PUT-IN-BAY SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Afternoon Aboard a 1893 Wooden Schooner: Sail the Lettie G. Howard on Lake Erie
A 1.5-hour afternoon sail aboard the historic Lettie G. Howard where passengers help set sails and hear the vessel’s maritime story—this guide explains what to expect aboard this surviving Fredonia‑style fishing schooner.
Afternoon Aboard a 1893 Wooden Schooner: Sail the Lettie G. Howard on Lake Erie.
Adventure brief
Afternoon Aboard a 1893 Wooden Schooner: Sail the Lettie G. Howard on Lake Erie
Climb aboard the Lettie G. Howard, a wooden Fredonia‑style fishing schooner built in 1893 and now operating sails on Lake Erie. One of the last surviving vessels of her kind, the Howard’s creak of timber and rigging anchors the experience in a tangible piece of maritime history as passengers help set sails and learn the schooner’s story.
Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, Ohio, is the kind of small harbor town where summer light turns the lake into a wide field of glass and every boat slip smells faintly of salt and gasoline. A 1.5-hour afternoon sail aboard the historic Lettie G. Howard offers a close-up way to read that shoreline: wooden planks, wind in the lines, and the teachable rhythms of traditional sail handling.
Lettie G. Howard is one of the last surviving wooden Fredonia-style fishing schooners. Built in Essex, Massachusetts in 1893, she fished the Northeast Atlantic and Gulf coasts, arrived at South Street Seaport Museum in New York City in 1968, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989 after an extensive two-year rebuild restored her 1990s appearance. Today she operates on Lake Erie as a collaboration between the South Street Seaport Museum and the Flagship Niagara League, mooring at 239 Bayview Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA for public sails.
The sail is short, brisk, and intentionally hands-on. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in; the ship departs at the scheduled time with or without you. After a quick captain's briefing, passengers help set a few of the larger sails or simply settle onto bench seating and watch gulls, skimming waves, and limestone shelves slip past. Routes vary by wind and weather, giving every trip a slightly different character: sometimes a quiet coast run past marsh grasses and plaque-marked historic sites, sometimes brisk reaches that snap white on the rail.
Practical details keep the experience accessible: rain or shine events, water provided, no glass containers, and a rustic onboard restroom for urgent needs. Umbrellas are not permitted—bring a rain shell and rubber-soled shoes instead. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and ticket refunds are available only if management cancels. The Captain has final discretion about sailing conditions.
What makes this sail unique is the marriage of a living museum vessel and Great Lakes character: seeing a 19th-century wooden hull in the open sweep of Lake Erie ties regional industry, preservation, and community education together in one hour and a half. For travelers staying in Put-in-Bay or nearby Sandusky, the Lettie G. Howard is a compact, social, and unexpectedly instructive way to feel what working sail once required. Book through the operator’s page, and come ready to learn a few knots, feel oak underfoot, and leave with a better sense of maritime history on Lake Erie. Sails run throughout spring to fall, and winter charters are rare; check availability and book early in summer weekends when Put-in-Bay fills with day-trippers and island festivals. Arrive prepared, and you’ll leave with salt on your jacket and a story. Guaranteed.
Route Schematic
Itinerary Route Schematic
A typical sail follows a compact sequence of check‑in, briefings, active sail work, and on‑deck history shared by the crew.
Check‑in & Boarding
Participants are checked in 15 minutes before the scheduled sail time and then board the vessel prior to departure.
Captain’s Introduction & Cast Off
The Captain or Chief Mate gives a short introduction before getting underway, outlining the sail plan and safety basics.
Active Sailing & Crew Interaction
You’ll help the crew set some of the larger sails, sit back and enjoy the ride, and meet the crew while learning about Lettie G. Howard’s history as she sails Lake Erie.
Sailing plans are subject to change; the exact sailing route and sail plan are at the Captain’s discretion and depend on wind and weather conditions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A National‑Landmark Wooden Schooner
Lettie G. Howard is a surviving Fredonia‑style fishing schooner built in Essex, Massachusetts in 1893; she later became part of the South Street Seaport Museum and was declared a National Historic Landmark after restoration to her original appearance.
Hands‑On Sailing on Lake Erie
On this afternoon sail you’ll help the crew set some of the larger sails and then relax as the schooner moves across Lake Erie, feeling wind and tide shape the motion of the vessel.
Living Maritime History
While underway the crew shares Lettie G. Howard’s history—from her 19th‑century fishing roots to museum stewardship—making the sail as much a living history lesson as a brief outing on the water.
What the day feels like
What the Afternoon Feels Like
This is a short, focused sail: after a brief check‑in and welcome from the Captain or Chief Mate, passengers help set some of the larger sails, then settle into the rhythm of the schooner as she makes way across Lake Erie. Conversation with the crew centers on the vessel’s construction, fishing‑schooner heritage and museum history, all within an approximately 1.5‑hour outing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this sail suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The sail runs about 1.5 hours.
Plan to arrive for check‑in 15 minutes before the scheduled sail time.
No specific gear requirements are provided in the trip data.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Put‑in‑Bay Afternoon Sail?
The sail is approximately 1.5 hours long.
What vessel is used for the sail?
The sail takes place aboard the Lettie G. Howard, a 1893 wooden Fredonia‑style fishing schooner.
Where does the sail take place?
The outing sails on Lake Erie.
Can passengers help with sailing duties?
Yes—passengers will help the crew set some of the larger sails during the outing.
When should I arrive for check‑in?
Guests are checked in 15 minutes before the scheduled sail time.
Is the sailing route fixed?
No—the exact sailing route and sail plan are at the Captain’s discretion and depend on wind and weather conditions.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-10T12:42:04.537Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.