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Old 11-08-2020, 07:29   #1
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Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Hi Great Lakes Sailors,
Bringing a 1969 Redline 41from Lake Erie to Lake Michigan and would love recommendations for navigating the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers. Currents are my biggest concern. Boat draws 6'9" and has a newer 50hp Yanmar.

Thank you!
Frank
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Old 11-08-2020, 07:37   #2
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

It's an easy trip you'll enjoy it. The rivers have current but since it's late summer you probably won't have much more then 2~3 knots other then the blue water bridge. When traveling under the blue water bridge hug the shoreline.
Lots of stops along the Michigan shoreline, 6'9" draft won't be a problem.
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Old 11-08-2020, 08:36   #3
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Coming downstream a few years ago we saw peak current of about 4-5 knots just at the mouth of the St. Clair river at Lake Huron. Otherwise about 2, and this was earlier in the season. Mid summer should be less.

Either way, you'll have no trouble with that big engine.

Watch your depths. It can shallow quickly off the main channel. Marinas may be harder to access, depending on current water levels. When we came down we could access only a few marinas through the rivers/Lake St. Clair and eastern end of Lake Erie. We draw 6 feet, but the lakes were generally lower than they are now. Just be careful.
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Old 11-08-2020, 11:42   #4
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Thank you, this helps a lot!
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Old 12-08-2020, 12:01   #5
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

you want to stay in the channel at the north end of Lake St Clair. The buoys on the Canadian side were right on top of the edge of the channel. I ran aground just a few feet outside of the channel. Sandy bottom but a bit of a surprise cause this was a C&C 29.
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Old 12-08-2020, 12:56   #6
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Not sure where on Lake Erie the boat is but if you go near South Bass Island (Putin Bay) or Kelly's Island reserve some time to visit both. Great facilities and lots to see. Our old stomping grounds and I think some of the best loacations on all of Great Lakes.

Steve
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Old 12-08-2020, 13:03   #7
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Double on the draft issue - the lakes are high , but 6'9" is a deep draft for the western end of the lake .. and as mike says , outside the channel in the river it gets shallow FAST ( touched a few times on one trip with our old boat at 5' )
Just watch your charts . Sucks that you don't have the choice this year of staying on either side if you are taking your time and cruising ...but whatever side you are on, that's the one you have to stay on ... blah 2020
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Old 12-08-2020, 14:29   #8
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Nicer
,faster trip down stream, but lots of water, u have sufficient HP & the water is a beautiful blue unlike Western Erie this time of year. Fortunately you missed the Mackinaw race in July as slips can be hard to find in Port Huron on race weekends (ask me how I know)?
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Old 12-08-2020, 17:58   #9
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

All the above posts are good info. I went up the Detroit and the St Claire rivers 2 years ago. First time. One thing to watch out for is the floating grass clumps. They wrap around your prop and foul it. Makes it seem that your are loosing power. The locals taught me a trick, turn around, go down steam, go into reverse then full throttle for a minute to clear the prop, then continue your journey up stream.
Enjoy your sail,
Paul O/B Windswept
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Old 12-08-2020, 19:30   #10
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Good stuff. We’re leaving Fairport Friday morning hoping to make Putin Bay. Looks like a busy place!
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Old 12-08-2020, 19:39   #11
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Put-in-Bay is a fun place, but I have heard some of the popular places do not open this year.

The grocery store is well stocked and there is a good hardware store.

Millers Marina is a good place to tie up at. Great facilities. The public docks not so good. Showers are across the main street.

Have fun,

Paul O/B Windswept
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Old 12-08-2020, 21:05   #12
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

There is a chart book for the entire run. It is sequential pages and excellent. It shows alternate channels and routs avoiding freighter lanes. I’m afraid I sold mine and I can’t find it on line.

Mind the present high water may have a large effect on current.

This might do.
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Old 13-08-2020, 07:51   #13
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

I have been hearing stories of people being pulled over in the river around Belle Isle for being on the Canadian side of the river.

Does anyone know if there is any issue with sailing up the river, and if so what path to take?
It's kind of difficult to not touch Canadian waters with the amherstburg/livingston channels.
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Old 13-08-2020, 10:04   #14
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iduna View Post
I have been hearing stories of people being pulled over in the river around Belle Isle for being on the Canadian side of the river.

Does anyone know if there is any issue with sailing up the river, and if so what path to take?
It's kind of difficult to not touch Canadian waters with the amherstburg/livingston channels.
Yes, be prepared to be stopped. We were (legally) on the Canadian side of the Niagara River above the falls a couple of weeks ago. The RCMP were patrolling and stopping boats everywhere. They were ensuring that everyone was Canadian and had been staying away from the US side.
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Old 13-08-2020, 11:40   #15
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Re: Lake Erie to Lake Huron

Whatever you do, do not stop, loiter anchor in Canada. Passage has always been allowed but with the crazy 19 I don’t know. I think if you want passage then raising the Canadian CG and making arrangements would be a good idea. More likely to be OK in daylight.
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