Lake Erie Islands, 4th of July

***ShabahZ280*** · 06-24-2008, 06:49 PM

I'm headed to Sandusky, OH for the 4th of July with the Z250. Will be hanging around the Erie Islands for the weekend.

If anyone will be around the area and would like to meet up, drop me a line!!

Z275 · 07-03-2008, 04:19 PM

We'll miss you by a few days. We had planned to go down to Cumberland next week but the weather looks like crap so we're trying to change plans to either Sandusky/Huron area of Lake Erie or go up to Windsor Canada again which gives you easy access to Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and Lake Erie.

Do you (or anyone else) have any recommendations for the Sandusky/Huron area? Needs to have a launch ramp of course. I've only been on the water a few times up there and found out the last time you need to be real careful in picking a place to launch. Last time was in 3ft water full of seaweed with rocks all around the launch ramp. Don't want a repeat of that!

Also, where's a good place to dock at Put-in-bay?

Douglas Alderman · 07-03-2008, 06:45 PM

If your going to visit Put-in-Bay on The 4th of July be ready to tie up on a Bouy out in the harbor. A taxi tender will pick you up at the numbered bouy. Call on channel 68 to get picked up. Most all slips and places to tie up are usually filled. They don't raft off anymore at the Put -n- Bay. Fill your boat before going because they over charge for fuel on that day. Put your boat in either West or East Harbor
Marine in Sandusky. Off route 53 , 269 Don't leave your trailer in a State Park for you have to be out bye 11

o p.m. for closing time.

***180diablo*** · 07-03-2008, 08:39 PM

I will be on my boat somewhere this weekend as well. Heading up Friday night right after work, stopping for food and then to the cottage.

Our friends that we had planned to have up had to cancel. Her father needed help moving this weekend (of all weekends). So, we have another friend coming up instead!

Chris, be sure to snap off pics of your trip!

***ShabahZ280*** · 07-03-2008, 08:39 PM

I usually launch from the Municipal launch ramp on Milan Rd. by the coal plant in Sandusky Bay. I've got a transient slip reserved at Sandusky Harbor Marina, next to my best friend's sailboat. It's a great place, they've got a beautiful facility, fuel, pool, etc, plus they're nice enough to let me store the truck & trailer there for the weekend!

During the day, we'll likely be heading to Kelley's Island rather than try and fight the PIB traffic. I stayed at PIB on B-Dock in another friend's Rinker 342 a few weeks ago, when we came back from lunch, the marina had 4 other boats tied to us! It is mandatory rafting, 4 wide. I prefer the mooring ball when I take mine up there, can't risk damaging it! However the night life on the docks is literally insane... To put it simply, bring beads. When the sun goes down, it's not the type of place you want your kids hanging around. If you're up for it, remember these letters in this order... BADC, those are the docks you want in that order. C-dock is very shallow and rocky, so put that one last on your list.

They're having fireworks at both PIB and Lakeside tomorrow evening, so I think we might venture out for one of those, but not go into the actual harbors. We might be able to find a good spot to be able to see both!

One other piece of advice, if you can, stop by West Marine and get a set of charts for the Lake Erie Islands and Sandusky Bay. It's about $20, but it's pretty essential to have. There's quite a few unmarked shoals and places you don't want to navigate into! Trust me, it's worth it.

I'll be back Sunday night, if you need any info on the Sandusky area or launch facilities, let me know! Since my friend's sailboat is up there, we're very familiar with the Sandusky Bay area.

Z275 · 07-08-2008, 12:35 PM

We're leaving tomorrow morning for Lake Erie. We found a rental house that takes dogs in Huron at the last minute so I reserved a slip at Holiday Harbor Marina which is just down the road from there. They have a launch ramp and you can keep your trailer there. It's on the Huron river so we're right on the other side of Cedar Point. Few more miles to get to the islands but hopefully not too bad.
I'll have to look at the maps again and see if I can get to Sandusky Bay without going all the way up and around Cedar Point.

***ShabahZ280*** · 07-08-2008, 01:41 PM

That's great! We came back Sunday evening, the lake was pretty rough, I'm guessing at least 5-6ft swells, it sure made for an interesting ride! There were some storms up north, and I think it's calmed down since then. Needless to say, I'll be tightening down all my side panels and interior trim this week!

Put-In-Bay was packed, and they weren't letting anyone raft up unless you were staying a 2 night minimum, and all the mooring balls were taken. So we went over to Kelley's Island instead. There's a really nice marina called "Seaway Marina" with transient slips. It's right by the ferry line, basically once you come in sight of the island, you'll see a large blue water tower, set your course for it. As you get closer, look for the building with the blue roof to the right. There's a beach very close nearby, and golf cart rental and everything right there. Transient slips are $.80/ft for 4hrs and $1.60/ft overnight. There's also another Marina called "Casino Marina" that's right in front of downtown. Basically directly in line with the water tower. It was full when I ventured over there though. Kelley's is definitely more laid back than PIB, but still a good number of bars, restaurants and a winery. It's a great place!

Have a good trip up there and let us know how everything went!!

Z275 · 07-13-2008, 04:26 PM

We got back from Lake Erie yesterday evening. It was a great time and perfect weather up until we were getting ready to leave Sat morning. Nothing like getting the boat out of the water in pouring rain.

We headed up on Wed morning and ended up putting the boat in at Battery Park in Sandusky and getting a slip there. I believe the slips are $1.50/ft per night. Electric, water, and cable included. The launch ramp is at a different location than the marina so my wife took the boat over to the marina while I drove the car over and checked in. You can store your trailer at the launch site in a somewhat secure area. The marina facilities were great. Very clean, nice restrooms, and they have a Damon's above the marina for food.

Thursday we boated over to Kelly's island and docked at the Casino and had lunch then rented a golf cart and drove around. Friday we went over to Put-in-Bay and docked at the most eastern part of the bay. Not sure what the docks were called. Lots of boats and people started coming in late in the afternoon. We headed back in the evening and spent some time at the marina.

It was a great trip. The ride out to the islands was pretty smooth with the exception of the morning we went to Put-in-bay. Very rough water that morning! You definately want some decent charts when navigating around the islands and Sandusky bay due to shoal areas.

I'll try to get some pics posted later...