Bringing Boat from Erie, PA to Port Clinton

Happy Dean

Happy Dean

New Member
Feb 25, 2021
23
Ohio, USA
Boat Info
300 Weekender 1988
Engines
350 Mercruiser w/Velvet Drives
I bought a 1988 300 Weekender in Erie, PA (North East, PA) and I plan to motor it (not going alone) on the Lake to Port Clinton in May. I have been a life long sailboat guy, I'm now almost 69, and this will be my first ever motor boat. What I'm trying to figure out is how far I should plan on going before I pull in for the night and fuel up. If I were sailing, I wouldn't be concerned. I have several marinas between my launch point and destination plotted in case of needed stops along the way. I know it is difficult to be precise because of many variables coming into play. Any approximate idea?
 
Happy Dean said:
I bought a 1988 300 Weekender in Erie, PA (North East, PA) and I plan to motor it (not going alone) on the Lake to Port Clinton in May. I have been a life long sailboat guy, I'm now almost 69, and this will be my first ever motor boat. What I'm trying to figure out is how far I should plan on going before I pull in for the night and fuel up. If I were sailing, I wouldn't be concerned. I have several marinas between my launch point and destination plotted in case of needed stops along the way. I know it is difficult to be precise because of many variables coming into play. Any approximate idea?
Click to expand...

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Por...9f3ae2e121d5b0a!2m2!1d-80.085059!2d42.1292241
That's about 160-180 miles +/- at the helm depending route. Serious jaunt, I'm sure the lake Erie guys will chime in. Safe travels.
 
Not an Erie guy, but that boat holds 200 gallons. Could probably make it the whole way, depending on the weather and lake conditions. Should be enough places to stop for fuel if you're running low. A lot will depend on how much stamina you have out on the water. You could break it up -- run 4-5 hours one day, and 4-5 hours the next.
 
Golfman25 said:
Not an Erie guy, but that boat holds 200 gallons. Could probably make it the whole way, depending on the weather and lake conditions. Should be enough places to stop for fuel if you're running low. A lot will depend on how much stamina you have out on the water. You could break it up -- run 4-5 hours one day, and 4-5 hours the next.
Click to expand...
Yes, I was planning on breaking the trip up. Go approximately half way and stop for the night. How I break it up depends on conditions.
 
Assuming twin 350's, 20 gal/hr at 20 kts and a 130 gallon tank, that means at least a couple stops. From outside Erie's channel to the buoy outside Sandusky hugging the shore...its roughly 135 miles, and 7 hours. That's a long day in a new boat on Lake Erie.

Edit: Usable Fuel per Sea Ray Model Archives is 132 gal.

Trip1.PNG



Breaking it up into 3 days, this is a possible set of routes. No more than 6 hours a day, no more than about 50% fuel used and close enough to shore to get quick help, and multiple places to stop short if things dont go as planned and/or trouble weather limits your progress.

Erie --> Fairport Harbor A long day at about 60 miles probably 4-6 hours all in, 60 gallons of fuel and not more than 8-10 miles from a bail out marina in case of trouble.

Trip2.PNG



Fairport Harbor - Cleaveland A short second day at about 2-3 hours 30 miles/30 gals and lots of cool places on the water/restaurants and maybe a nice hotel to recharge.

Trip3.PNG





Cleveland --> Sandusky/Port Clinton. Final Day 3-4 hours 45 miles 45 gals.


Trip4.PNG



Disclaimer!!! Do not use for actual planning or navigation!!This is just a fun exercise for me, please use your own judgement and experience. Navionics.com is a great tool though.
 
Last edited:
Golfman25 said:
Not an Erie guy, but that boat holds 200 gallons. Could probably make it the whole way, depending on the weather and lake conditions. Should be enough places to stop for fuel if you're running low. A lot will depend on how much stamina you have out on the water. You could break it up -- run 4-5 hours one day, and 4-5 hours the next.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I think you have a good idea here.
 
Happy Dean said:
I bought a 1988 300 Weekender in Erie, PA (North East, PA) and I plan to motor it (not going alone) on the Lake to Port Clinton in May. I have been a life long sailboat guy, I'm now almost 69, and this will be my first ever motor boat. What I'm trying to figure out is how far I should plan on going before I pull in for the night and fuel up. If I were sailing, I wouldn't be concerned. I have several marinas between my launch point and destination plotted in case of needed stops along the way. I know it is difficult to be precise because of many variables coming into play. Any approximate idea?
Click to expand...

If you're leaving from North East Marine, it's 86 miles to Fairport. Not one of our go to places but good for an overnight. Try Grand River Marine (they have fuel) or the GR Yacht Club.
Then its 89 miles to Port Clinton.
In thirds, go to Geneva on the lake the first night-65+/- miles. It's an Ohio state park, nice marina, gas, (get fuel here, none at oasis) small ships store. 15 minute walk to a great throw back 1960's village atmosphere. Muscle cars and bikes on the weekends, all kinds of restaurants.
2nd night go to Oasis (old rock-n-dock) 45+/- miles. Right in front of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and a short walk up 9th Street to restaurants.
Then 67 miles +/- to Port Clinton.
Like you said, there are places along the way to duck into of need be. Good luck
 
Can't argue with that!^^^^
 
Go fast burn gas. If you go at sail boat speed you will use less fuel and get to see more of the area you are going through. We go slow 80% of the time and burn 1 GPM at 22 knots we burn 2 to 3 GPM. A boat like yours can go fast and that is good. It allows you to get out of bad weather or make a marina in the day. Going fast you need to watch for stuff in the water and other boaters that have no idea of the rules. At speed you make big waves and your are legal responsible for the damage they cause. Sounds like a fun trip. If you have time and weather is good the fun part of boating is being on the water not getting to your end point.
 
northern said:
Go fast burn gas. If you go at sail boat speed you will use less fuel and get to see more of the area you are going through. We go slow 80% of the time and burn 1 GPM at 22 knots we burn 2 to 3 GPM. A boat like yours can go fast and that is good. It allows you to get out of bad weather or make a marina in the day. Going fast you need to watch for stuff in the water and other boaters that have no idea of the rules. At speed you make big waves and your are legal responsible for the damage they cause. Sounds like a fun trip. If you have time and weather is good the fun part of boating is being on the water not getting to your end point.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about those fuel flow rates? You're burning 60GPH at slow speed, 120-180GPH at cruise? That sounds extreme...borderline impossible?

I know we have different boats but I'm just shy of 40GPH at cruise (22kts)...which seems like a very common ballpark flow rate for us gassers.
 
Stee6043 said:
Are you sure about those fuel flow rates? You're burning 60GPH at slow speed, 120-180GPH at cruise? That sounds extreme...borderline impossible?

I know we have different boats but I'm just shy of 40GPH at cruise (22kts)...which seems like a very common ballpark flow rate for us gassers.
Click to expand...

He might be quoting gals/mile.... thats .3-.5 miles/gal. Not out of the question.
 
Talk about burnin' some gas!!!
 
Stee6043 said:
Are you sure about those fuel flow rates? You're burning 60GPH at slow speed, 120-180GPH at cruise? That sounds extreme...borderline impossible?

I know we have different boats but I'm just shy of 40GPH at cruise (22kts)...which seems like a very common ballpark flow rate for us gassers.
Click to expand...

He isn't giving GPH he is giving Gallons Per Mile. Gong slow = 1 GPM. At 22 kts he is burning 2 to 3 GPMile or 44 to 66 GPH. The matches the fuel flow my 340DA had with the 7.4 Horizons (36 GPH @ 3500 RPM and > 60 @ Full throttle).
 
Steve S said:
He isn't giving GPH he is giving Gallons Per Mile. Gong slow = 1 GPM. At 22 kts he is burning 2 to 3 GPMile or 44 to 66 GPH. The matches the fuel flow my 340DA had with the 7.4 Horizons (36 GPH @ 3500 RPM and > 60 @ Full throttle).
Click to expand...

That was proposed above as well. GPM is more commonly used as gallons per minute. Hence my post...and overall concern for the health of his boat :)
 
Mark and David's plans are pretty sound.
Staying at the Rock and Dock is a great place to hang out for an evening or a couple days if you want to make a long weekend of it.

We make the run from Cleveland to the Islands 2 or 3 times a year and it's an easy run with one very serious caveat....

Beware the fish nets!

Between Cleveland and the Islands, there are various nets as described here:
https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/...r/lake-erie-watershed/commercial-fishing-nets

When you look at David's point '2', thats Avon point. When you get there, set course 280 and that will put you on target for the South Passage (the cut between Marblehead and Kellys). If you want to hug the shoreline with it being a 'new to you' boat, I would understand that, but if its all going well, I would avoid going south toward Davids point '3'
I cant guarantee that you wont see a fish net staying further north, but you will see far fewer of them.

I also have small captains note packets that I write up for our club trips with navigation instructions and things to look out for. I have ones for our Geneva trip and Kellys trip which should cover 3/4ths of your journey. Shoot me a PM if you would like them.

Enjoy the ride!

-Mike
 
Last edited:
Stee6043 said:
Are you sure about those fuel flow rates? You're burning 60GPH at slow speed, 120-180GPH at cruise? That sounds extreme...borderline impossible?

I know we have different boats but I'm just shy of 40GPH at cruise (22kts)...which seems like a very common ballpark flow rate for us gassers.
Click to expand...
At 4200 RPM each engine burns 28GPH so total of 56 gallons per hour. At 1200 RPM burn rate is 2.5 to 3 Gallons per hour per engine so total of 6 gallons per hour. At 4200 RPM we go 22 Knots at 1200 RPM we go 6 knots. Engines have 3200 hours on them and preform the same as they did at 500 hours.
 
Sounds like a fun trip
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,349
Members
61,130
Latest member
VaBreeze
Back
Top