Best boat for Lake Michigan cruising & crossings

[jcb1977]

I've been thinking ahead to what our next boat should be...as much as we like our 210, we're leaning towards a boat that we can do more cruising along the Lake Michigan coast as well as solo crossings. I know our boats could make it across on calm days but I would only feel comfortable crossing with companion boats.

So what are some opinions on the proper size boat for solo crossings? II would only do a crossing with a good weather forecast of <2' waves but knowing that Lake Michigan can change quickly, it would have to be able to handle big waves. I would wet slip this in a marina so am leaning towards having outboards. The caveat is I would still want the ability to trailer it so want to keep it under 10,000lbs max (I'm comfortable with the need for wide load permits if beam is over 8'6"). I likely will only be trailering twice a year (beginning and end of season to wet slip).

so far I'm looking at the following models:

27' Yamaha models
Jeanneau NC795 - 27' long, 9'3" beam - single outboard 200hp
Jeanneau NC895- 29' long 9'10" beam- twin 200hp outboards (this boat probably too heavy for towing)
Ranger Tugs- probably R25 model which is 25' hull length (overall length of 28'), 8'6" beam, single 250hp outboard with kicker.
axopar 28 cabin- 29' long, 9'8" beam- single or twin outboard options

any thoughts on these boats and their ability for Lake Michigan crossings? would you guys cross with one of the models with a single outboard or would you need twin engines to feel comfortable? anyone familiar with these boats or know of any others that could be an option? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[Bluewater272]

The Axopar Cabin is a neat little boat. It keeps coming near the top of my wish list, I wouldn't hesitate to take it into some dicey waters. Personally I think the T-Top with the aft cabin looks like a more versatile boat.

 

[jcb1977]

The Axopar Cabin is a neat little boat. It keeps coming near the top of my wish list, I wouldn't hesitate to take it into some dicey waters. Personally I think the T-Top with the aft cabin looks like a more versatile boat.

I had not considered the T-top but now that i look at it again, it may make sense. I wonder if they make any canvas enclosures for it.

The Axopar Cabin is a neat little boat. It keeps coming near the top of my wish list, I wouldn't hesitate to take it into some dicey waters. Personally I think the T-Top with the aft cabin looks like a more versatile boat.

seems like the T-top version is a little easier on the wallet too....

 

[OB WI]

I've been thinking ahead to what our next boat should be...as much as we like our 210, we're leaning towards a boat that we can do more cruising along the Lake Michigan coast as well as solo crossings. I know our boats could make it across on calm days but I would only feel comfortable crossing with companion boats.

So what are some opinions on the proper size boat for solo crossings? II would only do a crossing with a good weather forecast of <2' waves but knowing that Lake Michigan can change quickly, it would have to be able to handle big waves. I would wet slip this in a marina so am leaning towards having outboards. The caveat is I would still want the ability to trailer it so want to keep it under 10,000lbs max (I'm comfortable with the need for wide load permits if beam is over 8'6"). I likely will only be trailering twice a year (beginning and end of season to wet slip).

so far I'm looking at the following models:

27' Yamaha models
Jeanneau NC795 - 27' long, 9'3" beam - single outboard 200hp
Jeanneau NC895- 29' long 9'10" beam- twin 200hp outboards (this boat probably too heavy for towing)
Ranger Tugs- probably R25 model which is 25' hull length (overall length of 28'), 8'6" beam, single 250hp outboard with kicker.
axopar 28 cabin- 29' long, 9'8" beam- single or twin outboard options

any thoughts on these boats and their ability for Lake Michigan crossings? would you guys cross with one of the models with a single outboard or would you need twin engines to feel comfortable? anyone familiar with these boats or know of any others that could be an option? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

We are in Sturgeon Bay a lot and the only brand I have really seen others have are the Ranger Tugs. Neat looking boat on the water and trailer. I would suggest something with a cabin so you have the option to sleep on the boat or not. The axopar are interesting. Definitely need to tour one of them. The Jeanneau’s look more practical and seemed to be priced better for the style.

We launched our AR250 in Egg Harbor and went to Sister bay and back. It was roughly 32 miles RT. Heading north in the morning we could do between 30-40 just fine. We headed back around 4pm the wind picked up and going against it we could only go about 18 max. Any heavier boat will do better. But the shortest point across Lake Michigan is roughly 60 miles. Good luck with the decision.

 

[haknslash]

I’m a big fan of Axopar. Love those things!

 

[906Tony]

I've been thinking ahead to what our next boat should be...as much as we like our 210, we're leaning towards a boat that we can do more cruising along the Lake Michigan coast as well as solo crossings. I know our boats could make it across on calm days but I would only feel comfortable crossing with companion boats.

So what are some opinions on the proper size boat for solo crossings? II would only do a crossing with a good weather forecast of <2' waves but knowing that Lake Michigan can change quickly, it would have to be able to handle big waves. I would wet slip this in a marina so am leaning towards having outboards. The caveat is I would still want the ability to trailer it so want to keep it under 10,000lbs max (I'm comfortable with the need for wide load permits if beam is over 8'6"). I likely will only be trailering twice a year (beginning and end of season to wet slip).

so far I'm looking at the following models:

27' Yamaha models
Jeanneau NC795 - 27' long, 9'3" beam - single outboard 200hp
Jeanneau NC895- 29' long 9'10" beam- twin 200hp outboards (this boat probably too heavy for towing)
Ranger Tugs- probably R25 model which is 25' hull length (overall length of 28'), 8'6" beam, single 250hp outboard with kicker.
axopar 28 cabin- 29' long, 9'8" beam- single or twin outboard options

any thoughts on these boats and their ability for Lake Michigan crossings? would you guys cross with one of the models with a single outboard or would you need twin engines to feel comfortable? anyone familiar with these boats or know of any others that could be an option? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Those are some beautiful boats your looking at. My experience with rough water on Lake Michigan brings me to this thought, I feel like the perfect boat for the big lake has to have a closed bow. It doesn’t matter how big or how long a boat is your always susceptible to stuffing the bow with the frequency of waves out there. Personally I love bow riders but they can be unsafe if your caught up in large waves.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

It's not clear to me how you intend to use the boat: as a day boat or for overnight (weekends)?

I've never been on the Axopar, but it seems it would be a great day boat. For extended cruising, I don't like the small head (access only by going on deck) and the lack of a real galley (has basic outdoor cooking area only).

The R25 is a great boat for trailering. That said, if you intend to wet slip the boat and only trailer it to and from the slip, I would opt for a boat with a wider beam. Gives a lot more room and the other boats have both port and starboard doors (definately a plus when solo docking.)

I think the Jeanneau's are probably better cruising boats for overnight and extended cruising. I would also say, the bigger the better and I think the NC895 would be a great cruising platform. I probably wouldn't sweat the weight if over 10,000 lbs. as you can have someone short haul the boat to and from the slip.

Jim

 

[jcb1977]

Those are some beautiful boats your looking at. My experience with rough water on Lake Michigan brings me to this thought, I feel like the perfect boat for the big lake has to have a closed bow. It doesn’t matter how big or how long a boat is your always susceptible to stuffing the bow with the frequency of waves out there. Personally I love bow riders but they can be unsafe if your caught up in large waves.

I forgot to add in the cutwater C-24 as a contender (same company that makes the Ranger Tugs)......I'm with you on closed bow on Lake Michigan...that's my only concern with the axopar.

 

[jcb1977]

It's not clear to me how you intend to use the boat: as a day boat or for overnight (weekends)?

I've never been on the Axopar, but it seems it would be a great day boat. For extended cruising, I don't like the small head (access only by going on deck) and the lack of a real galley (has basic outdoor cooking area only).

The R25 is a great boat for trailering. That said, if you intend to wet slip the boat and only trailer it to and from the slip, I would opt for a boat with a wider beam. Gives a lot more room and the other boats have both port and starboard doors (definitely a plus when solo docking.)

I think the Jeanneau's are probably better cruising boats for overnight and extended cruising. I would also say, the bigger the better and I think the NC895 would be a great cruising platform. I probably wouldn't sweat the weight if over 10,000 lbs. as you can have someone short haul the boat to and from the slip.

Jim

Would be it using it mostly as a day boat with the occasional overnight/weekend use (I'm thinking probably only once or twice a season). Mostly I see us going for extended day cruises and docking at a marina with a hotel nearby, so full galley isn't something critical to us. I did stop at a dealer yesterday that had a Jeanneau 795. Really liked it but it only had a single 250HP engine. my gut is telling me if we're going to cross Lake Michigan, we really should have twins or at a very minimum a single main outboard with a kicker. The sales folks like to mention the improved reliability of the modern engine but still gives makes me pause. The 895 have twin outboards but pricing is weird and it seems like it jumps up 100K to move from the 795 to 895. the 895's seems to be hard to find as well.

the head location on the axopar is actually growing on me....the more I look at these smaller boats, having the head completely separate from the berth/sleeping areas could be a good thing.

 

[ourlee]

Go to 9 minutes. When we move to the Chesapeake this is short listed.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

I have to say that I have watched several videos of the Axopar 28, including the one above, at the more I see the more I like!

Jim

 

[Julian]

Toured and Axopar at a Tampa boat show earlier this year.....really cool boat.

Bottom line to the OP....the biggest boat with twin engines that you can afford!

 

[GTBRMC]

Toured and Axopar at a Tampa boat show earlier this year.....really cool boat.

Bottom line to the OP....the biggest boat with twin engines that you can afford!

…with a closed bow.

Current gen engines (both inboards of various types and outboards) are far more reliable than those from 20 or more years ago. However, it could be a life or death issue if your engine dies half way across the lake. Absent a VERY tall antenna, you likely will be out of VHF range to shore for the middle portion of the trip (although other boaters may be nearby), so I would suggest something like an EPIRB. I am sure many make that crossing all summer long without one, but I would not. Also suggest w manual bailing method (like a kayak pump).

Also, other than very fast changing weather, one of the biggest challenges on the Great Lakes is the very short period between waves. I would want to see the relatively long Axopar design on 4’ - 6’ ers (meaning an occasional 8 footer in the mix) with short Great Lakes period before calling it a good boat for the purpose. I have seen video of them in heavy ocean swells, and they do very well. However, with a very long length v beam v freeboard height, I am not sure the Axopar design is a great fit for the Great Lakes (it may be, but not sure).

I suggest going down to your Lake Michigan marina, find some local, experienced boaters and/or commercial boat captains, ask questions and listen. Worth noting that many, many cross Lake Michigan every year without losing their boats, their possessions, or their lives.
But some do lose their stuff, boats, and/or lives every year.

edit: by kayak pump, I mean something like this… have personally used to keep boats from swamping twice (once mine, once a neighbors)

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

I am not trying to be flippant, but I do not understand the insistence for a closed bow?

I could understand a bow rider, but how is this design (Axopar) any less desirable on the Great Lakes than a center console?

It seems that in most conditions you could trim the boat so the bow is out of the water and if there was occasionally water over the bow, wouldn't it just drain at the stern?

Do you think a 25 foot Ranger Tug or Cutwater, with a closed bow and a relatively small beam (8'6") would be a better boat or would you think a much bigger boat is needed?

Jim

 

[GTBRMC]

I am not trying to be flippant, but I do not understand the insistence for a closed bow?

I could understand a bow rider, but how is this design (Axopar) any less desirable on the Great Lakes than a center console?

It seems that in most conditions you could trim the boat so the bow is out of the water and if there was occasionally water over the bow, wouldn't it just drain at the stern?

Do you think a 25 foot Ranger Tug or Cutwater, with a closed bow and a relatively small beam (8'6") would be a better boat or would you think a much bigger boat is needed?

Jim

You don’t HAVE to have a closed bow. The general concern with Lake Michigan’s occasional tallish waves that are not spread far apart (can be much closer together than an ocean swell) is that “stuffing your bow” is sometimes unavoidable.

if you plant your bow directly in a wave, almost all the water will roll off deck and/orwindshield on a closed bow boat. If you stuff the bow on an open bow boat, you have a very high chance of getting dozens or even hundreds of gallons of water into your cockpit. Do this a couple times (each time you stuff it, your boat’s maneuverability and trim will be hampered such that you are more likely to stuff it on successive waves. This can quickly overwhelm your deck scuppers and/or your bilge pump.

Dont get me wrong, I have seen videos of YouTube of guys crossing Lake Michigan in 20’ open bass boats. It can be done. But I wouldn’t do it.

 

[haknslash]

I found your boat.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[jcb1977]

I found your boat.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

that would do the trick for sure but I might be a few million dollars short when I go to buy her.

 

[jcb1977]

as I look at the boats at a few local marinas on Lake Michigan, I'm shocked that 75% of them seem to be inboard/outboards.....also when viewing boats listed for sale in my area, same thing, like 75% or more all inboard/outboards. I would think the corrosion and zebra mussels would make this a nightmare but they're getting by somehow.

 

[swatski]

as I look at the boats at a few local marinas on Lake Michigan, I'm shocked that 75% of them seem to be inboard/outboards.....also when viewing boats listed for sale in my area, same thing, like 75% or more all inboard/outboards. I would think the corrosion and zebra mussels would make this a nightmare but they're getting by somehow.

In fresh water those i/os do quite well.

Open or closed bow - the key is self-bailing deck. Axopar has an open transom which is great for letting the water out, but if you plan on doing a lot of drift fishing etc it may not be to your liking.

SOme of the boats you are looking at like Ranger Tugs are very popular in the north west, Puget Sound can be rough but it is a different kind of rough than the great lakes - as it was already pointed out short period makes a difference - 2fters at 2 seconds can be far more jarring than much larger Pacific swells.

We looked at Rangers and cutwaters for quite some time, but they are like RVs on the water, tend to be underpowered, and are not built for rough conditions so you would have to pick your days carefully to go out in the open water. Just my opinion.

--

 

[OB WI]

We are in Sturgeon Bay a lot and the only brand I have really seen others have are the Ranger Tugs. Neat looking boat on the water and trailer. I would suggest something with a cabin so you have the option to sleep on the boat or not. The axopar are interesting. Definitely need to tour one of them. The Jeanneau’s look more practical and seemed to be priced better for the style.

We launched our AR250 in Egg Harbor and went to Sister bay and back. It was roughly 32 miles RT. Heading north in the morning we could do between 30-40 just fine. We headed back around 4pm the wind picked up and going against it we could only go about 18 max. Any heavier boat will do better. But the shortest point across Lake Michigan is roughly 60 miles. Good luck with the decision.

Edit-
As luck would have it when were coming into the Sturgeon Bay canal from Lake MI we saw an Axopar ahead of us on Sunday. Then I was able to get a better pic as we were loading the boat up.