GREAT LAKES SAILING SEASON

[SURV1969]

I've decided to do more sailing this year. The great lakes season is less than 1/2 the year for most people(about 5 months)

Part of my desire for more sailing involves attempting to "lengthen", the sailing season(at least for me), on Lake Erie. I'd like to begin sailing in April and end it in October.

Is there anyone out there that lengthens their sailing season to include more marginal periods of time?

Is it too much to handle?

[Divecoz]

I start round the very end of April maybe Early May and sail till the middle of October on Lake Michigan out of North Point Harbor Winthrop IL.
Needless to say it colder than Sept and Late May. Its often a bit rougher as well.

[beene]

I have sailed many times in early April and late October.

You will not need a life jacket if you end up in the water due to the temp of the water.

The wind off water of those temps is not a picnic either, so dress well and include a survival suit and gloves.

Just a heads up.

Cheers

G

[John Christian]

Early May for a couple of reasons, Water temp in the 50's , Walleyes in the river channels, and I need that first warm weekend in April to dust of the cob webs from the golf game.

[Catigale]

I did a 5 day 200 mile trip Cleveland to Buffalo delivery in 2002. One thing to remember in October/April there are very few rec boaters on the lake - if you get into trouble you are on your own pretty much. In April, without a submersion suit, that means the only help you will get is recovering your body.

[Divecoz]

Our slip is paid for and they open Monday for business
$2000.00 even this years for up to 30 ft. Un-metered electric and water and cable TV of some sort. I wont slip ours in till the 2nd week of May ???
Off to Florida for a couple of weeks , then back here to get her ready for the water.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I live on a small lake. I used to hava an old wood powerboat that I would leave in the water as long as I could, often having to break up the ice to winch it into my yard.
After the ice was thick enough, I would push it back out on the ice, so when it melted, my boat was in the water.
The front of that boat is now my office desk at my shop.

One year I sailed my Mac every month except February. After sailing most of the summer in lake Michigan, I trailered down to Key West in November and for part of December, and then trailered over to near Captiva on the Gulf coast for the rest of December and the first part of January. I then trailered it up to the panhandle and left it at a buddy's place and drove back to Wisconsin.
I drove back down in March and sailed in the Destin area, and for part of April.
I then trailered back to Wisconsin and put it in Lake Michigan for the summer.