Is my CrownLine 260 EX big enough for Lake Erie/Put in Bay?

[mrjss]

I just bought my boat (26 ft deck boat) with 350 Mag engine and have been out on Lake Cumberland with it, but never somewhere like Lake Erie. We want to go this coming Sunday (August 5).

I am a pretty safe boater, but by no means an expert, and will have family including kids with me. I read on these forums about how the weather can kick up the waves pretty quickly. My biggest concern is the trip from Port Clinton (or somewhere better?) to Put-in-Bay. Do I run a risk of getting into trouble out there, even in a 26ft boat, due to unforeseen issues with rapid weather changes and the fact that mine is a deck boat? Will an open bow boat my size and power handle 4ft rollers well, or will I be white knuckling it if I happen to get into waves that high? Again, my question relates to the trip "to" and "from" Put in Bay. While we are "at" Put in Bay, we'll do our boating-play close enough to the island that we can get out of any sudden weather trouble quickly.

Really appreciate any guidance you can provide. Also, if there is a better/safer place than Port Clinton to launch....even if I have to pay....please advise. thanks.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Is my CrownLine 260 EX big enough for Lake Erie/Put in Bay?

As long as you pay attention to the weather you'll be fine. And when I say weather you'll want to watch the winds. It can be a beautiful day but the winds are up and you can't go out. The shorter trip to the islands is to trailer to Marblehead and put in at Mazurik's. From there it's a short ride to Kelley's or the Bay. Do you have a GPS? If not get some charts. You can find them online for free. There are some shallow areas you'll want to avoid.

Charts http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14830.shtml

 

[mrjss]

Re: Is my CrownLine 260 EX big enough for Lake Erie/Put in Bay?

Thank you airdvr1227. Very helpful information. I had not thought of launching from Marblehead.

Regards,

MRJSS

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is my CrownLine 260 EX big enough for Lake Erie/Put in Bay?

You'll be fine, with caution. But be prepared. The wavs in that part are irregular to say the least. In my humble opinion, it's not much fun to "cruise" on that part of Lake Erie. I have only been out one time where it was nice (on a 23' cuddy cabin), and my dad tells me that's the only time it was ever nice, in the two summers he spent there.
That said, I really liked cruising to Put-In-Bay, and the Bass islands, and over to Cedar Point. We were out the weekend BEFORE Memorial Day, and Put-In-Bay was practically a ghost town. Very nice.

Have fun. Be prepared to get pounded around a bit, and get wet if folks sit in the front.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Is my CrownLine 260 EX big enough for Lake Erie/Put in Bay?

I have had my 19.5' Crownline on Erie. I am defiantly watchful of the weather. TilliamWe is right, you will get a little wet.

 

[jetboater]

Re: Is my CrownLine 260 EX big enough for Lake Erie/Put in Bay?

If you have a bow cover For your open bow, take it along---if the waves kick up, putting it on and closing the windshied allows any water that does come over the front to just roll off like it would in a cuddy cabin--makes for calmer passengers (and captain!)