We have a couple of boats ranging from an H-320 to a San Juan 21. One of our favorites is a Starwind 223 that we have trailered to the Long Island Sound, the Chesapeake Bay, the Outer Banks, Florida Keys Etc. Looking for new venues we started planning a trip to Lake Lanier in GA but have halted the effort as we cannot find marinas that offer transient slips. The boat is small but that doesnt mean we like to rough it. We enjoy shorepower, a hot shower and a good restaurant every night. My sister in law lives in Sugar Hill so we are familiar with the area and though it would be a great place to take our yearly trip for 8-10 days. If anyone knows of any marinas that may be accomodating please let me know.
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Lanier Islands
State Park with transient slips, luxury hotels, cabins for the more economical, golf courses and more. http://www.lakelanierislands.com/ It looks as if the state has contracted with a firm to manage the whole shebang...it used to be that only the hotels were under private management contracts. So you need to spend some time exploring the whole site to find out just what's what any more.
State Park with transient slips, luxury hotels, cabins for the more economical, golf courses and more. http://www.lakelanierislands.com/ It looks as if the state has contracted with a firm to manage the whole shebang...it used to be that only the hotels were under private management contracts. So you need to spend some time exploring the whole site to find out just what's what any more.
Your requirements are hard to fill...
Benny, The thinking around here is that the lake is contained. All the boats never leave. I think if you talk to the marinas they might rent you a sip on a short term basis, but most are setup for seasonal or year round ocupancy. There are three major marinas for sailboats and each has a diferent flavor and level of ammeneties. I'd sugest Sunrise Cove (770-536-8599)as the first choice. Great showers, largest sailing community, no restaurant. Janice Wagner is the manager and they are closed on Tuesday. Aqualand (770-967-6811) would be my second choice, also a large sailing community, but the showers are fewer and farther apart. THere is a seasonal restaurant on property. Patrick...was the last manager I knew there. Holiday Marina would be my last choice, mostly power boats, most expensive, few showers, does have a restaurant on property. All the marinas are within a short 20min drive from many restaurants in the area. The lake offers a reduced area for sailors because of a bridge at hwy 369 that has about 20' of clearance at full pool. There are many, many great coves to anchor in and be secluded. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
Benny, The thinking around here is that the lake is contained. All the boats never leave. I think if you talk to the marinas they might rent you a sip on a short term basis, but most are setup for seasonal or year round ocupancy. There are three major marinas for sailboats and each has a diferent flavor and level of ammeneties. I'd sugest Sunrise Cove (770-536-8599)as the first choice. Great showers, largest sailing community, no restaurant. Janice Wagner is the manager and they are closed on Tuesday. Aqualand (770-967-6811) would be my second choice, also a large sailing community, but the showers are fewer and farther apart. THere is a seasonal restaurant on property. Patrick...was the last manager I knew there. Holiday Marina would be my last choice, mostly power boats, most expensive, few showers, does have a restaurant on property. All the marinas are within a short 20min drive from many restaurants in the area. The lake offers a reduced area for sailors because of a bridge at hwy 369 that has about 20' of clearance at full pool. There are many, many great coves to anchor in and be secluded. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
Sublet While the Boats in the Yard
Benny, Following up on what Pat provided, one way you may wish to get a "transient slip" if nothing else pans out at each marina is thru the Aqualand Boat Yard. Aqualand offers the only "do it yourself" yard on the lake and during any given week well over a dozen or two vessels are out for some type of repair or maintenance issue over varying periods of time. I was thinking that these folks who are out are leaving an available slip, which thru some minor negotiation could be used by you for your stay. If none of the three marina's come up with a transient slip, then try that approach with a vessel out in the yard. I am at Sunrise Cove, which is a beautiful and clean facility, but lacks in any close by places to eat without a vehicle. The Aqualand outdoor restaurant closes sometime this month for the season. Winds have been great here.... Regards Bob
Benny, Following up on what Pat provided, one way you may wish to get a "transient slip" if nothing else pans out at each marina is thru the Aqualand Boat Yard. Aqualand offers the only "do it yourself" yard on the lake and during any given week well over a dozen or two vessels are out for some type of repair or maintenance issue over varying periods of time. I was thinking that these folks who are out are leaving an available slip, which thru some minor negotiation could be used by you for your stay. If none of the three marina's come up with a transient slip, then try that approach with a vessel out in the yard. I am at Sunrise Cove, which is a beautiful and clean facility, but lacks in any close by places to eat without a vehicle. The Aqualand outdoor restaurant closes sometime this month for the season. Winds have been great here.... Regards Bob
Gret lake!
One of my favorites...lots of sailboats to play with. Although still roughing it a bit, there are many beaches and islands to camp on. Richard
One of my favorites...lots of sailboats to play with. Although still roughing it a bit, there are many beaches and islands to camp on. Richard
Lanier Island
There is a nifty resort on Lake Lanier but it isn't a state park. In fact, according to the GA State Parks Dept. web site, there are no state parks on Lake Lanier. Any local info??? Official GA State Parks map attached
There is a nifty resort on Lake Lanier but it isn't a state park. In fact, according to the GA State Parks Dept. web site, there are no state parks on Lake Lanier. Any local info??? Official GA State Parks map attached
I was on Lanier for more than 20 years....
so I know it pretty well. There are several state park campgrounds around Lanier, a zillion state owned launch ramps...and Lanier Islands IS owned by the state, though it may not actually be a part of the state PARK system....Stone Mountain Park is also owned by the state and it's not...it's owned by the Stone Mountain Authority (or Commission). For years, the state ran everything except Pine Isle Resort--the only luxury hotel and golf on Lanier Islands at the time, managed by the Stouffers hotel chain (which has since changed). The state built a second hotel and golf course there in the early '90s and chose to run it themselves instead of leasing it (if that's the right term) to a hotel chain...THAT was such a disaster that it lasted only a couple years...then they turned it over to the Hilton Hotel chain to manage. Apparently, in the 4 years since I left the area (from the website, it seems to be VERY recent, the state has turned the managed of the entire Lanier Islands complex over to private enterprise to manage. Regardless of which GA state agency actually owns Lanier Islands, or who manages it all now, it's the ONLY place you're likely to find any transient slips on Lanier. The marinas don't have any because Lanier is not a navigable lake...no transients passing through, only the occasional trailer boats.
so I know it pretty well. There are several state park campgrounds around Lanier, a zillion state owned launch ramps...and Lanier Islands IS owned by the state, though it may not actually be a part of the state PARK system....Stone Mountain Park is also owned by the state and it's not...it's owned by the Stone Mountain Authority (or Commission). For years, the state ran everything except Pine Isle Resort--the only luxury hotel and golf on Lanier Islands at the time, managed by the Stouffers hotel chain (which has since changed). The state built a second hotel and golf course there in the early '90s and chose to run it themselves instead of leasing it (if that's the right term) to a hotel chain...THAT was such a disaster that it lasted only a couple years...then they turned it over to the Hilton Hotel chain to manage. Apparently, in the 4 years since I left the area (from the website, it seems to be VERY recent, the state has turned the managed of the entire Lanier Islands complex over to private enterprise to manage. Regardless of which GA state agency actually owns Lanier Islands, or who manages it all now, it's the ONLY place you're likely to find any transient slips on Lanier. The marinas don't have any because Lanier is not a navigable lake...no transients passing through, only the occasional trailer boats.
Peggie, it's changed again
Stouffer Pine Isle became a Renaissance in a buyout, Renaissance got bought by Mariott years ago, and now Marriott is getting out of managing that property. The place has been getting pretty run down over the decades, guess Marriott doesn't want to invest the millions to renew. Various parties are trying to find a new property manager. See article in AJC last weekend. The original state owned hotel on the other point was managed by Hilton for a few years, now it is known as the Emerald Point Resort.
Stouffer Pine Isle became a Renaissance in a buyout, Renaissance got bought by Mariott years ago, and now Marriott is getting out of managing that property. The place has been getting pretty run down over the decades, guess Marriott doesn't want to invest the millions to renew. Various parties are trying to find a new property manager. See article in AJC last weekend. The original state owned hotel on the other point was managed by Hilton for a few years, now it is known as the Emerald Point Resort.
Thanks a Lot
I thank everyone who answered, I concur that the lack of transient slips is directly related to the idea that it is a contained body of water. Perhaps the interest gravitates more to the trailer bass fishermen than to the sailors with cruising in mind. There is a large number of trailer sailors which could be attracted with the installation and sharing of a few amenities. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
I thank everyone who answered, I concur that the lack of transient slips is directly related to the idea that it is a contained body of water. Perhaps the interest gravitates more to the trailer bass fishermen than to the sailors with cruising in mind. There is a large number of trailer sailors which could be attracted with the installation and sharing of a few amenities. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Don't Give Up Benny
Hey Benny, I was thinking about your desire to check out Lake Lanier as a transient sailor and it dawned on me that several marinas do indeed have sufficient dock space that should easily accomodate your smaller vessel for a day or two at a time. I certainly would call Sunrise and Aqualand and inquire about the guest dock or spending the night at the fuel/transient docks. Both marina's, especially Aqualand have long "guest" docks that are normally used for those going to the outdoor restaurant (closes end of October) or the ships store, but these long fingered docks can accomodate dozens of vessels of varying sizes. Tieing up to overnight I think would be no problem. This applies for Sun Rise Cove Marina as well. I believe it depends really on the season. If you were planning a fall vacation here, that would be the best time as the crowd of runabouts are put away for the winter. I would certainly not give up on this sailing Lake Lanier as you already know its a beautiful lake with plenty of areas to explore and 700+ miles of pristine shoreline. Best of luck. Bob Catalina 30
Hey Benny, I was thinking about your desire to check out Lake Lanier as a transient sailor and it dawned on me that several marinas do indeed have sufficient dock space that should easily accomodate your smaller vessel for a day or two at a time. I certainly would call Sunrise and Aqualand and inquire about the guest dock or spending the night at the fuel/transient docks. Both marina's, especially Aqualand have long "guest" docks that are normally used for those going to the outdoor restaurant (closes end of October) or the ships store, but these long fingered docks can accomodate dozens of vessels of varying sizes. Tieing up to overnight I think would be no problem. This applies for Sun Rise Cove Marina as well. I believe it depends really on the season. If you were planning a fall vacation here, that would be the best time as the crowd of runabouts are put away for the winter. I would certainly not give up on this sailing Lake Lanier as you already know its a beautiful lake with plenty of areas to explore and 700+ miles of pristine shoreline. Best of luck. Bob Catalina 30
Check this out, Ed...
Apparently the people who bought the Stouffers/Renaissance/Marriott complex bought the whole shebang: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Lanier_Islands
Apparently the people who bought the Stouffers/Renaissance/Marriott complex bought the whole shebang: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Lanier_Islands
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