Anyone sail at Lake Nockamixon in Pa.?

[joes new addiction]

First year in a slip at Lake Walenpaupac, Pa., (was a trailer sailer my first year sailing, moved up to a bigger heavier boat).
So far it's been so-so.
I THOUGHT it'd be great, got a slip in the "hub" of the sailing world at the palpac (Pocono Sailing Club), the guys have been great, friendly, helpful, figured there be no hassles of driving, setting up, retrieving etc if I got a slip.
The problem I'm having is the vast amount of powerboats hell bent on going as fast as they can and the jet skis who have no reguard for anything on the water. It's crowded, a bit more than I like and a bit crazy at times.
I was told go weekdays which is great, few boats, I get outta work early enough, but I'm paying for my slip, want to enjoy my boat when I want to. I'm a early morning sailor kinda guy.
I travel 25 miles 1 way to my boat, not far, Nockamixon is 70 miles, but it's a state park 20 HP motors max. Prehaps it's better than what I doing now?
a few questions............
how busy weekends during the summer?
how is the slip situtation? can one secure a slip?
How the breezes there?
Thinkin of moving either later in the season or next, or downsizing back to a trailer sailer so I can be a gypsie again.
Thanks
Joe
All I want to do is sail in peace and quiet!

 

[31seahorse]

Hello Joe,
Lake Nockamixon is nowhere near the size of Wallenpaupak. The motorboat problem would be nearly eliminated. When we were there the limit of motor size was 9.9, I think, but that was many years ago. There are slips. The lake is a PA state park I think. Try an internet search for information on slips or at least a phone number to talk directly to a person there who would know the facts.

Have you looked north or north west for boating? Finger Lakes, Lake George, Lake Champlain? They are probably not within the "go when I feel like it" range.

Respectfully, Phil

 

[DeniseO30]

Awww, you've not seen a wake unless you've been passed close by a 60ft sportfisherman type boat... they make a tidal wave! Even ships don't seem to make as big a wake. Lake Wally is nice how big are the boats there? Truthfully your never going to escape wakes, big winds, and running aground... just something that is part of sailing. Lake Nox.. is Tox imho.. ew.. I won't ever go there.. dirty murky smelly (let the hate mail begin) lol

 

[joes new addiction]

It's not the wakes, (although with my 16' boat last year, I though the mast was gonna break free as it was doing the "dance of Sheba" a few times. She was a light boat, didn't like wakes).
It's the traffic or more, it's more the "is he gonna go to port? Starboard? does he know I SUPPOSED to have right of way?
The marina I'm at is at a narrow section of the lake and at the other end must be the cheapest public launch (Ledgedale), cuz most times it's like trying to cross the street in NYC!
For some reason my sailboat collects jet skis.
They seem to have to power up to my line and then.....stop and chat???
Maybe the "cloaking device" is always on in my boat?
Dunno, but more than once I've had to turn into the wind, tack to clear them, then they give me the WTF? look!
Smelly water huh?
I've checked it out on line something like 648 docks, 5000 plus acres of water
I think I'll have to hop on my bike and take a run down to check it out.
My buddy has a "small house" at Claytone N.Y. and fell in love with the Lake Ontario and St. Lawerence, fishes up there every weekend.
I think the 4 hour haul is too much for 1 1/2 days there, but want to try sailing up there.
I never seem to sail the entire lake I'm at now. Maybe if I'm lucky 1/2 (I'm a meander-er, I'll tack across to see a boat, or a dock, play a band of wind til it plays out.
Joe
Maybe I gotta talk my wife to moving close to the ocean? Then I can get a bigger boat!

 

[LuzSD]

Breath in, relax...

Joe, I'm going to respond but, notice the tongue in my cheek because I also am disliking our new situation (opposite of yours) where there is not as much peace at the dock as I would like, but we have open ocean to get away from everyone any time we want. After 6 years we moved from San Diego Harbor to Dana Point with open ocean and we miss the harbor!!! What I have learned from our situation might be useful to you.

When we first got our boat we had never sailed in tight quarters at all... so sailing in San Diego harbor was 'interesting' at best. There are huge container ships, lots of sailboats of all sizes and rental as well, so a varied array of knowledge amongst sailboats alone. Then there are powerboats from enormous to tiny and some I am sure were on autopilot ..but you never knew. All of this was scary and then we noticed something...we were learning alot just from the need to be so aware of everything around us. We got really good at deciding where and when to tack, and we also learned that our 'rights' were only good as long as we saw a signal from the other boat........ otherwise we steered clear. Sure, sometimes we did not go out because it was chaos, especially holidays, but we had a nice calm peaceful slip that we could enjoy. Or bar hopping or go check out the sailing shops. ... We found out that we became MUCH better sailors than we would have been or were, in conditions where there was no traffic. AND we enjoyed the challenge. It turns out that we really love racing and so each time we would go out it was kinda like being in a race. Always different and always a challenge. Then you really can enjoy the quiet weekdays or the really early morning or late evening sails when everyone else gets off the water.

So, I would urge you to take a breath, relax and realize that the other boaters are not after you, they are just doing their own thing. The more you relax and sail your own course, with them all being your 'marks' you will be happier and relaxed and you will learn alot. Let go of the cranky 'everyone's an idiot' (believe me I can go there too!!) and make it a great sail each time you go out, despite the activity around you. Even work on finding a relaxed steering spot for yourself, and change your mindset...You will look very wise to those around you and ultimately, you will believe your are in charge and confident and relaxed. give it a try!

 

[joes new addiction]

Good words of advice to be sure.
Maybe I am spoiled? Last year most of the smaller lakes I hit with "B-Cup" were pretty much empty, (short of a few fishing boats) and when I hit the Palpac it was late Sept and Oct and it was pretty much empty.
After 45 years of racing motorcycles off road, I've learned to keep my head on a swivel, tight quarters don't freak me, but "boneheadism" does.
I'm a gear head, so the sound of a GOOD motor screaming is like music to my ears, but sometimes there is "small brains and BIG motors" out there.
I'm sure it's like this everywhere I go, just in different amounts and different sizes of boats.
I payed for the slip for the season, so if I bail, I loose.
A freind of mine came up with a intresting idea.
We'll take our bikes down to Nocamixon this Sat. and check it out.
If the traffic looks light and we find, that the norm,
pick up a small cheap sailboat, tow it there on weekends I need "total quiet time" or a change of water, sail, keep my '22 at the Palpac sail there, (are sailboat like bikes? You can never have enough)? (My buddy has a cottage at Clayton N.Y. on the St. Law. so I can tow the small boat there cheaper than my '22. Trybthat water too).
A small sailboat I feel you sharpen your sailing skills, (or in my case learn some), easy to haul @, easy to set up.
Now to convince my wife.............................
Joe
I have a problem, I have "boat envy", everyone's boat is better than mine, and "Water envy", where you sail is better than where I set my sails!

 

[LuzSD]

Ha ha, good solutions and love your last comment! I think most of us feel like that at least for a while! You sound very resourceful, enjoy!!