driving on big marine?

[murphylakejim]

it looked like everyone was parking at the lot on the north end of big marine lake today. should i be the first one and drive out on it tomorrow? i could take my girl friends 93 geo metro with a curb weight of only 1694 lbs. any thoughts?

[maxpower117]

I'll be the pin cousin. Go for it.

Be smart though. Check the ice every 100'.

[drscholl14]

I was out there yesterday and going out again today. There isn't anyone driving on it yet. One of the local bait shops I stopped in said there have been a few trucks out there but I think it's pretty nuts to go out there yet in a vehicle. Just my two cents.

[john.wells]

it looked like everyone was parking at the lot on the north end of big marine lake today. should i be the first one and drive out on it tomorrow? i could take my girl friends 93 geo metro with a curb weight of only 1694 lbs. any thoughts?

\

Even though those little Geo's are light, there is no honor in being the first out. You might just be the first one to drop through the ice as well. Keep in mind that it hasn't been terribly cold the last week, and the ice took a serious beating the week prior. All of those vehicles parked on solid land should tell you something......

[john.wells]

Also, bear in mind if you do drop through, you are on the hook for all fees and fines for the recovery of the vehicle if you are lucky to survive. Depending on how far out and how deep and how long it is on the bottom, it could potentially run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Comprehensive insurance usually covers a substantial amount of the cost, but I would hazard a guess that a 93 anything will probably just have liability. On that note, to anyone reading this, it would be well advised to add comprehensive coverage for at least the time frame you would be driving onto frozen waters. Just be sure to ask your agent about the coverage for recovery. You could get by fairly cheap if you have a high enough deductible that wouldn't put you too far back in such an event.

[JBMasterAngler]

While I can't speak for big marine, I was on demontreville lake today (a much smaller and shallower lake), and the ice was only about 7 inches.

[murphylakejim]

Looks like I'll reassess the situation next week.

Thanks for the replies.

[fsnrod]

no matter what you drive out there with on any ice you best call your agent on what coverage you need to have every year before you go out.

[th64]

Usually early ice is like granite but we have had seriously warm weather and rain-stay on foot.

If you must go(someone has a gun to your head) stay away from the island.

[maxpower117]

I'll be the pin cousin. Go for it.

Be smart though. Check the ice every 100'.

I take this back. Hold off until we see at least 48 hours under 25.

[Woodnicholas]

People using four wheelers out there, might give the lake a try this weekend

[hooksetta16]

Anyone seeing more trucks/cars out there since in the last few days?? Heading out tomorrow and would be nice to drive truck if possible...

Thanks!

[fishwater]

I measured two places today, both had 9.5". I personally wouldn't drive out, but someone had a 1/2 ton truck out on the east arm. It looked like they drove out from the right of way access off 182nd St.

[hooksetta16]

Thanks for the info. Man that seems thin for how cold it has been last 4-5 days.

[JBMasterAngler]

Never underestimate the insulating power of snow