HBYC has an extensive organized cruising program
Destinations have included weekends at Kelleys Island, Vermilion, Leamington, Huron, Pelee Island, Middle Bass Island, and Put In Bay; as well as extended long distance cruises to the North, East and West Lake Erie and beyond!
HBYC members on the Kelleys Island Cruise in June 2025.
Usually 10 to 20 boats with families and friends will rendezvous at the selected port. Upon arrival at the destination, you will find a member ready to grab a dock line for your reserved HBYC dock space.
Cruisers have been known to enjoy great conversations, breakfast feasts, scavenger hunts, cookouts, wine & cheese happy hours, biking & golf cart rides, dinghy/kayak/paddleboard rides, local attractions, wineries, pubs/restaurants, as well as local and regional entertainment at every destination.
If you’ve never cruised with HBYC before, we offer a Non-Member cruising option for one cruise of your choice, this is a great way to join us for a cruise and see what HBYC Cruising is all about - experience all the fun! Please see the “Logistics” section below for further details!
2026 Cruise schedule
Cruise information will be updated as information becomes available. Stay in touch with Rick Billheimer, our Cruise Director for latest information on cruises.
5/29-5/31: Kelleys Island, OH
6/12-6/14: Huron, OH
6/26-6/28: AYC Poker Run Cruise 1: Harbor View Yacht Club, Oregon, OH
6/30-7/2: Leamington, Canada
7/10-7/12: Middle Bass Island, OH
7/22-7/26: I-LYA Powerboat Regatta: Put In Bay, OH
7/30-8/2: I-LYA Sail Regatta / America 250 Event: Put In Bay. OH
Extended Cruise 1: We’re headed North from PIB and then East!
8/2-8/4: Leamington, Canada
8/4-8/6: Pelee Island, Canada
8/6-8/9: Lorain, OH
8/28-8/30: Kelleys Island, OH
Extended Cruise 2: We’re headed to the Detroit River!
8/28-8/30 AYC Poker Run Cruise 2: SunSeekers Boating Club, Gibraltar, MI
9/3-9/7: Vermilion, OH
*All dates are subject to change. Cruisers will be notified prior to any changes.
We are going to travel to Canada during our cruises this year.
You will need a passport, you should get that started ASAP if you need one.
Boats over 31” will need a decal from the Dept of Homeland Security, that will take a few weeks.
Cruise Coordinators Needed! All cruises should have a cruise coordinator. A cruise without a coordinator will not received any HBYC funds. The coordinator is responsible for communicating with the folks at the destination marina, scheduling activities, scheduling transportation (if necessary), and conducting a Captain's meeting the morning the cruisers depart. Coordination duties are a great way to become active with the club. Contact Rick Billheimer, our Cruise Director if you wish to coordinate any cruise. Of course, the Cruise Director and past cruise coordinators will be more than willing to lend a hand.
LOGISTICS
Cruising for Members
There is an annual cruising fee per participating boat to cover the club’s cruising-related costs such as coffee, pastries, supplies, space rental, etc. Or if you only plan to join one cruise, there is a discounted single cruise fee.
Cruising for Non-Members
Harbor Bay Yacht Club invites non-members to participate in a cruise of their choice. Non-members are allowed to take one cruise per year with HBYC.
This invitation is on a ‘Space Available’ status and a first-come first-serve basis. 'Space Available' is based upon the number of openings for a given cruise 7 days prior to the cruise. The following is a brief outline of requirements:
Cost $20 cruise fee - which will be returned if the cruise is full with HBYC members.
Sign up can start as early as cruise schedule is available and fee is paid.
Boat owner will be notified 5-7 days before cruise if room is available.
Boat owner pays for own dockage and participates in HBYC planned agenda.
Boat owner must show a boating club membership card or be docked at Safe Harbor Sandusky Marina.
