Lake Erie Canada Tips

[paulandharm]

We are looking to sail through Lake Erie to the Welland Canal on the Canadian side. During the last two weeks of May. Any tips, suggestions, anchorage or warnings would be great. We have a cottage on Long Point so we would like to spend a bit of time around there if possible.
Thanks Harmony

[bgallinger]

Lake levels are expected to be lower this year. Check water depths at any marina before entering. Port Stanley may be restricted to boats with shoal draft keels only!

[frank_f]

Originally Posted by bgallinger

Lake levels are expected to be lower this year. Check water depths at any marina before entering. Port Stanley may be restricted to boats with shoal draft keels only!

I know that Kanagio and the Lions Club dredged to 9' this year (about 3 weeks ago). Anything south of the bridge should be OK since we had 6' and deeper last year.

Most visitors are probably going to tie up to the walls in the outer harbour. The bridge is such a PITA to get through.

[knottygurl]

You'll need two people on board to go from Erie to Ontario, May the water will be bitter cold so an Immersion suit for both would be advised and a dingy.
A good set of foulies in case you get caught in rain for a spell.

[Svan]

Lake Erie is pretty featureless on the north shore. I drive along that shore for peace and quiet instead of the 401. It's pretty easy to enumerate the Canadian-side points of interest between Detroit and Niagara rivers:

Leamington
Pelee Island
Erieau
Port Stanley
Long Point
Port Dover

I'm told put-in bay on an island on the US side is nice, but probably slow in May.

[Lake-Effect]

How big a boat will you have?

We sailed our little boat from Leamington to Pelee Island, then to Put-in Bay on the May long weekend a few years back. It was windy and rainy, but manageable.

Is there any deep-enough water around Long Pt? I don't recall that there was, but you'd know better if you cottage there.