Great Lakes Cruising Guide

[sailstoo]

A couple years ago I bought a 1982 C&C 34 that had never been off Lk Superior and got a very fair deal on it. Fresh water only and in the water for < 5 months per year makes for pretty light use. Also, here's an "MLS" link for Great Lakes boats that I found very helpful. Temptation Yacht Sales (Mt. Clemens, MI)

Have fun...there really are some great deals out there.

[tallyhorob]

nice link thanks for the info

[gunslinger9729]

Hi and just so you know people think that just because we are "Lakes" that the boats dont have to be as strong or seaworthy as a cruiser does going along the East Coast but I will say that here the storms are just as big as anything you get in the open sea with sharper waves and no where to run to to stay before the storm. At some point the storm will catch you when you run out of water. Most of our boats that have survived are actually able to handle bad weather. And theres the advantage of only being 1/2 as old as the calender age because our season is only 1/2 of the year that much is true.

[CaptainBW]

I can help with the West End of Lake Erie, especially from the Islands to Vermilion. Just send me a personal message if you want specific advice or have questions. I am not familiar with any cruising guides for the great lakes other than Richardsons. It gives general information about ports of call but does not have detailed information.

[Pblais]

Could be a very nice trip. You should understand that "Spring" on Lake Superior really isn't till almost summer. Early June would be pushing unless a really favorable stretch of weathery and it does happen just not often. July / August are the better months and too many places to see in two months. Given the desire to be in Carolina in November it's not a problem. You would want to leave New England about mid September or before. Chesapeake in September / October is pretty much prime time while August would be too early and too hot. Plenty in North Carolina if you watch the weather til early November when you should be moving along.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Pblais

Could be a very nice trip. You should understand that "Spring" on Lake Superior really isn't till almost summer. Early June would be pushing unless a really favourable stretch of weather and it does happen just not often...

I agree completely*, adding that this could be that unusual year.
The ice is off the lake (never fully froze), and we’ve already had some exceptionally warm weather.

* Paraphrasing Johnny Horton:
When it's Springtime on Superior (sic: in Alaska), it's forty below ...