New (to me) sailing spot in Vancouver WA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Lake

The lake is 2300 acres with a average depth of 3 feet. The only improved boat ramp on the lake belongs to a private sailing club:

https://vlsc.org/


There's an unimproved boat launch owned by the city of Vancouver, that basically consists of a gravel beach:

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM ... epfStW8-O8

The water at the launch is less than a foot deep for at least the first 100 feet. I backed my Lexus GX470 and Trailex with Getaway into the water, and the water level was below the axle on the trailer.
I was able to just push the boat off the back of the trailer, thanks to the rollers, and then we just pushed the boat out until it was deep enough to climb aboard.

Retrieval consisted of parking trailer and tow vehicle in the lake, then lifting the front onto the rollers with a friend. We then pushed the boat all the way onto the trailer, and drove out.

The reward was having the entire lake to ourselves for the day, except for 2 other sailboats and a couple of kayaks. We observed no motorized craft, other than a single jetski.


Directions to the boat launch:

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALe ... nt=psy-ab#

_________________
Ken
2013 Hobie Getaway
Portland, Oregon

Ken,
Thanks for the info. We have a Wave and I think if it would work for the getaway, it should work for us. I had no idea that there was this boat ramp. I was thinking of using a dolly at the park. This seems much better.
Have you sailed Hagg lake? We just got our wave this year. Though we love the rivers, we really enjoy lake sailing.
Thanks,
Audrey

Good info! Water quality on Vancouver lake can be pretty suspect a lot of time of the year. So watch out for algae and e-coli alerts.

Hagg lake is great, even with the water down like it is now. At full pool there is a great grassy area to beach at Ramp C.

If you are feeling like a slightly longer drive, try to make it up to Timothy lake. Great views of Hood and the lake has a 10mph limit for motor boats. Winds get pretty consistent in the afternoons. Launches are pretty easy for small sail boats and beach cats.