Re: Sandusky Bay to PIB
Great couple of days at the islands. Our second trip and we learned alot more this time. If you haven't been I strongly suggest you put it in your 'things to do' list.
Sandusky Bay - we put in at the City ramp. Very nice facility. The channels are clearly marked in the bay but a chart is recommended just for added comfort. Our little rig probably could have gone anywhere in the bay with no fear of grounding. When we put in it was drizzling and the winds were gusting 10-15. Choppy in the bay and real fun on the lake. Never felt like we were in danger but I wouldn't have wanted to be in anything smaller and certainly not a BR.
PIB - Key West in Ohio. We docked at the municipal dock A $37.50 daily rate for our 23 footer. Technically there is no 'in-out' privledges but on a Tuesday there really is plenty of space so they allowed us to come and go as we pleased. We took off exploring the islands and learned very quickly that proper chart reading will save you the expense of a prop.
Chewed up ours real good when I mistook our location and drove us into an area that was about 18" deep. After a quick change we headed back in to sooth our egos with Pusser's Painkillers at the Boardwalk.
Like everything that has anything to do with the nautical life expect to pay a premium. Our $150/night room was no better than a Motel 6. We're not setup yet to stay on board and it was just too hot and humid to consider not sleeping with AC. The bay area is full of restaurants and bars so there's never far to walk to the next watering hole.
After breakfast yesterday we headed over to Kelley's Island. Again, nice facilities at the dock. We rented a golf cart and toured this quaint island.
What did we learn? Charts are a must but if you don't use them correctly it doesn't matter. We aren't set up as well as I'd like to be for inclement weather. On the way back to Sandusky Bay we ran into an isolated thunderstorm which forced us to turn back. I only have a bimini. A camper top would have worked much better. Glad I had the option to turn back and wait out the storm.
