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Sailing Lake Erie

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/08/2003 : 10:38:22

Hello all,

What is it like to sail Lake Erie? I'm from Columbus (2.5 hours away) where the biggest water we have is the Scioto River (just kidding, it's Alum Creek Reservoir). I would really love to sail on some big water, but I've heard horror stories about Lake Erie, being shallow and having big waves with little warning. Then I heard on the radio earlier this week that deep keel sailboaters are being warned that the lake is shallower this year.

Is the depth of Lake Erie something I should be concerned about? I'm sure the heavy chop is something to be concerned about, but what precautions can be taken to avoid being in dangerous situations?

Enquiring minds (mine) want to know,

Thanks,

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2003 : 11:43:38

Several months back there was a lenghty thread on the Bass Islands - try a search for Put-in-Bay.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2003 : 11:58:08

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>What is it like to sail Lake Erie? I would really love to sail on some big water, but I've heard horror stories about Lake Erie, being shallow and having big waves with little warning. Is the depth of Lake Erie something I should be concerned about? I'm sure the heavy chop is something to be concerned about, but what precautions can be taken to avoid being in dangerous situations?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Ben,

Sailing Lake Erie is awesome, but you do have to give it some respect because it is relatively shallow as compared to the other Great Lakes. For the most part, I've found the western side of the lake to be an excellent sailing area with plenty of wind and adventure. For cruising, the western islands provides some excellent destinations to explore.

As for the weather and water conditions on the lake, it's nothing to be alarmed about because the C25 can handle quite a bit. As with sailing anywhere, you should be aware of approaching weather patterns and sea conditions. Because of the relative shallowness of the lake, passing storms can whip the water up quite a bit. Last year, I got caught in a windstorm that, in a span of 5 minutes, took me from dead flat water and no wind, to 7-8' waves and 45-50mph winds. Does this happen alot?...Absolutely NOT...just be aware that it can.

As far as water depths and your boat, the only places of concern usually, are ports and marinas and with good charts this isn't a problem. When making reservations at marinas, ask about their water depths to see if it will present any challenges.

I highly recommend Lakeland Boating's "Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair Ports O' Call".

<img src="http://www.lakelandboating.com/shop/images/guide_erie1.jpg" border=0>

This book covers from Port Huron to the entire shore of Lake Erie including the western islands. It contains aerial photos, charts, information, harbor tips, lat/longs, fuel stops,...etc.

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

Lake Erie is an excellent place to sail the C25 and if you crave that big water feel, I highly recommend getting out there and having some fun! Oh,...and Ben,...be Adventurous!<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 05/08/2003 12:14:47

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2003 : 12:06:50

You will find that the same 20 knots of breeze is going to bring a lot more waves than anything you might see down in Columbus. And they will be closer together than anything you might have seen on the ocean. The depth is not of any concern anywhere east of Cedar Point (within Reason - if you go 20 feet off the cliffs in Rocky River, your going to get what your asking for). The depth in the island areas requires staying in the channels in a number of areas. I would recommend getting an up to date chart if you are thinking about sailing there.

Never leave the dock without checking the weather forcast regardless of what the dufus on the weather channel said a half hour before. It only takes 2 seconds to turn on the Weather band. (channel one in Cleveland, channel 2 on the western end of the Lake) Also, always be congniscent of the sky. Stuff comes up quickly, but its usually not something that you don't have time to make a sail change or put in a reef. You'll see it coming and know. All of this is ocaisional, the odds are the worst you might get is a rogue wave in 3 foot choppy seas left over from yesterdays storm.

If you do get caught out in some crap (real crap) drop your sails, put on your harness, life jacket and tether and wait it out. Trying to make a channel with High waves and heavy winds can be more dangerous than waiting.

Prior to June or After August are your best times with respect to the wind. During the day in late June, july and early August it can be flat and dead out ther. If you like night sailing however, anything between midnight and 5 am any day of the week, any month in the boating season, you will have wind. There is an Off-shore breeze (on the southern US side of the lake, that occurs whenever it gets warm enough during the day. This happens about 20 to 45 minutes after sunset. You can literally ride the coast on a beam reach from Mentor to Toledo.

On the west end of the lake there is plenty to do with respect to "Touristy" types of things. The Bass Islands, Kelly's Island, Pelee Island, stop in and ride some rides at Cedar Point Check out Catawba Sandusky or Port Clinton.
www.kelleysisland.com
www.putinbay.com/default.asp
www.peleeisland.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/home.html

You could even shoot up to Canada and catch a good case of SARS.

Down near Cleveland, the action isn't as closely tied together as it is in the islands, along Vermillion River, Huron River, the Rocky River, Grand River, Lorain river, Fairport Harbor, Cuyahoga River there are many marina's, clubs, and restaurants to stop in and Have a bite to eat. Grab a beer etc.

You can dock your boat at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, run in and see a movie at the IMax theater or catch a browns game (parking the boat there is free....20 bucks to park a car in the stadium lots)

Here in Celeveland area, a lot of People here just cruise up and down inside the breakwall when the weather starts getting rougher. Others like to just take a sail around the the "crib", which is the water intake for Cleveland and most of the rest of Northern Ohio. <img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db29b3127cce97929b9b2e800000001010" border=0>

Nothing special, just a sail about 3 miles out - around then back..

I have never seen a sail boat put in at Edgewater Marina, but I do know that they have a boat ramp there. I believe, that there is also a ramp in Lorain, Ohio as well as one in Mentor where access to the Lake is good. I am sure there are a number of them in between too. There might also be a number of travel lift operators that would put you in and take you out for a modest fee.

Feel free to email me with any other questions you might have.

Duane

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 05/08/2003 12:32:41

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2003 : 13:36:38

Thanks Duane and Don,

That makes me feel a whole lot better about trailering the boat north a bit. Later this summer I hope to make the trip. I'll email you then, Duane, when the time gets closer and more questions come to mind. Hearing you talk about Lake Erie makes me regret ever moving out of the Cleveland.

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2003 : 19:45:40

Ben,

If you are planning to cruise the western islands this summer, I would suggest making reservations as early as possible because some places fill up fast, especially on the weekends. Most of the islands, from Pelee to Kelleys are relatively close together so there isn't that much travel distance between them.

Hey, if you go to Cedar Point Marina, check out that new 420ft, 120mph stratacoaster they just built. Sounds pretty mean!

<img src="http://www.topthrilldragster.com/_upload/images/ride03_pics/constpics/Construction168.jpg" border=0>

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

George Beck
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2003 : 11:36:56

Hi neighbor, I can assure you Lake Erie nothing like Alum creek which I have been becalmed on. I sail Rocky Fork Lake, 90 Min from you and Cincinnati, my homme. Big water is different only from having more safety equipment and being more prepared especially weather wise. Erie is shallow causing more chop in heavy blows so listen to weather. We have had two to three Cat 25 members from club trail to Erie every summer with no problems. I am picking up 29ft at Racine,Wis end of month and sailing around the UP to Sandusky, Oh. E-Mail me direct and I will see if I can help ya more.

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