2023 Trip Report: Pictured Rocks, Lake Superior and Washington Island, Lake Michigan

drewm3i · Aug 23, 2023

drewm3i · Aug 23, 2023

drewm3i · Aug 23, 2023

drewm3i · Aug 23, 2023

drewm3i · Aug 23, 2023

Denny · Aug 23, 2023

It will take some time getting through all of this, but I am so looking forward to it, it will bring back some fond memories of my time up there.
The water is as I remember it, crystal clear, and blue. Thanks

Denny · Aug 23, 2023

drewm3i said:
The first stop on the aforementioned trip was Pictured Rocks on the Southern Shore of Lake Superior. We stayed and boated out of Munising Municipal Marina and it was spectacular. The water was incredible and rivaled home (Southeast Florida) in terms of clarity. A bit cold though: the transducer measured about 67 degrees for most of the trip at Lake Superior.

On Day 1 we did a nice little cruise after launching along the coast and that stopped over in Miner's Bay for a snack:

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Miner's Castle:

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Snack time! Gotta love that fridge I installed last year LOL:

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We ran out of time , so we missed Pictured rock, but it is on my bucket list. I believe that there Indian carvings there.

drewm3i · Sep 1, 2023

Just realized these pictures didn't post properly...here is a link to the trip report. It starts at post 37.

One picture in body from Spray Falls.

1995 Chaparral 2550 SX Refit and Restoration

Well, it is once again time to update this post. The end of last season went smoothly as the wife and I enjoyed the fruits of our labor for the until mid-November, when it was time to winterize the boat. We made lots of long day trips on the Chesapeake and one overnight to a town named...

forums.iboats.com

Denny · Sep 5, 2023

Finally got to see your adventure. What a memorable trip you guys had, thank you so much for sharing it with us. The Lake Superior area is by far the most diverse of all the Great Lakes. The Canadian side is so untouched, and is truly God's country. The only way to experience what it is all about is, to trailer and launch to different areas. Your experience with your trailer is why I spend 4 Hrs. every season's end removing my brake drums inspecting everything, washing the bearings and hand packing them and new seals. Fill the cavity full and never add grease throughout the season. (same bearings, spindles, and drums) Time well spent for over 30 years.

drewm3i · Sep 5, 2023

Denny said:
Finally got to see your adventure. What a memorable trip you guys had, thank you so much for sharing it with us. The Lake Superior area is by far the most diverse of all the Great Lakes. The Canadian side is so untouched, and is truly God's country. The only way to experience what it is all about is, to trailer and launch to different areas. Your experience with your trailer is why I spend 4 Hrs. every season's end removing my brake drums inspecting everything, washing the bearings and hand packing them and new seals. Fill the cavity full and never add grease throughout the season. (same bearings, spindles, and drums) Time well spent for over 30 years.

Thanks for the kind words! Ill be back, thats for sure. You sure do have a nice home 😁.

I plan to replace the brakes at some point. Don't want to go through this again.

Denny · Sep 5, 2023

drewm3i said:
Thanks for the kind words! Ill be back, thats for sure. You sure do have a nice home 😁.

I plan to replace the brakes at some point. Don't want to go through this again.

Thanks, The great Lakes are my sanctuary.
Don't wait, do it before you tow again. You have a heavy package back there, and you will not be able to make an emergency stop.

drewm3i · Sep 5, 2023

Denny said:
Thanks, The great Lakes are my sanctuary.
Don't wait, do it before you tow again. You have a heavy package back there, and you will not be able to make an emergency stop.

I won't wait too long, but I did make it 1,000 miles without brakes this time. The Durango is a much, underrated tow vehicle. It's better than most all SUVs, all small trucks, and on par with a lot of 1/2 ton trucks. Even with RWD, I've never had any issues retrieving or stopping.

Denny · Sep 5, 2023

drewm3i said:
I won't wait too long, but I did make it 1,000 miles without brakes this time. The Durango is a much, underrated tow vehicle. It's better than most all SUVs, all small trucks, and on par with a lot of 1/2 ton trucks. Even with RWD, I've never had any issues retrieving or stopping.

Just remember to leave a lot of room between you and what's in front of you, remember the trailer is not helping you, the boat is pushing you when you apply the brakes. Good luck, be safe out there.
Believe me, I know crazy. My girl's 1st tow vehicle was a1985 Buick Rivera, then 1994 Chevy S-10 Blazer. Now I tow with a 2012 GMC Acadia, rated at 5,000lbs, my package is a little over 6,000lbs, the Acadia around 4,700lbs. What helps is that it has the same braking system as the Yukon. When braking at slower speeds I can feel the trailer pulling back helping the stop. And I never tow over 55mph. I have made a couple power stops, but my ABS never kicked in.

drewm3i · Sep 7, 2023

Denny said:
Just remember to leave a lot of room between you and what's in front of you, remember the trailer is not helping you, the boat is pushing you when you apply the brakes. Good luck, be safe out there.
Believe me, I know crazy. My girl's 1st tow vehicle was a1985 Buick Rivera, then 1994 Chevy S-10 Blazer. Now I tow with a 2012 GMC Acadia, rated at 5,000lbs, my package is a little over 6,000lbs, the Acadia around 4,700lbs. What helps is that it has the same braking system as the Yukon. When braking at slower speeds I can feel the trailer pulling back helping the stop. And I never tow over 55mph. I have made a couple power stops, but my ABS never kicked in.

Wow those are some interesting tow rigs! Would love to see some pics!

Thankfully, the Durango is rated for 7400 lbs. I find it to be well-matched for this size boat. I think the MPG of 14-15 towing speaks for itself as well.

Denny · Sep 7, 2023

drewm3i said:
Wow those are some interesting tow rigs! Would love to see some pics!

Thankfully, the Durango is rated for 7400 lbs. I find it to be well-matched for this size boat. I think the MPG of 14-15 towing speaks for itself as well.

What helps me to make it work is I am on flat land here, unless I have to go over a bridge. I take off slow kind of like a freight train. I'm in no hurry to get where I am going, If I had already wanted to be there, I would have left earlier. I am kind of the tail wagging the dog, so I go slow and leave a lot of escape room, if needs be.
MPG's are around 12.5 Forgot had a 1998 Grand Cherokee, No photo of the Chevy S-10 Blazer, but this is what it looked like same color.

Phillbo · Sep 11, 2023

Tow vehicle.... "06 F250 6.Doh Powerstroke with 312K miles....

drewm3i · Sep 11, 2023

Made this short film from our trip to make a new Youtube Channel for all things boating!

Denny · Sep 11, 2023

Phillbo said:
View attachment 1887

Tow vehicle.... "06 F250 6.Doh Powerstroke with 312K miles....

View attachment 1888

Thanks, for making the video, well done.

2023 Trip Report: Pictured Rocks, Lake Superior and Washington Island, Lake Michigan

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