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Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
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Author:  Pokey [ Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
Hey all, just a quick question since I would love to get into sailing but am short on some simple sailing knowledge. I live in White Pine County, Nevada, and the only lake of any size is Comins Lake with a surface acreage of 410. The wind normally picks up around 11AM and blows probably from 10-25 knots. Any ideas on what size of Hobie to get for this situation? I am thinking the Wave would be a good choice, since I am kinda big at 6' 3" 250lbs, or could I go bigger like the 16? I dunno!
here is the google link to the lake http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=comins+lake+nv&bav=on.2,or.&wrapid=tlif129963909862810&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Thanks for reading, and any advice will be appreciated. :mrgreen:
Author:  paddlers2002 [ Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
I had a H16 on a 360 acre lake, it was long and narrow looking kind of like the one in your picture. It was great sailing if the wind was blowing across the lake and I could get about 2 to 2 1/2 miles in befor I had to tack, if it was blowing the length of the lake is seemed like all you did was tack. I liked the H16 and am just about the same size as you, I just moved up to a H18 two years ago and also to a bigger 1200 acre lake......Jay
Author:  56kz2slow [ Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
I sail in a similar lake, narrow and long, it's a tad wider, but not much. I have 16 and it's great, two friends have Getaways (also 16"). Lots of tacks and jybes when the wind is going lengthwise with the lake, great runs across.

Also less chops with the wind across than lengthwise because there is not enough distance to build up waves.
Author:  Pokey [ Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
Awesome, thanks for the input! Most of the time the wind is blowing across the lake, so that's good news. I may have to look more into the 16, thanks again!
Author:  Skipshot [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
Realistically? Barely. Which direction does the wind normally blow during sailing season? If the wind is across the lake then you're laughing because you'll have some room as you sail the length of the lake, but if you sail the width of the lake then you'll get tired of all the tacking.

What expectations do you have for sailing this lake? Do you just want to take it easy and mostly float around or do you want to go fast? If going slow is OK then the Getaway would be good. A 16 is a fast boat that would cross the lake is no time, but with winds like you describe both boats will make that lake seem very small very quickly.

Have you seen sailboats on the lake before? If so, then get friendly with an owner and ask for a ride.
Author:  IndyWave [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
Just remember, the faster the boat, the smaller the lake will seem. On my reservoir, we have some doofuses who will roar by in a cigarette boat toward the dam; then a minute later, they roar back. That's gotta be like swimming in a bath tub.

For my Wave and most monohulls, the lake is plenty big, although the S-shape and islands mean the winds are inconsistent. Faster boats would run out of air before they run out of water.
Author:  Pokey [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
ok kinda getting a feel for what I need to be looking for. Going fast isn't my main priority, just having fun is, but speed is always a plus in my book. :D
Just putting around I don't think I would enjoy as much as scooting along at brisk pace.
I have never seen any sails on this lake before which seems odd at first, until you realize it was only recently maintained at a decent level. It previously fed irrigation and the level was always fluctuating. That ranch was sold to NV Dept of Wildlife and now the level is pretty consistent. The winds can actually get kinda crazy strong in the afternoon, having asked a friend that lives near the lake he said "one afternoon the wind moved my propane BBQ from my back yard to my front yard".... eesh.
Thanks again for the advice, still debating. :D
Author:  Skipshot [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
Pokey wrote:
The winds can actually get kinda crazy strong in the afternoon, having asked a friend that lives near the lake he said "one afternoon the wind moved my propane BBQ from my back yard to my front yard".... eesh.
Hobies do well in winds blowing between 10-18 mph, and higher than that you'll need to have more experience. High winds make for stressful sailing and broken boats and boat parts.

Also consider the depth of the water because it's no fun having a mast stuck in the mud if the boat turtles (capsize = on the side; turtle = upside down). Hobie makes mast floats to prevent turtling, and I"m pretty sure a Wave comes stock with a float, but a 16 doesn't. Some have suggested running an empty plastic gallon milk jug up the mast with the sail as a cheap alternative.
Author:  fastcat [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
A wave or even a bravo would be good choices. Both are small and relatively slow for a cat. As said before, the faster the boat the smaller the lake (seems). :wink:
Author:  Pokey [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
Oh thanks! I never even gave the depth a thought since both boats have such a shallow draft. The maximum depth of the lake is only like 15 feet, and yes very slimy. Leaning towards Wave now. :mrgreen:
Thanks peoples!
Glenn
Author:  Burley Burlando [ Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Realistic size of a lake to sail in?
I learned to sail my 16' Hobie on a 60 acre lake. 1 1/2 mile long and about 500 feet wide with big rocks on the shore. Needless to say I learned how to tack.
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