I spent 2 1/2 years studying on and planning to find and own one of these boats.
It is a Sea Ray 680 Sun Sport.
Depending on who you ask there were either 12 or 14 of them built from 2000 to 2005.
The one I have is a 2006 which was actually completed in 2005 and presumably the last one built.
During the end of the run Caterpillar did an upgrade to the engines and went from a 3412E to a C30 Acert which meant fully electronic fuel injection.
This boat may be the only one that got the upgrade. 1,550 hp per engine and 4,500 pounds of torque. Big girl loves to run even at over 80,000 pounds full of fuel.
Last December was survey, sea trial, and purchase.
Right now I am 1 week into the trip home which started in Port Clinton, Ohio on Lake Erie and will take something close to 3 weeks to complete.
Tonight I am sitting somewhere 10 miles down the Illinois river from Joliet, Illinois and admittedly have had a glass of Maker’s & Coke since we tied up so I’m feelin’ pretty alright.
I have “rounded the mitten” with my hired captain and his lady who were training me to run the boat.
Since yesterday I have been with a different captain due to them having obligations that only allowed them to get me to Chicago.
Anyway here’s a few pics and a video link.
I hope you all enjoy.
This was day 1 just before leaving Port Clinton, Ohio.
On this day we headed north across Lake Erie and into the Detroit River. Keep in mind pretty much all of the watershed from all of the Great Lakes flows through these channels, across Lake Erie and out over Niagara Falls.
We had a little current to run against.
We went across Lake St. Clair and through the St. Clair River. Then out into Lake Huron.
This was (I believe the Ambassador Bridge) connecting the US to Canada.
We spent the first night here in Lexington, Michigan.
The second day was really awesome. Going north across Lake Huron we had heavy following winds and were surfing 6-8 footers most of the day and hauling ass as big boats go 30-35 mph.
This boat loves this stuff.
At a couple of points the young lady was downstairs fixing food while we were underway. No problem.
We spent the second night in Cheboygan, Michigan.
There was this big Coast Guard ship parked right behind us.
The captain mentioned that as a child he spent a lot of time on this ship or one just like it but that was pre-9/11 and wouldn’t be possible now.
Someone is at the bridge on this ship at all times day and night no matter what.
The third day was spent rounding Michigan and ended in Grand Haven close to Grand Rapids.
We had no idea when we got there but notice the locals hanging out behind the boat on a grassy area.
About 9 PM across the bay a music, water, and lights show started going off.
It was pretty awesome.
The fourth day ended in Chicago at Burnham Harbor. This old ragged sail boat looked like it had been here for years with no attention.
It did not fit with all of the other fancy boats in this harbor. If you look closely the curtains are even rotting off it.
I think I solved a half century old cold case.
Pictures of my crew. These two really made the trip to this point an incredible experience. They set the bar way too high for the follow up captain.
Chicago from Burnham Harbor.
I’m typically not into city skylines. I’m more of a nature guy like most of you but this was admittedly pretty incredible to see.
Down the Cal-Sag Canal and into the river system with lots of draw bridges that had to be raised for us to pass through.
This is a big boat but smaller boats with fly bridges are taller. I’d hate to be them trying to get through here.
It is a Sea Ray 680 Sun Sport.
Depending on who you ask there were either 12 or 14 of them built from 2000 to 2005.
The one I have is a 2006 which was actually completed in 2005 and presumably the last one built.
During the end of the run Caterpillar did an upgrade to the engines and went from a 3412E to a C30 Acert which meant fully electronic fuel injection.
This boat may be the only one that got the upgrade. 1,550 hp per engine and 4,500 pounds of torque. Big girl loves to run even at over 80,000 pounds full of fuel.
Last December was survey, sea trial, and purchase.
Right now I am 1 week into the trip home which started in Port Clinton, Ohio on Lake Erie and will take something close to 3 weeks to complete.
Tonight I am sitting somewhere 10 miles down the Illinois river from Joliet, Illinois and admittedly have had a glass of Maker’s & Coke since we tied up so I’m feelin’ pretty alright.
I have “rounded the mitten” with my hired captain and his lady who were training me to run the boat.
Since yesterday I have been with a different captain due to them having obligations that only allowed them to get me to Chicago.
Anyway here’s a few pics and a video link.
I hope you all enjoy.
This was day 1 just before leaving Port Clinton, Ohio.
On this day we headed north across Lake Erie and into the Detroit River. Keep in mind pretty much all of the watershed from all of the Great Lakes flows through these channels, across Lake Erie and out over Niagara Falls.
We had a little current to run against.
We went across Lake St. Clair and through the St. Clair River. Then out into Lake Huron.
This was (I believe the Ambassador Bridge) connecting the US to Canada.
We spent the first night here in Lexington, Michigan.
The second day was really awesome. Going north across Lake Huron we had heavy following winds and were surfing 6-8 footers most of the day and hauling ass as big boats go 30-35 mph.
This boat loves this stuff.
At a couple of points the young lady was downstairs fixing food while we were underway. No problem.
We spent the second night in Cheboygan, Michigan.
There was this big Coast Guard ship parked right behind us.
The captain mentioned that as a child he spent a lot of time on this ship or one just like it but that was pre-9/11 and wouldn’t be possible now.
Someone is at the bridge on this ship at all times day and night no matter what.
The third day was spent rounding Michigan and ended in Grand Haven close to Grand Rapids.
We had no idea when we got there but notice the locals hanging out behind the boat on a grassy area.
About 9 PM across the bay a music, water, and lights show started going off.
It was pretty awesome.
The fourth day ended in Chicago at Burnham Harbor. This old ragged sail boat looked like it had been here for years with no attention.
It did not fit with all of the other fancy boats in this harbor. If you look closely the curtains are even rotting off it.
I think I solved a half century old cold case.
Pictures of my crew. These two really made the trip to this point an incredible experience. They set the bar way too high for the follow up captain.
Chicago from Burnham Harbor.
I’m typically not into city skylines. I’m more of a nature guy like most of you but this was admittedly pretty incredible to see.
Down the Cal-Sag Canal and into the river system with lots of draw bridges that had to be raised for us to pass through.
This is a big boat but smaller boats with fly bridges are taller. I’d hate to be them trying to get through here.
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