Hobie Cat Forums

Being farily new at this, I was wondering if anyone could direct me to places where I can launch my H18 on the western basin side of Lake Erie.

I have often fished out of several ports from Ohio around up into Michigan, but don't recall seeing any favorable launch sites for a Hobie.

I did give the Maumee State Park a call one day to see what they have to offer, since they do have showering facilities, but they said no lauch site on the grounds.

I will be trailering and really don't think I am ready to join up at any yacht clubs (yet) as I will want to explore different lakes.

Any help or heads up will be greatly appreciated!

I am in the midst of putting together a cat-trax if that would help in any suggestions of where to get wet at.

Bret

_________________
The only difference between a "Rut" and a "Grave" is the depth of the hole!

I have been wanting to know the same thing, where to launch . I did see a picture of Maumee bay state park on a wind surfing site, the cars where parked right near a sandy looking beach. I dont know if you could launch from there with a set of cat traks or not. When you asked the park they might have been thinking you had to have a ramp for a trailer.........Jay

Come Spring, I plan on running over there to check it out for myself. If I can get to the beach and they don't care, I will go ahead and launch from there.

Will let you know if I find anything out.

_________________
The only difference between a "Rut" and a "Grave" is the depth of the hole!

That would be great, pleas do let me know. I am In Ft Wayne so your a little closer. let me know if you want a crew some time I could make the drive over. Or maybe even bring my boat and crew, we could head out together...Jay

Jay,

Will keep you posted. Sounds good too on you offereing to Crew or even bring your boat. There is an "inland" lake that I have been at that would be even closer for the both of us. It is Clear Lake which is in Fremont IN. I'm guessing around an hour for you to get there. I put on there last fall so I know it is launchable!

Will keep in touch,

Bret

_________________
The only difference between a "Rut" and a "Grave" is the depth of the hole!

Hey Bret, I am familiar with Clear lake. I keep my H 16 on lake James just a little west of there. James is a nice lake but dosent have a good spot to launch a Hobie from. I found a nice place on lake MI about 2hrs 15 min from me called Weco beach, a paved ramp to the water and a big sandy beach plus a camp ground. I am looking for a H18 to buy so if you see one in your area let me know, hopfuly something a bit newer than my 79 ....Jay

maybe I will have to get directions to Weco beach! I really enjoy that "blue water" on Michigan!

_________________
The only difference between a "Rut" and a "Grave" is the depth of the hole!

if you want some directions to weco send me an e mail, I might even have a photo from there. I have not sailed from there yet but have kayaked there a few times. I do like sailing on Mi , would be great to have a second boat to go with. My brother and i used to take our boats to Mi and sail but he sold his about 10 years ago....Jay

If you'd consider Sandusky "western lake erie", I've launched successfully from the Shelby st. boat launch in sandusky. It's free. There's a similar launch in marblehead. I am also going to try launching from east harbor state park at some point. I gotta imagine there's an accessible spot in there somewhere w/ beach wheels.

_________________
Is the power of 2 hulls with you?
"Rainbow Flyer" - '86 Hobie Cat 18

If you want to be near Maumee Bay State Park, there is a public launch on Bay Shore Rd., approx. 2 miles west of the park, near the power plant. The bottom is a bit mucky at the launch, so remember to where some water shoes or old tennis shoes.
One of the best places to launch a Hobie for western Lake Erie (near Toledo) is just across the Michigan line at a public ramp just off of Summit St. It's approx. 1/3 mile south of Stearns Rd.