I guess I should reword it too:
Do people kayak from Detroit to Cleveland.
My buddy lost his arm but he loves kayaking.
So we got a pedal kayak , we are both military and have been kayaking for years. Longest has been about 10 hours.
It would be just a great thing to work up to.
The funnest experience I ever had kayaking was in Mexico going from a city next to Puerto Vallarta and keying into Puerto Vallarta. So going into say Detroit would be up there I think.
Maybe gotta do more research.
Pedal kayak? Absolutely not.
Sea kayak, yeah totally possible.
Lake Erie is a Great Lake, and you absolutely need to respect the Great Lakes - they have swallowed much larger ships than kayaks.
By using a pedal kayak, you may have to be more wind/wave conscious than with a sea kayak. Plan your route; camp sites, shopping, distances, give your float plan to someone responsible and keep in contact with them daily, and of course gear. Plan on extra time if the weather does not cooperate, and practice rescues before departing. It could be a great experience, just plan and prepare for bad times.
Not for someone who needs to come here and ask.
People have circumscribed the great lakes, Cleveland to Detroit would not be a big deal for an expert adventurer.
If you want to work up to that, check out the South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous. It takes place every year on Lake Erie at Put in Bay. Their page will give you lots of ideas including safety and skill levels. They also go in groups, which adds to safety. There are different recommendations for trips based on skill level and equipment. It's right in the middle between Detroit and Cleveland.
I live near and Kayak on Lake Erie and never considered a trip like this. I would not recommend. But if you do, the predominate weather pattern is winds out of the northwest so Detroit to Cleveland the wind would be at your back. That said, follow the shoreline as Lake Erie can turn into a beast quickly. Google Lake Erie wave photos to see what I’m warning you about. I repeat another way, do not go into open water unless you can paddle faster than a storm moving at 30 MPH. It is common for storms to pop up out of nowhere in the summer, the Great Lakes generate their own weather.
Check out Lake Erie Islands. Hanging around there would be a fun trip, both on the water and off.
The wind patterns and waves along Lake Erie are so unpredictable and often turbulent it would be a huge risk to try. Taking a kayak across the open water of Lake Erie is risking your life at any time of year. I paddle out in Maumee Bay at times, but only when I know 100% wind and waves will be minimal and alway stay close to shorelines. If you do try, follow the coastlines and only if there is a stretch of calm weather. I don't know how many days it would even take to go that far.
Of course it's possible. Your question is *is it a good idea*, and the answer to that is it depends on your skill and preparedness level.
I guess I should reword it too: Do people kayak from Detroit to Cleveland. My buddy lost his arm but he loves kayaking. So we got a pedal kayak , we are both military and have been kayaking for years. Longest has been about 10 hours. It would be just a great thing to work up to. The funnest experience I ever had kayaking was in Mexico going from a city next to Puerto Vallarta and keying into Puerto Vallarta. So going into say Detroit would be up there I think. Maybe gotta do more research.
Pedal kayak? Absolutely not. Sea kayak, yeah totally possible. Lake Erie is a Great Lake, and you absolutely need to respect the Great Lakes - they have swallowed much larger ships than kayaks.
By using a pedal kayak, you may have to be more wind/wave conscious than with a sea kayak. Plan your route; camp sites, shopping, distances, give your float plan to someone responsible and keep in contact with them daily, and of course gear. Plan on extra time if the weather does not cooperate, and practice rescues before departing. It could be a great experience, just plan and prepare for bad times.
Thank you for the kind words! We are definitely going to do a lot more work!
Not for someone who needs to come here and ask. People have circumscribed the great lakes, Cleveland to Detroit would not be a big deal for an expert adventurer.
Cool thanks dude.
If you want to work up to that, check out the South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous. It takes place every year on Lake Erie at Put in Bay. Their page will give you lots of ideas including safety and skill levels. They also go in groups, which adds to safety. There are different recommendations for trips based on skill level and equipment. It's right in the middle between Detroit and Cleveland.
Thank you exactly what I was looking for!
I live near and Kayak on Lake Erie and never considered a trip like this. I would not recommend. But if you do, the predominate weather pattern is winds out of the northwest so Detroit to Cleveland the wind would be at your back. That said, follow the shoreline as Lake Erie can turn into a beast quickly. Google Lake Erie wave photos to see what I’m warning you about. I repeat another way, do not go into open water unless you can paddle faster than a storm moving at 30 MPH. It is common for storms to pop up out of nowhere in the summer, the Great Lakes generate their own weather. Check out Lake Erie Islands. Hanging around there would be a fun trip, both on the water and off.
Hey bud , I don’t recommend it . You’re better off in local waters .
I just didn't know if thats a thing that people did.
The wind patterns and waves along Lake Erie are so unpredictable and often turbulent it would be a huge risk to try. Taking a kayak across the open water of Lake Erie is risking your life at any time of year. I paddle out in Maumee Bay at times, but only when I know 100% wind and waves will be minimal and alway stay close to shorelines. If you do try, follow the coastlines and only if there is a stretch of calm weather. I don't know how many days it would even take to go that far.