cruising on lake erie

4

44fowk44

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Jun 12, 2008
RO Number
30164
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hello all can anyone give me some info for a trip i am planning this summer.i plan on trailering my 260da to monroe mi leaving the truck and trailer boating to putin bay and cedar point with our family.i havent boated on this side of the state or lake erie at all.i would like some input on places to stay route ect thanks pete
 
Watch the notices to see if Camp Perry is live firing when you pass there. If so, make sure to stay outside the markers so you don't become target practice. Cedar Point has a nice marina with transient slips and a restaurant called Famous Dave's BBQ. Inside of Sandusky Bay there are several marinas including Battery Park which happens to have a Damon's Restaurant there. I love taking my boat and going to Damon's! Put In Bay can fill up fast on weekends so make sure to call and get a reservation if you intend to stay overnight.
 
Be sure to have a chart of the lake with you. There are many shallow reefs in the western basin. Be careful going into Put in Bay. As you approach Put in Bay stay to the east of Gibralter island. Don't try to pass between Gibralter and South Bass island as the water is only 1 or 2 feet deep. Also, when leaving South Bass island going east I would go north east around Ballast island.
There are shallow areas in Sandusky Bay also as you approach the Cedar Point area.
We like to visit Kellys Island also. It is much quieter than Put in Bay. Rent a golf cart for a few hours or the day.There are several good marinas on the south side. We prefer Portside marina. You might also want to check out Catawba Island area. There are many marinas in West Harbor. We've docked there for 11 years.
I hope this helps. If you have specific questions I would be glad to help as I've boated this area for many years.
 
Make sure to get charts of the lake, there are lots of almost islands (reefs) in the western end. You should make reservations at Put-in-Bay and Cedar Point. Coming from Monroe to PIB there really is nothing enroute. Also watch the weather Lake Erie can give a 26 more than it can handle real quick, in the western end wind can cause a chop that my 36 doesn't like.
 
thanks for the info everyone i plan on spending 7 to 10 days in the area.i have a gps chartplotter with all the lakes loaded.i have boated from grand haven mi to Chicago and back.macinaw island to beaver island and back.macinaw island to detour+the north channel and back.i thought the 40miles from monroe mi to put in bay wouldnt be a problem in my 260da. am i wrong should i put in closer?also i have read on old post that the transcient slips at cedar point were full of bird droppings and far away from everthing is this still the case
 
The North side of Kellys Island has a large beach that you can anchor off. Watch your wind direction. Middle bass Island has a brand new marina. Lots of trans slips. Easy access to Put n Bay, if you cannot get a dock at the Bay. Try Millers at Put N Bay. Private, take reservations. Macinaw has lots of surge at the docks. 3 day max visit. Town is a short walk. Horse drawn cabs will also get you around. Monroe to Put N Bay. Most times the Lake lays down around 5pm/6pm. Watch your wind direction. North west at 10 knts out of Monroe would be your best. However anything on the Lake at less than 10 Knts is boatable.

Ron
 
If you call CP early enough you can make reservations and get a dock up by the gas docks. They are more expensive. The first couple rows of docks in the transient area are fairly clean of bird dodo. I quit reserving in advance at CP years ago because they only give you a same season rain check and I don't make that way more than once a season. I have never had a problem getting a dock, we arrived there once late in the afternoon on July 3rd and they had plenty of docks at the transient area. If going to Kelley’s do not travel the east side of Kelley’s.

Good luck
Niles
 
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