Freedom Boat Club – Huron, OH (Lake Erie)

In Ohio, age 12 is the point at which someone may operate a motorboat other than a personal watercraft without supervision, but the rental operator decides its booking minimum. Under 12, operation requires direct visual and audible supervision by someone 18 or older; for powercraft over 10 horsepower, that supervisor must be aboard. Personal watercraft operators must be 16 to operate alone; ages 12 through 15 need a supervisor 18 or older aboard, and under 12 may not operate. Under Ohio Revised Code sections 1547.052 and 1547.06, operators and supervisors of rented powercraft over 10 horsepower born on or after January 1, 1982, must document approved education or pass the rental business’s abbreviated exam. Confirm the rental company’s minimum when booking.

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

Ohio requires a boater education certificate, not a traditional license, for anyone born on or after January 1, 1982, operating powercraft over 10 horsepower, including personal watercraft. Children under 12 may operate non PWC powercraft over 10 horsepower only under direct supervision of an adult 18 or older aboard. PWC operators must be 16, except ages 12 through 15 may operate with an adult 18 or older aboard. Covered rental customers may show prior education or score at least 90 percent on the rental exam and be named on the agreement; approved online rental proof is temporary and valid 14 days. Holders of qualifying Coast Guard merchant mariner credentials are exempt. Ohio’s Division of Parks and Watercraft administers these rules.

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft (dam.assets.ohio.gov)

From Huron, you can boat the Huron River, Huron Harbor, open Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay. Put in at the free Huron River Boat Access or depart from Huron Boat Basin Marina; the river connects through the harbor’s dredged, buoyed entrance channel to Lake Erie. The Huron River is the confined small-craft option, while Huron Harbor is slow-speed water shared with commercial traffic. Beyond the breakwaters, Lake Erie offers open-water boating. Sandusky Bay is another day outing for suitable boats, but its small-craft route is shallow and the bay channels are indefinite and unmarked.

Source: City of Huron (files.cityofhuron.org)

From Huron, boaters can make Lake Erie day trips to Kelleys Island, Sandusky and Vermilion. Kelleys Island combines a state park beach with Glacial Grooves, Inscription Rock and a lively downtown. Sandusky offers transient dockage at Paper District Marina and several dockside dining choices. Vermilion has two municipal docks, additional transient dockage on the Vermilion River and places where crews can tie up for a meal.

Source: Shores & Islands Ohio (shoresandislands.com)