so, basically, it sounds to me like it all comes down to knowing your boat and how to handle it on the rough water.
this could be my inexperience talking ( or posting ) but thats what i am getting from all this.
my ranger is great, but i still dont know how to handle it on lsc. i dont pretend to know, and i am not trying to impress anyone. i have had it out 3 times now. the first time was fine, the lake was farely calm and i was able to open it up.
the last 2 times were different. it was either a strong north wind ( actually a north eastern wind ) or tuesdays brutal south eastern wind. i took my time. stayed in open water away from other boats and got to know my boat. after 3 days i am still not comfortable running in that rough of water.
call me names if you must. but i refuse to be "one of those guys". i will take my time, and learn my boat, i wont be one of the ones you will see gunning it in rough conditions. my biggest concern right now is obtaining the knowledge and expereince it takes to keep my boat, myself, and most of all my passengers in the best condition possible.
and i offer this advice to anyone who has been out on clair in a smaller, slower boat, and has recently purchased a bigger faster boat, or anyone else who isnt familiar with the lake.............BE CAREFUL! the biggest lesson i have learned so far ( in 3 outtings ) is that you can assume all you want as to who on the water knows what they are doing. it only takes a second to get into trouble. know what you are doing at all times. be aware of your surroundings at all times. know what is ahead and behind you at ALL TIMES!
st clair can be a great lake to spend an afternoon, or a week, or a lifetime ( as some of you already know) but i am not kidding when i say it is a very dangereous body of water.
please enjoy it, be respectful, be curtious, and most of all be safe. we are all out here for one reason or another, remember that. no one is on the pond to have a BAD TIME.
if they are, they came to the wrong place.
DONT BE A STATISTIC!
madman himself