Oregon Inlet NC to Chicago IL (Lake Michigan) by water

jma254 · 08-14-2007, 08:23 PM

I was wondering if anyone had an estimate of how long it will take to get from Oregon Inlet NC to Lake Michigan via boat in terms of days. The route would be to run the outside the whole way up and then take the Hudson River to the erie canals and then on through Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron, and finally Michigan. I have a 35' sportfish that will likely be making the trip soon, cruise will be between 30-35 kts depending on seas. Thanks.

boatdiver · 08-14-2007, 09:20 PM

One of my partners just did it in about 12 running days. He was in a 92' that only had about a 18 knot cruise. I think it was only 12 days from about there, he ran all the way from Lauderdale. The slow parts are the canals. Lake Erie to Chicago is only two long days. NC to the Hudson is only three I think. The canals will add the rest.

DrJim · 08-14-2007, 09:26 PM

30-35 knots cruise??? I find that hard to believe, but if true that is going to be one expensive trip.

jma254 · 08-14-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

DrJim - 8/14/2007 9:26 PM

30-35 knots cruise??? I find that hard to believe, but if true that is going to be one expensive trip.

With the right seas (flat) we will be able to get that. I took it from Pirates Cove to Lauderdale in the winter and we had 3-5 seas the whole way and I could only get around 27kts cruising. On the way back up to NC in early June we had horrible weather and I only cruised around 23 kts on the outside. In May I had perfect weather for a trip from Lauderdale to Marathon and I got 35 kts, so I guess it all depends, but yes 30-35 GPH will not be cheap for 10-12 days running.

jma254 · 08-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

boatdiver - 8/14/2007 9:20 PM

One of my partners just did it in about 12 running days. He was in a 92' that only had about a 18 knot cruise. I think it was only 12 days from about there, he ran all the way from Lauderdale. The slow parts are the canals. Lake Erie to Chicago is only two long days. NC to the Hudson is only three I think. The canals will add the rest.

Thanks for the info, I guess that is about what I was figuring, with maybe be able to shave a day off of it here and there. I also have heard that if you cut the canals short and come into Lake Ontario instead of going all the way to Lake Erie you can save some time if you dont mind burning fuel.

nas130 · 08-14-2007, 10:27 PM

I am in The north end of Lake Huron right now, we took the boat up from Ft. Lauderdale. We took longer but here are my estimates for you.

OI to NYC 2-3 days - Stop at Liberty Landing in Jersey City for fuel
NYC to Troy, NY at the top of the Hudson River.

21.15 foot clearance Erie Canal From troy to Oswego NY 3 days. I stopped in Fonda and Rome. If you are less than 15 ft you can go all the way from Troy, NY to Buffalo, NY, but I do not have any experience with it.

Oswego to Welland Canal Entrance 1 day

Welland canal - budget one day

Welland canal to Detroit, one long day

Detroit to Mackinaw Island, one long day

Mackinaw to Chicago 1-2 days.

Purchase the Dozier's Waterway guide, Great Lakes addition.

Pm me with any more questions.

nas

Stretch · 08-14-2007, 10:29 PM

What kind of 35-ft. sportfish cruises at 27 knots in 3-to-5's?

CaptKennyW · 08-14-2007, 10:38 PM

Need a Captain Ill do it LOL!!! (seriously i will)

sammi · 08-14-2007, 11:07 PM

If you can get through the welland and still have 2 or 3 hours of light you can try to get to Erie Pa. Nice protected harbor and some nice places to stay. Erie Yacht Club is one of them. I may be biased since I am a member.

originalsin · 08-15-2007, 06:44 AM

Why is it so important how fast he's gonna go.

DrJim · 08-15-2007, 07:27 AM

Its not important really but the stench of that "inherited a 54 Bertram" post is still hanging around here..

jma254 · 08-15-2007, 09:19 AM

Nas thanks for the info. I had already purchased the Dozier's Great Lakes guide and think its an excellent resource, but its also great to hear from someone who has first hand experience doing the trip. Most the the captains I have worked with have done different parts of the trip, but have never done the whole trip at one time, so I was having a difficult time getting an actual estimate for the whole trip. I doubt I will be able to make the entire trip with the boat, so I was thinking maybe I would just do the canals, since those are likely a 2 man job anways at the locks. Is this correct, that you really need 2 people at the locks to the hold the boat at the side?