From the Welland Canal, you can sail across to Presque Island in Erie, PA then hop to Cleveland....Rock Hall, Museum of Art, etc. From there you can hop to Lorain, Vermillion, Huron, Cedar Point, Kelly's Island, Middle Bass Island has a great new marina, Pelee Island, Leamington, then on to the Detroit River. As for the lake levels, haven't heard any concerns yet this year, but avoid Sandusky Bay other than the marked channel. Going up the Detroit River, get behind freighters and let them "draw" you upstream to avoid the current. Also, if you keep closer to the edge of the river, the current is much weaker. Just a some tips to help save fuel!

Robert Perkins
[I]Andante[/I] #450
Cleveland

If you don't have one get an "I 68" from US Customs. You normally need an appointment and 3 passport photos, but this permit will let you clear in by phone from any port, not just designated reporting stations.
Erie is a nice stop. Presque Isle state park has an excellent anchorage protected 360, but there are also some good marinas downtown. If you belong to an ILYA club EYC has reciprocity. Erie is a pretty bike friendly town with a paved trail that circles Presque Isle. It also has a very nice maritime museum where the Niagra docks if it is in town.
Port Stanley, Ont. may just be the prettiest stop on Lake Erie but it is a long haul from the Welland to there. Probably not in the cards if you are planning to cruise the south shore. Dockage is upriver from the drawbridge which closes at night so plan arrival accordingly.
On the US side, Ashtabula, Fairport Harbor, Cleveland and Vermillion are easy one day hops and well worth a visit. If Port Stanley isn't the prettiest port on the lake, Vermillion is. It is also the home Chez Francois, a French restaurant rated as best between NY and Chicago (priced accordingly but worth it). Sandusky is home to Cedar Point amusement park which has a huge full service marina.
There are not as many stops on the Canadian side if you decide to go across. After Port Stanley it is Erieau then Leamington (great destination marina).
You already know about Put in Bay. I would recommend you try to pick up one of the rental mooring balls rather than the town docks. There is a water taxi included in the price.
From PIB it is a long day to the Detroit river. Going up you can make it as far as Detroit/Windsor, but start early. We prefer Windsor and Lakeside Marina (just below Lake St. Clair), but I've never visited Detroit so there may be some nice places there. There really isn't much on St. Clair and most of us just cross it going up river to Lake Huron/Georgian Bay/North Channel. Port Huron/Sarnia are a very long day (61 NM) from Detroit/Windsor, and both are nice stops before you head out on Huron. If you don't want to go the whole way I understand Algonac is a very nice stop but can't vouch for it personally. The current gets stronger as you go north. I plan for no more than 4 knots over the ground average after Algonac and am usually right.
You might consider joining the Great Lakes Cruising Club. Members have access to very detailed cruising reports for every harbor/anchorage on the great lakes.

Brett, Mike covered most of lake and rivers quite well. I don't think I-68 's are available in Canada. We have Nexus cards which is like an I-68, only good for 5 years. With it you can call in to immigration 4 hours ahead of your arrival. With the I-68, it can be 2 hours.
If you have neither, then you will have to choose a port of entry with immigration reporting. You can do this at Dunkirk, NY, or Erie,PA. Dunkirk Yacht club is a great place to stop, especially on Friday nites where the Club has a party every , all the booze you can handle for $5.Dunkirk is an easier slog across the lake thanErie.
At Erie, we have stayed at the Wolverine Marina, right behind the Sheraton and the closest walk to town or visiting the "Niagara". Two years back they only charged $1/foot. Anchoring is also nice at Presque Isle.
Ashtabula Yacht Club is also a good stop. Most of these clubs accept overnighters, usually $1.50/foot ,even if you do not belong to an ILYA Yacht
Club
Fairport Harbor has 2 clubs where you can stay.
When we go North, it takes us 10-11 hours to reach Windsor or Detroit from Port Clinton. We have stayed at Grosse Isle YC at the south end of the Livingston Channel. Some have anchored in Crystal Bay near the hole in the wall. We have stayed in Windsor and the Detroit YC. Plan to stay at Bayfield YC, near Belle Isle this year. We usually go all the way to St Clair on the river the following day, 1 1/2 hours below Sarnia . Michigan Marinas charge $1/foot. You will pay $2/foot on the Canadian side.
Try to hit Kincardine on Saturday for the Pipers Parade.
One year we went up the Michigan coast to Port Austin and crossed over from there to Kincardine on our way to Midland. Port Austin has new docks this year, and the Farm Restr. south of town is noted for their food. They will pick you up at the Marina.
We head north after July4. Give me a call if we can help in any way.

Jack and Martha Stewart
1993 C36 #1233"Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH
[email]jfssail@yahoo.com[/email]
330-206-5949

Brett - did the Welland two years ago and would recommend some research there. Three people required up bound and I highly recommend "Lots of Fenders" and big ones at that if you value your GelCoat. Both for the wall and rafting boats. We read about Hay Bales when we transited but I don't think they allow that now anyway. If you are on the wall - forward in the locks seems to be best - and keep your boat against the wall best you can. The currents will swing you wildly unless you control it well. I hear that the downbound trip was pretty easy and only two people are required but I didn't make that trip. We stayed in a marina on the Ontario side - Port Colborne - that was very nice and had a shuttle to town. Nice restaurant and bar too! Good luck

Hi intrepid navigator,
One small tip to go along with the other good suggestions that have already been sent your way. Two of us have Catalina 36's in a good stopping place at the south end of Lake Huron on the Sarnia side. Lake Huron Yachts is a super quiet marina with close restaurants and supplies that is a good launching point to head on north to your intended destination. We intend to head to the North Channel ourselves for July but our long time friend, Margaret Petersen, on Finale lives aboard for the summer and would be a great hostess and catch your lines as you come in. (The current under the Blue Water Bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia makes the Canadian side the best side of the channel when northbound. Center channel current varies but can often make 6+ knots of southbound flow. For experienced local sailors we get within 50 feet of the Canadian side to catch a small northward counter flow and then head for the first red buoy to keep off of sand flats that lay off of the big water plant with its distinctive smoke stack with spiral anti harmonic ridges. To enter our harbor there are day and lit night ranges to bring you safely into the dredged entrance. There is a current sweeping left to right so you have to crab to compensate until in the harbor.) Bonny breezes and safe harbors.

Chuck Sonquist Sun Quest Mk I #375