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Lake Erie

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EarlEbert
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/22/2008 : 11:19:24

Hello

I'm considering a move from Connecticut to the Pittsburgh area. I know squat about sailing on Lake Erie. Could some of you Erie sailors out there either

a) Tell me how fabulous it is to sail on Lake Erie
b) Tell me to sell the Catalina and take up gardening

Earl Ebert

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2008 : 12:10:50

Well, Earl, Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes so the biggest complaint is the choppiness of the wave action. Storms come up quickly and can get nasty fast. I sail in western Lake Erie and enjoy it. I have the advantage of being on a very large bay that is fun to sail when the lake is ugly. We also have the Lake Erie Islands to provide a few interesting spots to sail to and from. I assume you'll be looking to the eastern end of the lake. Doesn't seem as interesting to me but I've never been there.

I assume you know that Lake Erie is a couple of hours drive from Pittsburgh, right? There are a number of inland lakes that might be of interest to you both in PA and Ohio. They can provide enjoyable sailing experiences and shorten the commute. Mosquito Lake in Ohio and Pymatuning on the OH/PA border come to mind. There are a couple of guys here that live near these lakes and not that far from Erie but prefer the smaller lakes. Maybe they'll chime in with their resoning.

Anybody sailing on the Ohio river near Pittsburgh?

A) It's fabulous to sail on Lake Erie.

B) Sell the boat and take up gardening. (I'm not sure why you wanted us to tell you that cuz it'll be harder to sail with a spade and rake than a boat and sails.)

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2008 : 23:36:08

Lake Erie is a great sailing area. I also sail the western lake, and the variety visiting the islands and Canadian ports can keep you involved for years. I would guess you have fewer close ports but plenty of anchorages in the eastern basin, and the deeper water probably doesn't get quite so steep. Of course for an ambitious trip you could sail to Buffalo and drop your mast and try the New York canal system to the Finger Lakes.

It really is great sailing, and, if you have the time and inclination, you can get anywhere from anywhere on the Great Lakes. We did a 5 day cruise last year and may do a longer one next year. And anchoring well off shore for an afternoon swim with no sight of land (and as my wife says, no sharks or alligators) is great way to waste a day. Lake Erie in the summer and Pensacola Bay and the Gulf in the winter - life is good.

Edited by - on

Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2008 : 06:30:06

Earl,

Pittsburgh is a great city and you will love Lake Erie. I sail mine on Pymatuning which is on the Ohio/PA border North of Pitt. Check out Erie, PA. I think you will like it a lot. http://www.presqueisle.org/

Send me an email sometime and I will send you oover my cell. We can discuss the different options for Eastern Lake Erie. By the way, we race Force 5s as our small boat in this area.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2008 : 07:57:14

Hi Earl

I'm the guy who sails on Mosquito lake. It is a large body of water 10 mi x 1.5 mi near Cortland, Ohio. Great place to sail with 4-5 marinas and several private clubs. I belong to the Cortland Conservation Club. We have 4-5 moorings available this year.

The State park may also have docks available. I picked one up a few weeks ago and there were 4 or 5 still available at about $420/yr.

Email me if you want more info.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 15:24:02

Lake Erie is an awesome venue to go sailing in - Everything from Detroit to the Islands to Erie PA and the Canadians up North have something to offer. The Lake Turk Sails is also very nice and very reasonably priced. Ergo, Lake Erie isn't your only option.

Lake Erie will give you a whallop just like the Ocean up there in Connecticutt, It will just do it without the salt. How about not having to worry about hosing off your rigging every time you return from a sail?

The only Gardening you should be doing is done with VC-17 and it keeps the weeds from growing on your hull.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 19:58:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 Lake Erie will give you a whallop just like the Ocean up there in Connecticutt...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I won't argue that--which is why I'm here and not there.

I won't even start on the other reasons.

Stop by for a visit!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/01/2008 20:00:31

smoken
1st Mate

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USA
67 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2008 : 21:50:13

Dave I'd like to here more about that Pensacola winter sailing. I'm thinking of changing our vacation plans. But we are partial to warm weather.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 21:13:16

Pensacola Bay usually has great breezes in the winter, but "warm" is a relative term. I'm happy with sunny 60's and 70's, some high 50's and infrequent low 80's' but I go for a couple of months. We may go to Ft. Walton (about 30 miles east) this year, but it is the same scenario with large bays, Gulf ICW, and easier Gulf access. Ft. Myers and Punta Gorda would be warmer, but they would also have more crowds and be more expensive. I had hoped to get some photos and video organized, but retirement is much busier than I had anticipated.

Edited by - on

smoken
1st Mate

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USA
67 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2008 : 21:20:33

Thanks for the info. We only get a couple weeks so the closer to Texas the quicker to get in the water.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.