How hard can it be?

[Hanuman]

I live at a place called Lake Macatawa, its about 2 square miles and it connects directly to Lake Michigan. I love eSail but my reason for getting eSail is to be more prepared to learn to sail in real life....I took 2 lessons this summer and I guess I just need to pass an online test and I can rent a boat up to 30 feet in length.
My dream is to sail up Chicago's "Gold Coast" from where I live, which is a 200 mile sail.

Do I need more lessons? If I pass the online quiz it seems like the requirements to rent a sailboat are less then to rent a car...which seems weird...

any advice? Do you need tons of lessons to sail on a lake like Lake Michigan?

[cbaldwin256]

Normally rental companies have requirements which is the first guide. In the Southern UK, with lots of tides, renters want you to have lots of local experience, as well as Day Skipper which is a formal qualification. But on your lake it may be different. It may be worth speaking to a rental company for guidance. They may be able to put someone on board for the first day to assess your skills.

[Hanuman]

Thanks capt. Baldwin,

All Michigan requires is an online course, for $29.50 and after passing a short online course; I too, can apparently become a fully licensed boat captain.
Seems really insane, I assume the Coast Guard charges people for being rescued.
I took the online course and exam and passed, a lot of it is in your tutorials
It is mostly about safety.

I will go to the local marina and talk to them about lessons, how many, and what really is required to sail a small boat safely on Lake Michigan

Cheers!

[Sully]

eSail is really good for the theory, and you'll find it a big help to already have an understanding of what the lines mean and do. Most of the terminology in the US is the same (they refer to the kicker strap as a Boom Vang, which I thought was the guitarist from Poison).
Most of all have fun, and get ready to spend some $$$

[Hanuman]

Originally posted by Sully:

they refer to the kicker strap as a Boom Vang, which I thought was the guitarist from Poison

:D I almost choked laughing about this haha thank you

[alphapogo]

Here in Germany, as always, it takes a bit more effort if you want to sail on your own. If you want to rent a boat of that size, you need an insurance. The Insurer requires a (more or less) advanced sailing license. Requirement for the license is min. 300 nm. sailing experience plus a basic course. Then you need a Theory course, +1week practical course. On top of that you need a maritime radio license, since every yacht must be equipped with a radio by law (and people who don't know the protocols might disrupt communications) . Other countries like the Netherlands and France, USA are (i think) more lax in these regards. The English are imho the most professional and have the best courses.

But all those courses don't necessarily mean you are a good sailor.

If you are not going alone one-handed, keep in mind that your crew needs to believe in your competence. Otherwise that trip might not be much of a pleasure. I don't know much about Lake Michigan, but given it's size (more a sea in european terms) i guess the weather can come quiet hard.

At the bottom line, practice, experience and heart's blood is king. At first i learned on a jollyboat on a large bavarian lake (much much smaller than Lake Michigan) at the age of 13. When I came to yachting, I found that is a real advantage compared to the others who jumped right in to it. And it is fun :). Since you live near a lake (lucky you are!) maybe try this first on a weekend?
Or just connect to a sailing club, probably the best advice i can give to you. They know your revier.

Mast und Schotbruch :)

[Thogmar]

Sailing a large lake means you need to learn about weather and always be checking conditions and forecasts. Weather can kill you, the boat probably will not. Of course you'll only want to travel in the warmest months with the best weather forecasts, on a boat that is large enough to handle 2.5 to 4 foot waves in the better weather months on Lake Michigan. That means 30 feet in length minimum.

As with any new experience with possible dangers, it would be best to assist a veteran expert on a few journeys to determine your skill levels as well as your desire to travel on a sailboat for many hours on end - 10-20 hours to cross Lake Michigan by sail.

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by Hanuman:

.I took 2 lessons this summer and I guess I just need to pass an online test and I can rent a boat up to 30 feet in length.

Inquire with the companies that you hope to rent from. They will give you the guidance that you need as they surely will not rent to someone they don't consider qualified (you). The state might be permissive, but those that own the hardware have to answer to their insurers and or you have to be able to convince an insurer that you are a good risk.
@alphopogo above is probably close to predicting what you face. I had a friend who was certified by a respected school before she could rent a boat to sail the Med, she got as I remember an internationally recognized "skippers certificate."
Good luck

[brouk1111]

Hi, to add for previous responses:
- You 4 kind of skills
o Sailing itself
o Navigation
o And weather as somebody mentioned here
o Technical (if something is broken)
Basic sailing in normal condition (or on small lake) is possible to learn quickly.

Problems start in difficult condition (wind and waves).

We have in our country different kind of licenses which usually combine theory (navigation, whether, medical, technical) and practice.

For large water like Michigan I recommend 1 week practice to be sure, that you know all.