I've been reading this thread as it has grown and debated if I wanted to say something or not. Well I decided I should. It is in noway a good idea to attempt what you want to do. I lost two great friends last April 16th and my friends girlfriend and her niece to lake erie. My buddy was very experienced on erie and many other bodies of water. Mother nature doesn't care about experience or non experience. All i know is I'll never see them again and there are no for sure answers as to what happened as the boat was found structurley sound. No alocohol factor just a pure accident. I would strongly recommend using one of the great captains on here. If something happens to you not only are you putting your life in danger but others also. Many can vouch on here I'm sure that they've had the crap scared out of them on erie and add cold water to the situation its a recipe for disaster. I really hope you rethink your choices. I'm not trying to be a ahole i just don't want to see anything bad happen