Pelee Island from Sandusky?

Splash

Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2004
RO Number
14327
Messages
5
I'm giving some serious thought to going to Pelee Island this summer. I've cruised the "Bass" Islands and Kelley's Island, and would like to give Pelee a try. Does anyone have any suggestions about places to dock/eat/visit/other thoughts? Thanks in advance.
 
Oh yes.. and being U.S. Citizens, what do we need to do to visit for the day via our boat?
 
Splash, do you have the Wellcraft at CP?
 
No, we trailer our boat and launch at Marblehead/Sandusky/Catawba. Thanks everyone for the information. Which marina or marinas on Pelee can we arrive at to do the Canpass process?
 
Scudder Marina is the primary marina on the island. They share a basin at the top-center of the island with WesMarine. Scudder runs the center and eastern pier, WesMarine runs the west pier, and maybe controls some dockage on the breakwall, I'm not sure.

Dicks Marina has it's own basin, but depth has been a SERIOUS concern there. Friends of mine have told me to stay away in any inboard boat, so I haven't experienced it first-hand.

Scudder has a phone-booth at the top of the dock for calling into CanPass. It's easy. Upon return, Cedar Point has an OARS Station. It's located in the corner of the Office/Store/Famous Dave's building near the bathrooms that face the parking lot.

I haven't stayed at WesMarine, but every once in a while I see them wave people in as they approach the basin, so they seem friendly and willing to help. Scudder has good service too. The bathrooms get maybe a 5 on a 10-point scale and the water on the island is suspect to say the least.

The docks are floating, with no uprights or pilings, so have your lines and fenders ready before you get too close.

The Pelee Island Winery will send a shuttle bus and take you to the winery. They sell all the fixings you need for a BB-Q, so you can buy frozen beef patties, chicken etc. and grill them on the grills they provide. It's a lot of fun. The whole island is quiet - NOTHING like the other islands, but the change of pace can nice, and the winery is worth seeing.
 
Splash, As a frequent traveler to Canada by boat I can tell you that it's much easier going
to Canada than it is returning to U.S. ports. We (U.S.) truly make it difficult with U.S.
Customs and U.S. Immigration (neither who communicate well together).

Check out this link on the NEXUS program. NEXUS really the best deal for the money,
and much better when returning back to the U.S. Every passenger of your vessel is
required to have a Pass Port or another approved document entering the U.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEXUS_(frequent_traveller_program)

I have been checked several times by Canadian Customs when at their port with no
trouble. This past year I was asked to produce my VHF license for them. So maybe they are becoming more agressive to the details also.

As a member of the USCG Aux. I know that the U.S and Canada are communicating more via a
common computer data base. Also, USCG inspections are more aggressive around major
ports, especially the islands in your area. There have been more changes this year with the new Pass Port requirments and what's required of us. As of this time I have been informed that the NEXUS program is still active and good for your situation.

Also check out this site on vessel "User Fee Decal" for vessels 30' and over.

http://www.megayachtnews.com/index.php?news=1164

If you are required to have one go to this site and regester. The decal cost $25.

https://tradelinks4.mellon.com/cbp/Dispatcher
 
They checked for a VHF license? That's not good news. We've been approached by agents 5 out of the last 5 visits to Canada, which is fine - they're fair and polite, but I've never been asked to produce a VHF license. That's definitely evidence that they're tightening up. (I think 2005 might have been the first time we ever saw agents in person)
 
We still have another year on the passport thing if by car or boat but everyone should just go ahead and get them now. You’re the first I have heard being asked for the VHF license. Did they indicate what would of been if you didn't have it?

Niles
 
No, just asked if we had one. I said yes and they asked to see it. It was all through `normal conversation and they were very nice. Figure it out!?.
 
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