Ohio

The state of Ohio has everything that visiting tourists love about America – a zealous sports team, idyllic weather, great and diverse food and culture, museums, beaches, and Rock n’ Roll music. It is bordered by lake Ohio to the North and Lake Erie to the south, two of the best locations for sailing in Ohio.

Urban centers like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are tourism magnets and host some of the most exciting experiences the state has to offer. They should be your first stop whether you’re looking for food, art, or Ohio sailing tours or charters.

Sailing in Ohio

Heading over to one of the coastal towns near lake Erie or Ohio is your best bet if you’re looking to sail in Ohio. Lake Erie is the smallest of the great lakes, and you can gain access to its waters by heading down to Ashtabula. Cleveland, Huron, Lorain, Mentor, or any of the local towns and cities that border its shores.

Ohio boat rentals and yacht rentals are plentiful along its many ports, Marinas, and docks, granting you access to the lake. Erie is connected to Michigan, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania, and even Ontario, meaning you can sail up and down the coast after you rent a boat in Cleveland, Ohio, or any of the other towns.

Port Clinton is another prime location you can try. It is the unofficial Walleye capital of the world. And a boat rental in Port Clinton, OH will start you off on the Portage River before joining Lake Erie.

The Ohio River is another prime watersport opportunity. It rolls from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Cairo, Illinois, cutting through dozens of Port towns and villages. Tourists and locals alike go Ohio sailing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing, and usually rent a boat in Ohio rather than bring their own.

The sheer size and distance the River cover also make it perfect for cruises. Most don’t rent a yacht in Ohio, opting to board a tourist cruise instead. They typically last for days and are an entirely lavish affair.

If you’re in Ohio for plain and simple sailing, we recommend sailing Cleveland, Ohio’s waters, or try to rent a yacht in Ohio’s many local Marinas.

Things to do and See in Ohio

Ohio is a proud midwestern state absolutely bursting with opportunities. However, if you’re strapped for time, we recommend the following attractions to effectively distill the experience.

Start in Cleveland Ohio. You’ll find great national parks, amazing food, The Rock and Roll Museum, and beaches bordering Lake Erie. It’s also thirty minutes away from other coastal towns and is key to sailing Ohio. You’ll also find plenty of charter companies where you can rent a yacht in Ohio boat rentals.

Head down to Columbus for the German Village, Franklin Park, Scioto mile, Center of Science and Industry, and the Columbus Museum of Art.

Cincinnati has the Cincinnati zoo and botanical gardens, Mason has Kingsland, Toledo is a must-visit for its art museum, and the Indian Run Falls is a must-see.

Weather in Ohio

The weather in Ohio is fairly temperate for a Midwestern state. The Winters get very cold, but the temperatures never dip below 20 degrees, and at the height of summer— July– the temperature can reach as high as 85 degrees. Ohio sailing is technically possible for most of the year, except during winter– as Lake Erie freezes over.

The best months for sailing are at the beginning of Spring and just as summer tapers off in late August and early September. Beware Lake Erie though. Its the shallowest of the great lakes, and it heats up fairly quickly and freezes over just as fast. Storms also get fairly intense on the river. You should take the time to do some research before you rent a boat in Ohio or rent a yacht in Ohio.

Planning your Trip

Take the time to plan before sailing Ohio River or Lake Erie. Your visit to the state would also be remarkably less stressful if you also spend some time creating some sort of Itinerary or bucket list. Mark down the most important locations and prioritize seeing them before entertaining other desirable activities.

As always, booking charters and renting out accommodations ahead of time is a great idea. It could potentially shave off thousands in cost during the sailing season and Summer.

If you’re able, carve out some time for concurrent visits. Lake Erie and Ohio as well as the beaches are too important to be one-time visits.