Question for fresh water lake sailors

[gthawkguy]

Hello, I have a rather odd question, I am an owner of a McGregor 25, I have had the boat for almost 25 years, and have used it, in the Pacific Ocean(Santa Monica Bay and have made many trips to Catalina with it.

I am now retired, and moving from Southern California to Michigan, I have inherited a home on a 500 acre lake, but I am now wondering if maybe this boat may be a bit too big for this lake.

Does anyone have experience using this size boat on a similar size lake?

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Kind of depends on how the lake is shaped. We used to take our 19 foot o'day to Lake Geneva, WI which is probably about the same size (.8 square miles) - had to tack and gybe a lot depending on the wind. If it is a long lake and the wind is right, you could have some decent sails.

 

[Sam Salter]

Size of Lake

Not sure how big a 500 acre lake is!
I sail on a lake that's about 8km by 1 1/2 km and it's full of Macgregors.
They seem to be having a good time.
sam

 

[Rascal18590]

Hi there ...... I saw your note here, and thought that I might contribute some experiences I've had. I had owned a Catalina 25 for 13 yrs. I have sail Atwood Lake, here in Ohio for about 28 yrs. With my Catalina, I found myself getting a bit board at times, because the boat was fast enough that I could go up and down the lake a couple of times in a day. I found myself "bouncing off the shore lines". Now there are folks that have 30 -32' boats on the lake, and I don't know how they handle that. But, I now have an O'Day 23 and I find that a good days sail takes me up and back on the lake. Sooooo, you might discover this too ....... But if you've had your boat for that long, its a member of the family and hard to part with !!! Best of Luck with your move. Bob Burns=Rascal

 

[Scott T-Bird]

500 acres is less than 1 square mile (only about .8 sq mi). Lake Geneva is far larger than that. I think it is over 8 square miles and about 8 miles long. We sail our 27' Starwind on a lake that is just 4 square miles and there are many MacGregors up to 26', and countless, Catalinas, Hunters and O'Days that are 22' to 25'. I would say that the area we sail is a little less than 3 square miles due to the many coves that we never go into. I would guess that 500 acres would be a little restrictive. We definitely want more room and we rarely sail for more than a few hours at a time.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'll add a bit more ... the people with small pocket cruisers on our lake don't sail very much. In fact, I would guess that there is just a handful of regulars. I see countless boats in the marinas and along the shoreline homes that I have never actually seen sailing. I think the reason for this is that the lake is too small (at 3 square miles) to enjoy with a pocket cruiser. The real regular sailors are sailing one design class sail boats from the yacht club in their scheduled races. They sail Stars, Thistles, E Scows, and the A Class catamaran. Many of the lakes in Michigan will have similar yacht clubs for sailing events, and if you are an avid sailor, I would bet that it would be wise to sell your Macgregor in California and get what the sailors on your lake in Michigan are sailing. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Lasers and one of the Scow classes. I think the lake is too small for what you're thinking, but there very well may be an active sailing scene with a one-design class or 2.

 

[RichBone]

How close are you to any of the great lakes?
Rich

 

[Douglast]

well i feel Blessed...our lake is two miles wide and 22 miles long and then duck under a bridge and then there is another 60 miles long with up to 3 miles wide...and only 4 other sailboats...and on a good day 5 powerboats...ok ok granted 6 to 7 months a year is 4 feet of ice topping it off...

 

[kenn]

...I am now retired, and moving from Southern California to Michigan, I have inherited a home on a 500 acre lake, but I am now wondering if maybe this boat may be a bit too big for this lake.

500 acres is barely big enough for windsurfing...

I imagine two scenarios:

-if your boat is easily trailerable and you're up for some exploring, keep the McGregor and use her to explore the almost limitless sailing and cruising opportunities within a couple hours drive of your new home. At home, use her as an in-water bunkie as well as for the occasional sail.

- if you're not going to be mobile, she's just too big for that lake. I would then sell or trade down to a roomy dinghy.