Erie Islands...

[r.w.landau]

I am looking forward to a trip the the Islands from August 31-Sept 7th. I am hoping for some input from Erie Island sailors or visitors. I am in the planning stage and looking for all options as to anchorages, places to visit, sites to see, etc.My plan is to launch at the public ramp on Catawba Island in the West Harbor. I am planning to call the Catawba Parks to get info on all the Parks anchorages etc. I have heard of the Pig roast at Winkes Marina and am concidering that special occasion. Please input any info that you want. ( Destinations, directions, distances, weather cautions, your favorite spots, fishing spots and baits, etc.)Thanks r.w.landau( I am out for the weekend but will check in Sunday night or Monday night.)

 

[Ed Schenck]

Watch the weather.

The islands are great fun. You will be close to South Bass and Put-In-Bay(PIB) from Catawba. PIB(see picture) is best during the week, it gets very crazy on weekends. Moorings(free taxi) and docks are plentiful but usually gone by noon on Friday. Middle Bass has a state park marina but a limited number of slips. If weekending you would want a reservation. Kelly's Island is the largest and not as crowded. There is a nice anchorage on the north side so long as winds are not between 270 and 90. We have also anchored on the south side just east of the ferry docks.Weather is important. A north wind that has been blowing from Canada for more than a day will really kick up the lake. Offshore breezes are generally light that time of year. You could sail down to Huron and the public boat basin where there are activities Friday thru Sunday. Our marina is right next to the basin (http://www.harbornorth.com/) . You could also sail into Sandusky Bay and spend a night at Cedar Point (http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/trips/main/marina.cfm) .

 

[Ed Schenck]

Chart warning and PIB picture.

My Put-In-Bay picture was a too large BMP. I will try again. And be sure you have up-to-date charts. There are shallow areas. The entrance to the Middle Bass marina is around five feet for example.

 

[David11054]

Anchor on the west side of Middle Bass

You can spend a quiet night anchored north of Put-in-Bay off Middle Bass island if the winds are not from the east. Anchor north of the airport runway, along the rock retaining wall, and there is a sandy beach off the pebbly shore.Put-in-Bay is quite busy on week-ends, so you want to arrive before noon to get a mooring ball back inside, away from the wakes of arriving ferries and motor yachts. The taxi service to the balls is outstanding.DavidLady Lillie

 

[r.w.landau]

Thanks for your responses....

Ed, do you know the date on the most current chart?David, or anyone, whom do you need to contact and when to get moorings and dock spaces at Put-In-Bay, Kelly's and Middle Bass? I see anchorages ( like the one David mentioned) at Middle Bass, Northern Kelly's and in the Eastern Harbor of Catawba. Are these anchorages crowded and do you need to notify anyone to use these anchorages? Are these anchorages acknowledged as anchorages so that no anchor light is required?I have three bruce style anchors. Do I need to look into a CQR?Thanks,r.w.landau

 

[Tim McCarty]

We just returned from Cedar Point!

Put-in-Bay is great but it's such a pain trying to find dockage (and trying to get some sleep). The mooring balls are nice if you can get there before 2pm on an average Friday. You can actually reserve a dock at Cedar Point(!), and the Marina is awesome compared to many that I've encountered. Also, the weather does not affect the Marina much due to the position of the Marina to the Lake and Sandusky Bay. A one day ticket to the Park is 44 bucks (but you can get a discount through AAA, and a few thousand other sources). The channel can be a bit tricky for first-timers, but if I can do it, anyone can. We had a great time this past weekend! For what it's worth.