I went out for a sail tonight, and had light winds with some clouds reflecting the city lights so a really good night on the lake. I had it all to myself, but couldn't stay out near as long as I wanted. As I headed back into the cove, I saw something white and very large beached on the far side of the entrance into the cove. After I got the sails down, I motored over to check it out. Beached hard on the shore was a 30 some odd foot power boat. I motored by and shouted out to see if anyone was onboard, but apparently not. When I got back into the marina, I saw the night maintenance guy and asked him about the boat. Apparently some guy was motoring across the lake and somehow fell off his boat (?). While he survived, he is in the hospital with hypothermia (the water isn't real cold so he must have been in the water for a while). The bank of Lake Grapevine looks like large rocks but is actually compressed mud and clay, so I'm not sure how much damage is done. I've seen a number of accidents, but they are usually a fast, larger boat running into another smaller boat because some yahoo is not paying attention at night. Fortunately, when I sail at night there are few boats on the water. The sailing was great...nice cool night, light wind, just me and the stars!
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) My boat is under a tarp for the next 5 months.Rocks around there too
Hey, Dale, There are a lot of rock outcroppings around Grapevine too. I'm curious what area of the Lake you sailed and found the beached boat. I've only sailed Grapevine once in my 26S, but really enjoyed the views. I've paddled all over the southeast end of the Lake in my kayak, but look forward to moving on up north by sail. You're certainly right about the beauty of the reflections of the city on the Lake, though. I find Grapevine very scenic by day or night. Do you have a slip there or are you, like me, a trailer sailor? The issue of hypothermia, that you mentioned, is something that needs to be addressed at this time of year. On my kayak, a wetsuit is now the mode of the day. I don't intend to turn it over and spend time in the water, but I plan for that possibility. A change of clothes in a dry bag and towels are always along for the ride. This reminds me that the sailboat needs those same precautions as well. I certainly don't expect or intend a knockdown or getting tipped overboard, but I want to be prepared since we are blessed here, around Dallas, to be able to sail year round. Thanks for the reminder of what can happen this time of year. Hope we see you on the water.
Hey, Dale, There are a lot of rock outcroppings around Grapevine too. I'm curious what area of the Lake you sailed and found the beached boat. I've only sailed Grapevine once in my 26S, but really enjoyed the views. I've paddled all over the southeast end of the Lake in my kayak, but look forward to moving on up north by sail. You're certainly right about the beauty of the reflections of the city on the Lake, though. I find Grapevine very scenic by day or night. Do you have a slip there or are you, like me, a trailer sailor? The issue of hypothermia, that you mentioned, is something that needs to be addressed at this time of year. On my kayak, a wetsuit is now the mode of the day. I don't intend to turn it over and spend time in the water, but I plan for that possibility. A change of clothes in a dry bag and towels are always along for the ride. This reminds me that the sailboat needs those same precautions as well. I certainly don't expect or intend a knockdown or getting tipped overboard, but I want to be prepared since we are blessed here, around Dallas, to be able to sail year round. Thanks for the reminder of what can happen this time of year. Hope we see you on the water.
Twin Cove
I sail out of Twin Cove Marina on the North side of the lake and have a slip there. It is a really nice, small, clean marina. When I bought the boat this Summer the slip was paid for through next May, which made the boat a really good deal. I work close, but may move the boat next Summer to Joe Pool Lake, which is closer to home. The beached boat was on the west side of the entrance to the cove. The shore slopes up sharply at that point and the boat was well up the shore with only the stern and swim deck in the water. I'm willing to bet there are some nice holes in the bottom. It is great sailing in Texas. Even in the winter there will be warm days where we can get out on the water. I really like the evening sailing since all the power boats get off the lake, and only a few fisherman are out with us sailers. One night there must have been 10 boats out on the water!
I sail out of Twin Cove Marina on the North side of the lake and have a slip there. It is a really nice, small, clean marina. When I bought the boat this Summer the slip was paid for through next May, which made the boat a really good deal. I work close, but may move the boat next Summer to Joe Pool Lake, which is closer to home. The beached boat was on the west side of the entrance to the cove. The shore slopes up sharply at that point and the boat was well up the shore with only the stern and swim deck in the water. I'm willing to bet there are some nice holes in the bottom. It is great sailing in Texas. Even in the winter there will be warm days where we can get out on the water. I really like the evening sailing since all the power boats get off the lake, and only a few fisherman are out with us sailers. One night there must have been 10 boats out on the water!
Grapevine has plenty of rocks and stumps, too.
I sailed Grapevine for five years in two different boats I had in the water at Silver Lake marina. Venture 222 and Clipper Marine 30. Best sail I ever had was from 6pm to 4:30 am in light fog, five knot breeze, on a full moon in October. Only boat on the lake and it was magical. West end has stumps but you can find turning room there for overnighting away from the lights. Try to avoid the North side between Twin cove and Rockledge parks for overnighting. Some very loud all night parties happen there. The entire north side west of Rockledge park at the spillway has rock ledges that can fool you. Stay in the middle of the little coves or creeks coming out of the north side and you'll be okay. Except near the dam, the south side is mostly mud as you say. Have fun.
I sailed Grapevine for five years in two different boats I had in the water at Silver Lake marina. Venture 222 and Clipper Marine 30. Best sail I ever had was from 6pm to 4:30 am in light fog, five knot breeze, on a full moon in October. Only boat on the lake and it was magical. West end has stumps but you can find turning room there for overnighting away from the lights. Try to avoid the North side between Twin cove and Rockledge parks for overnighting. Some very loud all night parties happen there. The entire north side west of Rockledge park at the spillway has rock ledges that can fool you. Stay in the middle of the little coves or creeks coming out of the north side and you'll be okay. Except near the dam, the south side is mostly mud as you say. Have fun.
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