Central Fla Chain of lakes trailer sailor challenge. I had been challenged by a concept to sail some of the larger interconnected inland lakes in central Fla. Many sailors have navigated around the states perimeter but inland lies a hidden treasure. These lakes primarily lie NW of Orlando and are connected by waterways called “the chain of lakes”. This is a trailer boat adventure which fits our Hunter 240 to a tee. Your ability to step the mast on the water opens many large lakes for your use by navagating these interconnecting waterways. Many of these lakes are surrounded by the most quaint towns in Florida and are no stranger to world class bass tournaments and inland sailing. Many nice ramps and fla breezes also grace these waters. So we gave it a try and did a partial run last weekend in our Hunter 240. Near beautiful Mt Dora we launched at Trimble Park in Lake Beauclaire which although small (17 campsites) was very nice, updated clean and secure. The 2 boat wide concrete ramp wasn’t quite as steep as we normally use but still fine with a good sized rigging area. Park staff made it clear that you must notify them of overnight parking or you’ll be towed. No fee to park/launch and it’s behind a secured gate that shuts at sundown. We sailed a couple miles to the nearly new public docks in Mt Dora which can accommodate at least a dozen boats. Their ramp is overgrown with beautiful mature oaks so setting up a larger sailboat there is generally not going to work. It’s an easy 4-6 blk walk to town with endless dinner choices along with upscale quaint shopping for those (like my wife) into such diversions. The local yacht club was hosting their annual sailing event and an antique car group was in town which made for an interesting time. Anchored near the docks overnight and awoke in the silence of the dawn to a hot air balloon about 100’ high directly over us. Bkft/coffee and sailing in the morning breeze took us 6-7mi across Lake Dora to the Dora canal. In 15min we had stepped the mast, secured the rigging and started easing toward the first and tightest bridge. At 109” clearance we had about 6” to spare. Sections of the canal were like a trip back to prehistoric days. Enormous Cypress trees, an oak canopy filled with unlimited water birds ospreys and a few waterside gators for over a twisting turning tropical mile. People were even taking pictures of us as the oddity of the day. Go figure Exited at Lake Eustis and could have sailed there or quickly motored the short 1mi distance west to the Dead River which easily leads to Lake Harris. Sailing N on lake Eustis and on to lake Griffin would then, in theory, take you another 140mi to Jacksonville and the Atlantic where the world awaits. Humbly we chose to go back through and finish our brief weekend in Lake Dora. Exiting the canals east end we quickly pulled up the rig and visited nearby Tavares which was hosting a waterfront festival of dragon boats. Sailed downwind on the spinnaker for the 6mi or so to the Mt Dora docks and ate dinner uptown again. The docks were nearly filled with sailboats there for the race including many Catalina 22’s. Water depth was never an issue in the canal and all the lakes which never ran less than about 6-8’. Anchored that night SW of town near shore in what seemed to be a quiet spot only to awake to a race committee boat setting a first turn windward corse mark a few hundred yds away. Comfortably anchored with hot coffee, eggs and sausage watching the races on Sunday morning in a nice breeze at the first turn sure capped it off. Sailed the eastern lake shore perimeter until the wind died around 1pm so we loaded up. Drove past the Hickory point ramp on Lake Harris about 3pm to a glassy lake only to meet the 15mph seabreeze line about 40mi SW near I-75. It’s a nice area with much to explore from quaint towns to peaceful anchorages. The canals can be successfully navigated with some prior research and preparation. The only downside is the water quality which is sadly poor with visibility near zero. Swimming is better done when the lakes clean up a bit. It’s one of the hardest things to not jump in a fresh water lake when you get hot. Having lived through a year of red tide in our area(which is now thankfully gone) this is tough to see. This a fun sailing ground with many welcoming sailors and we’ll be back for another chapter I’m sure. PS. The digital age bit us when our only camera failed. While we got some great video, I have no pics Lesson….always keep a cheap disposable onboard. Enjoy sailing wherever you are and make the most of each day. Thanks again for all the input from the locals of CFYC at: http://www.cfyc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=173&pid=768&st=0&#entry768 Michael and Kelli on our H240 "Bonafide"
We did sail with an H260 on our short lake Dora trip last weekend. It certainly is a nice boat. Aloha, Michael