Lake Erie cruising

Boatguy49036

Active Member
Nov 4, 2017
128
Grand Haven, MI
Boat Info
440 Sundancer 2006
Cummins QSC 500's
Engines
QSC 500 Cummins
Hi, A new comment again. I’ve had boats all my life on inland lakes in MI up to 25’. Going to a 40’ SeaRay on the Great Lakes is a whole new deal. Are there any organized group “lake trips” on Erie this summer 2018? Looking to learn the lake From the pros. We’ll be out of Marblehead, OH this summer. Thank you.
 
Right around the corner from you on Catawba Island is a group called the South Shore Cruising Club, their home base is at Midway Marina. Good group of folks. They seem to take a cruise somewhere almost weekly.

You can also check w/ some local Power Squadrons, they offer a lot of classes as well as organized cruises.

I myself boated on inland lakes in Michigan for 30ish years and jumped to Lake Erie 4 years ago. It's a much better boating life/experience in my opinion.

I only took my boat on trips to different destinations with groups or myself 10 times last season and took it for day cruises only a half of a dozen times. I'm hoping to double those statistics this year.

If you have any questions or are interested in tagging along on a few annual trips that our bunch attend, feel free to swing over to Midway or drop me a line. Every year we have a group of at least 10 boats take a trip to Kelleys Island for Island Fest, a few boats for Lobster Fest, and Christmas in July at Put-In-Bay. Those are trips that we plan on for sure. Not Many Sea Rays in our group, be we don't discriminate on brand, size &/or style.

Congratulations on the boat and welcome to the forum! Enjoy!
 
Right around the corner from you on Catawba Island is a group called the South Shore Cruising Club, their home base is at Midway Marina. Good group of folks. They seem to take a cruise somewhere almost weekly.

You can also check w/ some local Power Squadrons, they offer a lot of classes as well as organized cruises.

I myself boated on inland lakes in Michigan for 30ish years and jumped to Lake Erie 4 years ago. It's a much better boating life/experience in my opinion.

I only took my boat on trips to different destinations with groups or myself 10 times last season and took it for day cruises only a half of a dozen times. I'm hoping to double those statistics this year.

If you have any questions or are interested in tagging along on a few annual trips that our bunch attend, feel free to swing over to Midway or drop me a line. Every year we have a group of at least 10 boats take a trip to Kelleys Island for Island Fest, a few boats for Lobster Fest, and Christmas in July at Put-In-Bay. Those are trips that we plan on for sure. Not Many Sea Rays in our group, be we don't discriminate on brand, size &/or style.

Congratulations on the boat and welcome to the forum! Enjoy!
Thank you, I will take you up on the offer at some point.
 
There are about 6-8 yacht clubs in your area. Many yacht clubs do organized "Cruise outs" monthly where a group of boats/boaters will cruise to other clubs and marinas. With all the clubs in your area you could visit/interview them and decide. Some can be rather snooty and others pretty laid back.

We have belonged to 2 and the cruise-outs were my favorite activity. Well that and the cheap liquor and drinking.
Shawn
 
Marine Max on Catawba Island usually has a few trips during the summer. There might be information on their website.

In addition to Strypes, there are several members on here that make the island area of western Lake Erie their home port. If you need local knowledge don’t hesitate to ask.

Welcome aboard. Hope to see you on the water this summer.
 
Marine Max on Catawba Island usually has a few trips during the summer. There might be information on their website.

In addition to Strypes, there are several members on here that make the island area of western Lake Erie their home port. If you need local knowledge don’t hesitate to ask.

Welcome aboard. Hope to see you on the water this summer.
Thank you!
 
Marine Max on Catawba Island usually has a few trips during the summer. There might be information on their website.

In addition to Strypes, there are several members on here that make the island area of western Lake Erie their home port. If you need local knowledge don’t hesitate to ask.

Welcome aboard. Hope to see you on the water this summer.
Thanks for info!
 
There is a group of us at Marina Del Isle that go up to Leamington, Pelee and Middle bass around the 4th of July. We also do other trips as well, such as Cedar point, Huron, Kelly's Island, and PIB. The Akron Sail & Power Squadron is also active on the lake and has multiple Rendezvous' planned.
 
I live and work just over the bridge in Sandusky. If you need any local knowledge, fire me a message anytime. But I highly recommend spending a weekend hitting all the islands for a night. You’ll find your own favorite spots along the way. As for longer trips, try a weekend at the Rock and Dock Marina in Cleveland. That’s a easy straight run and there’s a ton to do downtown.
 
I live and work just over the bridge in Sandusky. If you need any local knowledge, fire me a message anytime. But I highly recommend spending a weekend hitting all the islands for a night. You’ll find your own favorite spots along the way. As for longer trips, try a weekend at the Rock and Dock Marina in Cleveland. That’s a easy straight run and there’s a ton to do downtown.
Thank you. I will take your advice. Question, If you head off north to Canada, do you need to call the US Embassy in Canada or is it not such a big deal? Hate to see our friends to the north scramble fighter jets because I took a wrong turn.
 
There is a group of us at Marina Del Isle that go up to Leamington, Pelee and Middle bass around the 4th of July. We also do other trips as well, such as Cedar point, Huron, Kelly's Island, and PIB. The Akron Sail & Power Squadron is also active on the lake and has multiple Rendezvous' planned.
Thanks, are they open to boats from other marinas to join Trip?
 
If you head off north to Canada, do you need to call the US Embassy in Canada or is it not such a big deal?

If you anchor, tie to a mooring ball, pier, or other boat that is anchored, tied to a mooring ball or pier that is in Canada you need to check in 1st.
 
I highly recommend spending a weekend hitting all the islands for a night. You’ll find your own favorite spots along the way. As for longer trips, try a weekend at the Rock and Dock Marina in Cleveland. That’s a easy straight run and there’s a ton to do downtown.

+1

Rock & Dock is pretty cool!
 
The Akron Sail & Power Squadron is also active on the lake and has multiple Rendezvous' planned.

Very true! Akron is very active.

I'm not sure where you're located when you're not in Marblehead, but living in Michigan we joined the Toledo Power Squadron due to the fact that it is between our Michigan home & Catawba Island. We participated in at least 3 rendezvous per year and took a bunch of boat related courses. I recommend looking in to a Squadron. They're good for camaraderie & education!

If logistics work for you I recommend the Akron Squadron or the Berea Squadron.
 
Very true! Akron is very active.

I'm not sure where you're located when you're not in Marblehead, but living in Michigan we joined the Toledo Power Squadron due to the fact that it is between our Michigan home & Catawba Island. We participated in at least 3 rendezvous per year and took a bunch of boat related courses. I recommend looking in to a Squadron. They're good for camaraderie & education!

If logistics work for you I recommend the Akron Squadron or the Berea Squadron.
That’s good info. Thanks again
 
Very true! Akron is very active.

I'm not sure where you're located when you're not in Marblehead, but living in Michigan we joined the Toledo Power Squadron due to the fact that it is between our Michigan home & Catawba Island. We participated in at least 3 rendezvous per year and took a bunch of boat related courses. I recommend looking in to a Squadron. They're good for camaraderie & education!

If logistics work for you I recommend the Akron Squadron or the Berea Squadron.
We live between Cleveland and Akron, so the Akron Sail and Power Squadron is the closest to us and many members boat on Lake Erie.
 
Thank you. I will take your advice. Question, If you head off north to Canada, do you need to call the US Embassy in Canada or is it not such a big deal? Hate to see our friends to the north scramble fighter jets because I took a wrong turn.
No need to contact the American Embassy, but you do need to contact Canada Border Services and let them know of your arrival. They will ask questions about your boat, how long you are staying, where you are staying, the purpose of your trip and if you have anything to declare. If stopping at a Marina, they will have land lines where you can call in along with the toll free number to call. Once back in the US you have to call Customs and Border Protection via video phone, unless you have an I-68 or other trusted traveler program ID. The video phones in the Islands area are at Put-in-Bay, Sandusky and Port Clinton.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html
 
Last edited:
Once back in the US you have to call Customs and Border Protection via video phone, unless you have an I-68 or other trusted traveler program ID.

Another quick edit: Once back in the US you have to call Customs and Border Protection via video phone, unless everyone aboard has an I-68 or other trusted traveler program ID.

No matter what the plan, a single passenger aboard your boat not enrolled in a trusted traveler program nullifies that option for everyone else.

It may have changed since, but I had an I-68 years ago and found it to be a waste of effort. Global Entry, or better yet Nexus plans are much better, providing additional benefits such as eligibility for TSA Pre-Check.
 

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