If I buy a boat (Hunter 34 or Catalina 30) in Cleveland, Ohio, being a novice it seems to me I could motor it to Sandusky where I'd like to keep it. I figure with a GPS and somewhat hugging the coast I could get there. On Google by car it's about 60 miles. How fast could I expect to travel? It seems to me I would likely be traveling against the wind and waves. Could someone provide some guidance on things to consider for planning this trip?
Moving sailboat from Cleveland to Sandusky
- Thread starter stevestk
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It's a two day trip. Probably layover in Lorain. Pick weather days with predicted south winds which is easiest in summer. The offshore winds won't build any waves and you will have a nice ride. In the summer you get the onshore breeze even with south winds but not enough to cause any wave action. Surely you know someone with experience to sail with you. It will be much more fun sailing then motoring.
Battery Park in Sandusky is a nice place to keep you boat. I've been there for five years and really like it. You can sail in the bay or be out in the lake in a few minutes.
Forgive me, I don't mean to be unkind at all, but if you are saying that "you figure you could get there" you really are not ready to go off on your own. Take an experienced friend with you please. Weather in the Great Lakes can change fast, and Erie in particular is known for steep waves. You need to have a lot more confidence in your boat, your navigation and your seamanship. Welcome to the sailing community, we'd like to keep you around as part of it for a while.
Steve...
At 2,800 rpm you should be able to make 6 to 6.5 knots in a flat sea with no opposing wind. With 10 to 15 knots of wind on the nose, figure 4 to 4.5 knots. With Lake Erie's waves in that wind, figure on waiting for another day.
At 2,800 rpm you should be able to make 6 to 6.5 knots in a flat sea with no opposing wind. With 10 to 15 knots of wind on the nose, figure 4 to 4.5 knots. With Lake Erie's waves in that wind, figure on waiting for another day.
It's a good trip
Like Ed, we take two days to do it, with a stop at the big marina in Lorain. I show around 50 nm from the east end of the Cleveland breakwater, so that would be 8 to 10 hours - a doable run for one day.
The essence of good seamanship is contingency plans. What will you do (despite forecasts, and plans):
- if the winds are on your nose. A west to northwest wind would build up some pretty good waves along your path, and on your bow?
- If a thunderstorm pops up ahead of you with lightning, and the possibility of a 50 knot wind burst?
- If your engine fails for some reason? (This happened to the Admiral and me as we entered Lorain on our first trip to take Lady Lillie from Sandusky to Mentor.)
- if you miss one of the many fishnets on your path, and wrap it around your keel, or your prop?
A good sailboat will take care of you, if you take care of it through such contingencies. They are not meant to scare you off! But each of them has happened to or threatened us in 11 years of cruising the Great Lakes. And you can prepare a good plan for each of them.
The best idea is to make the trip with a friend who is an experienced sailor - ask one, you might be surprised at their willingness to take a day off for such a jaunt.
Fair wind and following seas!
David
Like Ed, we take two days to do it, with a stop at the big marina in Lorain. I show around 50 nm from the east end of the Cleveland breakwater, so that would be 8 to 10 hours - a doable run for one day.
The essence of good seamanship is contingency plans. What will you do (despite forecasts, and plans):
- if the winds are on your nose. A west to northwest wind would build up some pretty good waves along your path, and on your bow?
- If a thunderstorm pops up ahead of you with lightning, and the possibility of a 50 knot wind burst?
- If your engine fails for some reason? (This happened to the Admiral and me as we entered Lorain on our first trip to take Lady Lillie from Sandusky to Mentor.)
- if you miss one of the many fishnets on your path, and wrap it around your keel, or your prop?
A good sailboat will take care of you, if you take care of it through such contingencies. They are not meant to scare you off! But each of them has happened to or threatened us in 11 years of cruising the Great Lakes. And you can prepare a good plan for each of them.
The best idea is to make the trip with a friend who is an experienced sailor - ask one, you might be surprised at their willingness to take a day off for such a jaunt.
Fair wind and following seas!
David
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