Lake Erie Algae and Engines

[butterchurn]

I have a 32 foot sailboat with a Westerbeke L25 engine. I have a slip in Superior, WI on Lake Superior. I am retiring and moving back to my home state, Ohio. I want to sail my boat from Duluth to Sandusky. I have heard about the algae blooms and i am wondering how that will effect the cooling system of my boat engine? I'm worried about possible damage. I have never sailed in waters with algae blooms. Need advice.

Thanks!

[a64pilot]

Other than clogging the strainer I don’t see it would matter.
However I have no experience in this, just speculation. Ask around and see if your neighbors are having a problem, and ask a reputable mechanic what you should do if anything,

On edit, I’d install a temp gauge if you don’t have one, and look at it every now and again, steadily increasing temps is the signal that you need to clean something or look into it at least.
Of course I think all boats should have oil pressure and temp gauges

[butterchurn]

I have both. Thanks!

[No_Agenda]

We have been in the western basin for 6 years which is where the worst of the bloom occur. We have newer had a problem with our engine. Sandusky doesn't get as much algae as the western basin.

[Mike OReilly]

I sailed from Lake Superior, down through Lake Erie at the tail end of one of the big blooms a few years ago. We didn’t spend a lot of time in Erie, but the bloom we experienced was not thick sludge or anything that could clog things up. It was more dispersed and dilute. It went through the raw water cooling system without any issue. I doubt you’ll have a problem.

My biggest adjustment going from Superior to the lower lakes was the added precaution about using Lake water for cleaning. We had to be much more cautious about what water we used from the Lake — something that was never an issue on Superior (heck, we’d drink it).

[Joli]

Originally Posted by butterchurn

I have a 32 foot sailboat with a Westerbeke L25 engine. I have a slip in Superior, WI on Lake Superior. I am retiring and moving back to my home state, Ohio. I want to sail my boat from Duluth to Sandusky. I have heard about the algae blooms and i am wondering how that will effect the cooling system of my boat engine? I'm worried about possible damage. I have never sailed in waters with algae blooms. Need advice.

Thanks!

Welcome back to Sandusky. The algae isn’t a problem, don’t worry about it, your engine will be fine. What marina will you berth at?

[butterchurn]

Originally Posted by Joli

Welcome back to Sandusky. The algae isn’t a problem, don’t worry about it, your engine will be fine. What marina will you berth at?

We will go to Sandusky Harbor Marina. Do you have any other suggestions?

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by butterchurn

We will go to Sandusky Harbor Marina. Do you have any other suggestions?

I spent a year in SHM and did not like it very much. Also spent a year in Cedar Point, which was much more ... festive.

[No_Agenda]

Check out Sandusky Sail Club the members are very friendly and helpful. We stay there a couple times a year.