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Direct open-water crossing from Manitowoc to Ludington spans approximately 53 nautical miles, requiring continuous weather tracking across the open expanse of Lake Michigan. Mariners must remain vigilant, this forecast route runs along a commercial ferry traffic route. Respect local regulated navigation restrictions when transiting the busy approach near Ludington Harbor.
Optimized for marine passage planning, vessel routing, and coastal or offshore weather tracking. This automated marine weather routing tool updates daily using premium data models. Below is the weather, wave, and ocean current layout for a standard vessel transit from Manitowoc Harbor, WI to Ludington Harbor, MI.
Expect mixed conditions with no major headwinds. Winds range from 2 to 7 kts with waves 0.4 to 0.9 ft with period of 2 to 3 seconds. Overall, periods of cross-seas may create some roll. Wind angles: 50% following, 50% reaching. Sea state: 25% aligned, 75% cross-seas.
Points of Sail
| Category | Point of Sail | Wind Angle | Portion of Passage |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the Nose | No-Go Zone | 0–45° | 0% |
| Reaching | Close Hauled | 45–80° | 0% |
| Reaching | Beam Reach | 80–110° | 25% |
| Reaching | Broad Reach | 110–145° | 25% |
| Following | Run | 145–180° | 50% |
Sea State & Wave Motion
| Sea State | Wind vs. Waves | Boat Motion | Portion of Passage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aligned | Waves run with the wind | Steady, organized | 25% |
| Cross Seas | Waves cross the wind | Rolling | 75% |
| Opposed | Waves against the wind | Choppy, confused | 0% |