The State of Michigan just ended my boating season (Bolles warning)

Since Toledo has no decent ramps, (walbridge has like an 8 foot dock and cullen is usually a mess with newbies and I still don't trust the recent dredging work when the wind is blowing from the southwest from August through October)... I use Bolles Harbor for my ramp of choice. It has enough ramps to accomodate a bunch of boats and the water is reliably deep in the later season.

They are closing it.

http://www.monroenews.com/news/2012/aug/15/bolles-harbor-access-site-closing-construction/

I kind of wish that I didn't buy a season pass.

Wanted to give the heads up to other boaters, as one would NEVER expect the largest boat ramp on the western end of the lake to close in the middle of the boating season.

created by justread on Aug 15, 2012 at 02:26:43 pm Outdoors Comments: 13

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How is the ramp out at Metzger Marsh. It looks good to me, but then again, I never see anyone using it either.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/WildlifeAreaMaps/NorthwestOhioWildlifeAreaMaps/MetzgerMarshWildlifeArea/tabid/19782/Default.aspx

posted by SensorG on Aug 15, 2012 at 02:37:34 pm #

Surprised there isn't a decent ramp down in the Point you could use off of 131st.

posted by Linecrosser on Aug 15, 2012 at 02:54:18 pm #

From 131st there is a decent ramp at Lost Penninsula Marina. Single lane at the end of a dirt road. Not sure what they would charge to use it.

I may have to test the dredging at cullen park.

posted by justread on Aug 15, 2012 at 03:03:30 pm #

How big of a boat? Is it always trailered? The DNR access up here off of Summit isn't to bad except for the shallower water especially when the wind is strong from the SW.

posted by Linecrosser on Aug 15, 2012 at 03:06:20 pm #

Boat is 30' LOA, 9,000 pounds, twin I/O. Always trailered by a large tow vehicle. Draws around 4-5 feet minimum. Lots of weight in the rear.
A SW wind screws up everything in the southwest basin. That's why Bolles was nice. Bolles didn't seem to have as drastic of a rise and fall.

Thinking about rack launch for September.

posted by justread on Aug 15, 2012 at 03:35:26 pm #

What about Meinke's on Corduroy Rd.?

posted by hunkytownsausage on Aug 15, 2012 at 03:53:32 pm #

Depending on the boat size, the public access in Oregon has ample parking (Near Wynn & Bayshore)

posted by Hoops on Aug 15, 2012 at 03:58:46 pm #

Wish there was a bigger dock at walbridge park, being a zip 14 person.

posted by justread on Aug 15, 2012 at 04:48:18 pm #

I use one just off Sterns Rd. In Temperance (at summit). Been going there since i was a kid - can't remember the name

posted by chrispartlow on Aug 15, 2012 at 07:07:31 pm #

Is there a launch in Luna Pier? Toledo Beach??
I wouldn't launch something that big that draws that much out of Point Place. The water level is too unpredictable. You could very well go out and not be able to come back. The drought condition have keep the water level lower than normal this year. Because of this, we will be shortening our boating season this year.

Am curious what you find out @ Lost Penn. Marina.

posted by SJD on Aug 15, 2012 at 07:41:55 pm #

Water has been low for about 10 years. That's a big boat to be putting in and taking out every time. But yeah there is a marina on East Sterns, again never really checked that one out not sure on depth back there, Lost Peninsula might be your best bet it is a deeper area. Depending on how far you wish to travel to launch a boat, public access on River road in Toledo, Sterling park in Monroe. My brother has a larger boat that he keep on DTE property as a perk of being an employee, he has it docked at the Trenton power plant on the Detroit river, he usually puts it in at the state park up that way. Wonder if there is something over by the marina district on the east side, not sure what part of town your coming from.

posted by Linecrosser on Aug 15, 2012 at 07:58:01 pm #

You guys aren't wrong. I have been boating for a long time. AYC member. I've done a dock at the yacht club (cheap) a dock at Lost Penninsula (not cheap) and I have trailered. This boat isn't something that you would leave at a dock. I could rack launch it. I'm in 43614, so maybe Pier 75.
I have avoided point place for the exact reason of water levels. I kept a boat on the ottawa river for a few years. I am all too familiar. A longer tow to Bolles with the dually was a sure bet.
The long term plan was a lift behind a house somewhere between here and downriver. We'll see how that goes.
For now... I need to either rack launch or find a different ramp. A buddy offline suggester Rossford. I know for a fact that the Lost Pennisula ramp was replaced within the last year. I watched a 35 foot Formula launch. It has way more concrete than before.

posted by justread on Aug 15, 2012 at 10:38:00 pm #

I love it when you talk boaty. ;p

posted by nana on Aug 17, 2012 at 12:02:21 am #

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