West Harbor
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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West Harbor, OH Lat: 41° 34.046 Long: 082° 48.693 |
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DESCRIPTION West Harbor OH is the result of man's impact on the natural environment. Over a century ago, early settlers cut a new channel for the Portage River. Although Catawba Island is marked as such on charts, it is in reality a peninsula. Long settled by the Erielhonen people, they were replaced by the Ottawa indians. after being wiped out by the Iroquois in the mid-1600's. The first Europeans were French fur traders who established small settlements in the area. In 1763, North America became English after the Seven Years War (also referred to in the United States as The French and Indian War). Settlers steadily moved into the area as the American colonies expended west. After the War of 1812, the State of Connecticut granted nearly a half a million acres to Americans who were burnt out during the war - land that became known in Ohio as 'the Firelands'. Today, West Harbor is home to several thousand boats and about a dozen public and private marinas. It has lots of transient docking and provides easy access to Kelleys Island OH, the Bass Islands and Pelee Island ON. |
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APPROACHES There are two entrances into West Harbor. Use the well-marked South Channel. The North Channel is much shallower and is crossed by a fixed bridge with a charted vertical clearance of 20 feet. Approaching the South Channel, be aware of Middle Harbor Shoal, approximately .5 nm east of the channel entrance. The shoal is marked with a Fl GREEN light. The entrance to the South Channel is formed by two breakwaters. It is marked with a Fl RED light on the north pierhead, visible about 6.5 nm and a Fl GREEN light on the south pierhead, also visible about 6.5 nm. The channel is well marked with 5 pair of buoys and daymarks to guide you in. Stay in the channel as the water gets very skinny on either side. Once you exit the channel, you have your choice of 8 public marinas that can meet your needs. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES There are a number of marinas in West Harbor. However, not all are open to transient sailors. The 8 marinas listed here all welcome transients. East Harbor State Park Marina (419) 734-2289 VHF 9 No, that is not a mis-nomer. The East Harbor State Park Marina is located immediately on your port after you clear the South Channel entrance. The entrance into the marina is marked with a F RED light and F GREEN light. They have about a dozen slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. There is a restaurant at the marina. Internet service is available. There are picnic areas with BBQ grills and easy access to the trails and amenties of the 1,800 acre/728 ha state park. Anchors Away Marina (419) 734-1395 VHF 67 Anchors Away Marina is immediately west of East Harbor State Park Marina. Its entrance is marked with a F RED and F GREEN light. They have about a half dozen slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. This is a full-service marina and they can carry out engine, mechanical, electrical and fiberglass repairs and maintenance. There are restrooms and showers facilities. There is a restaurant on-site. There are also picnic areas with BBQ grills. It is within easy walking distance of the State Park with its walking trails and beaches. On the other side of West Harbor, there are 6 public marinas to choose from. Fox Haven Marina (419) 734-4654 Fox Haven Marina is located on the west side of the harbor, at the north end. They have about a half dozen slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. This is a full-service marina and they can carry out engine, mechanical, electrical and fiberglass repairs and maintenance. There are restrooms and showers facilities. The Catawba Moorings (419) 797-4775 The Catawba Moorings is located about .5 nm south of Fox Haven Marina. The entrance is immediately west of channel markr buoy R14. They have 200 slips with about a half dozen slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. This is a full-service marina and they can carry out engine, mechanical, electrical, fiberglass and rigging repairs and maintenance. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. in the clubhouse. The clubhouse also has a bar and restaurant. There is a heated swimming pool and picnic areas with BBQ grills. Herls Harbor (419) 797-2173 Herls Harbor is located immediately south of Catawba Marina. They have about a dozen slips for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. There are restrooms and showers facilities. There is also a picnic area with BBQ grills. North East Port Marina (419) 797-4825 North East Harbor Marina is immediately adjacent to Herls Harbor on the south side. They have about a dozen slips for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. There are restrooms and showers facilities. There is also a heated swimming pool, BBQ grills and a picnic area. Catawba Landing (419) 797-6000 Catawba Landing is located about .15 nm south of North East Harbor marina, at the R18 buoy. They several slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. This is a full-service marina and they can carry out engine, mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Midway Marina (419) 797-4481 Midway Marina is located about .15 nm south of Catawba Landing. They have about a four dozen slips for transient sailors. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. Water and power are avilable at each slip. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. There is also a heated swimming pools, picnic areas and BBQ grills. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Anchors Away Marina (See above) Fox Haven Marina Marina (See above) The Catawba Moorings (See above) Catawba Landing (See above) There is no grocery store close by the marinas in West Harbor There are no banks or ATM machines near the marinas. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES Magruder Hospital (419) 734-3131 is located about 8 mi/13 km from West Harbor. Bassett's Pharmacy (419) 732-6300 is located about 4 mi/6.5 km from West Harbor. |
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PLACES TO EAT JT's Catawba Cafe at Midway Marina is a family-run resaturant. It has a popular breakfast buffet and also serves lunch. The Crow's Nest restaurant is located adjactent to Anchors Away Marina. If you have access to transportation, there are several nice restaurants within 5 mi/8 km of West Harbor. Mon Ami is a long-standing and very popular restaurant. It is part of the Mon Ami Winery, established in 1872. The menu includes steak, seafood and pasta - all accompanied by excellent wines. Waldo Peppers Bar and Grill serves lunch and dinner with specials ranging from steaks and ribs to seafood. If your tastes run to Japanese, check out Nagoya Steakhouse. Your dinner will be a combination of excellent food and a colorful, theatrical performance by their Asian chefs. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT East Harbor State Park has miles of walking trails, 1,500 ft/457 m of beach and lots of picnic areas. It's a great place to simply relax. Mon Ami Historic Winery has tours daily and opportunities to savour their fine wines. The West Harbor / Catawba Island OH information site will give you an idea of things to do and see while visiting the area. Return from West Harbor to Lake Erie Return to Home Page |
