Sandusky Bay - Lake Erie Water Levels

B

Bryank

Member
Jul 3, 2008
455
Catawba Island, OH
Boat Info
2001 410DA
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1S Horizons
Good afternoon! We are heading out to Cedar Point this weekend and with the water levels on Lake Erie shrinking, I just wanted to get your thoughts on getting a 410DA into Cedar Point's marina? Any issues to worry about in Sandusky Bay?

Thanks,
Bryan
 
Stay in the channels....
Check your charts,
Check your charts,
Check your charts again....

I always go close to the break wall when the water is down. I don't like to cut inside.
 
Thanks! What breakwall do you refer to? I'll be coming in from Catawba Island, so I will stay in the channel that is west of Cedar Point, but I have to "cut inside" at some point to get into the marina. I'm not completely sure what you are suggesting. I've made the trip a number of times, but I just wondered if the water levels are so low now that getting in will be tough. Thanks!
 
I run the cedar point break wall. That is where the channel runs.
 
Got it... thanks! I enter the channel from the opposite side of the breakwall (coming from the west), so I should be okay. My greatest concern is when I have to cut into the bay to approach the marina entrance. I'll just go slow and easy through there.
 
Jason, I'm not sure what you mean by "run the Cedar Point breakwall". After you go around the end of CP are you riding close to the shoreline?

When we go to CP, as we go past Marblehead lighthouse I head straight for the eastern end of the peninsula. From there we stay in the marked channel and hang a left (east) when we go past the Green can #13 and head straight into the Cedar Point Marina.
 
When you are entering Sandusky bay from Erie I always go clear to the break wall this time of year. To many shoals at the opening ofsandusky bay.
 
The channel along the jetty is called the Mosely. Coming from Catawba, head for Red2, which marks the Bay Point Shoal near the top center of Sandusky Bay. In normal circumstances, there's plenty of water over the shoal, but with these levels, I agree with playing it safe. Round R2 and head into the Mosely, taking a bearing on Red8, just east of the tall range marker and use that as an entry point into the Mosely.

At just about the southern end of the row of cottages at Lighthouse Point, the Mosely makes a bend to port and becomes the Upper Straight Channel. By then I'm out of the channel and following the shoreline, but again, for good habits and safety, you can either continue down the Straight as LTD suggested, or compromise and get close to the 33ft range marker near Green 13 and then head into CPM.

I would like to be there to welcome you, but I plan to head up to PIB for the wkd...
 
Jason, I wouldn't encourage anyone to risk $10,000 of running gear to save some fuel, but at the same time, I CAN save you some fuel: Cutting in at R2 is safe. In fact, there's no skinny water in the triangle between the tip of the jetty, R2 and R8.
 
Now I see what you are saying. We always head to the breakwall and enter the shipping channel. We most definitely avoid getting too close to the Bay Point peninsula.
 
RollerCoastr said:
Jason, I wouldn't encourage anyone to risk $10,000 of running gear to save some fuel, but at the same time, I CAN save you some fuel: Cutting in at R2 is safe. In fact, there's no skinny water in the triangle between the tip of the jetty, R2 and R8.
Click to expand...

Good to know... thanks! I'll keep that for next year.
 
Good tips, guys. Based on what I am reading here, I think my regular approach will be just fine--stay in the channel until I need to head East into CPM. Thanks again!
 
RollerCoastr said:
I would like to be there to welcome you, but I plan to head up to PIB for the wkd...
Click to expand...

Be careful if your going into PPBC. I found the bottom over there (lightly) Labor Day weekend and the lake has only fallen further since.

Man, I hope the Michigan UP gets hammered this winter as we need our lake refilled for spring!
 
Lake Erie Boater said:
Man, I hope the Michigan UP gets hammered this winter as we need our lake refilled for spring!
Click to expand...

+1000

Sure would like to see at least three feet of water added to the lake.


At this point in the season, I would avoid the inner docks at Park Place. Probably the only place acceptable at PP would be the channel next to the Jet Express.
 
Lake Erie Boater said:
Be careful if your going into PPBC. I found the bottom over there (lightly) Labor Day weekend and the lake has only fallen further since.
Click to expand...

Ouch! No damage tho?

I'll be over at TCN, but even so, I'm going to stay as far offshore as possible.
 
Woody said:
The majority of the Great Lakes watershed is Canadian so lets hope they're shoveling plenty of snow this winter also.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping so too. I hate winter and snow, but tolerate the snow if it helps improve water levels.
 
Bryan

Our route is from Marblehead Light to Bay Point Shoal leaving R2 to starboard and then entering Moseley Channel near R6. We then follow the shipping channel to G13 before heading into Cedar Point.You should not see anything less than 6'. Are you staying near Famous Daves or did they put you in the South Basin? Expect the park to be very busy Saturday but much better Sunday. We're heading up this evening and will be there thru Sunday afternoon. Dock 744, stop out if you get a chance. Nice looking blog!

Season Ticket III

Bill, Louise, Ashley and Tommy.
 
BillG72340 said:
Bryan

Our route is from Marblehead Light to Bay Point Shoal leaving R2 to starboard and then entering Moseley Channel near R6. We then follow the shipping channel to G13 before heading into Cedar Point.You should not see anything less than 6'. Are you staying near Famous Daves or did they put you in the South Basin? Expect the park to be very busy Saturday but much better Sunday. We're heading up this evening and will be there thru Sunday afternoon. Dock 744, stop out if you get a chance. Nice looking blog!

Season Ticket III

Bill, Louise, Ashley and Tommy.
Click to expand...

We are staying near Famous Dave's... I will have a bunch of kids with us but will try to stop by and say "Hi!" Yeah, Saturday will be crazy--we do this every year and this is always the busiest time to go. Unfortunately, it is a short trip due to kids sports--we don't get there until 3 on Saturday an have to leave first thing on Sunday morning.

Thanks for the blog compliments... Its fun to do but time consuming!


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