I am considering the move to Lake Erie from a small inland lake. Will make move next year (2004) if all works out. Any recommendations on marina's in the Sandusky Area? Currently sailing a Hunter 336 with draft of 4.6'. I realize part of the Bay is shallow. Thinking about this area for weekend sailing to the Islands. Any thoughts from Lake Erie sailors? Any other recommendations on where to put boat? Would be traveling from Canton OH so would like to keep drive less than 2 hours.
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Brad
Lake Erie Sailing
I believe you are going to like the Sandusky Bay area. The islands are really a lot of fun and not that far away. Besides if the weather doesn't cooperate then the Bay is still there to play in. With your draft you can sail almost the entire Bay down to the bridge- except one or two spots next to the channel at Cedar Point. The best thing to do is take a day next summer and check out all the marinas in the Sandusky area. Stop and ask the people who are using the docks and you will get more than enough opinions, information, and comments. When you find the right marina it will just feel comfortable to you. Most of the marinas are priced competatively. Cedar Point has a nice marina-if one doesn't mind the traffic. Besides there is something to do if you don't have good sailing weather. Battery Park is also another nice marina. It is located within walking distance to downtown Sandusky, includes a park, a pool, air conditioned showers, and has a restaurant over the marina. Sandusky Harbor is another good marina. It has plenty of sailors, a pool, and isn't too far from Toft's ice cream factory. Dock of the Bay is another nice marina. Good luck.
I believe you are going to like the Sandusky Bay area. The islands are really a lot of fun and not that far away. Besides if the weather doesn't cooperate then the Bay is still there to play in. With your draft you can sail almost the entire Bay down to the bridge- except one or two spots next to the channel at Cedar Point. The best thing to do is take a day next summer and check out all the marinas in the Sandusky area. Stop and ask the people who are using the docks and you will get more than enough opinions, information, and comments. When you find the right marina it will just feel comfortable to you. Most of the marinas are priced competatively. Cedar Point has a nice marina-if one doesn't mind the traffic. Besides there is something to do if you don't have good sailing weather. Battery Park is also another nice marina. It is located within walking distance to downtown Sandusky, includes a park, a pool, air conditioned showers, and has a restaurant over the marina. Sandusky Harbor is another good marina. It has plenty of sailors, a pool, and isn't too far from Toft's ice cream factory. Dock of the Bay is another nice marina. Good luck.
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Richard Wallace
Sandusky Is A Great Area
Sandusky has a number of excellent choices for docking your boat. I docked at Venitian for a number of years with a MacGregor 25. It can be shallow getting to Venitian but I now have a Hunter 34 that I store for the winter at Venitian. Nice staff, especially Tina and Bill! I dock at Battery Park in the summer time. It is one of the most convenient and has Damon's restaurant. Also lots a nice people on staff and in the marina. I bought a Hunter Passage 42 this winter and will continue to dock at Battery Park for the summer. On the west end of Sandusky is Sandusky Harbor. They are more of a sailboat marina and will be where I store my Hunter 42. Good facilities and good staff. My son still has the Mac 25 and he keeps it at Cedar Point. Since they put in the floating docks, it is a really good location. The heavy traffic is not a problem except for an hour or so on Saturday and Sunday morning and again around 10 to 11 PM. Season passes to the Point are around $100 (we get them in the fall at a discount) and it is a great stop for kids. As Brad mentioned there are a number of other good marinas as well. One other point to make about any Lake Erie dock is the options it gives. Not only do you have the islands, but you have the bay as well. You also have the option to go to Leamington (need a reservation), Scudder on Pelee Island (really need a reservation), Erieau (need a reservation), and on to Detroit/Windsor and into Lake Huron. Just be sure to get your US Customs decal and I68 form if you are going to Canada. If you don't find what you are looking for in Sandusky there are more choices on Marblehead and on Catawaba Island. The only downside with them is that they will add 30 or 40 minutes to the trip from Canton.
Sandusky has a number of excellent choices for docking your boat. I docked at Venitian for a number of years with a MacGregor 25. It can be shallow getting to Venitian but I now have a Hunter 34 that I store for the winter at Venitian. Nice staff, especially Tina and Bill! I dock at Battery Park in the summer time. It is one of the most convenient and has Damon's restaurant. Also lots a nice people on staff and in the marina. I bought a Hunter Passage 42 this winter and will continue to dock at Battery Park for the summer. On the west end of Sandusky is Sandusky Harbor. They are more of a sailboat marina and will be where I store my Hunter 42. Good facilities and good staff. My son still has the Mac 25 and he keeps it at Cedar Point. Since they put in the floating docks, it is a really good location. The heavy traffic is not a problem except for an hour or so on Saturday and Sunday morning and again around 10 to 11 PM. Season passes to the Point are around $100 (we get them in the fall at a discount) and it is a great stop for kids. As Brad mentioned there are a number of other good marinas as well. One other point to make about any Lake Erie dock is the options it gives. Not only do you have the islands, but you have the bay as well. You also have the option to go to Leamington (need a reservation), Scudder on Pelee Island (really need a reservation), Erieau (need a reservation), and on to Detroit/Windsor and into Lake Huron. Just be sure to get your US Customs decal and I68 form if you are going to Canada. If you don't find what you are looking for in Sandusky there are more choices on Marblehead and on Catawaba Island. The only downside with them is that they will add 30 or 40 minutes to the trip from Canton.
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Michael O'
Sandusky choices
Over the years we've kept our H31 in Rocky River, Spitzer's in Lorain, Dock of the Bay in Sandusky, and finally the Sandusky Yacht Club. I concur with the previous postings about possible locations in the Sandusky Bay area. I would also encourage you to check out the Sandusky Yacht Club. We have been very happy with the sailors, excellent docks with deep water, friendly atmosphere at the club and the great amenities in the clubhouse. SYC has a great mix of sail and power. We drive up from the Brecksville area. You'll be able to sail almost anywhere in the bay with your draft and all the islands are within reach for the weekend. SYC does have a few docks available for next season. Let me know if you have any questions!
Over the years we've kept our H31 in Rocky River, Spitzer's in Lorain, Dock of the Bay in Sandusky, and finally the Sandusky Yacht Club. I concur with the previous postings about possible locations in the Sandusky Bay area. I would also encourage you to check out the Sandusky Yacht Club. We have been very happy with the sailors, excellent docks with deep water, friendly atmosphere at the club and the great amenities in the clubhouse. SYC has a great mix of sail and power. We drive up from the Brecksville area. You'll be able to sail almost anywhere in the bay with your draft and all the islands are within reach for the weekend. SYC does have a few docks available for next season. Let me know if you have any questions!
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Ed Schenck
Canton owner.
Hi Bryce, We also travel from Canton, both to Atwood(friend's Highlander) and to Huron. We like Huron(see Related Link) because it is only 90 minutes, we miss the Cedar Point traffic, and we have deep water. Downside is that it is a 90 minute sail to the islands. Give me a call(330-453-3298).
Hi Bryce, We also travel from Canton, both to Atwood(friend's Highlander) and to Huron. We like Huron(see Related Link) because it is only 90 minutes, we miss the Cedar Point traffic, and we have deep water. Downside is that it is a 90 minute sail to the islands. Give me a call(330-453-3298).
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Tom Ehmke
A plug for Port Clinton
I dock at Harbor Park on Catawba Island which is on the west side of Port Clinton. There are many marinas in the Port Clinton area, both east and west of the city. Rates run from very reasonable ( for example,dockage for my ODay 272, a 27 footer is $595 per season and is discounted $100 if I pay in full before Jan.15. no water, no electricity) to very expensive if you want all the amenities. What I like most about docking on the west side of Port Clinton is the (relatively) short distance to the Bass Islands and Kelley's Island, also to Pelee and Leamington. When I leave the West Harbor Channel, South Bass Island is almost due north and less than an hour's sail away. Kelley's is even closer. I agree with the others that you should drive this way and take a good look at what is available before you make a decision. Also, the IX Boat Show in Cleveland is coming up in a few weeks and many of the area marinas have booths there. You can check some of them out that way also. Looking forward to having another sailor on the west end of the lake. Tom
I dock at Harbor Park on Catawba Island which is on the west side of Port Clinton. There are many marinas in the Port Clinton area, both east and west of the city. Rates run from very reasonable ( for example,dockage for my ODay 272, a 27 footer is $595 per season and is discounted $100 if I pay in full before Jan.15. no water, no electricity) to very expensive if you want all the amenities. What I like most about docking on the west side of Port Clinton is the (relatively) short distance to the Bass Islands and Kelley's Island, also to Pelee and Leamington. When I leave the West Harbor Channel, South Bass Island is almost due north and less than an hour's sail away. Kelley's is even closer. I agree with the others that you should drive this way and take a good look at what is available before you make a decision. Also, the IX Boat Show in Cleveland is coming up in a few weeks and many of the area marinas have booths there. You can check some of them out that way also. Looking forward to having another sailor on the west end of the lake. Tom
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