Quote:
Originally Posted by CapnSantiago
Hey there...I've lived in Dallas for 25 years and have been sailing here for 10...I've sailed Grapevine, not my favorite lake but has a good sailing community, kinda small, good east/west orientation (for the predominantly southern winds, so you can sail on a beam) deep water/rocky bottom so the water stays clearer than Texas' mostly clay bottom lakes, lots of sailboats and few motorboats...you can sail from the west end to the damn and back in about 4 hours (then you can do it again if you want to...)...
I've also sailed Lake Lewisville in north Dallas...larger lake but not as deep and has a clay bottom so mostly muddy...I had a shared lease on a J-24 here out of Pier 121 for about 7 years...takes most of the day to sail from Pier 121 marina at the east end to Eagle Point marina off of I-35 on the west...again oriented mostly east/west (at least the sailable part is) so with predominant south winds your on a beam...Eagle Point has a nice bar/restaraunt/outdoor play area...althought the lake is larger there are some low spots to navigate and a lot of the northern portions have too many underwater trees to sail in...there is a private/club marina on the north side and a local knowledge pass through the trees to it...
I currently have an Islander Bahama 30 on Texoma at Cedar Mills Marina, just 1.5 hours north of Dallas...largest lake in Texas...definitely my favorite...you can sail all weekend and not see the entire lake...
So, it kinda depends on what kind of sailing you want to do...the only trailer sailing I've done is with a 14' daysailor so ramps/water depth was not an issue and I sailed Grapevine or Lewisville just because there close...if your trailering and day sailing there are several lakes all around Dallas an hour or so away...Grapevine is a sailing lake...Lewisville to the north is mostly a motorboat lake w/some sailboats (Lewisville has an undeserved reputation of being "dangerous" only because it is so close to Dallas it gets lots of weekend ski/power/speed boat activity and with that influx someone is bound to do something stupid and make the headlines...Lake Ray Hubbard to the east has a sailing community a sailing school and a Catalina dealer, though I've never sailed there...lake Ray Roberts just an hour north on the north side of Sanger has a sailing community though I've never sailed there...Joe Pool lake to the south has a small sailing community, I've never sailed there though my opinion is that it is too small for exploring...
and if you really want to venture out Austin has Lake Travis with a sizeable sailing community and a Beneteau dealership (one place I'd like to sail but never have), or you can always go to Houston (4-5 hours) or on down to the Gulf (5-6 hours) or over to ClearLake (1 hour east of Houston) which is a large sailing community and a great party area at Kemah with an outlet to the Gulf...
So, welcome to Texas/Dallas area...man-made lakes abound all around, just pick your poison...
|
Boy,
I could not have said it better. Great writeup Cpt.
I also keep my tub on Texoma (Cedar Mills). If you really enjoy sailing, it will be the best sailing around until you get to the coast. It is a VERY large lake. They also build Valiant Yachts there and there is a very strong cruising community there. I have also sailed Hubbard for many years, but it does not compare to Texoma.
It was a toss-up between Texoma and the coast for us. In the end, I ddi not choose Texoma becuase it was closer, I chose it because of Cedar Mills and the community. It is a great place to get outfitted to head off cruising. In fact, I have never been to a better place of knowledgeable people and friendly service. If you need any specifics on these PM me and I will help.
- CD
PS I know many people that have moved off of Grapevine due to low water problems. Although that can happen at Texoma too, it is less likely.