Local Conditions: Water, Wind and Current
Lake St. Clair which links Lakes Huron and Erie, is roughly round and about 25 miles across.  The far shore, visible to the south from the Club, is Canada and the usual summer wind comes channeling up the Detroit River from the southwest.  Storms blow in from the east and occasionally from the northwest, and on any summer day the wind can range from the occasional sultry calm to a 30 knot gale which generally follows a hot spell.  Most often, fresh wind comes up mid morning and powers the flotilla of boats that invariably turns out.  Average water depth is 15 to 20 feet and when it blows, moderate seas add to the excitement.
Where We Set Our Race Courses Current Considerations
Another local feature is the shipping channel navigated by lake ore carriers and saltwater freighters which come in through the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Since it takes them miles to stop and they can not leave the channel, sailboats do not get to enforce their right of way against those behemoths.  We set our courses to stay our of their way.  The lake still offers several optional course sites just northeast of our club to choose according to wind and water conditions.  Current will need to be considered for every leg of the race course.  Current direction is from the northeast to the southwest or runs parallel to the shoreline.  Current is significantly less toward the shoreline ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 knot.  As you sail through the shipping channel, the current strength can be as high as 1 knot.
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