www.iFourWinns.com

It's been a bit different here lately. This morning when I arrived at work in the dark, the air temp was 82 degrees. 2-1/2 hours later the air temp is now 70 degrees. Yesterday was a record high for Muskegon this time of year @ 85 degrees. Tuesday, we had a measured wind gust at the channel lighthouse of 70 mph. On top of that, we have this marine forecast for the weekend.

GRAND HAVEN TO WHITEHALL MI-
411 AM EDT FRI SEP 24 2010

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...WEST GALES TO 40 KNOTS. PARTLY SUNNY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS
UNTIL MIDDAY...THEN ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 6 TO
10 FEET.
.TONIGHT...NORTHWEST GALES TO 40 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY. WAVES 7 TO
11 FEET.
.SATURDAY...NORTHWEST WINDS TO 30 KNOTS DECREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS
LATE IN THE DAY. MOSTLY SUNNY. WAVES 6 TO 10 FEET SUBSIDING TO 4 TO
6 FEET.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY.
WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET AFTER MIDNIGHT.


Maybe we can get out for a boat ride Sunday, but who knows ......

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I'm taking our boat out of the water this weekend. Previous forecast for Holland showed we would have a nice afternoon for a last ride. I plan to clean up Saturday and trailer to Grand Haven Sunday. Not so sure now.

I'm borrowing my Boss' truck this weekend so I gotta do it now but doesn't look like the best time to.

_________________
Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

I hear ya on the weather Cap'n,

I was looking forward to boating over to the Boat Show at Metro Beach leaving either this evening or Saturday, but with the strong winds forecasted for both days its making me reconsider boating over.

My wife still wants to go, so I think if the weather does not improve for the better we will just drive over.Not as much fun driving as compared to boating over but it will probably save me $100.00 in fuel.

Gale Warning in effect until 2 am Saturday
Forecast as of 9:25 am EDT on September 24, 2010
Lake St Clair-
This Afternoon
Southwest winds to 30 knots with gusts to 35 knot gales. Mostly cloudy early...then gradual clearing...eventually becoming partly sunny. A chance of showers after noon through 4 PM. Waves 2 to 3 feet.
Tonight
West winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 35 knot gales. Partly cloudy during the evening. Mostly cloudy overnight. Waves 2 to 3 feet.
Saturday
West winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots...turning to northwest. Mostly cloudy. Waves 2 to 3 feet.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Wife & I were looking at weather maps last night (after going all through Sea Pickle-II's blog of the MI trip). I pointed out how most of the Michigan LP was showing current temps of the 80s.

We've had 80s here for the last couple days too, and not as cool at night.

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Cap'n your weather is moving this way. 90 today, 64 tomorrow.

4-6 foot waves by tonight.

Here we go again. Glad our boat is taking it's long winter nap indoors.

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...WEST WINDS TO 30 KNOTS. MOSTLY SUNNY UNTIL MIDDAY...THEN
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 5 TO
8 FEET.
.TONIGHT...NORTHWEST WINDS TO 30 KNOTS DECREASING TO 15 TO 25 KNOTS
AFTER MIDNIGHT. SHOWERS LIKELY...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS OVERNIGHT.
WAVES 3 TO 5 FEET.
.THURSDAY...NORTHWEST WINDS TO 30 KNOTS. PARTLY SUNNY. WAVES 4 TO
7 FEET.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY.
WAVES 3 TO 5 FEET.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I agree with you.....I'm glad our boat is now winterized, blocked and shrink wrapped.

With the cooler temperatures and the sun now setting about 6:30pm and our next 6 days of weather to have 4 days of 60% or higher probability of rain, our boating season in our area is really pretty much wrapping up.

I kept our little 14' Aluminum boat at our marina in hopes to get out a couple times to try some muskie fishing, but thats it for our boating this season. Can't complain, been a good boating season over all.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I agree about the season Mike. It has been the best boating season for us ever. Thrilled about our boat, new marina and an almost perfect summer weather wise. Most gas docks on the water close October 15th, and so do the marina's around here. So if you do not trailer, it's impossible to get fuel or power to your boat this time of year. A small trailerable boat would extend the season, and that is something we will look into in a few years. Walleye fishing is still good here also.
This weather is somewhat typical for this area in Sept/Oct/November.

But more like this from December thru February.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I smiled to myself when I saw your snow covered shoreline pic. I enjoy taking my wife and son for car rides to various marinas in our off season. Typically this means we are seeing other marinas that are snow covered with frozen lakes, but it gives my wife and I a chance to comment on what we like and don't really care for with each marina.

My wife however, takes this opportunity to crank me for my interest in viewing how these various marinas block their boats. Some marinas block their boats in a manner that I would not want mine blocked.

We are thinking about taking a couple of days between Christmas and New Years to visit Michigan. Of course we would try and select a hotel close to the water (even if the lake is frozen). With the Canadian dollar getting close to par with the US dollar again it makes our little trip a little less expensive.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

If you make it all the way over to the "Left Coast" of Michigan, let me know, I can get you a discount on rooms
at the Hotel at our Marina. About as close to the water as you can get around here.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I like discount rates.......

If you don't mind sometime, please PM or post here the address of that Hotel.

I'll check the driving distance from our home so we may consider the feasibilty of making the little journey.

And my wife thinks I sometimes plan too far in advance. Ha

I've had our Hotel Room booked in Toronto for the Toronto Boat Show (January 2011) for two months now.

Thanks,
Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Hey Cap'n. I'm starting to plan next year's big trip already, and since I missed the mark by a long shot as far as good water conditions go on this years trip...what time of the year would you recommend traveling on your side of the lake for next year? The only plus to going when we went this year was we didn't seem to need reservations at any of the marina's, but it wasn't worth the beating we took out there!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Late June to Early July is usually not bad. Lots of activities here then. Or mid July is also good. Granted, marina's are busier around
the 4th of July weekend, but if youplan ahead, you can reserve slips early in 2011 for that summer without much problem.
If you need specific's, just drop me a PM.

Hope you can make it up this way, and have some calmer seas !

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Ben,
My friend Scott took his trip up to Macinac just after our get together in July. He had great weather for the trip there and back. We are thinking of the same time next year heading up for a week or so.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

This is becoming a bi-weekly post lately. This storm will effect most all of the Great Lakes. Now you can see why most Marina's close
in Mid October around here. Coast Guard advised all recreational boats to stay off Lake Michigan the next two days.

LMZ847-261530-
GRAND HAVEN TO WHITEHALL MI-
432 AM EDT TUE OCT 26 2010

...TORNADO WATCH 720 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

.TODAY...SOUTH GALES TO 40 KNOTS INCREASING TO STORM FORCE WINDS
TO 50 KNOTS. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS UNTIL MIDDAY...THEN PARTLY
SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. SOME
THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS UNTIL MIDDAY. WAVES 6 TO
10 FEET BUILDING TO 8 TO 12 FEET LATE IN THE DAY.
.TONIGHT...SOUTHWEST GALES TO 40 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY. WAVES 9 TO
13 FEET.
.WEDNESDAY...SOUTHWEST STORM FORCE WINDS TO 50 KNOTS. MOSTLY
CLOUDY. WAVES 9 TO 13 FEET.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...WEST GALES TO 45 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY WITH
SCATTERED LIGHT SHOWERS. WAVES 10 TO 15 FEET.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy