| Lee Ann,
There are a number of large lakes in the Dallas area in which to sail;
I'll try to give some things to think about before your move....
Lake Grapevine is THE place to be if you own a Catalina 22. We have
several national champions in the club on that lake. I would not
recommend a 30 footer out there unless you like a lot of tacking.
Better lakes to consider would be:
1. Lake Lewisville: Quite a bit larger than Grapevine and relatively
close to there as well. From the Dallas District office, it's approx
15- 20 minutes north in traffic. It has boats from dingy size to 35-40'
on the lake. The downside of this lake is during times of low
water due to lack of rain, you need to be mindful of stumps. The
prevalent winds in Dallas are North or South. RARELY anything else.
The lakes physical layout makes it nice for reaching as well as
beating, etc. My only complaint about this lake is it's powerboat city
during summer due to its central location.
2. Lake Ray Hubbard: I currently have a 23' Kittiwake on this lake for
sale. The lake is deep (40-65') and the area that's accessible to
sailboats is approx 3 miles wide (E/W) and 5-7miles long (N/S). No
stumps, lots of race activity from Chandler's Landing Yacht Club,
Captain's cove, Rush Creek Yacht Club, which is the one I belong to.
There are a great deal of boats in the 30-40' range on this lake and
the people are great. Very little powerboat activity. Mostly fishermen
in the area of Sailing activity. The lake is actually twice the lenght
stated above but I-30 bisects it, so the powerboaters tend to stay in
the north half of the lake and ski, etc.
During days of strong winds, this lake really gets choppy. It makes
it real intertaining to race in. It's location is about 40 minutes east
of the DEC office in Dallas.
3. Lake Texoma: Lake Texoma is 80-90 minutes north of the DEC office
and sits on the border of Texas and Oklahoma. The lake has over 90
miles of shoreline and has all the usual ammenities in numerous
facilities throughout the lake. There are 65' Sailboats on this lake.
Your 30 footer would do nicely! This is also a deep lake, 20 - 120'
and can generate some tall square chop when storms rage in from Ok.
The lake lies mostly in an East/West configuration so it's ideal for
LONG tacks.
Get your map out and look. If you need any more info or help I'll be
happy to be a contact. I can be reached at DTN 486-6496 or
(214)404-6496.
By all means, bring the boat down if you have a strong attachment to
it. If not, Look at the boat prices in Texas and then determine what
you can get for yours vs. paying the freight to get it down here. There
are a number of beautiful boats down here going for a song due to the
oil economy still being slow.
Have fun,
Robert Cleveland
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| Sounds like there is some good lake sailing around Dallas. What about
rentals? Looks like I'll be in the Dallas area this summer on a "vacation"
and having lived in Colorado Springs for the last ten years, I'm really
having a serious case of sailing withdrawl. Can anyone provide pointers to
places to rent a boat for some 1/2 to full day daysailing on a lake in the
Dallas area?
Thanks,
Dick
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Being an "East Coast" transplant, I too was worried if anyone knew how
to sail inland. I am now in St. Louis, equa-distant from all major
bodies of water. I have to say the sailing program on our little lake
in Illinois (Carlyle) is more active than I ever experienced in NJ
(Navisink R and Sandy Hook Bay) or NC (Oriental). While we can't
cruise very far (the lake is about 3 mi. by 10 mi.) the weekend races
are better attended as are the various social events- perhaps because
there is no place to roam. I have come to decide that since
one spends most the summer sailing weekends, the sailing experience
here is actually better! As for boat size, the rumor that you only
have small boats on a small lake is a myth. On Carlyle Lake, I would
estimate the average boat length to be around 28', with many in the
low-mid 30s. I would encourage you to take your boat! I'll bet you
won't be disappointed. Also, you will get very spoiled with fresh
water! Lastly, when you want to cruise- CHARTER. The cost living is
SO much less outside of the Megalopolis you will be able to afford a
nice long charter if you choose. (We try to go to New
England for a couple of weeks each summer or to the Carib Is.)
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