Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Guest wrote:It is too bad that Chuck Truskot is no longer able to ad his knowledge of Island life.

This is so true. I miss the historical knowledge that Mr. Truscott always shared with us and his insight of the politics behind what is happening now would be really interesting!

I believe that the Huron is the only ferry that has a heated
passenger area, and therefore the primary winter boat.
The Huron's 400 seat capacity is plenty for off season operation.
It is too bad that Chuck Truskot is no longer able to ad his knowledge of Island life.

Maybe those plans for the Algomah refit will resurface with the new agreement. I think we will find out a lot when we actually know what the ferry franchise agreements are. I would think you would probably see Huron, Straits II, and one other traditional survive. Coin flip as to which one.

The Mackinac Islander (2) was the boat built with a stronger hull. She was the winter boat for many years. However, instead of fixing a problem after many years of hard ice, they chose to sell her over the Huron. The Mohawk never had cabin heating and was converted to a twin screw.

Plans were drawn up for the conversion of Algomah into a more enclosed, year 'round vessel, but they fell through.

If Wynn is serious in obtaining an ice-breaking class ferry, it would certainly do in the majority of the traditional ferries. However, the Coast Guard has said maintaining a track in the straits is not a priority for them.

One of the Detroit dailies reported Wynn was looking at buying an ice breaking boat. Don't know if that would be just an ice breaker or a passengers ship with ice breaking capabilities. In any case it really sounds like the traditional ferries are goners. Hope they at least keep one. But the cats are not really cold weather vessels. And no other ferry company has boats for that purpose.

I recall hearing that the Huron has a heavier hull than the the other traditional ATCO boats. I do not know if the framing in spaced closer or the plating is thicker or both. For that reason, it has always been the winter boat. The Huron was the winter boat even when ATCO had the similar enclosed cabin boats Mohawk and Mackinac Islander.

At one time I heard talk of enclosing the cabins on one of the open deck boats for fall service. However, the cat service has probably rendered that idea obsolete.

The flat top ferries, Mackinac Islander and Corsair, are only used for freight. Some lighter things are brought over on the cats. The Huron typically handles the horses by herself. While they have been worth their weight in gold, I just don't see them holding onto Ottawa, Chippewa or Algomah. Would be interesting to see who is still in the market for that style of boat.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like from all of that they definitely are not planning on having all of they for the long haul if they are deferring maintenance. don't think they can haul all they freight in the cats and flat boats. Can they haul all the horses over with just the Huron? Will be interesting.

It's not good for engines to sit and not receive regular maintenance. The Algomah's engines are in very bad shape. Chippewa has large engines - really too large for her. Ottawa has ok engines. These three would not be suitable for ice because of their hull design - very broad bows and twin screws. The Chippewa did run for a few weeks in ice in 2002, I think, the only year they ran year 'round. The Huron broke down and they chose Chippewa due to her higher horsepower. There wasn't too much ice at the time though. They would all have to be converted as well, since they were designed for fair weather.

Straits II was built by Blount and has a sleek hull design with lots of horsepower. She is made of a lighter grade of steel and needs to be hauled out or have bubblers put around her to prevent ice damage.

Thanks for the info. Was curious. Didn't know they were not in great shape. I know the Straits II is a different kind of vessel, is it much faster than the other 4? What makes the Ottawa, Algomah, and Chippewa different than the Huron that they cannot handle ice (I am sure there is an actual reason).

Sam,

The Ottawa and Chippewa have been off the regular run since 2005. However, they have been used for cruises and to fill in if a catamaran broke down. Algomah hasn't been on the regular run in years, but is the Mack City vesper boat and is used for cruises too big for the Straits II. She also will fill in for the Huron taking horses on/off the island. Straits II underwent a refurbishment and repowering in 2005. She is very busy in the summer with cruises and charters.

A proposal for the ferry merger would have one traditional ferry make three round trips from St. Ignace during the peak of summer. (They have been listed on the schedule each year since 2006 as running when needed, but they never have.) While they are very cost efficient boats to run, Ottawa, Chippewa and Algomah need plenty of work. They're draft makes regular trips into Mack City very difficult and they are not suitable for ice use. The Huron will need hull work eventually if she continues to be used in the winter months.

Good boats, but no longer a need for 3 600 passenger vessels. Will be interesting to see what happens with them.

Does anyone know with the new ownership and changes with Arnold Transit, what is the status of the traditional ferries, Algomah, Ottawa, Chippewa, Huron, and Straits of Mackinac II? I know the Huron is the ice boat used during extended service and is probably the only one in service right now. But are the other used much anymore, or are they destined to be sold off? Maybe they are in the plans for beefed up winter service? I always loved those old boats and enjoy the slower ride to the island.