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Cruising Western Lake Erie

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RL
1st Mate

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USA
76 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/22/2002 : 13:18:43

Folks,
I need some advice, or pointed to a source. We just put Free Spirit, SR,SK on the trailer for winter at Attwood Lake Ohio. We want to take her to the western islands of Erie next June for a week of sailing. This will be our first experience trailering her, we've always had the marina keep her over winter.
We, my brother and I, are looking for advice on

1 trailering - simple things like do you need to strap them to the trailer, etc.
2 Suggestions on harbors, morrings, restaurants, etc in the islands.
3 Charts and Cruising Guides, sources and recommendations
4 Specific areas to avoid or plan to visit only at certain times of the week.
I've tried searching the past threads but failed to come up with any discussion of the topic.
Thanks for you help guys.
RL

Free Spirit

Edited by - rl on 10/31/2002 10:07:12

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 14:25:38

We, my brother and I, are looking for advice on
1 trailering - simple things like do you need to strap them to the trailer, etc.
 - RL

Hi RL,

I don't know anything about Great Lakes sailing, but I've got a couple of trailering tips for you.

First, as you probably already know, when you trailer a swing keel, make sure you've lowered the keel as far down as it will go ... that keeps from putting a lot of stress on the cable and cable winch.

Second, once you've lowered the keel, the bottom edge of it will likely be butted up against an axle or a cross-brace on your trailer ... with 1500 lbs of cast iron wedged in there like that, there is no way the boat is going to come off the tailer unless you get broad-sided by an 18-wheeler (so, I see no need to strap the boat onto the trailer).

Third, secure the shrouds, halyards, etc. so that they don't beat your boat to death while you're traveling down the road ... they can do a lot of damage to fiberglass if they are left to fly around in the wind. If you are a duct tape afficionado and use it for everything, I would suggest you use rags or old towels between any boat part and the duct tape before wrapping it with the tape ... the duct tape adhesive will stick to the boat and it's a pain to get off.

Finally, if you have a bimini top, make sure you wrap it tightly (or remove it from the boat) ... I shredded one when I bought my boat and trailered her home, and they're not cheap to replace.

That's all I can think of at the moment ... I'm sure others will have more to add to the list.

'Hope that helps!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 15:44:23

RL

osmepneo is not with a trailer. But when I moved it the professional company that did it stapped down the cradle ANDthe boat. I would never tow a boat without strapping the boat to the trailer. Sure it's not going to come off, but what if . . .. I wouldn't want to take a chance.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk

Edited by - on

Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 19:22:29

There is a cruising section right after the home page of this website that has some good stories about sailing in the great lakes.

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

Edited by - on

William Matley
1st Mate

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52 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 20:23:25

RL, Don't trailer your boat without strapping her down to the trailer. I have tried that trick and while you may not loose your boat, she will bounce and shift position on your trailer, taking a very bad list to one side or another. The swing keel will vibrate off its support plate and sit on your trailer axial. Not good considering how cheap it can be to strap her down snug. Look for one of the wide nylon straps at "Sams" with a ratchet-tightening feature. Small cost for such good insurance.

I have sailed Erie for one season but can't offer any help with the west end. My best advice for trailering, check all your systems twice, find an easy rout, stay out of the way of the rest of traffic, pick a steady speed and enjoy all the expressions from your fellow travelers who will look you over with great interest.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 20:26:42

This past summer I went on a six-day cruise in western Lake Erie with the Admiral and our two girls (7 and 11) that included most of the usual tourist destinations. We planned our route to ensure that each day we were in a marina by early-to-mid afternoon (I don't like to go into unfamiliar marinas after dark and the Admiral would prefer not to do any night sailing). We departed our marina, which is at the mouth of the Detroit River in Brownstown, Michigan, and headed east to Colchester, Canada. The Colchester Harbor marina is a nice marina, but there is not a whole lot to do in the surrounding area other than going to the gas station for ice cream. There is a restaurant at the marina, and since it was Saturday night, they had a band playing (it played until 2:30am <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>!). There is a park at the top of the hill for the kids to play and stretch their legs and there is a nice beach next to the marina. The beaches were closed due to the lake becoming warm from all of the hot days and we were told that bacteria levels were elevated. We just stayed the night and then headed out the next morning after breakfast.

We then departed Colchester and sailed east-southeast to Pelee Island, Canada. We went to Scudder Marina, which is located on the northern shore. The facilities were adequate (showers and heads could've been cleaner), but the marina was quite nice. There isn't a whole lot to do on this quaint island (even the cab driver said that people come to the island to do nothing), but there is signs of life. On the northern shore, they have a restored lighthouse (we didn't walk the mile or two to get there since the temp was in the mid 90's), a rudimentary putt-putt golf course, a bar/restaurant, a co-op building (sort of the island Home Depot, farming supply, gas station, 7-11, bait shop, and marine store all about the size of my living room). On the western side there is more activities with restaurants, a few shops, and a winery. We took the $10.00 cab ride from Scudder, through town (at least I think it was a town. I blinked and missed some of it <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>) and to the winery. We didn't take the official winery tour, just sort of did the self-guided thing, because the kids were getting restless and hungry, so we walked back to town (?) and then took a cab back to the marina. Again, the next morning after breakfast we departed and set sail for South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay), Ohio.

Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is the tourist hot spot in western Lake Erie(my wallet started smoking when the first mooring line was set on the cleat). We moored at Ladd's Marina, which is the closest marina to Perry's monument. Although I've never been there on a weekend, if you want to be a part of the party scene, go on the weekends when the island population swells to the size of a small state with mostly drunken powerboaters(and some sailboaters). We wanted to avoid this and went there on a Monday so the kids didn't have to step over drunks going to and from the boat. On this island we did the usual tourists things; Perry's monument(awesome!!), rented a golf cart to tour the island and get around, did the cave tour, walked around, shopped,...etc. All the while, money flowed from my wallet like the waters over Niagra falls, but you have to expect it at this tourist destination. We only stayed one day and left the morning for Cedar Point, Ohio.

Cedar Point has a very nice and clean marina right next to the amusement park. We planned three nights here and bought the Ride-n-Slide multi-day tickets for both the amusement park and water park. Again, this place is not that wallet friendly and is specifically designed to extract as much cash from you in the shortest amount of time (Even before we arrived, we spent $220.00 on tickets and $135.00 on the slip). Again, the amenities are first rate and kids just love being moored next to the roller coasters!

After Cedar Point, we were going to go to Kelley's Island for their IslandFest, but the weather outlook for the weekend was calling for thunderstorms so we decided to shorten our trip and head home early to avoid the approaching weather system. We left Cedar Point a day early (two days at the park is more than enough <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>) and we headed back Thursday at 9:30am. We planned a stopover in Colchester again so the trip wouldn't be so long and would return Friday to our homeport in Michigan. When we left Cedar Point, winds were moderate and kept the boat moving along at a fairly good clip, but when we were along the eastern shore of the Bass islands, the wind disappeared and the water was flat so for the most part we motorsailed north from Kelley's, along the eastern shores of the Bass islands, then north to Colchester, Canada. When we were about 6 miles due south of Colchester, still motorsailing, I spotted an eerie line in the water about a 1/2-mile ahead of us that appeared to be headed our way. The weather radio was reporting possible chances of thunderstorms and the sky was a bit hazy, but no thunderheads were present. Anyway as this line in the water neared from dead on, I made the decision to drop the sails and continue motoring since there wasn't any wind and there was nary a ripple on the flat water. I furled the genoa and as I was on the cabintop lowering the main, we crossed that line in the water and were immediately in heavy winds. I secured the main and raced back to the cockpit as the wind started picking up speed. The water was still flat but winds were now over 25mph and building. As we motored head-on into the wind, the seas started slowing building. 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4,5,6 feet. These weren't swells, but choppy waves that were about 15 feet between crests, which resulted in a somewhat wild and bumpy ride. I gave the Admiral the choice heaving-to and heading back out to sea or motoring dead on to weather to the nearest safe harbor in Colchester now about 4 to 5 miles away. She opted for the harbor since we didn't know how long this was going to last. Fortunately there was no rain or lightning, only the wind and the waves to deal with, although the water coming over the bow drenched every square inch of me. The winds kept building and the weather radio was now putting out small craft advisories and heavy thunderstorm warnings. The winds were fierce (radio reported sustained winds of 50mph) and the seas were heavy making our four mile trip to the harbor a two hour ride against the grain. After about on hour and a half of this, the weather started to subside with winds in the 25-30mph and the seas becoming less dramatic (I don't know if they were really subsiding or I was just getting used to the ride?) and then as suddenly as it appeared, it stopped. The winds went away and were replaced by an eerie calm as the seas slowly subsided to flat water again. We were so glad that it was over that we decided to skip Colchester and continue on to home, which was another 3 1/2 hours away. We made it back to our marina at 9:00pm after having left Cedar Point over 11 hours earlier, going without wind for the majority of our trip then going through the fiercest windstorm that I've ever encountered. Needless to say we were relieved to be back home again, especially the Admiral who had never even sailed in a hint of bad weather before. The moral of this story is, "be prepared for anything and everything and know what all your options are. Also, keep an eye to the sky and an ear to the radio".

Here are some photos of our 6 day western Lake Erie cruise.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda4f1e040000001410" border=0>
Jennifer, Heather, and Ashley in first foreign port, Colchester, Canada. It is on the Canadian mainland and it was our overnight stopping point on the way to Pelee Island, Canada.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda4d1e060000001410" border=0>
Me, Heather, and Ashley on the rocks in Colchester, Canada.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda331e780000001410" border=0>
Encountering a fellow sailboater on the high seas. As you can see the water is flat with absolutely no wind so we are motoring to our next destination.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda3c9f470000001410" border=0>
Heather at the helm and Jennifer having a snack.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003410" border=0>
Moored at Scudder Marina, Pelee Island, Canada.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9e65e340000001410" border=0>
Jennifer, Heather, and Ashley with North Star at Ladd's Marina, Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ohio.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9e45e360000002410" border=0>
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial at sunrise. The third tallest memorial(352ft) in the United States commemorates Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's victory over the British fleet during the War of 1812.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9e25e300000001410" border=0>
Picture of Put-in-Bay from atop Perry's monument.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ee5e3c0000001410" border=0>
Sunset from Pelee Island, Canada.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda3e9f450000001410" border=0>
Hanging the laundry from the stern pulpit at Cedar Point, Ohio.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda491e020000001410" border=0>
A freighter off in the distance.

Here is a link to a very informative topic about visiting the Put-in-Bay and some other islands.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=754

An excellent Lake Erie cruising guide is Lakeland Boating's "Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair Ports O' Call". I've looked at a ton of cruising guides, but I found none compares to this book! It's got everything you'll need to plan your vacation. Don't leave home without it!
<img src="https://www.lakelandboating.com/shop/images/guide_erie2.jpg" border=0>

Speaking of planning, probably the most important thing to do when planning your trip is to make slip reservations and make them EARLY then cross your fingers that you encounter good weather. A lot of places fill up quick on weekends and some places, like Cedar Point, are booked solid all summer long.

Here are some links to places to go.

http://www.put-in-bay.com/
http://www.kelleysisland.com/
http://www.peleeisland.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/home.html
http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/trips/marina.cfm
http://www.middlebass.org/
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/middlebass.htm

I hope this helps.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina

Edited by - dlucier on 10/23/2002 02:21:14

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2002 : 22:45:40

When we trailered to western Lake Erie we lauched from a state park near cedar point. Free launching, free parking for tow vehicle and trailer while you're out cruising.
Scudder's was our favorite marina - the bay on the north shore of Kelley's Island was our favorite achorage.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 07:26:24

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cda3e9f450000001410" border=0>
Hanging the laundry from the stern pulpit at Cedar Point, Ohio.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

We don't understand why Don always has to air his family's dirty laundry when he recounts this trip!

Edited by - OJ on 10/23/2002 17:19:04

Edited by - on

Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 07:29:41

RL:
It only takes me a couple of min. to strap my boat down. If anything did happen you could probably be cited for improperly securing the load (in this case a boat). I would check with OH state police http://onlinedocs.andersonpublishing.com/revisedcode/ (if you do a search for securing loads you can read the code regarding this topic)to see what they think your responsibilities are to the motoring public. I have seen some discussion about removing you outboard for trailering, I do not b/c I have a 250.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

The link that Don provided to a discussion earlier this year I found quite helpful, and accurate, when I visited western Lake Erie in August this year. We also stayed @ Cedar Point Marina it cost $45.00/night (recently renovated)which was only $5.00 more than any of the other locations we stayed at on the islands (Kelly's and S. Bass). The only problem I had was the public ramp at cedar point is no longer open and I had to find an alternate ramp pretty late in the day. We used the ramp at Battery Park. The car and trailer can be stored there also, I think that was $20.00 for use of the ramp and parking (with security) for the week. Two things I was really glad I had were my "Richardsons Chart Book and Guide" and depth gage, even though I can skinny my draw down to 1'-8".

I can't think of anything to avoid, although you may want to make sure you are 100% USCG complient as they were boarding boats (mostly stink boats, they ignored us and boarded every stink boat around us) on the north side of S. Bass the day we went by. We had a great time and plan on going back as soon as possible. If it is just you and your brother and you like to bar hop Put-in-Bay should suit you fine on a weekend.

Ray Seitz C 250WB #628 Sea Major

Edited by - Ray Seitz on 10/24/2002 21:52:44

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 08:53:04

I used to dock in sandusky and have spent weekends at Put-in-bay as well as week to 10 day cruises on the western part of Lake Erie.

Here is the thread that Don Posted prior to going....

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=754

One change to my original post on this link.....cab rides were upped to 3 dollars this year....
Also
Water levels are fine for the most part, but to be safe, you might want to round ballast Island to the north when going to Put-In-Bay...The channel is tricky to navigate when you haven't done it before....

When navigating North of Kelley's but South of Middle, have a good chart, and a good GPS...preferrably a charting GPS. There are no less than 3 shoals in there that are poorly marked...

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d603b3127cce9f858f0ef3ef0000001010" border=0>

Edited by - on

RL
1st Mate

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USA
76 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 16:47:53

Boy, you guys are great. Thanks for the info. Don, I really liked reading your log, even with the dirty laundry. I spent hours surfing the net and got nowhere near the info as there is on this one thread. We'll be in the water on Erie next June, probably the 1st or 2nd week.
Thanks
RL

Free Spirit

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2002 : 20:48:06

We aired our dirty laundry out in public because after a week together on the water, our grievances became to big for our boat's small interior!

I'd like to echo Duane's comments concerning the channel between Ballast and South Bass Island being somewhat tricky. Before I went through(and I think there was a new uncharted island in that channel then), I made a slow approach and watched the boat traffic as they made their way through. I followed the boats that didn't send up flares or sink. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

<pre id=code>http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=41.671797395305084&lon=-82.78762971000611&scale=80000&zoom=100&type=0&icon=0&&scriptfile=http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS</pre id=code>

GPS, paper charts, VHF, depth sounder, and binoculars are must have items when wandering amongst the islands and entering strange ports.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
Catalina

Edited by - on

LOREN SOUERS
Navigator

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USA
100 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 17:36:53

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Folks,
I need some advice, or pointed to a source. We just put Free Spirit, SR,SK on the trailer for winter at Attwood Lake Ohio. We want to take her to the western islands of Erie next June for a week of sailing. This will be our first experience trailering her, we've always had the marina keep her over winter.
Thanks for you help guys.
RL

Free Spirit
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

RL,
I, too, sail on Atwood Lake these days, aboard Nimue. Perhaps you saw us out there this summer. A few years and many tuition dollars ago, I had a lovely Pearson 28 up on Lake Erie.
I agree with most of what has been said here. I would add one, probably obvious, thing, a compass. Please don't be offended. Your boat may have one, but Atwood is NOT Lake Erie, and if your boat has been on Atwood its whole life, perhaps it doesn't have one.
Also, it is now the time for Power Squadrons to be offering their "Basic Boating" coarse. It is cheap and GREAT. If you haven't already, TAKE IT. You will be glad you did. You will learn what you need to know to move from Atwood to Lake Erie.
I love to tell the story of a professional friend of mine who, years ago, bought a (stink) boat and took it up to Lake Erie "for the day" with his whole family aboard. Off they went from the Ohio shore, sailed to Kelley's Island, Put-in-Bay, and then off to Pelee Island CA. They were having a wonderful time when they realized it was getting late and the sun was descending in the west. So, they got back into the boat to race back home at 30 mph or whatever. The darn lake had gotten rough, (big lakes do this), and they couldn't go more than 5 mph or so. Well, it got real dark and he couldn't see very far. They were on the lake for hours in relatively high waves, and finally (God willing) made it back to where they had put in. He vowed that night to sell the boat immediately.
My friend didn't have a flashlight. He didn't have any charts. He had no radio. I said "Well, you were in Canada. All you had to do was point her South and you'd get home to the Ohio shore." No, he didn't even have a compass.
Get the necessary instruments, take the class, and enjoy Lake Erie. (P.S. I would be glad to be a guide for a day.)

Loren Souers, skipper
Nimue, The Lady of the Lake (now on the shore of Atwood Lake, Ohio)

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