CA - Lake Merrit, Oakland

Anyone ever sail Lake Merrit? I talked to a guy last weekend and said that he used to sail Lido's there. Is this really a decent lake for a Hobiecat? Where do you launch?

Thanks for your help,

Adam

Hobie Dude,
I'll be sailing out of the estuary (across from Lake Merrit Park) into S.F. Bay tomorrow (not on the hobie, but a friend's 31' C&C). We're heading down to Jack London this eve. I've never sailed lake merrit, but as I will be right there tomorrow, I plan on taking a look as I am interested in it for our h-16. We have a friend in Colfax who used to teach sailing on lake merrit and says it is excellent for small craft sailors. I'll post what I find next Tues.
We found Donner to be quite enjoyable and will be back up there this Monday.

Lake Meritt for a Hobie? No. The lake is waaaayyyy too small. Yes, there is small boat sailing, but nothing larger than a Laser. However, considering how the crime rate has gone through the roof here lately, it's probably the safest place to be in town.

It's better to drive the two or three miles to Alameda to Crown Memorial Beach and launch from there, but you'll need beach wheels, or four strong people to carry your boat to the water's edge.

Echo skipshot. I checked out lake merrit saturday. Waaayyy too small. That being said, the estuary between Oakland and Alameda looks quite promising.