Looking for information on sailing Flathead Lake in Montana. We want to spend a week sailing once we get there from Western South Dakota. Any particular summer month advantageous? Good marina accomodations? Any Hot Spots or places not to miss?? Anyway, thanks in advance for any info... Happy Sailing (soon I hope) Charlie "Good Medicine"
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Charlie
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Pete Vente
Never sailed there
I never sailed there, but my parents live up there. The best (and IMO, only) months to sail would be July/August. Late July/Early August are good months. June is too wet, September is too cold. The best parts to sail would be the north end of the lake near Bigfork, where there are more marinas (Lakeside on the West, Woods Bay on the East, several marinas near BigFork on the North shore) and holes than in the south end (as far as I've seen). If you're trailering, there are some nice smaller, but still big, lakes nearby (Swan Lake, Macdonald lake in Glacier National Park)
I never sailed there, but my parents live up there. The best (and IMO, only) months to sail would be July/August. Late July/Early August are good months. June is too wet, September is too cold. The best parts to sail would be the north end of the lake near Bigfork, where there are more marinas (Lakeside on the West, Woods Bay on the East, several marinas near BigFork on the North shore) and holes than in the south end (as far as I've seen). If you're trailering, there are some nice smaller, but still big, lakes nearby (Swan Lake, Macdonald lake in Glacier National Park)
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Tom
Us too!
We were thinking of sailing there also. Looks huge. Haven't gotten any info about it though, maybe write (WEB site?) to the chamber of commerce. Thanks to Pete for the info he shared. Tom
We were thinking of sailing there also. Looks huge. Haven't gotten any info about it though, maybe write (WEB site?) to the chamber of commerce. Thanks to Pete for the info he shared. Tom
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Charlie Kilmer
Thanks for the information
Pete, Thanks for the overview of the area. Your right about Macdonald Lake - it is gorgeous. Son just moved to Paulson, so am contacting the Paulson Chamber for information. They states the Southern part of the lake may be a little shallow. Will definitely make it to the North shore. The boys at Dayton Yacht Marina are helpful. Thanks for your input.... Tom, Give me your e-mail address and I'll leet you know how it went.. Thanks again. Charlie :Good Medicine:
Pete, Thanks for the overview of the area. Your right about Macdonald Lake - it is gorgeous. Son just moved to Paulson, so am contacting the Paulson Chamber for information. They states the Southern part of the lake may be a little shallow. Will definitely make it to the North shore. The boys at Dayton Yacht Marina are helpful. Thanks for your input.... Tom, Give me your e-mail address and I'll leet you know how it went.. Thanks again. Charlie :Good Medicine:
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John Larsen
Try Canyon Ferry Too...
Might want to check out Canyon Ferry Resevoir south of Helena about 10 miles. Much, much smaller than Flathead Lake but they have a marina near York on north end. Some good wind at times because of valley location. Helena valley can be hot and dry in summer.
Might want to check out Canyon Ferry Resevoir south of Helena about 10 miles. Much, much smaller than Flathead Lake but they have a marina near York on north end. Some good wind at times because of valley location. Helena valley can be hot and dry in summer.
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Tom
response to Charlie K.
Charlie, My email address is: clarkm@micron.net Thanks for the info and have fun! Tom
Charlie, My email address is: clarkm@micron.net Thanks for the info and have fun! Tom
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Jack Bristow
Flathead is Great!
We trailered our H26 to flathead 3 years ago from Minnesota. We were there 3 days and had a great time. There is an excellent marina at the north end of the lake west of Bigfork which is connected to a golf resort and I think the name is Eagles nest but I'm not sure. They have an excellent ramp and really nice facilities with fuel, electicity and water. It is located on the river just before it empties into Flathead lake. Thre is a very nice restaraunt there also. I hope you have a good time and I'm sure you will. Jack Bristow SV/ Discovery
We trailered our H26 to flathead 3 years ago from Minnesota. We were there 3 days and had a great time. There is an excellent marina at the north end of the lake west of Bigfork which is connected to a golf resort and I think the name is Eagles nest but I'm not sure. They have an excellent ramp and really nice facilities with fuel, electicity and water. It is located on the river just before it empties into Flathead lake. Thre is a very nice restaraunt there also. I hope you have a good time and I'm sure you will. Jack Bristow SV/ Discovery
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Jim Benedict
You should do it
I rented a Boat from an outfit called Quiet World, located at the north end of the lake two years ago (before I bought my H240). It is a great lake. It is very scenic. The wind and weather were good when we were there in July. I highly recommend it. If you are there for one week you will see far more of the lake than I did.
I rented a Boat from an outfit called Quiet World, located at the north end of the lake two years ago (before I bought my H240). It is a great lake. It is very scenic. The wind and weather were good when we were there in July. I highly recommend it. If you are there for one week you will see far more of the lake than I did.
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Charlie Kilmer
Thanks
Jim and Jack, Looking forward to the trip - may not be until end of August which may be chilly, but I hope not to be swimming......... Thanks for your encouragement...
Jim and Jack, Looking forward to the trip - may not be until end of August which may be chilly, but I hope not to be swimming......... Thanks for your encouragement...
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Lee Barta
Flathead lake sailing
I purchased a hunter 23 last year and have been sailing out of a marina at Dayton, Montana. Quiet World is the name and you can talk to them at 1-800-775-2990. May and June can be very damp, but July and August are spectacular. Make sure you visit Wild Horse Island, there's horses, elk and bighorn sheep, no camping ashore but an anchorage at Skeeko Bay.
I purchased a hunter 23 last year and have been sailing out of a marina at Dayton, Montana. Quiet World is the name and you can talk to them at 1-800-775-2990. May and June can be very damp, but July and August are spectacular. Make sure you visit Wild Horse Island, there's horses, elk and bighorn sheep, no camping ashore but an anchorage at Skeeko Bay.
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Charlie
Lee
Lee, We visited Dayton along with the winery next door. Great wine made by a retired Gynocologist. Tell me something. My son has just rented a place with a dock at Polson and I wonder if it is worth planning on using. Southern part of the Lake looks as thou it could be shallow. What do you think?? Also, do you happen to know what the transient rates are/day at Dayton. I could call there as well... He seems like an interesting transplant from New York or Boston. Thanks for the info. Charlie "Good Medicine"
Lee, We visited Dayton along with the winery next door. Great wine made by a retired Gynocologist. Tell me something. My son has just rented a place with a dock at Polson and I wonder if it is worth planning on using. Southern part of the Lake looks as thou it could be shallow. What do you think?? Also, do you happen to know what the transient rates are/day at Dayton. I could call there as well... He seems like an interesting transplant from New York or Boston. Thanks for the info. Charlie "Good Medicine"
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Lee Barta
Shallows
Charlie: You are correct in reading the south end of flathead Lake as shallow. As a novice sailor I'll leave that area to the more experienced. During the winter when the the lake is drawn down the beach at Polson advances into the lake for quite some distance. I am not sure of the rates at Dayton but I,m sure Jim could you give you that info on the phone.I called there earlier this week and the recording said he was out of town till February Lee.
Charlie: You are correct in reading the south end of flathead Lake as shallow. As a novice sailor I'll leave that area to the more experienced. During the winter when the the lake is drawn down the beach at Polson advances into the lake for quite some distance. I am not sure of the rates at Dayton but I,m sure Jim could you give you that info on the phone.I called there earlier this week and the recording said he was out of town till February Lee.
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Charlie Kilmer
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