Solo Lake Michigan Crossing by Jet Ski - Charlevoix to Manistique
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2020
- WARNING: Crossing a large body of water alone as shown in this video involves a fair amount of risk. Weather can change, equipment can break down and accidents can happen leaving you alone and far from help. ANY ADVENTURE OR EXPEDITION YOU TAKE BASED UPON THIS VIDEO IS STRICTLY AT YOUR OWN RISK. Plan carefully. Use the right equipment. And for the highest margin of safety, travel with a partner.
Lake Michigan crossing on a Waverunner, July 21, 2020, Charlevoix to Manistique.
Why on God's Earth are you wearing a helmet? Can't say I ever seen that before.
In a word, comfort. Watch from 4:40
Seriously frank?
@@daveyxe Comfort, safety, salt-spray eye-protection, sunscreen and bug screen for eyes, nose, lips, ears and throat; eyes jumping from light-to-dark and back, vision enhancement, (e.g. light filtration and polarization, yellow lens and night goggles), in any case, millions of times routinely required, by necessity, more-than-ever because of the high speeds, varying light of all types necessarily involved, required and essential to be understood AND unique environmental necessity of such navigation without any other reliable visible reference points; not to mention brutally bad-in-every way, for unmitigated bugs and/or water reflected sunshine and glare effects on vision, skin, respiration problems that are ALL solved with helmetting.
Most importantly, no "brain bucket" means, overall, and here too, nothing positive or good BUT deleterious effects TOO, on vital consciousness, any lack of which, in anyone, is mortally and unnecessarily ridiculously and USUALLY entirely D A N G E R O U S ! in things like this, e.g., motorcycles, race cars, aircraft and highspeed watercraft, most especially when seated, like nothing else, open to the elements like nothing else, here.
I could go on for pages, likeso too - and will if forced.
Neither have I but wanna know what I have seen? Someone bust their face on the handlebars and fall right off their ski
@@jeffwalther3935 Talk about an exercise in prolixity! You mention comfort first. How is a helmet comfortable? The Great Lakes aren't salt water by the way. And how many bugs are flying around that far from shore? Personally, I love feeling the wind blow over my face and hair.
awesome video. also, on a side note, is everyone else seeing this video right now?
Just showed up out of nowhere 😃
What kind of question is that lmfao
Yuuuuup
What does that mean????
I rode jet skis across Lake Michigan, from Sheboygan to Ludington, with a group of guys in the late 90's. My friend and I were riding 1997 Yamaha 700's. The weather was great going there, and we when we stopped to refuel in the middle, we even went for a quick swim. But, after lunch in Ludington, we tried to make it back and fought 3-5' rollers and a head wind. A couple hours of not making much headway, we gave up and headed back to Ludington. The town graciously made provisions for our group to stay in drydock sailboats for the night. By morning, 3 members of the group had decided they didn't want to make the return trip and had called for someone to drive around the lake overnight and pick them up. The final 3 of us pushed on and made it back. Return trip was rough and took almost 6 hours. Old gps technology was more like a digital compass, and would only let us check our direction when we stopped, so we ended up zig zagging all the way back. Came ashore at Manitowoc and followed shoreline back south to Sheboygan. I wish we would have had the weather you did. Yours actually looked like a nice ride.
Thanks for sharing your story. I was a bit worried that my trip back to Charlevoix would be like your return trip, but I was fortunate that the good weather held.
Without GPS it would have been a much harder trip because I would have had only compass headings to maintain course and they are not very precise.
All in all it was a very memorable trip, as I’m sure yours was!
my brother in-law and I launched my 15' aluminium sled at a marina to go about 2 miles to the mouth of nisqually river too go salmon fishing. it was rather foggy. so I hugged the shore line looking for a point where the mouth was located. there was a old crappy boat ramp a guy I knew was launching his big day cruiser for crabbing. told him where I was heading he says " got a compass" I say no. how difficult can it be. he says "good luck. I putted along real slow looking, could hardly see my brother in-law in the bow on occasions 10 ft away. after about what seemed like 2 hrs. the fog lifted enough I could see the marina we launched at. the incoming tide had pushed us all the back. I considered ourselves pretty lucky
@@harleyhawk7959 Thanks for sharing. It seems that the close calls and hair-raising events like what you described are the ones you remember for the rest of your life!
I once went to Ikea with my wife and no measurements of the spaces we needed to fill. My journey was longer and I had no helmet. Lucky
😂😂 Thank you!
Ballz made of steel!!!
People who have not done long distance solo adventures don't get it, or the risk. I enjoyed it.
Absolutely. One of my favourites was texas to Panama a few years ago. Buses and hiking no flights. Took 3 months solo
I love the adventure and the trip! Congrats! We did alone trip to Rota in the pacific a few years ago. We will do some more on our new “how to have fun outdoors” CZcams channel! Again, awesome trip Bob! You did it!!
I know! Super risky. Imagine being broke down in the middle of the lake!
Agree. Glad you made it safely
I’ve done them in Minecraft. It’s thrilling.
Now there needs to be a lake crossing cannonball run.
I'd be innit to winnit in a minute, if there was a cannonball race on Lake Michigan, and, if so make history and pass old (now incomparable) speed records with the greatest pleasure.
May we meet on that wonderful day; - before start or after finish line, and not in between, at sea, racing (against each other, that is) at full cruise, 45+ kt.s/h, bent fer leather, bound for, or from, Chicago and Milwaukee, 90 miles as the crow sails! OR lakecrossing Milwaukee and Muskegon 120 miles, straight as an arrow or even a circuit, in the same day and/or night, rally style.
Had one of those in NZ, North to South islands and back. Around 30mls one way in your measurement. First yr about 20 skis, 2nd yr about 500 skis, 3rd yr cancelled due to to many entries!
Imagine the freighter's crew's reaction to seeing somebody in the middle of the lake on a Jet Ski.
Amazing how big that lake is.
Its an inland sea foreal!
HUGE! And Lake Superior is even bigger. Max depth of 1,333 feet, which is the lowest point below sea level on this side of the Continental Divide.
Really glad you showed all safety precautions and methodologies for wind/waves. Great tribal knowledge to share.
Waaay more planning than I would have done! I would have jumped on my 92 skidoo with 10g not even doing the math and gone for it.
Someone's gotta keep the coast guard busy
@@jamesmx7 Awesome comment, gave me a good laugh.
no u wouldn't lol seadoos dont run plus u aint got no money for gas
How old are you? It's that old "hit and run", "We don't need no estinkin' badges!" OR "wisdom, . . ., old persons, education, advice, warnings"; no planning or other investment that RUINS everything: freedom, driving, parenthood, flying, sailing, our country, ad infinitum. "There are old ( . . .)s and there are bold ( . . .)s, but there are no old, bold ( . . .)s." After the incident, deadmen tell no tales and None of the skudrunners say anything about "not doing the math", or their homework, so to speak and rely on "just an accident" as the universal "get out of jail-FREE" card, irresponsible, unaccountable, just like anonymous CZcams and the internet anonymity and spontaneity.
In 2015 we took 2 jetskis from Leland, MI to Sister Bay, WI and a 25' Boston Whaler accompanied us with extra fuel, etc. We went between the Manitou Islands and had 2 days of great weather and spent the night in Sister Bay to return the next morning. We left about 7:30 am and arrived in Sister Bay around 10:00 am, topped off our fuel and tied up all 3 vessels to one slip. It was a blast -- there were 5 of us .. 3 slept on the boat and 2 of us in a motel room. Great fun!
Dude....great adventure, and great logistical planning. People who have never been to the Great Lakes before (especially those in the west coast) are blown away at the sheer size of the Great Lakes....I have witnessed this first hand. Peaceful when the water is calm....a nightmare in a storm.
its crazy how just 25 miles is enough for the curve of the earth to cause land to be out of sight.
GoPro probably making it look a bit more curved
It’s usually less like five ish
Yea, I'd go out 12 miles or so and can barely make out the tops of water towers on the beach. It don't take much.
Very cool footage Rod, great conditions and a total "glass off" as we say in the surfing community! Just perfect conditions, i can see that this was a very well planned trip, with top quality & good equipment and well prepared with your emergency equipment, well done mate!
The Legend lives on from Charlevoix to Manistique of the jet ski they call Brockemund Fitzgerald.
Hah! Good one! Thumbs up.
Continueing with the joke, I've a list of kickbutt names for this pioneering jet ski. As a retired, maritime historian, ex US naval officer, ex-American history teacher, . . . playin' in my own back yard, so ta speak, here's my list of names fer this historical milestone watercraft, pioneering solo adventure, relic: Taffy 3.5,(7-), Enola, Liberty Bell 8, Friendship 8, Surprise 2, GUS, MGTOW blue pill, Little Big Man 21, make NO wake, J.P. Jones, Osprey, Sea Eagle, (City of birth, manufacture, origin)-Belle, I'm A Jihn, No Red Litez 1, W.W.J.D.? 2, Molly Brown XIII, Sea Lion XXX, General Savage, Greyhound, in Deutsch?, Watership Up, PT 73.5, Hood II, QE 5, King VI, Good Guy Dick, (Bon Homme Richard), . . .
@@jeffwalther3935 Wow. A lot of good candidates here, Jeff. Thank you! I hadn’t been thinking about naming it but with all these good possibilities I may have to reconsider!
🤣
@@rodneybrocke The 'Spirit of St Louis' made such noteworthy, pioneering craft special and celebratory, worthy of note, IN AND OF THEMSELVES loaded together as such together, makin' history, as you did it, first; wonder, imagination and inspiration triggered with as little as a great name, now or soon, or none; it's up to you only, as befits the glorious tradition entirely. So enjoy yourself, this achievement with yur ol dream buddy in the garage now, or parked on the trailer, and play with what you two things shared intimately together, like nothing else, this admittedly goofy way, for more fun, now that it's yours forever, alone and no one can take it away - and it was perfect. Seymour Miles? Radio Flyer? Seabisquit?, . . .
Just bought a fish pro. Very new to PWCs, I have been wondering so many things, you answered 3 of my questions in one video. 👍
Thank you sir.
Love the Thoreau quote - Walden is a favourite of mine. Beautiful Lake Michigan.
Hey man - great video!!! You are well prepared which is awesome to see! I have been a sailor for 40 years or so and done my share of singlehand sailing and have always prided myself in a well prepared vessel. You appear to share that as well in your jet ski!
Thank you for sharing!
Mike 🇨🇦
Thanks for documenting and sharing this wonderful journey. I can see it took a lot of work and expense. It was an wonderful ‘arm chair’ adventure for me and very exciting - even with all your well thought out safety preparations. It reminded me of people wind surfing from Maui to Oahu - wow! Gutsy.
Thank you for taking us along! It was wonderful!
I wonder what the freighter thought, seeing a jet ski go by, in the middle of Lake Michigan?
“Man, that guys really lost”
You can’t be serious? People jet ski 55 miles from Miami to the Bahama’s all the time!
Don't listen to any of the negative comments! You set a challenge for yourself, planned thoughtfully and carefully, and you succeeded! I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Southern Wisconsin, and I forget just how far north the lake goes. I had never heard of Beaver Island, but I hope I get to travel there someday, it sounds lovely!
I canoed across the Mighty Mississippi River once and also sailed to Antarctica and back so I know how you feel!
Good for you! Awesome adventure! You’ll never forget it and it will be in your obituary!
Wow. What an awesome ride. Congratulations on that accomplishment. Excellent quote.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Great adventure, well prepared and thank you for sharing!
Living in buffalo right between Erie and Ontario I realize how lucky we are to have these amazing lakes. Boating, jet skiing, fishing right at our fingertips
Wow thanks for sharing. That water was just so glassy in some spots and clear. Amazing
Nice little ride for sure! Water conditions looked favorable for sure. Beautiful water, Thanks for sharing.
Billy D
Amazing! I was wondering one day if this was possible and I looked it up and sure enough, there's your video! So cool. I would love to do a trip like this across Lake Michigan some day. Thanks for the inspiration!
This was so interesting to watch. It is a dream for many. Thanks for sharing and taking us along ! Quite the adventure that turned out just fine :)
Love the quote at the end. Great video. Very interesting. Keep it up. Fred from California
Great ride and glad you made it back and forth safely...
Good for You for Fallowing Your Dream!
I Too Have Done Similar Endeavors.
These Activities Make us Who We are. They Project Our Character and are the Chapters in Our Lives.
Watching this has Motivated Me to Live up to Some Current Challenges. Best Wishes and Thank you from Montana! M.H.
Absolutely gorgeous. Thankyou.
Wow. Super cool vid, and sights. Makes me want to get on mine, and just ride.
Must be quite a feeling. Glad you made it.
Woah! What an accomplishment and memory. Good for you!
Edit: And thank you for filming and sharing :)
Wow. 7.17 miles to the gallon. And I was complaining about 17.6 mpg in my jeep.
Nice trip! Thanks for sharing.
😱😱😱😱😱😮😮. Really, really brave! You were right to pick a very calm day for this.
I remember when the guy wind surfed across Lake Michigan back in the late 70s or early 80s.
Is he still going?
Great video! Excellent trip and well documented.
Oh man what a great trip! And well prepared too!!
My butt would have hurt from all of that skiing. Good job capturing this event and way to go on your voyage!
Man this looks so peaceful and adventurous
2:05 I love how sky and sea merge
Well, That Was Really Different. I'm Glad CZcams Put It Up On My Grid. I'll Probably Never See The Great Lakes & Looks Like You Planned It Well.
Nice video and logistics. Thanks For Sharing.
I never thought these "watercraft" could be used for long haul trips. Very interesting. Glad you shared this video. I find it more amazing that you went from Michigan to Michigan and stopped at an island, also in Michigan. I live in Wisconsin, and to a Wisconsinite, we find it hard to believe that you didn't come to Wisconsin because we here in Wisconsin are convinced that all roads (or waterways) lead to Wisconsin. Thank you for debunking that theory.
Well prepared, well planned, congratulations!
Epic video man, this was a full send.
was it hip? Radical? Groovy?
Really cool thanks for putting this together.
Love it! Thanks for posting!
The guys on the freight ship probably, were very surprise to see you lol
Right! One little blue and white boat out in the middle of nowhere.
Maybe it was the Edmon Fitzgerald
@@Zzus321 wrong lake
@@J_M3444 Wrong lake? That's what you think is wrong with the comment?
@@shelbyseelbach9568 lmaoooo well it’s a start…
Nice trip, I'm from Manistique and have alot of family and friends there. I live in Marquette now. Fun adventure.
This was great. I've done a long river trip but never anything like the Great Lakes. I would have gladly joined you on this. Great planning and preparedness. I salute you!
we have a trip like this planned in July. Want to join us? Please do!
David scoot
Doozer Chuck, How did your trip turn out. Details please.
Cool journey, my dude. The weather and water were absolutely gorgeous! Being in SE Michigan I always forget how incredible this state is. Maybe its about time to take a couple days and do a hike around North Manitou...
I’ve never even been on a jet ski. Man that water looked nice though. Thanks 👍🏼☮️
Hell ya man cool video and great adventure!
Gotta say man real nice setup you got there. Cool vid
I don't care why you did it, I just love THAT you did it 👊😎 (props)
Very cool....nice video
Charlevoix, The Beautiful! One of my favorite places. Never been to Beaver Island yet. Nice
adventure. Used to work at Big Rock generating Station every year for about six weeks and stayed
at the Weathervane.
Awesome. We have a cottage on Grand Traverse bay 10 miles north of Elk Rapids. I have a 96 Sea Doo GTX. I am reluctant to cross the bay solo because of potential issues with the ski. I stay within swimming distance to the shore!
Looks like a lot of fun!👍🏻
I've been enjoying your videos. Greetings from Holland MI.
Awesome adventure! Makes me want a jet ski!
That was cool, unexpected suggestion from CZcams. Well done sir.
Awesome! Stay safe out there! 👏🏼
I lived in Charlevoix for a time, this is really impressive. Looks like fun!
This was so badass!!
Your voice is so relaxing. I could fall asleep listening to you talk 😴 awesome video though
Well planned. Safe and smart. Impressive.
What a beautiful RIDE! Glass water on the big lakes! So it's less than 5 gallons one way cool! I once used to set nets on Lake Huron on the Canadian Side near Thessalon to Drummond Island. There were mornings me and my Grandpa would be out on that Lake in surreal crystal calm glass mornings...unimaginable experience to be gliding on the water with the sunrise and the early summer nip!
That sounds wonderful!
The fuel burn was actually a little over 10 gallons each way. The 5-gallon jug was just to have some extra fuel in reserve. My fuel burn is about 7 MPG at 45 MPH. Thanks for sharing your story. ...Memories to last a life time.
very cool trip, and picked a great day - looked like glass out there
Very cool and ballsy !! Enjoyed it !!
Yamaha Jetboater here, greetings from Escanaba Michigan! My 24 foot boat has the same engines as your ski. Very dependable
Does it have two engines with jet drives?
@@rodneybrocke yes,it is a 2017 Yamaha AR240 with twin 1.8L jet drives. Awesome boat! Does 50mph on flat water. Very roomy interior and seats 12
This was a really cool video. Beaver Island is an awesome place to visit if you ever get the chance to go back.
Kudos to you Sir for doing this Solo
Your disposition really gets me fired up!
Cool, but I would be still afraid of engine failure.
You earned a thumbs up and a sub for this excellent content.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Wow. Huge respect. Well-done.
It takes talent to ride a jet ski for two whole hours!
Awesomeness! Would be fun to ride to the islands and camp overnight. True Michigan adventure.
Great quote at the end
Very cool. Respect from down here in South Carolina 🍻
That was really freaking cool!
I used to take my jetski out to the middle of Lake Erie when conditions were right. Couldn’t see land in any direction and could easily get disoriented without GPS
No way you could carry enough gas to get to the middle of Lake Erie .
Just googled it and the lakes only 57 miles wide so you can do what he's saying
this is cool, never thought about doing something like this
I love that you cataloged this journey for the rest of us to see. Thanks for sharing this story, loved it!
I have always wanted to do long Beach to Catalina on a stand up. My longest ride has been 13 miles each way on a Waveblaster.
Nice! Thanks for sharing.
We have ridden our jet skis numerous times from West Palm Beach Florida to Free Port Bahamas which is about 110 miles in the open ocean ...
Wow! That sounds like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing.
Tim, how do you do with gas? Do you have extra containers? A chase boat? Anything else to know? I’m guessing you fill up in Bahamas?
Rodney, why the helmet? Is it a law, or preference
Very useful information
@@1bluensx Yes we always went as a group using our 34 foot Boston Whaler as a chase boat with a fuel station set up on board.
Jeez this was ballsy, I wouldn’t have it in me to try this! If I got a brand new Doo maybe haha. Water looked beautiful!
So awesome. What an experience
Cool video Rodney! That looks like fun. I wouldn't mind trying something like this someday.
Nice job!!
Great video what an adventure Wish I Had the nerve to something like that.