I am looking for anyone that has sailed on Lake Ouachita, Arkansas. It looks like a great place to sail and go ashore exploring because the state of Arkansas owns all the property around the lake with the exception of some leased property where a few marinas are. Has anyone sailed there and can recommend one marina over another? What kind of facilities do the marina's have? What places can someone reccommend to go ashore and camp out? I have found a few web sites for the marinas but want an unbiased opinion on facilities, lodging, restaurants, etc. Thanks
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Tim Welsh
Lake Ouachita is great
I sail on Ouachita every weekend. Rain Sleet or Snow. Has alot of coves that are sailboat friendly and can nose up to shore for hiking,camping or whatever. Is really a great lake. I keep my boat at Brady Mountain Marina. There are several other marinas that are nice but I like where the sailboats are docked,(in a cove in the back of the marina behind all of the big houseboat docks. Makes for some great wave and wind breaks.)and the owners of the marina are really great..I have yet to explore the whole lake by sailboat. Been over most of the lake in powerboats and seadoos. It's not uncommon for me to find a new cove or waterfall. I've been on the lake for over 12 years. You do have to watch the north end of the lake when its down because of the dreaded uncut forest floor some of the lake wasn't clear cut when built. and there are a few shallow spots. The maximum depth I've seen is 185' by the dam. The main channel in front of Brady is around 150' and except by land the lake is ussualy 45 to 75' deep most place else. Tim Welsh Hunter 34, Cabo Wabo, Conway Arkansas
I sail on Ouachita every weekend. Rain Sleet or Snow. Has alot of coves that are sailboat friendly and can nose up to shore for hiking,camping or whatever. Is really a great lake. I keep my boat at Brady Mountain Marina. There are several other marinas that are nice but I like where the sailboats are docked,(in a cove in the back of the marina behind all of the big houseboat docks. Makes for some great wave and wind breaks.)and the owners of the marina are really great..I have yet to explore the whole lake by sailboat. Been over most of the lake in powerboats and seadoos. It's not uncommon for me to find a new cove or waterfall. I've been on the lake for over 12 years. You do have to watch the north end of the lake when its down because of the dreaded uncut forest floor some of the lake wasn't clear cut when built. and there are a few shallow spots. The maximum depth I've seen is 185' by the dam. The main channel in front of Brady is around 150' and except by land the lake is ussualy 45 to 75' deep most place else. Tim Welsh Hunter 34, Cabo Wabo, Conway Arkansas
G
Gregg Brock
Sailing on Ouachita
Dear Jonathan, I've sailed on Ouachita for a few years now and have found it to be much like sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on the wind conditions you can get plenty of breaking waves and fetch. I have a Hunter 28.5 slipped at Mountain Harbor which has most all the facilities one would want from camping to lodging and everything in between. Brady Mountain is also a good facility you should consider. Winds tend to stay from the south and there are a few places where you can get some onshore breezes that are accelerated by the mountain range ( makes for some rail in the water action but loads of fun). The waters pretty deep in most places(100-200 feet) but there are a few shoals to watch out for. There are some maps at the dive shops here that give the average depth with GPS coordinates. Plenty of islands with easy access even to deep keel boats dot the length of the lake. If you like self contained camping on your own boat, I'd suggest the island 39 chain ( but there are hundreds more like it). It's located just west of Brady Mountain. The waters deep, fishing is good, and it's quiet in the off season. The view is impressive as well. If you decide to come up and sail, please stop by "B" dock at Mountain Harbor. It's occupied by a great group of lake pirates always on the lookout for our lost comrades. I'll forward some pictures so you can get an idea of what to expect. I've been sailing for over 20 years including the Gulf, the Caribbean,Mexico and Hawaii and this lake rates right up there. It also happens to be the 3rd cleanest lake in the world. Hope this helps. Gregg Brock "The Lusty Wench" h28.5
Dear Jonathan, I've sailed on Ouachita for a few years now and have found it to be much like sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on the wind conditions you can get plenty of breaking waves and fetch. I have a Hunter 28.5 slipped at Mountain Harbor which has most all the facilities one would want from camping to lodging and everything in between. Brady Mountain is also a good facility you should consider. Winds tend to stay from the south and there are a few places where you can get some onshore breezes that are accelerated by the mountain range ( makes for some rail in the water action but loads of fun). The waters pretty deep in most places(100-200 feet) but there are a few shoals to watch out for. There are some maps at the dive shops here that give the average depth with GPS coordinates. Plenty of islands with easy access even to deep keel boats dot the length of the lake. If you like self contained camping on your own boat, I'd suggest the island 39 chain ( but there are hundreds more like it). It's located just west of Brady Mountain. The waters deep, fishing is good, and it's quiet in the off season. The view is impressive as well. If you decide to come up and sail, please stop by "B" dock at Mountain Harbor. It's occupied by a great group of lake pirates always on the lookout for our lost comrades. I'll forward some pictures so you can get an idea of what to expect. I've been sailing for over 20 years including the Gulf, the Caribbean,Mexico and Hawaii and this lake rates right up there. It also happens to be the 3rd cleanest lake in the world. Hope this helps. Gregg Brock "The Lusty Wench" h28.5
consider sardis mississippi as well
lake ouachita is absolutely beautiful...but if you want to get away from it all try sardis in north mississippi the marina is new, just 2 years old and the lake is surrounded by state land 25 miles long and 3-4 miles wide the prevailing winds guarantee a beam reach from one end to the other the lake is from southwest to northeast just off exit 252 on I-55 it may be closer if you are coming from LA at night the stars are splendid during the day you will probably see 6 or less boats.. sailorhayes@hotmail.com
lake ouachita is absolutely beautiful...but if you want to get away from it all try sardis in north mississippi the marina is new, just 2 years old and the lake is surrounded by state land 25 miles long and 3-4 miles wide the prevailing winds guarantee a beam reach from one end to the other the lake is from southwest to northeast just off exit 252 on I-55 it may be closer if you are coming from LA at night the stars are splendid during the day you will probably see 6 or less boats.. sailorhayes@hotmail.com
Thanks Gregg and Tim!
You guys have me really excited about bringing my 23.5 up there. I am looking at spring recess in April when my boys are off of school. Please e-mail pictures to jonathanjena@bellsouth.net. If you guys don't mind I'd like to get some more questions answered off forum i.e. weather, great spots to explore, etc. Thanks you've been a tremendous help already. Jonathan
You guys have me really excited about bringing my 23.5 up there. I am looking at spring recess in April when my boys are off of school. Please e-mail pictures to jonathanjena@bellsouth.net. If you guys don't mind I'd like to get some more questions answered off forum i.e. weather, great spots to explore, etc. Thanks you've been a tremendous help already. Jonathan
- Status
- Not open for further replies.