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Great Lakes vs. Ocean Sailing: A Straight Comparison
Sailing on the Great Lakes and sailing on the ocean are two different experiences, each with its own demands. Both can be serious, both can be dangerous, and both require a skilled, prepared sailor. What follows is a look at how they compare—without dramatics, just real-world observations from those who’ve done both.
Wave Behavior and Motion
One of the biggest differences between lake and ocean sailing is how the water moves beneath the boat. Ocean waves are usually larger in height, but they come with long, smooth intervals—often 45 to 60 seconds between crests. This rolling motion can feel intimidating at first but becomes manageable with time. In contrast, Great Lakes waves are shorter, steeper, and come in quick succession—sometimes only a second or two apart. These aren’t gentle swells; they’re abrupt, stacked, and unrelenting.
The result is a much harsher ride on the lakes, especially in bad weather. You don’t ease over them—you slam into them. Green water over the bow, sudden stops, and a lot more motion. Add in the shallow depths of the lakes, which compress wave energy, and you get what’s often called “Great Lakes chop”—a rough, erratic sea state that’s physically and mentally exhausting. While ocean sailors may face bigger waves, lake sailors often face more uncomfortable ones.
Weather and Safety Margins
Storms on the ocean are dangerous, but they typically come with more space to maneuver. If needed, you can run before the storm, adjust course, or deploy gear like drogues to slow your boat. The Great Lakes don’t allow that luxury. Shore is always close, but that’s not comfort—it’s risk. There are few natural harbors and many marina entrances become unsafe in heavy seas.
In lake sailing, you often have no choice but to face the weather head-on. Turning around isn’t an option. This requires a different mindset—there’s less room for error, and less time to react. It’s coastal sailing in distance, but offshore in consequence.
Fresh vs. Salt Water
Salt water changes everything—from how a boat floats to how it wears. It’s denser, so boats sit slightly higher and behave differently under sail. Salt also means constant maintenance: corrosion, chafe, and salt damage all increase the longer you’re offshore. In the ocean, if you find water in the bilge, the first thing you do is taste it. If it’s saltwater, you have a problem.
Freshwater is more forgiving on gear, but the cold, especially on lakes like Superior, adds its own risk. Hypothermia is a real concern, and even large, ocean-rated ships have gone down in these waters.
Skill Development and Sailing Style
Lake sailing keeps you engaged. Wind shifts more frequently, and conditions change fast. You’re constantly adjusting sail trim, reading the weather, tacking or jibing. There’s less downtime and more direct interaction with your boat. Even on light wind days, you’ll see lake sailors out racing in 2-knot breezes—focused on every inch of progress. It sharpens your instincts.
Ocean passages, by contrast, can become a matter of endurance and maintenance. Once the sails are set, you may go hours without needing to adjust anything—until the next system rolls through.
Final Thoughts
The Great Lakes might not offer transoceanic distances, but they require the same level of preparation and skill. With unpredictable weather, limited safe harbors, and some of the harshest inland sea states anywhere in the world, they demand serious respect. A sailor who’s handled the worst of the lakes is more than ready to face the ocean.
Different challenges—but no less real.
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Sign up with NauticEd for FREE (no obligation) and receive 2 free boating courses, a free eLogbook and boating resume, and more! If you want to get started in boating or are experienced and want to expand your knowledge and skills, consider taking our many online sailing and powerboating courses.
