Cruising ROCKS!!

[Vandalizer]

Well, I just had my first experience with running for more than 35 seconds without needing to make a u-turn to avoid shoreline... IT WAS GREAT! And this wasn't even on a river- Belleville Lake which is about 4 miles long.
Where are some other highly recommended places to cruise without worrying about dead heads? I'm about 30 minutes south of Flint, so I'm thinking that may be the closest.

 

[fiftyp]

Well, I just had my first experience with running for more than 35 seconds without needing to make a u-turn to avoid shoreline... IT WAS GREAT! And this wasn't even on a river- Belleville Lake which is about 4 miles long.
Where are some other highly recommended places to cruise without worrying about dead heads? I'm about 30 minutes south of Flint, so I'm thinking that may be the closest.

Lake St. Clair would be about an hour from you, but would make a killer weekend trip.

 

[illMATTic]

you could run an hour up to the saginaw river. put in right by the Z bridge and run up to bay city. go to hooters for some beers and wings.

Man I miss that river!

 

[wizard8575]

houghton lake its a bit of a drive but worth it for a weekend trip as long as it is not a holiday weekend gets busy fast.

 

[Vandalizer]

Thanks, but I'll pass on Houghton.. at least for the purpose of this thread. Looking for more river-like conditions to head somewhere other than in circles.

Is it about 18-20 miles from Saginaw to Bay City? Just a guess.

 

[illMATTic]

by river from the Z bridge its only about 10 miles into downtown. they have gas there so you can fill up for the ride back.

 

[Mr. Buss]

if you ever need someone to head down the saginaw with, let me know im out almost every weekend!!

 

[Vandalizer]

I'll let you know on that Mr. Buss... although you'd be to Bay City and back before I get to Bay City! are you still riding around, or are you puttin it up for the winter pretty soon?

I lived in Saginaw for awhile, but I don't have a clue where the Z bridge is. Isn't there a launch at Wickes Park?

 

[Mr. Buss]

winter!?!?! is that when i back the trailer in and the wheels stay on top of the water??

i usually put in at the m-46 launch in saginaw, the z bridge is where I- 75 crosses the river.... but that is still closed for repairs (the bridge not the launch) ill be out there this sunday, weather permitting i like to use the saginaw launch cause its big and it gives me more time on the water

 

[Vandalizer]

lol. I hear ya on that. This is the first season that I've had the boat running, so I'll be a little sad when it comes time to stow it away.

That launch on M-46- what type of permit do you need to put in there?

 

[merc245]

Belleville's not a bad lake.Some shallow areas mostly at the western end.Not sure what ramp you used but I know that the state ramp can be rough near the center of the lake.If you find your way down to belleville again I took the liberty to attach a map of a second marine on the very east end of the lake that is a very nice privite marine in a very calm area.

 

[Vandalizer]

So that marina is right down by the dam then? What's the cost to launch?

Yea, I put in on the western end. I stupidly didn't look at any bathymetry maps before I went down there, and was lucky enough to run my skeg over something right after I put in. I was only idling and it didn't do any damage, but it pushed the motor up as it went over. Scare the sh!t outta me. Looking at the bathymetry after the fact, I'm not sure it would've helped.

 

[Vandalizer]

How much fuel do you pour through just going to Bay City and back? I'm still trying to get a handle on how much my engine needs, but I'd be pissed if I blew through 16 gallons running 10 miles.
Based on some time running around this past weekend, I'm thinking I went about 10 miles on 4 gallons. Granted it wasn't all WOT, but it was either with 3 people in the boat, or pulling a skier- plus too much gear for my liking. Wish everyone could travel lighter!

winter!?!?! is that when i back the trailer in and the wheels stay on top of the water??

i usually put in at the m-46 launch in saginaw, the z bridge is where I- 75 crosses the river.... but that is still closed for repairs (the bridge not the launch) ill be out there this sunday, weather permitting i like to use the saginaw launch cause its big and it gives me more time on the water

 

[Mr. Buss]

i use anwhere from 10-15 gallons, depending on how you're driving.

i think illMATTic burnt that much in one direction with it once.... breakin ever law!!!

 

[illMATTic]

you could use 10 gallons both ways if you didnt play around. 10-15 would be normal if you took a spin around bay city and were out most of the day. i always fill up for the ride home just incase.

 

[merc245]

Just in case of what??? You couldn't leave your footout of it!!!!!!

 

[illMATTic]

pretty much. on the way back i would always come in contact with guys with big baja's and other big dumb boats and you know what we do with those.

that river is a raceway on the way back in.

 

[merc245]

Those bigger boats and those dingdongs on big jetskis you have to put in thier place.Never lost to one yet!!

 

[Mr. Buss]

that river is a raceway on the way back in.

cause of the chicken wings!!! not the beer!!:cheers

 

[Gimme Fuel]

I always launch at the Rust Ave. launch. It is a very nice city owned facility and is right next to M-46. My favorite part of the Saginaw river is the part through Saginaw where there are not any "no-wake" zones. From there it is only 45 minutes to one hour to Hooters and about 2 hours to the bay. Usually on the weekends there are quite a few boats (30-100+ depending on the weekend) anchored off of bay city state park. That is usually where I head to.