Most confusing markers on the lake

[imyourhuckleberry]

I have a mental block when I approach the markers near the southern most tip of east bear island and mark island. Navionics tells me to go right between the two black markers, but it doesn't make sense to me. Does anyone else get the sense of dread here? And, what are the most confusing markers on the lake for you?

[LoveLakeLife]

That’s how Bizer has it too. Sense must give way to trust. haha

I’m pretty sure one of the red/white markers has been missing between Mark and Mink for a couple years. Bizer says stay to the left of one and to the right of the other. I can’t tell which one the lone survivor is, so I just hug it.


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[TheTimeTraveler]

Make sure your depth finder is turned on.......

[steve-on-mark]

If you are talking about the red and black, stay on the Bear side of red, Jolly Island side of black. I go on either side of the the navigation marker, but the mail boat usually travels on the Bear side of it.

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[Phantom]

I believe you are referring to the area around FL#30

FL#30 is associated with a Black Top and "safe passage is to the northern side of it

The Red & Black Tops that you see close by mark a hazard between them. Counter intuitive but (as stated) the safe passage is between the shoreline and Red Top

Many people get confused and think the two black tops in the same area are associated with each other -

Just goes to show the Cardinal system is not perfect. There are a select few of these types of situations that you just have to memorize. Another is over by Varney island.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Make sure your depth finder is turned on.......

Doesn't matter if the transducer is on the back of your boat!

[The Real BigGuy]

Just remember there are black and red markers AND black top and red top markers. Go between red and corresponding black markers. NEVER go between black tops or red tops. They have their own passage rules depending on direction of travel.


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[Descant]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

Just remember there are black and red markers AND black top and red top markers. Go between red and corresponding black markers. NEVER go between black tops or red tops. They have their own passage rules depending on direction of travel.

Except you go between the two red tops that are at the south end of the channel between Mark and Mink. You really need to think of such locations as separate, not a pair of buoys, marking two separate hazards. Any number of similar situations make sense in that perspective.

The four buoys mentioned by the OP really mark two hazards. You will often see boats criss-crossing the area between the two sets of buoys. As with other places, you will see boats going between the red and black tops here, without mishap. Just lucky.

[The Real BigGuy]

I’ve seen lots of boats going on the wrong side of markers over the years and luck out missing hazards and I’ve seen boats doing the same thing on other days and leave sorts of their props & outdrive son the rocks.


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[LoveLakeLife]

I would have illustrated the chart like Phantom did but I have no idea how.


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[BrunoSR]

Originally Posted by Descant

Except you go between the two red tops that are at the south end of the channel between Mark and Mink. You really need to think of such locations as separate, not a pair of buoys, marking two separate hazards. Any number of similar situations make sense in that perspective.

The four buoys mentioned by the OP really mark two hazards. You will often see boats criss-crossing the area between the two sets of buoys. As with other places, you will see boats going between the red and black tops here, without mishap. Just lucky.

One of the Red Top ( red/white) spars on the southern side of the channel between Mark and Mink has been missing or removed, for years. The missing one was on the Mink side of the channel. Maybe it was removed because it was confusing with the Red Top (red/white) on the southern tip of Mark.

Another place to watch out for is the rock field off the shore between Farrar’s Point and Leavitt Park/Beach. I have seen 46 footers come thru there with no issues and a friend’s 23 foot bow rider destroy an outdrive. Just because you see someone else make it thru one of these areas, doesn’t mean you will.

[Phantom]

Getting a little off track from the FL#30 area -- the below, between Eagle & Pitchwood Islands is what I have found to be the most common area for people to screw up -- For every 3 that make it we always see 1 no so lucky.

Lake Rule #1 -- never follow someone thinking he knows what he is doing (REGARDLESS of the size of the boat)

[imyourhuckleberry]

Totally agree w/ the Stonedam narrows. I thought about going through there then took a look at the chart - nope!

Cant believe anyone actually goes through there.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by imyourhuckleberry

Totally agree w/ the Stonedam narrows. I thought about going through there then took a look at the chart - nope!

Cant believe anyone actually goes through there.

I looked at a 1962 chart--If you think it is confusing now, think about having it marked with 4 black buoys in a square! I understand more boats get pulled out of there than the Witches. Adding the NWZ on the other side of Eagle encourages more traffic through this rocky area.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by imyourhuckleberry

I have a mental block when I approach the markers near the southern most tip of east bear island and mark island. Navionics tells me to go right between the two black markers, but it doesn't make sense to me. Does anyone else get the sense of dread here? And, what are the most confusing markers on the lake for you?

There is nothing that you will hit in a pleasure boat anywhere around those markers on either side. I have been though and around them thousands of times I imagine in the last 20 years of being on Mark and East Bear.

Unless you are piloting the Mount you are good.

Keep in mind that while you should pay attention to the markers, some are set for larger vessels such as the mail boats, the Mount, or the C-nile!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

There is nothing that you will hit in a pleasure boat anywhere around those markers on either side. I have been though and around them thousands of times I imagine in the last 20 years of being on Mark and East Bear.

Unless you are piloting the Mount you are good.

Keep in mind that while you should pay attention to the markers, some are set for larger vessels such as the mail boats, the Mount, or the C-nile!

haha....best laugh I've had all day!!

[Taz]

I always keep #30 and black to my port side headed toward Mark Island and never a problem.