I have recently acquired an RL 24 and a previous owner had "only sailed on the Mississippi River" but the most recent owner sailed on several large Missouri Lakes (like Lake Ozark). My question: Have any of you had any experience sailing up and down a large river like the Missouri? I assume there would be times that motoring would be necessary....Tell me about your experiences! Ned
River Sailing
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My 2 cents...
Ned, I have grown up around the river (near St Louis, MO) all my life. Reasons why I am on Caryle Lake: 1, 2, and 3: NO BARGES!!! I guess I am not that good of a sailor and do not want to contend with boats that cannot get out of my way. 4: It only seems like there is wind in October. Go out to Alton Lake (the Mississippi River north of Alton, IL) and you will find a ton of sailboats out but that is then only time. 5: There is more of a sailing "atmosphere" at some lakes like Carlyle. The downside is the drive. I am in IL and it still takes me 1.5 hours each way to my marina. Dan B.
Ned, I have grown up around the river (near St Louis, MO) all my life. Reasons why I am on Caryle Lake: 1, 2, and 3: NO BARGES!!! I guess I am not that good of a sailor and do not want to contend with boats that cannot get out of my way. 4: It only seems like there is wind in October. Go out to Alton Lake (the Mississippi River north of Alton, IL) and you will find a ton of sailboats out but that is then only time. 5: There is more of a sailing "atmosphere" at some lakes like Carlyle. The downside is the drive. I am in IL and it still takes me 1.5 hours each way to my marina. Dan B.
Niagara River
I've sailed the Upper Niagara River for 30 years and think it's the best kept secret. I get to sail everyday (retired), the boat is 12 minutes from my house and during the week there are few boats on it other than a few guys fishing. The weekend are a different story but with a 30' boat they don't bother me. When the winds are blowing and the waves are high on Lake Erie, the river is usually pretty flat. nice combo great wind and flat water. We'll take an occational trip out on the lake and to some other port, but for just pure sailing it's the river. Oh yeah we're 12 miles from NIagara Falls, and the current really doesn't have that much effect on sailing. No wind you just drift until it comes back.
I've sailed the Upper Niagara River for 30 years and think it's the best kept secret. I get to sail everyday (retired), the boat is 12 minutes from my house and during the week there are few boats on it other than a few guys fishing. The weekend are a different story but with a 30' boat they don't bother me. When the winds are blowing and the waves are high on Lake Erie, the river is usually pretty flat. nice combo great wind and flat water. We'll take an occational trip out on the lake and to some other port, but for just pure sailing it's the river. Oh yeah we're 12 miles from NIagara Falls, and the current really doesn't have that much effect on sailing. No wind you just drift until it comes back.
Ohio River
I've sailed, motored, and sea-kayaked on the Meldahl Dam pool of the Ohio River for the last 15 years. Like Al said about the Upper Niagra, its a beautifully kept secret with relatively few jerks (probably scared by commercial traffic) and wonderful scenery and anchorages. Yes, commercial (barge) traffic is omnipresent, but I've gotten to know the captains and pilots, and find them actually to be a comforting presence under most circumstances. My biggest problems sailing the Ohio are (1) twists and turns in the river make "steady wind" a rare thing. Hills block wind almost completely from varying stretches. Motor is desireable for meaningful "travel", and is a must for safety. (2) Not many tributaries you can explore via sailboat due to low bridges along the highways that invariably follow the shores. Other than that, the River's a great place to be on the sailboat.
I've sailed, motored, and sea-kayaked on the Meldahl Dam pool of the Ohio River for the last 15 years. Like Al said about the Upper Niagra, its a beautifully kept secret with relatively few jerks (probably scared by commercial traffic) and wonderful scenery and anchorages. Yes, commercial (barge) traffic is omnipresent, but I've gotten to know the captains and pilots, and find them actually to be a comforting presence under most circumstances. My biggest problems sailing the Ohio are (1) twists and turns in the river make "steady wind" a rare thing. Hills block wind almost completely from varying stretches. Motor is desireable for meaningful "travel", and is a must for safety. (2) Not many tributaries you can explore via sailboat due to low bridges along the highways that invariably follow the shores. Other than that, the River's a great place to be on the sailboat.
W
Wright
Just got back ...
.. from traveling 3 days on the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg to Urbanna, Va. in an RL24. The river is fairly small ( 200 yds. wide, 7' deep)at the fall line where we put in then widens steadily to about 3 miles wide where we took out. We sailed when the wind was favorable and motored when it was not. We motored for hours into a 15kt. headwind with no trouble, maintaining 4-5kts. of speed. We also "motor-sailed," leaving the sails up and trimming to the apparent wind. The RL24 is ideal for river crusing when you must deal with unexpected shoals and mischarted channels as it draws only a foot fully loaded, keel and rudder up. Our 8hp. Yamaha 2-stroke used 6 gal. to travel the 90 miles. Have fun! Your boat handles big water and small just fine. By the way, there is an extensive RL24 presence on the Internet. The Aussie's love the boat. Robert Leggs' wife is sometimes in on the chat. p.s. I don't know why this response was catagorized as a "Hunter RL24" - ol' Robert Legg would be amused.
.. from traveling 3 days on the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg to Urbanna, Va. in an RL24. The river is fairly small ( 200 yds. wide, 7' deep)at the fall line where we put in then widens steadily to about 3 miles wide where we took out. We sailed when the wind was favorable and motored when it was not. We motored for hours into a 15kt. headwind with no trouble, maintaining 4-5kts. of speed. We also "motor-sailed," leaving the sails up and trimming to the apparent wind. The RL24 is ideal for river crusing when you must deal with unexpected shoals and mischarted channels as it draws only a foot fully loaded, keel and rudder up. Our 8hp. Yamaha 2-stroke used 6 gal. to travel the 90 miles. Have fun! Your boat handles big water and small just fine. By the way, there is an extensive RL24 presence on the Internet. The Aussie's love the boat. Robert Leggs' wife is sometimes in on the chat. p.s. I don't know why this response was catagorized as a "Hunter RL24" - ol' Robert Legg would be amused.
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