Lake Ontario

[airshot]

Weather forecasting is never 100% accurate, but over the years, I have learned to look back a couple states and see what is comming. Often I make my own forecast based on what might be several hundred or even a thousand miles away. My wife says I am more accurate than the local weather people. Just years of watching and following movements of weather patterns. Yes, there are a number of places on our planet that can create unusual weather issues, glad I don't live in those areas. I only have a 16' tinnie, so can't afford the gamble of a bad weather call. There have been many days I have left early and headed back in due to unusual weather conditions, that never turned into anything.....better to be safe than sorry !!

 

[rolmops]

Thunder storms with heavy rain and lots of lightning can form 10 miles away from you in the Lower Great Lakes area. They will come at you at 40 miles an hour and surprise you.I have actually had to run north toward Canada to escape because these storms often hug the shore line. Always top of you fuel tank because you may need that fuel. It wise to have a weather radio system on your boat. The NOAA people are usually very up to date and will send out emergency messages for your local area.

 

[RGrew176]

This past Saturday morning when I got up I checked outside and the leaves on the red maple tree in front of my condo were not moving at all. I turned on my portable marine weather radio to get the forecast.

They said that winds at Grosse Ile were calm. Winds at Monroe were calm. Winds at Toledo Light were calm and winds at Sandusky were calm. I decided it would be a good day to go to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island in Lake Erie.

I went out for breakfast then I hitched up my boat and headed to Lake Erie Metro Park near Gibraltar Michigan. I got the boat launched and in the water. I parked my truck.

I noticed that the Coast Guard Aux were there doing boat inspections so I asked them to check out my boat. My boat passed had all the necessary equipment and lights horn and all else worked properly.

I left the dock and headed out onto the lake waves were about 1' or so. 35 miles later I was at Put-in-Bay. Time was noon. Found an open dock at Oak Point State Park. Went into town and headed for the Keys and a frozen daiquiri.

Took a walk around the docks looking at all the nice boats. Walked through the park and town. Then it was time for lunch so I went to the Little Galley for a hamburger fries and a coke. BTW the Little Galley has the best french fries on the island.

Scrolled through town a bit more then I walked back to the state park. Killed some time there talking to my fellow boaters. Came about 5:15 PM I decided to head back to my launch point. Waves were less than a foot. Arrived back at Lake Erie Metro Park about 6:50 PM. Pulled the boat and took it back to storage.

My boat is a 2022 Stingray 182 SC. It's 19' 1" in length with a 7 1/2' beam powered by a Yamaha 115 HP VMax SHO O/B motor. The conditions I was in on Saturday were great and the boat handled it well. As long as waves are a foot or less I have no problem going out on Lake Erie. Waves 2 foot or over I would not have made that trip. The boat and I could handle it but it would not be a comfortable ride.

On a good day like Saturday you can go out on the Great Lakes in just about any boat. But, size does matter. All in all it was a fun day and if I get another day like that I will go to Put-in-Bay again.

 

[airshot]

This past Saturday morning when I got up I checked outside and the leaves on the red maple tree in front of my condo were not moving at all. I turned on my portable marine weather radio to get the forecast.

They said that winds at Grosse Ile were calm. Winds at Monroe were calm. Winds at Toledo Light were calm and winds at Sandusky were calm. I decided it would be a good day to go to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island in Lake Erie.

I went out for breakfast then I hitched up my boat and headed to Lake Erie Metro Park near Gibraltar Michigan. I got the boat launched and in the water. I parked my truck.

I noticed that the Coast Guard Aux were there doing boat inspections so I asked them to check out my boat. My boat passed had all the necessary equipment and lights horn and all else worked properly.

I left the dock and headed out onto the lake waves were about 1' or so. 35 miles later I was at Put-in-Bay. Time was noon. Found an open dock at Oak Point State Park. Went into town and headed for the Keys and a frozen daiquiri.

Took a walk around the docks looking at all the nice boats. Walked through the park and town. Then it was time for lunch so I went to the Little Galley for a hamburger fries and a coke. BTW the Little Galley has the best french fries on the island.

Scrolled through town a bit more then I walked back to the state park. Killed some time there talking to my fellow boaters. Came about 5:15 PM I decided to head back to my launch point. Waves were less than a foot. Arrived back at Lake Erie Metro Park about 6:50 PM. Pulled the boat and took it back to storage.

My boat is a 2022 Stingray 182 SC. It's 19' 1" in length with a 7 1/2' beam powered by a Yamaha 115 HP VMax SHO O/B motor. The conditions I was in on Saturday were great and the boat handled it well. As long as waves are a foot or less I have no problem going out on Lake Erie. Waves 2 foot or over I would not have made that trip. The boat and I could handle it but it would not be a comfortable ride.

On a good day like Saturday you can go out on the Great Lakes in just about any boat. But, size does matter. All in all it was a fun day and if I get another day like that I will go to Put-in-Bay again.

When we had our 22' Islanders we used the same rule, 2' waves were max for comfort level reasons.. Been caught in 4' waves a few times and while the boat did fine, it was not comfortable at all !! My current 16' does really well in 2' waves but that is my limit and it is mostly used for fishing so a little rougher ride is ok. On the rare joy ride, we choose 1' or less.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I havent boated Ontario, however been on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Erie. There have been days where a 17 foot was big enough. there are days that the 26 foot we were in wasnt big enough. that was up in Deaths Door in lake Michigan leaving the bay of Green Bay. what was 1-1/2' of chop turned into 7-9 foot rollers because the wind changed direction by about 10 degrees

Im with others, 24 feet or larger

 

[JimS123]

Lake Ontario is unique in that if you boat from the NY side it is almost always calm because of the prevailing SW winds. HOWEVER, it can be brutal in a north wind.

The little tinny in my signature has been out on Ontario many times. It has never been a bother, but then again it was calm to begin with and we watch the weather closely. OTOH, there have been times that we were not comfortable in a 19 footer.

The biggest problem, though, is when the lake turns over. It's a deep lake and the water is cold. When the wind causes a turnover and the cold water comes up, you get intense fog.

My Ontario boats always have had a waypoint on Loran (and now GPS) that corresponds to the end of the pier where we launch. Our area is also a known destination for trollers after salmon. If the fog comes up many boats are beeping their horns every few minutes so they don't run into each other.

 

[cyclops222]

The Great Lakes are called fresh water oceans for good reasons.

 

[RGrew176]

This past Saturday I managed to go to Put-in-Bay again. Lake Erie was showing 1 1/2' chop. It was a bumpier ride than last weekend but still an enjoyable trip. There were not many boats out on the open waters of the lake. Pretty much had the lake to myself.

 

[cyclops222]

I like boats within eyesight.
MAYDAY MAYDAY I need help !