Lake Erie safety .

[HeyBigb]

I am new to Lake Erie this is my second year I am thinking about sailing my 26 ft Sea Ray Sundancer from the Port Clinton area to Downtown Cleveland. The weather does not look the best 80% chance of rain and thundershowers all day winds 10 to 15 and waves 1-3 and building. Think it would be a safe trip to travel the 60 miles? Or drive the car?

 

[Stee6043]

1-3 "and building"? I'd skip it. For me an enjoyable run ends at something around the 3' mark.

 

[El Capitan]

Building could easily mean 8-12.

 

[b_arrington]

Skip it. 3 ft and strong winds in that hull is slow and not fun. Plus with rain you will likely want your plastic windows closed. Your visibility in the rain will be seriously limited with the short glass window and single wiper.

 

[RollerCoastr]

1-3's from the south can mean a flat lake near the shoreline. Even 3-5's look flat for a considerable distance out, but this week the forecast is North winds shifting to NE. That's worst-case scenario for direction.

Grab your car keys.

 

[northshore]

Car. Things get crazy quick on Lake Erie.

 

[Pyrojodge]

Did you have a mast put on this thing? Sorry, just always think sailing a vessel means that you have the sheets in the breeze. As for me... Um, I'm not going to hop in a 26 foot see ray and head to Cleveland. More importantly you should always check the weather. The wind direction plays a huge part in how rough your trip will be. If you have 10 knot south winds than that is much nicer then a 10 knot NE wind for us. You may only see 1 to 3 ft with the S SW winds but with the NE they can be stacked 5 - 6 + ft. If you don't have to take the boat why beat you and the boat up for a 60 mile trip? It's 2 hours on RT 2 and you're in Cleveland. If you had to go sure. the boat will take much more than we will but why risk it?

 

[Strypes]

Did you have a mast put on this thing? Sorry, just always think sailing a vessel means that you have the sheets in the breeze.

If your sheets are blowing in the breeze you should definitely secure them! Sheets are actually lines used to adjust the sails! Lol!

I agree with what everyone said, with your size of boat, I would definitely take the car.

We're going to the Browns vs. Ravens game Sunday via boat, docking at Rock & Dock and walking to the stadium, and then heading back to Catawba after the game, weather permitting, of course!

However, it is cheaper and faster to drive to Cleveland... decisions, decisions!

Cheers

 

[northshore]

If your sheets are blowing in the breeze you should definitely secure them! Sheets are actually lines used to adjust the sails! Lol!

I agree with what everyone said, with your size of boat, I would definitely take the car.

We're going to the Browns vs. Ravens game Sunday via boat, docking at Rock & Dock and walking to the stadium, and then heading back to Catawba after the game, weather permitting, of course!

However, it is cheaper and faster to drive to Cleveland... decisions, decisions!

Cheers

Skip the Browns game.

 

[Strypes]

Skip the Browns game.

We can't.

My good friend Dean is the Defensive Coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. His wife and family are expecting us there. We will be in the Baltimore Family Section.

If it were up to me, we'd stay at the marina as we only have 7 weekends of boating left before they hoist it out, but the Admiral and Dean's wife have other plans for the day.

Thanks!

 

[northshore]

We can't.

My good friend Dean is the Defensive Coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. His wife and family are expecting us there. We will be in the Baltimore Family Section.

If it were up to me, we'd stay at the marina as we only have 7 weekends of boating left before they hoist it out, but the Admiral and Dean's wife have other plans for the day.

Thanks!

You should both skip the game. My guess is he really wont be needed that much!

 

[boatman37]

now that's funny. :smt038

 

[northshore]

I am new to Lake Erie this is my second year I am thinking about sailing my 26 ft Sea Ray Sundancer from the Port Clinton area to Downtown Cleveland. The weather does not look the best 80% chance of rain and thundershowers all day winds 10 to 15 and waves 1-3 and building. Think it would be a safe trip to travel the 60 miles? Or drive the car?

Sorry to hijack the thread for the benefit of Browns jokes but if you were in doubt, you knew enough to ask the question.

If I were leaving my home port, I'd go with what everyone else is saying. Just not worth even thinking about it.
If I were headed home, I'd want to see a break in the weather at least as long as my trip.
Thought being, if it all goes bad, for me, how long is it going to take me to limp to safe harbor on one engine.
For you, it's how long is it going to take Tow U.S. to get to you and drag you home. (Me too if both engines go south)

Enjoy the car ride! :thumbsup:

-Mike

 

[Z-Worthy]

1-3's from the south can mean a flat lake near the shoreline. Even 3-5's look flat for a considerable distance out, but this week the forecast is North winds shifting to NE. That's worst-case scenario for direction.

RollerCoastr is right; wind direction is everything with Lake Erie. You can have 15-20knt winds, but if it's out of the south then nearshore waters can be surprisingly calm. At the same time, you can have 5-10knt winds coming out of the NE that will kick up 4-6ft if it's been blowing for 24hrs+. With that said, I try to avoid anything out of the N, NE, and E. It's do-able, but it's not enjoyable.