Lake Erie is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes with an average depth of 62 feet. The area with the least depth is on the western side of the lake, where depths of 25 to 30 feet are common. Due to this shallow depth, waves build quickly on that end of the lake when the breeze picks up. Those who boat regularly around Cedar Point, the Bass Islands and Maumee Bay can attest to this phenomenon. The Iroquoian people who lived along the south shore of the lake are believed to have called the lake “Erige” or “cat” due to its unpredictable and sometimes dangerous nature. Lake Erie was carved out by a series of glacial advances and retreats over three Ice Ages. The glaciers left high sand ridges south of the current shoreline, this high ground served as trails for both Native Americans and pioneers as they traversed what was to become northern Ohio. The major naval battle in the upper Midwest during the War of 1812 took place on Lake Erie, near Put-In-Bay, in September 1813. The American commander Oliver Hazard Perry, who won the day over the British, is most famously known for his battle flag with the motto “Don’t give up the ship”. His brief battle report of his success at Put-In-Bay read, “We have met the enemy and they are ours…” This cruise begins in Cleveland and the estimated mileages between destinations for this itinerary are calculated running clockwise around Lake Erie. This cruise alternates between U.S. and Canadian ports of call, please follow all customs and immigration rules for both the U.S. and Canada while boating on Lake Erie.
Florida’s East Coast
Sunny by day, glittering by night, Florida is irresistible. The 1,350-mile coastline is the longest of any state in the mainland United States, and its unique heritage has had countless influences, with Native American, European, Latino, and African-American cultures among them. From the graceful charm of Fernandina Beach to the casual sassiness of Key West, Florida’s East Coast offers miles of diversity and many facilities for large yachts. In 2016, the regional marine impact for Broward, Palm Beach and Dade counties was $11.5 billion. There are more than 8,000 vessels in the world that are 80-plus feet, and 40 percent of them call Florida’s East Coast their homeport.
Best of the Exumas, Bahamas
The Exuma Islands are made up of 365 cays and islands, beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau. The islands have gone through many changes over the years. Today, they’re divided into three major areas—Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays. Each offers its own unique Bahamian experience. Great Exuma and Little Exuma are known for their laid-back surroundings, while The Exuma Cays act as a playground for the rich and famous, boasting numerous private homes, luxury resorts and beachside condos. The Exumas are also rich in history, as they were settled by British Loyalists with their slaves following the American Revolution.
Best of the Abacos, Bahamas
The Abacos are a group of islands and cays that form a 120-mile–long chain stretching over 650 square miles. The coastlines are lined with bays, coves and protected harbors that feature full-service marinas and resorts. Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco serve as the “mainland.” Marsh Harbour has a lively downtown area with all city amenities. Treasure Cay boasts miles of pristine beaches, including one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Elbow Cay and Green Turtle Cay are old English loyalist settlements, where you’ll find beautifully preserved colonial architecture with a touch of Bahamian pastels, of course.
Cruising the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands, some 60 miles north of Seattle, are a democratic archipelago: there is something for everyone! This cruise takes you through and around the San Juan Islands. Beginning in Anacortes head west through the islands cruising south west direction passing through customs into Canadas territories. Head to the east side of Salspring Island then up to Galiano Island. Back into the states to the tip of San Juan Island and head east to Sucia Island, WA. Crusie north to Blaine, WA for your final stop before heading back to Anacortes to Cap Sante Marina.
Cruising California – San Diego to San Francisco
San Diego is a world class destination for boaters of all breeds. The strong warm breezes provide phenomenal sailing conditions, and the sheltered bays are amazing places to cruise the by the skyline, or even dock up for a drink and a bite. Boating along the gorgeous coastline to San Francisco, you can spot marine wildlife that will blow your mind, watch the sunset over the Pacific and find some of the best sport fishing in the country. Whether you stay inside the protected bays or head off the coast for a bigger adventure, you’ll find yourself addicted to the natural beauty of this place.
Cruising from Georgia to Virginia
Take a cruise north beginning in Georgia, known as the “Empire State of the South,” to Virginia, “The Old Dominion”, and home of famous Virginians including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe and more! Take a cruise leaving from St. Simons Island, GA passing through historic Savannah, and Charleston, a gem of the south and continue north through North Carolina on to Portsmouth, VA. Cruisers can make an easy passage through the Chesapeake Bay or head north on the outside toward Cape May, NJ.
Cruising New Jersey to Maine
Head north from New Jersey to Maine with this helpful east coast cruise. Begin this cruise at Cape May’s South Jersey Marina, one of the top fishing spots destinations and head north with stops including New York, Newport, Boston and more.
Cruising Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan’s name is derived from the Ojibwa tribe word mishigami, which means “large lake”. The French entrepreneur and woodsman, Jean Nicolet, was the first European to explore Lake Michigan in 1634. Since that time the number of people living along the shore of Lake Michigan has grown to 12 million. Even with the major port cities of Chicago, Milwaukee, Gary and Green Bay giving an urban flavor to parts of the coast, Lake Michigan offers over 1,500 miles of pristine coastline for cruisers to enjoy. Marshes, prairies, forests and even sand dunes that can reach several hundred feet, provide excellent habitats for all types of wildlife on Lake Michigan. Trout, salmon, walleye, and smallmouth bass are the most popular catches for fishermen on the lake. The lake is also home to water birds such as ducks, geese and swans, as well as bald eagles. Nearly four-dozen lighthouses stand along the beaches of Lake Michigan, a testament to the shipping history of the Great Lakes. This cruise begins in Chicago and the estimated mileages between destinations for this itinerary are calculated running counterclockwise around Lake Michigan. Since it is the only Great Lake that is entirely in the United States, boaters do not have to be concerned with customs and immigration clearances with Canada.
Florida’s West Coast
The Florida Gulf Coast stretches 550 nautical miles from Cape Sable, at the southern tip of the Everglades, to Perdido Key, which is the western border of the state’s panhandle. The Gulf of Mexico offers both enjoyable and challenging cruising. In the winter, on days when the winds are light, power boats rule. However, when a cold front passes through, the blustery northwest winds leave the waters free for experienced sailors with a reef in both their mainsail and genoa. During the summer, thermal heating onshore creates towering thunderheads and spectacular lightning displays in the early evening. That is the perfect time to be safely tucked in at the dock sipping a favorite cocktail. Fortunately for boaters, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway allows for safe cruising on back bays behind the barrier islands when the weather turns foul. Except for the open water passage across the Big Bend, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway provides a protected route from Sanibel Island to Perdido Key. The estimated mileages between destinations for this itinerary are calculated running coastwise on the Gulf.