Put-In-Bay

Great-Lakes-Sailing.com

Put-In-Bay, OH

Lat: 41° 39.495   Long: 082° 48.982

Quick Reference:

  • Port Type: Resort Village
  • Monitors VHF: 9, 10
  • Charts: NOS: 14830 14842
  • Customs: Videophone
  • Coast Guard
  • Transient Docking
  • Anchorage
  • Diesel
  • Gasoline
  • Potable Water
  • Pump Out
  • Washrooms
  • Showers
  • Laundry
  • Repair Services
  • Provisions
  • Pharmacy
  • Hospital/Clinic
  • Banks/ATM
  • Restaurants/Pubs
  • Shopping
  • Internet
  • Amenities
  Important Numbers

Area Code409
Emergency911
Police(419) 285-4121
Hospitaln/a
Pharmacyn/a

DISTANCES


Port Distance (nm) Port Distance (nm)
Port Stanley, ON 95 NW Cleveland, OH 51 E
Pelee Island (Scudder), ON 14 N Toledo, OH 30 W
Colchester, ON 21 N Detroit, MI 52 N

DESCRIPTION


Put-In-Bay, located on South Bass Island at the western end of the lake, is one of the most popular sailing destinations on Lake Erie. It is a recreation mecca attracting about a million visitors annually. Thousands of boats come here each summer - a pretty significant number considering that the permanent residents on the entire island number less than 500.

Put-In-Bay played a significant role in the War of 1812. The American fleet under command of Oliver Hazard Perry was based here and it was from here that they sailed to defeat the British squadron in September, 1813.

The island is connected to the mainland by a ferry, which can make the winters challenging!

APPROACHES


Put-In-Bay is approached from either the east or the west, on the north side of South Bass Island.

FROM THE EAST
Approaching from the east, the preferred course is on the north side of Ballast Island. If you choose to pass to the south, there is a charted reef - Buckeye Reef. Pass on the NORTH side of the 2 GREEN buoys "G5" and "G7" and SOUTH of the RED buoy "N6".

Once on the WEST side of Ballast Island, you can set up on a course of approxiamtely 220oT which follows the charted ferry route. This will bring you 1.5 nm to the GREEN "1" buoy and you can then follow the channel into the harbor.

FROM THE WEST
Make your course to the Fl RED light at buoy "R2". Pass to the north of it, leaving it on your starboard beam. South of it is Gibraltar Island. Enter into Put-In-Bay via the channel on the EAST side of Gibraltar Island. On the west side are charted shoals extending from the mainland to the island. As you enter the channel, you will see on your port 3 GREEN lighted buoys - "C1", "C3", and "C5". Follow them to the harbor entrance.

MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES


Put-In-Bay is set up to look after the needs of visiting sailors. There are over 1/2 dozen marinas and docks.

Municipal Docks   (419) 285-2068
There are 3 Municipal Docks maintained by the village - "A", "B" and "C". Once you clear the entrance channel, they are to your starboard. The "B" dock is De Rivera Park. These docks provide space for hundreds of boats and rafting off, up to 4 deep, is common. There is no fuel dock. There is water and power dockside. As these docks are in the center of the village, they are close to marine repair facilities located near by. The village also offers near by ammenities such as restaurants and pubs.

Park Place Boat Club   (419) 285-3695   VHF 10
This is a new operation that merges The Boardwalk Docks and Put-In-Bay Marina. They are located respectively immediately west of the Municipal Docks and immediately inside the harbor seawall on your port bow. The Boardwalk Docks location has a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pump-out station. Water and power are available dockside. There are restrooms and shower facilities. There is a very popular waterfront pub/restaurant on-site. The Park Place Boat Club also manages the 80+ mooring balls that are located in the harbor. The Put-In-Bay Marina location has approximately 40 slips available. There is no fuel dock. They have restrooms and shower facilities. Internet service is available.

The Crew's Nest   (419) 285-3625
The Crew's Nest offers transient docking on a 'first come - first served' basis. There is no fuel dock. There is water and power dockside. Restrooms and showers are available. The clubhouse has a restaurant and lounge. Other amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, playground, tennis courts and picnic areas.

Oak Point State Docks   (419) 285-2112
This is a 'day-use only' state park. There is transient docking available on a 'first come - first served' basis. Overnight docking is permitted but there are no overnight facilities or camping.

Miller's Marina   (419) 285-5902   VHF 74
Miller's Marina is located away from the center of the village. It is a quieter, more family-oriented marina. It has approximately 30 transient slips available. There is no fuel dock. There is water and power available at slips. There are restroom and shower facilities. There are picnic and BBQ areas and internet service is available.

Put-In-Bay Yacht Club   (419) 285-4505
PIBYC has transient docking available on a 'first come - first served' basis. Reservations are a must. This is one of the oldest yacht clubs on the Great Lakes and hosts a number of sailing and racing events.

REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's


Although not plentiful, there are some repair services available at the municipal docks. Staff can direct you.

Island General Store is a fully-stocked grocery store that can meet your provisioning requirements.

There are ATM's close to the waterfront. Croghan Colonial Bank is located a few minutes walk from the waterfront.

MEDICAL SERVICES


There is no hospital on South Bass Island. There is an Emergency Medical Clinic (419-285-2401) located near the downtown.

Emergencies requuiring hospitalization are transported off-island via boat or helicopter. The closest hospital is McGruder Hospital (419-734-3131) located in Port Clinton, OH, on the mainland.

There is no pharmacy on the island.

PLACES TO EAT


Put-In-Bay has many restaurants and pubs that cater to a large number of tourists. The following are a few popular places.

Axel & Harry's offers a great view of the harbor and a varied menu of seafood, steaks and pastas.

The Beer Barrel Saloon is known for its wings and entertainment.

The Boardwalk is one of Put-In-Bay's most popular restaurants. It's located on the waterfront and its 2nd floor dining room offers a great view of the harbor.

The Boathouse Bar & Grill, a block from the waterfront, is famous for its Lake Erie perch.

Regular visitors seem to return to Frosty's Bar year after year. There has to be a reason!

A little way's out of the village is the Chocolate Cafe and Museum. Could anyone resist? I couldn't!

These are but a few of the many pubs, restaurants and cafes around the village. There will indeed be something for everyone's taste.

THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT


Put-In-Bay lives for the summer influx of nearly a million visitors. There is something going on all of the time!

June sees the annual gathering of Jimmy Buffet fans for 4 days of music, food and fun. Cleveland Brown's fans gather to meet former players at the Browns backers Rib Cook-off which helps support childrens' charities. There is a Special Olympics Torch Run and the annual Pyrate Days Festival.

Every July there are celebrations of both Canada Day and Independence Day. Free musical concerts take place at the Vistor's Center.

Every August, the I-LYA (Inter-Lake Yachting Association) holds its racing competitions, something it has done for over 100 years.

This is but a sampling of the nearly continuous run of events held during the summer. Check out this Put-In-Bay visitor's site which will give you many ideas on getting the most of your visit.

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