Lake Erie Brats??

M

MikeMac

New member
Hey gang,
I was in northwestern Pennsylvania visiting some relatives and I was wondering if we have any Lake Erie Brats? The only C-Dory boating I know of on the lake is that part of Riverhorse where William Least Heat Moon thinks his boat might come apart on the run from Buffalo to Dunkirk (I think). Any Brats out there? What's the lake like? I was thinking of trailering up there this summer and launching at Erie.

Mike
 
Mike,
I typically took Salty Dog out on Western Lake Erie. As you're probably aware, very shallow lake that can throw waves at you from all directions at the same time. Add to that the amount of traffic in the Western basin and you can have some pretty interesting conditions. The C-Dory always made it through them without any problems, though. Just remember to slow down when it gets rough and you'll be fine. We usually launched out of Sandusky Bay in Ohio and have made multiple trips to the Ohio Islands along with Pelee Island which is in Canadian waters. I don't think the depth sounder ever showed more than 40' in that stretch of the lake, with it typically being in the 25 to 30 feet range. Nick on Valkyrie keeps his boat in the Western basin and has lots of experience on the lake too. There also is a gentleman in the Cleveland area that has taken his 16' Cruiser out on Lake Erie. I believe that vessel is called Amelia Anne.

I've never been to the Eastern part of Lake Erie, just the Western, but we've never had any problems motoring along as long as you're not in a hurry.

Jack
 
Mike,

jack pretty much summed it up. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes and has a well-deserved reputation for getting mean on short notice.

That being said, it is also a great lake for cruising and fishing. I have been boating on the lake since the early 80's, in sail until 2 years ago and now with Valkyrie, our 22 CD. Realistically, if you watch the weather and plan accordingly, you'll be fine. When the weather gets bad we often cruise and fish in Sandusky Bay which is protected and runs for about 25 miles.

Having cruised all over Lake Erie, I would recommend that you try the western basin, launching where Jack suggested. There are a number of islands to explore and great fishing. It's a forty mile run to the Canadian shore and Pelee Island, Canadian and the largest in Lake Erie is a jewel, not the typical tourist trap.

If you head this way, let me know. Marcia and I will be glad to show you around, get you situated and cruise with you if scheduling permits.

Best regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
We have had our 25 in Buffalo for three years. As mentioned by others, the lake can throw some steep and nasty stuff at you. But there are other times when its glass smooth. If you choose a Lake Erie cruise, take your fishing gear.

There are not many destinations on the east end of the lake. Buffalo is not accommodating to visiting boaters. Erie Basin Marina in downtown Buffalo will put you on a retaining wall that will give you a wild ride all night (and damage your boat if you're not well fendered). Don't plan on a good nights sleep. There are a few marinas on the Buffalo ship canal, but they are not usually set up for transients. Give RCR a try if you go. Enter the Buffalo River at the Coast Guard station, and bear to the right at the General Mills. The Buffalo River still has some commercial traffic, you may get to enjoy a Laker navigating the river. A few transients will anchor in the outer harbor, but thats a high traffic area, especially in snotty weather.

You can run the Niagara River down to Tonawanda, NY, which is the western terminus of the Erie Canal. There are some tie-up areas along the Erie Canal, but weekends get quite crowded and you might be rafted 3 deep. The ride up and down the Niagara River is fun, lots of flow, eddies and some whirlpools. Imagine four Great Lakes emptying through a shallow river 100 yards wide. If the wild ride doesn't suit you, take the Black Rock Channel and Lock.

Port Colborne, ON has a very nice marina, adjacent to the Welland Canal. The village is walkable and the commercial shipping through the canal provides some visual entertainment. Note: A Passport is now required to get back into the US after visiting Canada.

Further west, Erie, PA has a nice harbor and is transient friendly. But it has been our experience that, in general, the Canadian side of Great Lake border waters are newer and more boater friendly.

I would encourage you to explore the west end of Lake Erie. Sandusky, Port Clinton, the Bass Islands and Pelee Island will provide a lot of stuff to see and do.

Might I suggest considering a trip further east and north. The Thousand Islands area along the St Lawrence Seaway is an incredible area to explore by boat. Spend at least 2 days in Kingston, ON. Gananoque, ON is well worth some time. And the small boat museum in Clayton, NY is great. Boldt Castle and Singer Castle are worth stops also. Alexandria Bay, NY is a tourist mecca in summer. If you do this area, there are some good resources available on the internet.

That said, we are in the process of leaving Buffalo and New York.
 
Folks,
Thanks for all the great information! It sounds like an interesting area, maybe to trailer to a few different spots and give it a try. I landed in Cleveland the other day and the lake looked rather, uh, challenging as I drove by on 90. Thanks again for your help.

Mike
 
There are still 240 sq miles of ice on the lake.
Commercial shipping season has started. The English River is stalled between Pt Abino, ON and Buffalo. USCG Neah Bay being sent to assist.
Its much nicer in the summer.
 
Just came across this old thread during a search - thought I would light it up again. I boat out of Port Dover and have explored the Canadian side from Port Colborne to Big Creek at the SW side of Long Point inner bay as well as out the east side of the Long Point spit.

I know Valkyrie is still around down on the west coast and I think there are some in Erie PA - anyone else??

Regards, Rob
 
Hi Rob,

Good to hear from you!

We will be docking Valkyrie in the western basin this year and hope that maybe we can finally meet somewhere.

Good news: there are now FOUR more C-Dory's in northern Ohio, located in Wadsworth, Green, Strongsville, Cleveland and a couple located here in the Akron area came to see Valkyrie because they are actively seeking a 22 to buy.

Let's stay in touch!

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nick, good to hear from you again! Any plans to head east next summer? My bucket list has had Pelee Island on it for 14 years now! We have been there on the ferry but when I bought my Campion hardtop in 2001 the owner told me how he had taken it from Port Rowan to Pelee Island the previous summer. Sounded like a great trip. The biggest problem with my current boat(20' Stingray) is range. I have a 35 gal. tank but at a marina when its in the water they have a hard job getting more than 30 gal. in it. Especially if the attendant standing on the swim platform is heavy! In 2011 we filled up in Port Colborne and after plowing into a head sea for 7 hours we ran out of gas about a half mile from the entrance to the Port Dover marina! My plotter did not show a marina or gas at Nanicoke but I know now that there is(Hoover Marine). Very inefficient running at 7-8 mph. I sometimes wish I had a semi displacement hull - like the Seabreeze for this lake. Its a long way just getting around the point - 28 miles out then back in again. Port Burwell has gas but its pretty scary getting in unless you are familiar with it. They did dredge it 2 years ago to get the Ojibwa in but still scary! The CG even decommissioned the harbour light to discourage mariners from trying to enter at night. That would require fuel range from Port Dover to Port Stanley. Or my other option would be to trailer to Port Stanley and launch there.

If you plan a trip to this end of the pond give a shout!!
Regards, Rob
 
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