particular is known for enforcement.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I live a mile or so from a lake called Lake Tapps in Western Wa.

It's a residential lake where almost every inch of shoreline is someones back yard. It's crazy there during the day especially during a warm weekend!

Last fall someone was roaring around in the middle of the night and crashed into someone else who was just floating around in a boat in the middle of the lake. I think 2 or 3 people were killed.

I wouldn't even go out on a lake at night without RADAR!


Cheers,


Rick

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

I had an experience last year where I was going from the mouth of one river to another out in the bay. About a mile swing, we no sooner made it to deep enough water and I just wanted to get it on plane and some guy in a fishing boat turned on a flashlight and started waving it at me

I pulled it back to and idle and said the same thing.... I need radar! I havent been out since after sunset.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Michigan Law for the Great Lakes;

Failure To Regulate Speed is defined as operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger to the life or property of any other person or at speeds that will not permit you to bring your vessel to a safe stop. It is illegal to:

Operate a vessel in excess of 55 mph unless you are at least one mile offshore on the Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair.
Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” when a person is in the bow of a vessel without proper seating.
Operate a vessel faster than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions (weather, vessel traffic, etc.).

You can get this information from the Michigan DNR on-line boating course

http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/course/

Ok, you cant just leave us hanging...what happened?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Like I said...10 - 12 years ago now I have a 32' Express Cruiser. We were up in Traverse City and went out to see the fireworks on the 4th of July. Very dark night, no moon like I mention above. We take our time and decide to head back to the marina. I do not drink one drop when the boat is out of the slip. I was going as slow as I could and still staying on plane...about 20 mph. Had my radar running and all looked good. Now my wife is very nervous boating at night. So we have EVERY light on the boat turned on to make us as visible as possible. I am watching the radar and now I see a blip on the screen coming up very quickly on our stern. I turn around and can see the red and green lights of a boat baring down on us. Me, wife, and the 6 friends we had on board all start to scream at wave our hands as this go fast going probably 50 - 60 mph is barreling right down on us. He sees us at the LAST second and peels off to he starboard. That boat came close enough to splash water into our cockpit. Not a little water either...A LOT. I would say he missed us by 2' or less. We were all drenched as well as the boat. Can you imaging what would have happened had he not seen us? I was not a small little fishing boat either and like I said...had all the lights on and could be seen very well. Plus...he did not stop to see if we were ok or apologize.

From that day on...I have always kept a hand held spotlight at the helm with me. It was scary...and I can still see the bow and side of this boat as it pooled off.

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2005 Silverton 50C
2009 Four Winns 200SS

Here is the law for IL and IN boundary waters... I know, because I got a ticket from DNR.

No speed limit on IL boundary waters.. Speed limit of no wake or 5 mph from shore to 500 feet,
There IS a dusk to dawn speed limit on IN boundary water (no wake speed or 5 mph) on Lake Michigan.. Speed limit of no wake or 5 mph from shore to 500 feet.


I have the speeding ticket to prove it.. I was coming back to Hammond Marina from IL... The weather and water was calm as can be.. No one was out (it was a weekday) I decided to zip along the IN side for a mile or so... And I was lit up by the IN DNR. I was given a ticket for speeding after dark, and the rule was 5mph (no wake.) I was stunned because I had boating classes, and they NEVER mentioned it in the IN or Great Lakes literature. Also, night time is a haven for high speed go fast runs. After 2 weeks of searching, I found the regulation.. But I got the ticket bounced in court... (even the DNR materials do not disclose the limit) They were looking for booze, but I never drink while piloting...

In IL, it's all go.. in IN, it slow, slow.. lol

on another note... I was chastised by the Coasties for shining my spot at their boat... They told me it was illegal... They were floating in a direct path from Chicago to the Cal Sag channel (looking for drunks I bet.) But they were spinning around and around... I could not get a good fix on their nav. lights, so I hit them with a spot.. Man were they pissed... I have STILL never figured out if I did anything wrong.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

I do the spotlight in hand thing too when out at night.

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