Lake Barkley

[tgrass462]

We just returned from a trip to Kentucky - looking at lake front property. Initially we confined our search to the northern Kentucky Lake region but after a few disappointing views our realtor took us over to Lake Barkley - to look at homes in the Eddy Creek region. Needless to say they seemed to be much better values.

The question here is - I'm sure that everyone agrees that Barkley - at least up near the dam is not as good a sailing lake as Kentucky Lake - but in spite of that are any forum members home owners or vacationers on Lake Barkley? If so - do you sail there - or do you motor to the canal up by GTB and do your sailing in Ky Lake - or do you do both?

We really value the opinions presented on this forum.

Tom Grass
Creve Coeur, Missouri

 

[MrEd]

We have sailed KY Lake several times but not Barkley. A great source of actual information would be the folks at Lighthouse Landing Marina. They are a sailing business and are not far from the KY Lake end of the canal. I am sure they have a great deal of collected knowledge concerning both lakes including the experience of a substantial customer base. Their website is www.lighthouselanding.com and includes a number of links that might be helpful. Good luck.

 

[Duke]

I have my boat on KY Lake and have motored Barkley many times. There may be areas on Barkley suitable for sailing, but I do not know of anyone who sails there.
Duke

 

[timothy_c]

I have a H23.5 and keep it at Lighthouse Landing on the Kentucky lake side. We had a motor trip from LHL to Lake Barkley state park last June. Our lead boat wandered off course out of the channel a few hundred feet and grounded briefly. I have helped a few motor boaters swap props after cruising Barkley as well. That lake is shallow with a narrow channel. Another BIG consideration is the fact the lake level flucuates during the seasons. Check out this link, http://www.explorekentuckylake.com/weather.htm get a chart then size up where you want ot buy property. Several of the bays are actually dry during the winter. Also, the channel coming acrossto KY Lake is somewhat of a mad house on weekends. Bass boats and runnabouts rip throuh it like crazy. Big cruisers move slow but are way out of trim creating wakes from hell. Then, if that isn't enough put a barge in the mix. With my lil outbaord cracked wide open at 6 kts its 12 minutes of rock--n-roll for me. Quite fun on a seadoo though.....

I know many sailors keeping boats on Barkley but they know that lake very well. although it has hazards as well, Kentucky Lake is the one to sail.
I do not mean to discourage you in your quest. I moved here from St Louis. for my job in 1990. If it wasn't for the lakes I would have left long ago. The lakes and the Land Between (LBL) are fantastic areas. Just do the homework and research before buying.

Check out Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers KY... Sailboat specific marina and have incredible local knowledge..

Mention Psychotic Squirrel sent ya...

PM me for more info if you'd like.

Good Luck...