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New Guy on Erie
Well, finally purchased my first offshore boat, 1999 353 Fastech w/T-502mags. Have grown up on ski boats and cruisers with singles, so this world with twins is slightly new to me. Waxed her up, and made her maiden voyage into Lake Erie yesterday. Put in at Conneaut and ran over it Presque Isle. Boat ran great, I cruised at 42 at 3200rpm. Top speed was 72 on the gps. Boat has stock extension boxes and 28” bravos. Have never visited Presque isle so we went in under the Sheraton bridge only to realize there isn’t any public docking. Ended up over at rum runners and swung right in there like a pro. Had a quick dinner, a few drinks and back to Conneaut we went. Would like to head into Cleveland next, Living just north of Youngstown, I know I could put in at Geneva state park but is there anywhere else closer to Cleveland? Geneva to Cle looks to be about a 45mi run. Where are some of the places on the water to visit in Cleveland? I’ve heard of the flats, but is there public docking? Also would like to spend some time up at the islands. Family friends have a house on Kelly’s, but no dock. It seems like the casino is a big hangout for the offshore crowd.. any where else to stop In for drinks/food? What about PIB? Where does everyone tie up? Places to eat/drink? Can you spend the night on your boat? Is there anywhere in the area that people tend to drop anchor for the day to swim and relax? Where does everyone put it for the islands? I can’t imagine putting in at Catawba State Park as it seems pretty tight in there towing my friends 21’Ranger fishing boat.. Any knowledge and help you could pass on to me would be great. I hope to see everyone out there this summer. I’d be more than happy to buy you a drink :ernaehrung004: |
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Congrats on a gorgeous new boat! Big fan of Formulas. I’ve spent my life on west end of Erie and know it fairly well, as many on here do. The only ramp for a boat like yours, for island trips is called Mazurks Access and is in Lake Side/Marble Head. Class A ramp, tons of parking and safe. That puts you within a couple miles of the main islands. Huron, which is 10 mls east of Sandusky has a gorgeous, new ramp on the river too. Their boat basin is also class A. They have bands in a natural amphitheater overlooking the marina and have them most weekends. There is a boardwalk on the river and several pubs within walking distance. You can hear the band is crystal clear from the back of your boat there. Family friendly also. The islands from there would be 15 or so miles. You pass the beach of the Cedar point amusement park that way and is a great place to anchor for a few hours also. |
Originally Posted by Twin O/B Sonic
(Post 4685650)
Congrats on a gorgeous new boat! Big fan of Formulas. I’ve spent my life on west end of Erie and know it fairly well, as many on here do. The only ramp for a boat like yours, for island trips is called Mazurks Access and is in Lake Side/Marble Head. Class A ramp, tons of parking and safe. That puts you within a couple miles of the main islands. Huron, which is 10 mls east of Sandusky has a gorgeous, new ramp on the river too. Their boat basin is also class A. They have bands in a natural amphitheater overlooking the marina and have them most weekends. There is a boardwalk on the river and several pubs within walking distance. You can hear the band is crystal clear from the back of your boat there. Family friendly also. The islands from there would be 15 or so miles. You pass the beach of the Cedar point amusement park that way and is a great place to anchor for a few hours also. thank you for the info... is Mazurks and Huron Ramps friendly to leaving truck/trailer for overnight trips? |
Yes to both and both well lit if I recall. Both patrolled as well. Huron is a great place to explore by foot or by boat and makes a nice run for the islands. Mazuriks Access put you close enough to paddle to them but plenty to explore between and around them. Put middle Bass Island on your list also. A gorgeous new marina with a very nice pub across the street with an adult wading pool :-) A small ferry takes you from there to put in Bay a mile away to hang with the drunks for the night and then go back to your boat in the quiet safety at middle bass.
Originally Posted by ENERGIZED
(Post 4685654)
thank you for the info... is Mazurks and Huron Ramps friendly to leaving truck/trailer for overnight trips? |
Congrats on the boat! Head out west and you will have a blast!! Some of the best boating is in the western basis!! I agree with Twin mentioned above... Some guys use the Sandusky ramp but I bet most will agree it can be sketchy overnight. But, some guys still do it. I will add some other fun stops Schrocks HBB for lunch, Crabby Joes (Gotta watch for the law around there), An overnight in Port Clinton (people watch the drunks pile off the Jet), and Overnight at the point... There is definitely a great crew that still runs around up there. Just hit the Casino and hang out. YOU will meet alot a great boaters... Get with FF, he will introduce you to all the fun debauchery....
Hidden Beach Bar - Hidden Beach Bar https://www.facebook.com/crabbyjoesohio/ |
I have left my truck and trailer at Sandusky tamp tons of times been ok so far, there are sketchy people around but seem to leave the ramps alone, As Jr. said West Erie is the best around you will most likely end o\up a regular out here, Cleveland is fun for about 6 hours, lorain, mentor, fairport all boring. I base out of Sandusky so I go all over, lunch runs to Lorain and Vermillion are easy, Huron is great, so much to do out here.
Sandusky Sandbar and Cedar point beach are nice hangouts to anchor, same as north side of KI |
Re. Sanduskys ramp, I used to use it but it’s in the hood and don’t like that. Also did not like going through the Sandusky Bay to lake traffic jamb. More idiots per mile than anywhere. Weekends of course. NO ONE has a clue to rules of road. They think bigger boats has and will push it. Add the charter boats (same attitudes) to that....... Lastly, I think it is marked as no over night parking??? We drive through it all the time but not left a trailer there in yrs. I would add, downtown Sandusky has become a way cool destination in its self. Cool part about basin though......, decide what you want to do and it’s there! Family stuff, bars, diving (I’ve been to several wrecks), beach’s, exploration, amusement parks...., all there. |
Wow guys you two didnt leave much out lol lymans has been a cool place to the last two years. Good food games and stuff fir the kids pet friendly nice over night docking with power and live bands. Witch is also in the Sandusky bay.
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Before we sold our cruiser last fall we planned on doing a weekend in down town Sandusky in the paper district and never did. Still want to. Dock neighbors did and loved it.
Originally Posted by 1989mach1
(Post 4685800)
Wow guys you two didnt leave much out lol lymans has been a cool place to the last two years. Good food games and stuff fir the kids pet friendly nice over night docking with power and live bands. Witch is also in the Sandusky bay.
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Not trying to steal your thread.... great question and nice boat. I’m a formula fan as well. Have an older 311 that I restored a little.
I’m new to Ohio and was curious as well of the local hot spots. Let me ask this.... is the area of LE around the islands and the bay got a lot of unmarked rocks, etc? I’m use to boating in upstate NY my whole life and did not have to worry about much being familiar with it. Also.... are there any fun runs or poker run gatherings in the area as well. Thanks, Chris Thaanks, Chris |
Every day running in the west basin is a fun run.....never a bad time or a shortage of boats or places to go. There is always people running around. And about rocks i have never had any issues.
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Originally Posted by MyIsland
(Post 4685857)
Not trying to steal your thread.... great question and nice boat. I’m a formula fan as well. Have an older 311 that I restored a little.
I’m new to Ohio and was curious as well of the local hot spots. Let me ask this.... is the area of LE around the islands and the bay got a lot of unmarked rocks, etc? I’m use to boating in upstate NY my whole life and did not have to worry about much being familiar with it. Thanks, Chris Thaanks, Chris not much in the way of organized fun/poker runs that I know of just one run by LEOPA but it's pretty high dollar stuff thats out of my league so I couldn't tell you much about it. |
Thanks for that info. I’m familiar with navigation markers. Thats good info. That was what I was looking for. We use use to have a poker run on the lake in NY that was 50 dollars to enter... ran 25 miles from one end to other for lunch and then back another 25. Just a cool gathering of 100-150 go fast. And it was affordable vs the hundreds of dollar ones. |
For Fun Runs: LEOPA Thunderfest (Large run based out of Put In Bay), LEOPA also has 2 small 1 day runs 1 in the Spring and Fall, The Go Fast Gang on Facebook looks like they are planning a run for this summer. The annual Mentor Poker Run has been cancelled, no race so no run.
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I miss the days of the small fun runs we used to do, cheap and fun, no big show, normal guys with fun boats, not a show off fest. some of the runs have become a lot of $
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^how come there aren't any more small fun runs? I'd help organize one but as I've never been on a single run I don't think I'd be of much help. lol.
I always thought it'd be cool to have a Radwood themed fun run (80s/90s theme). although at this point it'd just be cool to have any kind of run for us normal guys. |
We can throw one together for this summer maybe start at say lymans to heron to vermilion for lunch to hbb to casino for the night. Everyone covers own dockage, food and drinks. I could make some phone calls if we hammer out a date. I know we would be good for sure at lymans and the casino with no problems just would have to tuch base with Quaker heron and hbb. Dont think hbb would be a problem. As long as the restaurant is open this year lymans has a good breakfast menu to start the day off right or even make that the lunch stop
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Could even throw a raft up in there for a few hours after lunch stop at either cp beach if the lake is flat or Sandusky bay sandbar on the bay side.
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I like those ideas. Keep me in the loop.
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Water depth is deceiving and there are areas to watch.
It all looks deep. Yrs ago I sold my 28' Marinette cruiser to a guy that assured me he knew the lake. I gave him a sea trial, pointing out the hazardous areas and even gave him a west basin chart w/the boat. Saw the marina owners from where I docked that boat, at their booth at the Cleveland boat show that winter and they told me the new owner had the boat towed to them to repair after running aground on a shoal. It had twin inboards and they said "it cleaned all the hardware off the bottom." Boys that boat drew 2' on plane! Blackats comments on the high water are correct but dont get a false sense of security if its down next season. Due north of Kelleys Island is all shoal. Look at a chart of the area on the N.E. corner of South Bass (PIB) Island. It shows 2' but I see people cut that corner all the time. Im a sissy and always go north all the way to the green can (#5 ??) before turning west. The good news is, its all marked but you need a chart or GPS to know its there. His comments about Sandusky Bay are also good ones. I docked there (Bay Point ) and we used to dinghy to that beach/sand bar and watch it eat boats trying to pass between the point and channel markers. Watched it eat a new, 40' diesel powered Searay one weekend. Even w/my GPS I had a chart at the helm and reviewed my route before heading out. For me, using/trusting the GPS is like using it in our cars. I love it but it makes me stupid. Realize what a stud my dad was taking us through Lake Huron by compass course back in the day. |
Another fun waterfront bar is the bait house in Port Clinton on the portage river. https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...3594887060464/ |
Originally Posted by 1989mach1
(Post 4686184)
We can throw one together for this summer maybe start at say lymans to heron to vermilion for lunch to hbb to casino for the night. Everyone covers own dockage, food and drinks. I could make some phone calls if we hammer out a date. I know we would be good for sure at lymans and the casino with no problems just would have to tuch base with Quaker heron and hbb. Dont think hbb would be a problem. As long as the restaurant is open this year lymans has a good breakfast menu to start the day off right or even make that the lunch stop
luckily Erie is always flat and it never rains so I'm sure whatever weekend gets chosen should work perfectly:party-smiley-004: |
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