Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, and its western basin near Sandusky can go from calm to choppy in a hurry when the wind picks up. A little preparation goes a long way.
Check the marine forecast first. The National Weather Service issues a nearshore Lake Erie forecast with wind, wave, and water-temperature information. Watch for small-craft advisories and the afternoon thunderstorms that are common in summer.
Wear it. Keep a properly fitted life jacket on for everyone aboard — most boating fatalities involve people who were not wearing one. Carry the required safety gear, and make sure your registration and lights are in order.
Tell someone your plan. Leave a float plan with a friend: where you are headed, who is with you, and when you expect to be back. Keep a charged phone or a VHF radio aboard, and know your way back to the channel.
Have a safe and fun season on the bay and around the islands.