Kootenay Lake. B C......Sailing. ..

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Dec 29, 2011
43
Catalina 27 Kootenay Lake
I read over a post review of sailing on Kootenay Lake and thought I d
Say it is spectacular beauty nice temperature s in summer and fall make it a fantastic sailing destination. I would recommend July Aug. Sept.There are music festivals on a floating stage. . Many provincial parks..good fishing. Nice anchorages and predictable winds usually under 12 kts. Mostly 4-7.
Charts are available at the book store in Nelson. And info at the chamber of commerce on specific business. There are put ins every 15 km around most the lake and docks for gas etc.in nelson. Balfour Kokanee creek and many other spots. Here are a few photos of various locations around the Kootenay Lake area. Also if you need more info post me..

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Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Oct 10, 2010
269
Hunter H260 Gull Lake
I am planning my summer trip as we speak and Kootenay Lake is on the top of my list. I'm going back and forth between Pend 'Oreille in Idaho. Both beautiful and each have their advantages. Its a difficult decision...maybe I should do both, hummmmm.

Sumner has a very nice story on his trip north to Canada. Kootenay Pirate, I am so jealous of your sailing grounds. Well my planing continues, hopefully I cans swing two trips.
 
Oct 10, 2010
269
Hunter H260 Gull Lake
Hey Kootenay Pirate.

The first pic that you posted of your boat anchored in a bay(?)...do you know what bay or beach that is. I'm trying to reference that spot on a map. I assume it it near Nelson. I will be coming from Alberta so I am eyeing up the east side of the lake. Much easier access for me and it looks like it might be less crowded. The trip around to Nelson would be much longer and going by Sumners log, pretty steep grade getting there. I've never been to this area so I have lots to learn.

The more I read about this area the more interested I get. I am actually going to use this trip as a 'scouting expidition' and see if there is a possibility to move there. Quiet, slower paced...I think I can sell the admiral on a permanent move out of oil country. I see there is a Marina for sale...now that would be cool!
 
Dec 29, 2011
43
Catalina 27 Kootenay Lake
Looking south towards Creston from pilot bay.

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Race in nelson.. Kootenay Lake sailing association. .

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Anchorage view point. .
 

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
.. I will be coming from Alberta so I am eyeing up the east side of the lake. Much easier access for me and it looks like it might be less crowded. The trip around to Nelson would be much longer and going by Sumners log, pretty steep grade getting there....
I don't know how twisty the road is up the east side of the lake, but from the traffic using...



...the two ferry's that must be the preferred route vs. the mountain pass we used to get to Nelson. After you cross on the ferry it is an easy drive up the west arm to Nelson or putting in like where we did.

The ferry is free and if we go back that is what we will use. I can't remember, but I think places to put in on the big part of the lake are limited. Also our experience at that time was too limited, less than 25 days on the water, to sail only on the 'big part of the lake'. You can get big water there,

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Endeavour 37[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our MacGregor S Pages[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
 
Dec 29, 2011
43
Catalina 27 Kootenay Lake
Ahoy all.....
Charts are needed for the west arm of Kootenay Lake as there are some tricky shallow areas etc..they can be picked up at Otter Books in Nelson or ordered from here..
www.mapworld.com #3050
Kootenay Lake charts.
They also help w finding prevailing winds.. Safe Anchorages on the main Lk. Glad to give ya inside scoop in person w. Ya get here as i too will be out sailing much of this year...
 
Dec 29, 2011
43
Catalina 27 Kootenay Lake
There are spots to put into Kootenay Lake every 15 km. Or so around the west arm and the north w. Shore and east shore lower.
Nelson is where you get your shopping supplies. ..
Predictable winds 10 am to 4or5 pm most fair weather ed days of 2-8 knot s average. .clouds should be observed closely as storms can blow up quickly 2-4 times a summer but generally its very easy to avoid issues. ..w.basic good practice s...
 
Oct 10, 2010
269
Hunter H260 Gull Lake
I read Sumner's tale of his trip on Kootenay Lake this weekend. I followed along in my chart book which, with the pictures and commentary, really gave me a good feel for the Lake. As always, thankyou Sumner for your dedication to your boat and the documentation of your travels and modifications. It really helps and is greatly appreciated.

PS. 10 Summoners Tales is a pretty good album, not sure why I thought of that :D
 
Dec 29, 2011
43
Catalina 27 Kootenay Lake
Pilot Bay has a provincial park w. 7 or 8 moorings. There are camp grounds ashore w. Washrooms and hiking near by. Pilot Bay lighthouse is 30 min. Bring a leash for dogs as bears are present some times.
There are at least 6 other location s w. mooring floats. The west arm has 4or 5 moorings on it. Also many areas w. Old piling s from stern wheeler ferry days..and many easy Anchorages. .predictable light winds in summer on the west arm but narrow generally w.shallow s.
 

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