I sail a Precison 23 (Displacement of only 2500#) based out of Erie PA. Over
the last two years I have covered all of Lake Erie visiting most major ports
and have done a few crossings. The weather and waves can pick up fast and I
have a healthy respect for the conditions. My advice, know what your boat and
crew can handle. Listen to weather reports while in route and watch it
yourself. My experience has been that I can get to a safe port before the
weather beats us up. You definitely can't be in a rush and can't follow a
schedule too closely. Lake Erie is not like being in the middle of the
Atlantic, safe harbors are hours away not days away.