Hey Dewey & TDW
As a newer member I do the same. I see an interesting heading/topic and i'll take a look at it.
I'm glad I did here almost 4 years later as the statements from Denr and sailingdog hit it right on the nose.
I was looking for a sailboat last year and I was comparing several 30' to 36' cruisers and settled on my old 1973 IRWIN 32 for economical reasons and that it could handle the Lake even though I heard comments on other sailing sites that some would never take such a boat out on bluewater and that she was okay for sailing on the Great Lakes.
I rather be on true blue water ocean with a 50 knt wind in 12' swells with a relatively long wave period than in Lake Michigan in the same weather conditions with a 5 second wave period.
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As they say 'believe you me' the ocean in those conditions will be a lot better ride. Been there done that and not always by choice.
ps My Irwin does fine in this small ocean.
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