is erie as wicked as they claim

[mrfixitman40]

I live about 70 mile south of lake erie and here the horror stories of the lake which being new to boating has me a little worried about going up there for the day but my oldest boy wants to go this is my first year boating and was wondering if the lake would be better to wait till i get more experience before attempting it i wouldn't be running out real far as the kids like tubing and just cruising around i have a 1963 starcraft 18 foot with a 1964 evinrude 75 hp is this enough boat for erie is the second ? any and all advice greatly appreciated
john

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I live about 70 mile south of lake erie and here the horror stories of the lake which being new to boating has me a little worried about going up there for the day but my oldest boy wants to go this is my first year boating and was wondering if the lake would be better to wait till i get more experience before attempting it i wouldn't be running out real far as the kids like tubing and just cruising around i have a 1963 starcraft 18 foot with a 1964 evinrude 75 hp is this enough boat for erie is the second ? any and all advice greatly appreciated
john

Check the weather before you go John. Ask the locals about anything you should know about in the area you want to boat. Don't let the reputation of the lake scare you off. Be prudent and check the conditions first and let that dictate whether you go or not. Let someone know your plans and provide them with contact info in case of an emergency.

I've sailed all the Great Lakes and Erie is a pleasant compared to Superior! ;o) Good luck and safe boating.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

thanks rick i have heard so many stories about smaller boats going up there that it is a little nerve racking my brother who has been around boating alot longer than i would be with me we just ordered our ship to shore radio and will be watching the weather very closely hopefully i can meet up with someone familiar to the area and they can direct me in a safe direction

 

[rheyboer]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I,ve got an 18 ft bowrider that I take to Lake Michigan. Besides what the other have said....have a cell phone with GC # programed in. If the forcast even mentions the possibility of 3 ft or greater waves forget it. If you get to the ramp and your not happy with the water, wind or sky...go home. If Son #1 protests explain that you have to answer to MOM. Then have him do 100 pushups for insubordination.

 

[rndn]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

As mentioned check the weather forecast. I've gone there in a 18 foot ranger bass boat and had a great time with little to no waves for the entire 6 hour trip. On the other side of the coin I have gone when the forecast stated 1-2 foot waves and once I got to the launch there were at least 4 foot waves breaking over the wall. Turned around and drove back home (70 miles). Have a backup plan just in case the forecast is not accurate and remember that Lake Erie can also go from calm to 4 foot waves in a very little time so pay attention to the waves and if you notice they are building head in for safe harbor. Lake Erie because of it's rather shallow depths can generate large waves in a very short time period.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

yeah mom would not be fun to explain thay we sunk the boat because i was to stupid to think. so i will definately be watching the forcast very very close

 

[MyStarcraft]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I also live south of lake erie.......Fish it often.

I have ocean experience as well as lake erie experience and they are one in the same.

I have seen lake erie change in less than 10 min. Go from smooth to nasty......some might say deadly. Thats where your experience comes in.

Winds out of the north are usualy nasty.......STAY OFF THE LAKE.
Remember lake erie has break walls for a very good reason.

I saw a 28 footer twin screw one afternoon, we were @ 55th street marina.

The boat stalled the 2 young guys were trying to drop anchor they started about 20 yards from shore. in a matter of less than 5 min both keels where up on hudge bolders..........ouch!..........Big tow and repair bill im sure.

Lake erie is to be repected but not feard.

P.S. I feel it wise............ anytime you go on lake erie. Have a kicker motor.
Dont rely on one motor.......****Ever****.

 

[DJ]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

Good advice, so far.

My experience on Erie has been good. Most of my time there was Walleye fishing. Very early morning usually brought near flat conditions. As the morning wore on, the waves would build.

As mentioned, wind can kick up the lake in a hurry. Since it is so shallow (relatively) waves break early. I have been on the lake, in bright sunshine, and had my engine hit bottom in 15 feet of water. Read; big swells.

Watch the weather and have an alternative plan.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I recall reading a few stories regarding trans atlantic sailors who when doing the last run of the season (November) from the great lakes to Europe before the freeze-up preferred the open atlantic to the great lakes. This reference seemed to mostly apply to Lake Huron and Superior but Lake Michigan and Erie are no cake walk. They commented on how once they cleared the great lakes and were heading out the St. lawrence river they felt quite a bit of relief and now they just had the Atlantic to deal with...go figure.
The unpredictability and the wave pattern (pitch, etc) was what supposedly makes/made it so treacherous. There are some great stories out there about all this...very interesting stuff.

 

[rndn]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

Ocean waves are fairly predictable with duration between swells and direction. The great lakes waves are not all evenly spaced and rarely all line up from the same direction. I witnessed and offshore race years ago in Lake Ontario. After a few boats plowed into waves they decided to cancel the race and have not been back. That said I also fished for years in a 14 foot aluminum boat with an 18hp outboard. My brother and I would continue north from the NY coast until we could not see the shoreline and then proceed for 20 additional minutes. We would troll for a few or more hours catching king salmon and then return. We didn't have cell phones or GPS back then as they were not yet invented. Our backup motor was a pair of oars and two strongs backs. Looking back on the numerous fishing trips now we were obviously naive yong men and I wouldn't think of doing it again. I guess my point after the long, sorry, story is that the great lakes can be enjoyed in a 14 foot boat or dangerous in a 26 foot boat. Just watch the weather and be prepared to have alternate plans if the forecast is off.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I have smallie fished it quite a bit over the years and have seen some nasty weather also.
It is a long haul for me and let me tell you, when I get to the ramp, I know if I am going out or back to the room.
No second guessing the great lakes.
When the weather is good, it's great, but when it is not, it ain't.
No gray area.

 

[dave11]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

Keep your eyes peeled for squalls. They can be on you in minutes on Lake Erie. You do not want to be caught in one in a small boat.

 

[GottaHunt]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

A lot of great advice here. Never been on Lake Erie myself but have spent many years on lake Michigan.
Biggest problem I see with newer boaters is getting to the ramp and not using common sense. When the forecast is for 1-2' waves and there are 3-4 footers, don't think the forecast will over rule Mother Nature - she evidently hasn't gotten the memo from the forecaster.
Another problem is when the wind picks up when you are out on the lake and not getting in as quickly as possible. The feeling that "We can ride it out" or "We'll give it another 15 minutes, then we'll head in" has resulted in my assisting many small boats in trouble over the years. Use your head and you should be fine.

Good luck!

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

Ditto on everything above. North winds are horrible. Even if they call for 1-2 feet I will not go. Now with the south, I will venture on 2-4's as I'm 100 yards from shore and the waves dont begin to get to the 2-4 size until a little farther out. I hear people alot saying my boat handels 3-4 feet waves with no problem. I doubt these people have ever seen them. 4 feet is huge. Its higher then most of the trailerable boats out there. A good 2 foot wave is high for a smaller boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I hear people alot saying my boat handels 3-4 feet waves with no problem. I doubt these people have ever seen them. 4 feet is huge. Its higher then most of the trailerable boats out there. A good 2 foot wave is high for a smaller boat.

It's not the wave?s height it's the period that causes problems.

In the Atlantic a 3-4? wave with an 8 second period is a calm day. I can run WOT in that stuff, no problem. Drop that wave period down to say 4 seconds and gets sloppy and you have to beat your way through the stuff. Not a very pleasant ride.

 

[Rideaur]

Re: is erie as wicked as they claim

I am originally from Erie, Pa. From your post location, it looks like you are intending to go to Erie.

The lake can be nasty---quickly!!!!

Your best bet would be to launch in Presque Isle Bay from Presque Isle State Park. Google Erie,Pa and take a look at the map. The bay side has a lot to offer.

Jerry
http://rideaur.googlepages.com/rideaucanalhomepage