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Gentlemen,
This is a true trailor sailor topic.

I realized this summer that regular sailboat guys always talk about taking long trips everywhere except in interior lakes cause they are unable to get there.

Can you guys give me the best (at least warmish) interior lakes to sail in during the month of March and April in the USA?
Q1

The only interior lake I can recommend for that time of year, based on personal experience, would be Lake Powell, which is located in northern Arizona and southern Utah. Lake Powell is a very long reservoir, created by the Glen Canyon dam on the Colorado River. We cruised these waters in April, 2004, putting in just above the dam and running upriver as far as Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and also a short ways up the Escalante Arm. I think the run upriver was around 100 miles long. The year we went, the reservoir was at near record low levels, with only a few boat ramps still accessible. I believe water levels have risen since then. but would have to check. Water level at that time was 130 feet below full pool. Even at that, the red rock canyon scenery was spectacular, and the weather was extremely pleasant. Daytime temps in the mid 70's and low 80s. Water temps were a bit chilly, but still swimmable in some of the shallow areas. It is not a great place to sail because of the twisting nature of the lake and its many side canyons. The wind frequently shifts in direction and can whip up very suddenly. We motored much of the time, but unfurled the jib whenever it could give us a boost.

Québec 1 wrote:Gentlemen,
This is a true trailor sailor topic.

I realized this summer that regular sailboat guys always talk about taking long trips everywhere except in interior lakes cause they are unable to get there.

Can you guys give me the best (at least warmish) interior lakes to sail in during the month of March and April in the USA?
Q1

This all depends on what you look for in a lake. Size, types of fish, shoreside services, interior island parks, connecting canals and so forth the list goes. If you are looking for a large assortment of 'all you can get', then Florida is your palete and canvas for lake boating fun.

In Florida, there is a lake at the end of every residential street ... it seems (a bit exaggeration there) but you know what I mean. There are plenty. Just fire-up Google Earth and take a looksee.

Most are all-natura'al meaning they are sand bottom and spring fed while some are canal fed by those that are spring fed or runnoff-lakes, which also serve as rainwater runnoff from city streets. On of my favorite is right across the avenue from me, East Lake Tohopakaliga (indian name meaning 'Sleeping Tiger'). It is the best sailor training lake I know. If you can weather a storm on that lake, you can circumnavigate Saturn and all its storms It's one mean baby Good thing though, is it has a wonderful launching ramp and City Marina where you can tie-up for free and enjoy a beautiful park and pavillions with bbq grills. Also there is 4 star restaurant (seafood of course) and convenience store and bait shop all within a few steps from each other.

City transient dock is tye-up with no shore services (it's free so whaddya want?). The City Marina offers slips with shore power and fresh water hookups for around 45 bucks a month. Be sure to have boat liability insurance proof to show the harbour master if interested. There are also a marina on the north shore of East Lake Tohopakaliga at the East Lake Fish Camp and launch ramps there too. A large County Park (Chisolm Park) boarders the Eastern Bank with a Launch ramp too. This lake is the location for Bass Pro Tournaments and Offshore Boat Racing, so yes this is a very large Lake about 5 miles across and it is round. Another lake is easily accessible by sailboats through a beautiful nature canal to Fells Cove and Lake.

March and April are generally moderately warm and clear. Winds are high during these times. Generally steady with gusts +- 5 knots of sustaining winds. 10-20 knots sustaining winds are not unusual for this time of year. You will see lots of kite flyers out there

Good luck Q

Big T

All you can eat in California and Arizona too

Rick Less

If you come to the US east coast / VA check out Bugs Island Lake http://www.virginia.org/Site/descriptio ... trID=20291
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/wa ... .asp?id=25


The lake stretches down right through NC.. 48,900 acres of water just on the VA side

The lake is called Lake Gaston on the NC side and the VA side too but it's just whatever you grew up saying. It's all the same thing and HUGE!


also with every state there should be a Department of game and inland fisheries website that can direct you to all the parks/lakes/bodies of water in the US

and if you happen to be close to the Richmond Area in VA I enjoy sailing lake chesdin.

Smith mountain lake is another awesome lake with 22,000 acres of water.


then you have South Holston Lake.

There are quite a few just in VA. I know there are larger lakes about the US but there is a few for you
http://geology.com/state-map/maps/virgi ... rs-map.gif

I met a guy in a Kansas campground while trailering our boat back from the east coast last month. He told me about a lake not that far away, in northern Oklahoma, which he said was very popular with sailors. He said the lake has a mostly north/south orientation, and with the prevailing westerly winds in the area, it made for great sailing conditions. He couldn't recall the name of the lake. I checked Google Earth, and the only place which seems to fit that description is Kaw Lake, a 38 mile long reservoir on the Arkansas River. I would imagine it to be a good place for spring sailing. Anyone on this board sail there?

Yes, most lakes in Arizona. Try to stay under 2500 ft. It get`s cool higher up. I like the guy that says Powell. Its very big! When I was a Commodore for a sailing club here, I put on a 5 day sail there, and when they(the club) went home, I stayed for about 40 more days. Roosevelt is very nice, also Pleasant! We have nice lakes, and good weather in March. Happy Sailing, capt. Tony

sailor ja wrote:If you come to the US east coast / VA check out Bugs Island Lake http://www.virginia.org/Site/descriptio ... trID=20291
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/wa ... .asp?id=25


Smith mountain lake is another awesome lake with 22,000 acres of water.


then you have South Holston Lake.

There are quite a few just in VA. I know there are larger lakes about the US but there is a few for you
http://geology.com/state-map/maps/virgi ... rs-map.gif

Bossa Nova spent a few years at Smith Mountain Lake before I bought her. Maybe I need to bring her back for a visit.

You can motor in my backyard ....

Catigale wrote:You can motor in my backyard ....

Umm.... I may be wrong... but I think just maybe the motor may not be better off for that experience.