huron ohio
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
|
Huron, OH Lat: 41° 24.093 Long: 082° 32.717 |
|
Quick Reference:
|
Important Numbers
|
|
DISTANCES
|
|
DESCRIPTION The area around Huron Ohio was regularly visited by french fur traders in the 1700's. The first recorded European settler was a French trader from Quebec named Jean Baptiste Flammond who built a small trading post. As port facilities developed at the mouth of the Huron River, a small community began to grow. This was given a boost by the establishment of the "Firelands" - land that was given to Connecticut residents as restitution for property destroyed in the American Revolution. By the 1830's, Huron Ohio was a thriving harbor town with a substantial shipbuilding industry. The arrival of the railroads in the 1880's launched a whole new boom in transhipment of iron ore, coal and limestone. The harbor is still an active commercial harbor and a visiting sailor will see lake freighters moving in and out of the harbor with loads of grain, taconite (pelletized iron ore), limestone and coal. Huron Ohio has a large recreational boat basin and the town has long been a pleasant stop-over for cruising sailors. |
|
APPROACHES The approaches to Huron Ohio are clear from all directions. A charted channel leads into the Huron River. The west side of the entrance is a .6 mile/.9 km breakwater with a lighthouse showing an ISO RED visible 10.5 nm offshore and also having a horn. The east side of the river mouth is prtected by a shorter, angled breakwater 912 ft/278 metres long with a Fl GREEN light visible 5.8 nm. An easy visual marker is the steam plume emitted by the stacks at the Huron Lime Company, located at the river mouth. These can be easily seen 15-20 nm offshore. Proceed up the river about .4 nm until you reach Huron Boat Basin on your starboard. The entrance is on the south end and is marked with a Fixed RED and a Fixed GREEN light. Continuing on up the river will bring you to several other marinas, all on your starboard side. NOTE South of Huron Marine Park, there is both a highway bridge and a railroad bridge. The charted vertical clearances are 21 ft and 19 ft respectively. The marinas south of the bridges are certainly suitable for powerboat sailors. |
|
MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Huron Boat Basin (419) 433-4848 VHF 9, 16, 18 Huron Boat Basin has 175 slips with 75 set aside for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock but there is a pumpout station. Water and power are available dockside. There are restrooms and showers available. There is a picnic shelter and picnic areas along with BBQ grills. The downtown is within a few minute's walk. Huron Yacht Club (419) 433-3133 VHF 9 HYC is located adjacent to the Huron Boat Basin, immediately to the south. They have approximately 1/2 dozen slips available for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) as well as a pumpout station. Water and power are available at each slip. There are restroom and shower facilities. The clubhouse has a bar and a well-regarded restaurant. They have an outdoor patio and deck for relaxing in fine weather. Harbor North (419) 433-6010 VHF 9, 16 Harbor North is located immediately south of Huron Yacht Club. This year-round facility has about 300 slips with a number set aside for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock but there is a pumpout station. This is a full-service marina able to carry out a wide range of engine, electrical, mechanical and fibreglass repairs. There are restrooms and showers available. There is a ship's store on-site. Internet service is available. South of the highway and railroad bridges are two more large marinas. There are easily accessible for powerboat sailors. Sailboats will need to check mast clearances. The charted clearances for the highway bridge is 21 ft/6.4 metres and the railroad brige is 19 feet/5.79 metres. Holiday Harbor Marina (419) 433-2140 VHF 9, 16, 68 Holiday Harbor Marina is located south of the railroad bridge. Take the second channel entrance on your starboard. They have about a dozen slips set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (gasoline only) and a pumpout station. This is a full-service marina able to carry out a wide range of engine, electrical, mechanical and fibreglass repairs. They also do prop and shaft repairs and carry a full inventory of parts. There are restrooms and showers available. There is also a swimming pool and picnic areas. They have a travel lift and internet service is available. There is a ship's store on-site. Huron Lagoons Marina (419) 433-3200 &nbs Huron Lagoons Marina is located at the third channel on your starboard, south of the railroad bridge. They have 350 slips with over a dozen set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (gasoline only) and a pumpout station. This is a full-service marina with a complete repair and maintenance facility. They can carry out a wide range of engine, mechanical, electrical and fibreglass repairs. There is water and power available at every slip. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. There is a restaurant and bar on-site. Other amenities include a heated swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, pavilions and picnic areas with BBQ grills. There is a ship's store on-site and a travel lift. |
|
REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Harbor North Marina (See above) Holiday Harbor Marin (See Above) Huron Lagoons Marina (See above) Great Lakes Diesel Inc. is a full service diesel engine repair yard. They also do electrical and generator repairs and maintenance. North Coast Prop Tech Inc. specializes in prop service and repairs as well as carrying a full inventory of new props. Huron Market is a grocery store located about .5 mi/1 km from the Huron Boat Basin. First Merit Bank is located steps from the Huron Boat Basin. It has ATM and counter service. |
|
MEDICAL SERVICES Firelands Regional Medical Center (419) 433-5509 is located in nearby Sandusky, OK, about 10 mi/16 km to the west. This is a major teaching hospital. Discount Drug Mart (419) 433-4565 is located about four blocks from the Huron Boat Basin. |
|
PLACES TO EAT Downtown Huron Ohio is located adjacent to the riverfront and there are a number of good options for a visiting sailor. The Brass Pelican on the River is a waterside pub with both indoor and outdoor seating. i% is located right at the Huron Boat Basin and is a popular bar/restaurant. Berardi's is located only a few minutes from the Huron Boat Basin. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is famous for their french fries (used to be served exclusively at the giant Cedar Point Amusement Park). The Viking's Den is located right in Holiday Harbor Marina. It is popular and enjoys a good reputation for quality. |
|
THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT Huron Ohio describes itself as "The Great Lake Place" and it really does have a lot to offer. Not only is it a working commercial harbor but it is also the center of the largest walleye (pickerel for us Canadians) fishery on the Great Lakes. There is terrific smallmouth bass fishing as well. Cedar Point Amusement Park is a huge amusement park located 10 mi/16 km west of Huron Ohio. (Check out the Cedar Point page for more information on this). There are live theater performances all summer long at the Huron Playhouse. There are good beaches to enjoy along the Lake Erie shoreline. Huron Ohio is a good, deepwater port to visit or to spend a few days relaxing. For an interesting several hours, you might like to explore upriver along the Huron River. Taken slowly and using careful piloting, this can be a pleasant journey. The charted river channel shows water depths in the 15-20 ft range. There is a bridge at Mason Road East which markes the furthest south you should go. The Ohio Turnpike (I90) lies just south of this point. The Huron Chamber of Commerce site and the Discover Ohio page for Huron Ohio will give you more ideas on how you can enjoy your time here. Return from Huron Ohio to Lake Erie Return to Home Page |
