Minneapolis/St Paul area - Best Marina and Lake

T

twalker H260

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Dec 2, 2003
764
Hunter 260 winnipeg, Manitoba
Hi all. I'm planning to be in the Twin Cities area Mid to Late August for a week. What is your favourite Marina and or lake in the area and why?

Heading there with our Hunter 260 - Will be looking for a Launch ramp and proximity to Mall of America for the Kids and Admiral as well. Prefer somewhere that might have a visitor slip, power and shore side facilities for most of the time but also interested in favourite snug anchorages too!

Any other favourite sites of interest?

Thanks for any input - Positive and Negative!
 
DannyS

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
I live here but I don't sail here

We keep our boat op on Lake Superior but there' suite a fleet on Lake Minnetonka, most sailing out of the Wayzata Yacht Club. There's also White Bear Lake, they've had low water issues in recent years but I think this year, with all the rain this spring it's probably good. The other spot would be just across the border in Wisconsin. The sailing is on the St. Croix River in Hudson Wisconsin.
I'm hoping Jackdaw will chime in here because I know he sails Minnetonka and can give you some insights.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
As Dan says there are several places you can sail your 260 in the MSP area. Along with Minnetonka and White Bear, there is Waconia in the SW, and Harriet and Calhoun downtown. If you want to leave your boat on the water,the bigger lakes would be better; Minnetonka, Waconia, or WBL. Minnetonka is by far the biggest, and has the most interesting places to go; towns, city docks, bars, islands. Wayzata YC is where we sail, great place. Shorewood on the other side of the lake has more dockside amenities, they might have transient slips. There are ramps everywhere. You can anchor in several places, Big Island in particular.

From the Mall of America, all are 30 minutes or less away.

Ask any questions, here or in a PM.
 
B

barnstormer

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Apr 29, 2012
67
Catalina 30 TRBS Lake City Marina
twalker H260 said:
Hi all. I'm planning to be in the Twin Cities area Mid to Late August for a week. What is your favourite Marina and or lake in the area and why?

Heading there with our Hunter 260 - Will be looking for a Launch ramp and proximity to Mall of America for the Kids and Admiral as well. Prefer somewhere that might have a visitor slip, power and shore side facilities for most of the time but also interested in favourite snug anchorages too!

Any other favourite sites of interest?

Thanks for any input - Positive and Negative!
Click to expand
How about Lake City Marina on Lake Pepin? It's not too far from the twin cities and has 40 square miles of lake on the Mississippi river. Great marina and spectacular sailing with eagles flying overhead.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
One other thing to think about... finding a guest slip might be hard of that's your plan. The Twin Cities are about 3 million people, and frankly only a few good sailing lakes in the area. Therefore, most of the marinas are full (often with a waiting list) and do not have transient slips on the ready. At WYC we sometimes can host a boat for the night. If that is your plan, you might want to check with marinas; Active Captain can give you names and numbers.
As Stormer points out; Lake Pepin/Lake City is nice sailing, but 4x the drive. But you might have better luck with a slip.

For pure spectacle , come watch (or join!) the WYC race on Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon, over 120 boats on the track.
 
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