[jgirard1]

We took a quick trip from MacRay to Muscamoot yesterday evening. We came in on plane in the bay and sat for about two hours and watched the sunset. We left just as it started to get dark.

So we're puttsing out of the bay going about 5 MPH, monitoring the depth, GPS and map trying to stay in deep waters. Next thing you know, we started digging for a second or two. We dropped into neutral and coasted for a few seconds. The water got deeper; we put it back in gear and we were on our way again. I guess everything was okay. The depth gauge read about 2.5 feet.

We were between the middle channel and the sisters, staying a little closer to the sisters. There must have been some shallow bumps out there that caused use to dig momentarily. Our boat has a 3ft. draft, so it looks like we might be having a hard time going out of the bay this season.

Does everyone have this same problem or was it just a fluke for us? We have a 1991 34' Wellcraft Gran Sport. It would suck if we couldn't get into the bay at all. Is there a known deeper path to go in and out?

So anyway, we're driving back and everything is great. We get closer to shore and then we got bombarded with fishflys. We drove through swarms of them. By this time it was totally dark and we were practically the only ones on the water. By the time we got back to the marina, the whole boat was covered with them inside and out. I guess we shouldn't go out at night in early to mid-June. No wonder we were the only ones out there.

 

[INSTIGATOR]

The key to coming into the bay is to stay toward the right side, near the lighthouses (but not TOO close) & stay on plane until you reach the condo's.
Hammer has a nice map he made in another post.

 

[All Jacked Up]

I was there as well, about 5:00 to 7:00.

I always go in and out on the south side of the sisters by the channel markers, never have a problem.

I draft 3' as well.

 

[bobrob]

Hammer had posted a while back a good route to the moot. Not sure where its at now but iam sure he can bring up post again .. We stay over by the light houses when we head in to the moot . or just to the south of sand island. usually Yes it is shallow . check out a lake chart. to be safe.

 

[Taxman]

Well put the crew on the bow to raise your stern.
AND tell them not to smile or they will get a fishfly lunch

Drive like hell

 

[delsolcruz]

QUOTE(bobrob @ Jun 9 2004, 10:19 AM)We stay over by the light houses when we head in to the moot .
hmmmmmmmmmm. glad i could help navigate.

 

[Penalty Box]

QUOTE(jgirard1 @ Jun 9 2004, 10:02 AM)Does everyone have this same problem or was it just a fluke for us? We have a 1991 34' Wellcraft Gran Sport. It would suck if we couldn't get into the bay at all. Is there a known deeper path to go in and out?
I have 41' with diesels, draft over 3 1/2', and have fought this problem for some time. On the way in I take the buoyed channel that snakes by the old light towers and exit that channel around the 4th red buoy heading into the bay and stay on plane until I am in and shut down. On the way out I am not able to come on plane until after I am back in the buoyed channel that snakes beside the old light towers. I have found that just idling out of the bay heading to the left of the tower closest to the bay until I get to the channel is the safest way to save the props. I was thru that route on Saturday and had enough water to get there on idle with no bottom hits. Just make sure you do not get to close to shore as it shallows up there as well. Hope this helps. Also I have a great prop guy if you need him.

 

[jgirard1]

Penalty Box, are you going between the sisters through the Old Channel?

I'm looking at the MapTec map on LSCN homepage. I can see all the bouys, but only one light house. I think there is a lighthouse on either side of the Old Channel, no?

Thanks.

 

[pirlgirl]

maybe it was old "Sand Island" you went over?
You can't see it this year, at least I haven't yet.

 

[jgirard1]

No, it wasn't SandBar Island. We weren't even close to that. The problem was we were too far north at the mouth of the bay. We should have been closer to the sisters, and as a matter of fact, looking at the lake map, we should have used the Old Channel, as Penalty Box wrote.

 

[Penalty Box]

QUOTE(jgirard1 @ Jun 9 2004, 11:07 AM)Penalty Box, are you going between the sisters through the Old Channel?

I'm looking at the MapTec map on LSCN homepage. I can see all the bouys, but only one light house. I think there is a lighthouse on either side of the Old Channel, no?

Thanks.
There are actually two light houses, even though a lot of charts only show one. If you enter the channel on the way in to the bay the entrance is marked by a green can and a red buoy. Then from there you will have red buoys on your starboard and the light houses will be on your port. The channel snakes to the right just past the second light house and I exit and head into the bay when I am between the 4th and 5th red buoy on my starboard. I stay on plane until I get into the bay and then shut down. On the way out I just take the reverse but idle until I hit the channel and then come on plane there as I know I have enough depth. Here is a link to another post where there is a chart posted.

http://www.lakestclair.net/forums/index.ph...23&t=13101&st=0

Hammer has marked his route. Understand his route is on the opposite side of the towers and the channel than the one I described and take. I have never tried his route as I know mine is safe for my boat and also closer on the way out for me to get to a depth where I can come on plane, so I stay with it. His may be fine for you as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[jgirard1]

Yeah, Hammer's line is just about what we did, except we were probably about 1/4 of the way too north.

This was the first time with our new (used) boat, so we're still learning what works best for it.

Thanks for the info Penalty Box. We'll have to stop on by in the dinghy and say hello soon. We're at Amber 171.

Thanks again!

 

[Penalty Box]

QUOTE(jgirard1 @ Jun 9 2004, 12:16 PM)Yeah, Hammer's line is just about what we did, except we were probably about 1/4 of the way too north.

This was the first time with our new (used) boat, so we're still learning what works best for it.

Thanks for the info Penalty Box. We'll have to stop on by in the dinghy and say hello soon. We're at Amber 171.

Thanks again!
Anytime. Glad to be of help.

Yes stop by and say Hi. I am in 74 Mr Mac. Very front row 1st slip to the left of the big flag if you are facing the lake.

 

[hammer]

There is a deep spot in the bay I get off plane and on when leaving. My route in is deeper than the other side of the towers. Always get on plane in the moot, easier than idleing out, for sure.