I would like to find out more about sailing conditions at Kentucky Lake. In particular, what are the winds like, are there many power boats and jet skis, are the slip/ mooring rentals reasonably priced, etc ????????
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A couple of links
This is pretty comprehensive: http://www.kentuckylake.com/ There are descriptions of the area here: http://www.lighthouselanding.com/sailing/destinations.htm I've always thought that Ky Lake and, to a lesser extent Barkley Lake, would be interesting for cruising. IIRC, Barkley lake is pretty shallow. Those cruising Barkley need a shoal keel boat.
This is pretty comprehensive: http://www.kentuckylake.com/ There are descriptions of the area here: http://www.lighthouselanding.com/sailing/destinations.htm I've always thought that Ky Lake and, to a lesser extent Barkley Lake, would be interesting for cruising. IIRC, Barkley lake is pretty shallow. Those cruising Barkley need a shoal keel boat.
Pretty Good
Hi Mike! If you are talking about Kentucky Lake up in the Land Between the Lakes area, the sailing is excellent. Winds are predominately out of the West and West/South West. That area is fairly wide as well as long and I have spent many a day sailing on the same tack for miles. There are a lot of sail boats up there in addition to some motorized traffic and PWC's, however, they are not much of a problem as the area is heavily patrolled by the Coast Guard. There are two major marinas there, Light House Landing on the Kentucky Lake side and Green Turtle Bay on the Lake Barkley side. I believe that there may be a marina at the Kentucky State Park but I've never been there. The rates are no better or worse than any place else, the biggest problem may be slip availability. That's a popular place for sailboats. There is a coal yard at Hwy 641 and The Trace that when the wind is just right, carries small amounts of coal dust towards the marinas, however, it is not a major problem. I moved from Green Turtle about three years ago to the Pickwick area, primarily due to it being closer to my house. Good Luck P.S. I just read Bills post. Lake Barkley is very shallow and tricky, you have to stay in the main channel which is pretty hard to do in a sail boat. I only pull 4.5 feet and I never sailed it, hard to relax.
Hi Mike! If you are talking about Kentucky Lake up in the Land Between the Lakes area, the sailing is excellent. Winds are predominately out of the West and West/South West. That area is fairly wide as well as long and I have spent many a day sailing on the same tack for miles. There are a lot of sail boats up there in addition to some motorized traffic and PWC's, however, they are not much of a problem as the area is heavily patrolled by the Coast Guard. There are two major marinas there, Light House Landing on the Kentucky Lake side and Green Turtle Bay on the Lake Barkley side. I believe that there may be a marina at the Kentucky State Park but I've never been there. The rates are no better or worse than any place else, the biggest problem may be slip availability. That's a popular place for sailboats. There is a coal yard at Hwy 641 and The Trace that when the wind is just right, carries small amounts of coal dust towards the marinas, however, it is not a major problem. I moved from Green Turtle about three years ago to the Pickwick area, primarily due to it being closer to my house. Good Luck P.S. I just read Bills post. Lake Barkley is very shallow and tricky, you have to stay in the main channel which is pretty hard to do in a sail boat. I only pull 4.5 feet and I never sailed it, hard to relax.
I liked it
Two years ago I learned to sail on KY Lake. I took a 4 day course out of Light House Landing. We only sailed up by the dam but it was really nice. It seemed as though there were enough coves and bays to to keep 'cruisers' happy. There were a number of large boats in the marina. I knew of a 42 fotter that sailed Barkley -- I don't knwo if he had any problem with grounding. Dan
Two years ago I learned to sail on KY Lake. I took a 4 day course out of Light House Landing. We only sailed up by the dam but it was really nice. It seemed as though there were enough coves and bays to to keep 'cruisers' happy. There were a number of large boats in the marina. I knew of a 42 fotter that sailed Barkley -- I don't knwo if he had any problem with grounding. Dan
J
Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence
Kentucky Lake
I have sailed Kentucky and Barkley for going on 7 years in a H260 until last spring when I traded for a H356. My slip is at Lighthouse Landing (see prev post for web site). Ky lake has great winds most of the year, but in late July and Early August, the winds are usually light and it is HOT!!! I start sailing in mid March and with a full enclosure, will sail until Dec 1. The lake near the dam is 2-1/2 miles wide and for the fist 17 or so miles, at summer pool, the lake is pretty much unrestricted. Winter pool drops the lake level 5 feet for both KY and Barkley. There are a couple of shallow spots that the locals can tell you about so you can avoid them. There are a lot of great coves with lots of places to anchor out. The lake is so large, it is rarely crowded and although there are jet skis and power boats at KY Dam Marina and Green Turtle Bay, they are courteous and have been no problem for me. Since May of 2003, I have sailed my 356 over 1400 nm. The Kentucky Lake Sailing Club is a great orgainization and holds races and club events and is a fun organization. Barkley is better for motoring than sailing, although I sail Barkley at least three or four times a year when the wind is out of the south or north and not as favorable for KY lake. At summer pool, near the canal, there is plenty of water, although I use my Raymarine chartplotter to carefully monitor the area. In the spring and fall, we sometimes motor to Barkley Lodge (28nm trip) for a great meal. We will sail and motorsail during that trip. Lighthouse Landing has a waiting list for large boat slips and is tight on small boat slips, but may have a couple available. KY Dam Marina and Green Turtle Bay have slips for both power and sail. Check out the links below, KY lake is one of the best areas to sail in the Eastern US and is linked to the Tenn-Tom and is a stopover for those on the Great Circle Route.
I have sailed Kentucky and Barkley for going on 7 years in a H260 until last spring when I traded for a H356. My slip is at Lighthouse Landing (see prev post for web site). Ky lake has great winds most of the year, but in late July and Early August, the winds are usually light and it is HOT!!! I start sailing in mid March and with a full enclosure, will sail until Dec 1. The lake near the dam is 2-1/2 miles wide and for the fist 17 or so miles, at summer pool, the lake is pretty much unrestricted. Winter pool drops the lake level 5 feet for both KY and Barkley. There are a couple of shallow spots that the locals can tell you about so you can avoid them. There are a lot of great coves with lots of places to anchor out. The lake is so large, it is rarely crowded and although there are jet skis and power boats at KY Dam Marina and Green Turtle Bay, they are courteous and have been no problem for me. Since May of 2003, I have sailed my 356 over 1400 nm. The Kentucky Lake Sailing Club is a great orgainization and holds races and club events and is a fun organization. Barkley is better for motoring than sailing, although I sail Barkley at least three or four times a year when the wind is out of the south or north and not as favorable for KY lake. At summer pool, near the canal, there is plenty of water, although I use my Raymarine chartplotter to carefully monitor the area. In the spring and fall, we sometimes motor to Barkley Lodge (28nm trip) for a great meal. We will sail and motorsail during that trip. Lighthouse Landing has a waiting list for large boat slips and is tight on small boat slips, but may have a couple available. KY Dam Marina and Green Turtle Bay have slips for both power and sail. Check out the links below, KY lake is one of the best areas to sail in the Eastern US and is linked to the Tenn-Tom and is a stopover for those on the Great Circle Route.
R
Rich Lewis
Just did 17 days there
We did a 7 day trip in March and had 10-15 knots the whole time. Then did 10 days the last of June and sailed about 75% of the time and motored the rest (no wind). Several places to dock - never picked a location without transient slip availability. Kentucky Dam Marina next to the dam is an outstanding place to stay (friendly people, clean facilities, great food). Kenlake State Park Marina is also great, though no showers. Owner even let me borrow his car to go into town for groceries. The gunk-holing is great: lots of coves. Ditto on the post regarding Barkley - just too shallow for good sailing. Green Turtle Bay is a nice marina, too. Lighthouse Landing has a waiting list for slips. Had problems with service. I am wary there. Chandlery is okay. Eat at Ms. Patti's 1880 Settlement - the food is outstanding.
We did a 7 day trip in March and had 10-15 knots the whole time. Then did 10 days the last of June and sailed about 75% of the time and motored the rest (no wind). Several places to dock - never picked a location without transient slip availability. Kentucky Dam Marina next to the dam is an outstanding place to stay (friendly people, clean facilities, great food). Kenlake State Park Marina is also great, though no showers. Owner even let me borrow his car to go into town for groceries. The gunk-holing is great: lots of coves. Ditto on the post regarding Barkley - just too shallow for good sailing. Green Turtle Bay is a nice marina, too. Lighthouse Landing has a waiting list for slips. Had problems with service. I am wary there. Chandlery is okay. Eat at Ms. Patti's 1880 Settlement - the food is outstanding.
M
Mike
Thanks to all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
I would like to visit some time in the future, looking for a retirement area. I currently live in PA, and Sail in the northwest area of the state. I'd like a more extended sailing season.
I would like to visit some time in the future, looking for a retirement area. I currently live in PA, and Sail in the northwest area of the state. I'd like a more extended sailing season.
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