[Gerbermultit00l]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about the waters leading into and around the moot.

I usually launch from Metro or the Harley Ensign. I follow others lead and arc about a 2 miles Southeast until I clear the middle channel then Northeast again to approach the moot at the lighthouses. From the light houses I travel about 300 to 400 yards off shore and approach the raft parties. I seem to stay within at least 3 feet of water when doing so.

I'm under the impression that the waters to the West leading out of the bay and into the lake are extremely shallow. As a matter of fact we almost got stuck there a few summers ago.

Lately I've been noticing people just barreling through this area at full speed. Are they just being risky or is the water deep enough now to do this?

I though I also noticed some bouy's set up leading into the bay from the West last weekend while approaching the bay from the South. Is this true? If so, what is the water depth through this makeshift channel?

Last question. I notice some larger power boats blasting Northwards further up into the bay. Is there a section of deeper water running up into it or are they not concerned about prop damage?

I purchased a chart of the lake that shows depths throughout but I'm not sure how accurate it is, especially when zoomed in. If anyone would like to enlighten me I surely would appreciate it.

Being able to cut directly into the bay from the West sure would save me time and gas. That is vs. swinging well to the South then back up again. But, the cost of time and gas is nothing if it means replacing an $800 stainless steel prop.

Thanks,

Gerb

 

[gibby]

Gerber,

I keep my boat on the Salt River and used to cut near Metro, then head around to the buoys that lead you near the two lighthouses, recently, I found a new way. I head up the middle channel past sand island, just as the channel curves near land, I shoot straight past the second red buoy on the right side and head straight towards the big condo building(s). I keep it up hammered down until I reach the middle of the bay and then turn left into the bay until I decide where to raft off.

 

[Float On]

I come in from the Salt river and that sounds pretty much like the same way I take. Followed Z-man in one day and figured if he can make it, so can I. No problems yet.

 

[Gerbermultit00l]

Guys,

Thanks for your input. However, I have no idea what you are talking about.

I do not know where the salt river is, sand island, or the big condos (you mean the white building along the pennisula of Harsens Island?).

What I need to find is a good map of the area.

The LSCN chart does not label and name everything. Yahoo maps are worthless here. Even the chart book I purchased at Boat US isn't as detailed as I would like.

Care to go into detail for a newbie?

Gerb

 

[tcg]

Hi,
The red oval is circling sand island.
The blue line is the approach I would use because
I am afraid of hitting that group of sand bars.
You could use the yellow line. I would not without
my GPS so I can clearly see those sand bars as I go by.

Incase the attatchment doesn't show up here is a link.
Map

Salt River is up around New Baltimore.
42.39.179
-82.47.156

Maptech online charts with coordinates

Matt

 

[Guest]

QUOTE(Gerbermultit00l @ Aug 10 2004, 11:57 PM)Guys,

Thanks for your input. However, I have no idea what you are talking about.

I do not know where the salt river is, sand island, or the big condos (you mean the white building along the pennisula of Harsens Island?).

What I need to find is a good map of the area.

The LSCN chart does not label and name everything. Yahoo maps are worthless here. Even the chart book I purchased at Boat US isn't as detailed as I would like.

Care to go into detail for a newbie?

Gerb

I'm not trying to be a smarta$$, but my advice for a newbie would be to take a boating safety class. In the meantime, you can get a book like Chapman Piloting which covers reading charts and just about everything boating related. You might find something on reading charts with google search, too.

Navigation charts will generally not show things like the condos, but neither will a street map. A lot of the names you hear on the lake aren't their official names either. Those things you pick up talking to people on the lake or here, like Sand Island, or that the Sni or Sni Bora is Chenal A Bout Rond on the chart.

What I'm trying to say is that it's great to ask questions here, but the chart is very detailed when you learn what the symbols mean.

 

[Gerbermultit00l]

TCQ,

Thank you, that's exactly what I needed.

Bill272,

No offense taken. I could use another boaters saftey course. This is embarrasing but it's been probably 15 - 20 years since the last time I took one. I should re-phrase my earlier comment. I'm not necessarily a newbie to boating. Just to this portion of the lake. I started coming to the moot late last summer. I haven't had the chance to chat with a lot of other boaters yet. Most people I've run into are drunken party go'ers, not serious boaters (although I often become a drunken party go'er too

). I just found this web site about a month ago and it's wealth of knowledge. I'm soaking up everything I can learn about this place and enjoying the lake more because of it.

I'm at least proficient in reading charts, although its true I could be better. However, like you said, the charts do not show peoples common lake lingo. That's where I'm pretty weak. But, maybe over time I'll be an old salty dog on these waters like the rest of you.

Thanks again everyone.

One more question.

The route Gibby, Pornodave, and TCQ recommended is still pretty darn shallow correct? Is this route something you could idle through or must you be up to speed and on plane to avoid hitting bottom?

Gerb.

 

[Goose]

personally, i say why risk it, not only the stainless steel props, but maybe the cost of a tow in and work on the outdrives

i would head out of metro and aim towards the south channel lights and go around them, you don't have to worry about shallow water then

green route

 

[Float On]

I agree, from Metro take the Green line. Wait, are we giving boating or subway directions????

 

[hammer]

This is how I go, and most of you know my boat.......

 

[Gerbermultit00l]

Wow. I never expected this much help. Thanks everyone.

So what is the consensus, are these guys that blast directly across the bay nutcases or just don't know better?

I don't know. When I see dead trees and stuff sticking out of the water just beyond the mouth of the bay I feel nervous.

Maybe the draft of thier boats is around a foot?

I know the draft on mine is closer to three feet.

Gerb.

 

[Gerbermultit00l]

If I'm launching from the Ensign then heading down the Blue line would be shorter. I wouldn't have to cut South towards Metro before heading over towards the lights (my boat is a serious gas hog).

However, hammers map clearly shows that the green line is no longer distance from Metro than the Blue line when heading out of Metro. It's a safer bet.

Pornodave, all this talk still remind you of Manhattan?

Hammer, is that your beast always parked at the Northerneastern end (west line) of the gaunlet? I think I took a picture of it the other day and posted it in the raft photos (caption: Would this thing fit on Lake Norman).

Makes my 23ft puddle jumper look limp in comparison

Gerb

 

[Gerbermultit00l]

I just had an epiphany. If you recall my post that started this thread I mentioned seeing a line of bouys that seemed to lead into the moot. I've been thinking real hard (a laughable proposition) and have come to the conclusion that those bouys were actually the ones that lead into the middle channel. The people I saw heading towards the moot must have been following the blue line.

Gerb.