Lake Erie Boating

[Howard Z]

Does anyone boat Lake Erie? I'm near Ashtabula and was planning on purchasing a Scarab 255. People have told me that I shouldn't get a jet because it won't handle that lake. I have a hard time believing that it wouldn't handle it. so I was wondering how many Lake Erie Jet Boaters are here and what their experience has been?

 

[robert843]

There are several on here. This just depends what your expectations are if you plan to be able to go out and have a great comfortable ride anytime you like its probably not the boat for you. If you are willing to skip the high wind heavy chop days you will be fine. The biggest thing I do not like about the Scarrabs in big open water is the cockpit doesn't drain overboard it drains into the bilge so if you stuff the bow and take on water you are relying on one bilge pump to keep you going.

 

[Kevin M]

I used to boat lake Erie but have moved my boat to Lake Cumberland, KY. I would boat around Sandusky and the islands where you would get some protection from the open water. You will not get that in Ashtabula. The lake is choppy and even with 2 footers, it gets bumpy because these boats are light and don't have a deep V hull. If I were to do it again, It would be a center console with a deep V to handle the chop. Even around Cedar Point, the number of boats causes a rough ride with all the traffic causing chop.

 

[razorxp]

I have taken our 215 to the put in bay once from Catawba and would probably never do it again. Too much chop and no fun for me or passengers. We stick around the protected waters only now.

 

[112Vulcan]

That's a tough call. I would say you definitely are limited to smooth days on the water on Lake Erie and the summer is short enough as it is. That being said, there are plenty of on the water destinations you could trailer to. I was born and raised on the lake in Erie, Pa. The bay in Erie is a great place to jet boat and ski. Presque Isle State Park is also a beautiful place to boat. I wouldn't let it stop you from purchasing a jet boat...if you have the ability to tow.