Sherman Lake

bfischer · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

just wondering...has anybody experience windsurfing on Sherman Lake?

When you are at Sherman Island State Park, this is the area far to the left (behind the two small islands).

There are a lot of kitsurfers over there and the other day when I was way overpowered, I wondered whether sailing in that area would be an altenative to rigging smaller. The wind should be lighter as it has to travel over landmass.

dlester · Joined: 14 May 1995 Posts: 72

Sometimes his could be the case, but if nothing else the water will be flatter. The problem with the lake is that it can have big wind holes...... Smile

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 1803

You don't have to sail into the lake to get flatter water. Just sail above kiter beach near the upper island. The water is pretty flat there. It looks like you would have to schlog a bit to get into the lake though. Not sure if you could coast through the entrance.

Coachg

charlie12 · Joined: 06 Apr 2001 Posts: 254

the wind is 30 feet up blocked by the islands
the kites can get to it
but the windsurf sails can not
that is why you dont see windsurfers in there.

Jrobb · Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 212

You can sail the lake. It's generally .5-1m (sail size) less wind there than in the channel though (you'd need .5-1m larger sail in there). Unless it's 5.0 and below you have to get to the lake by going upwind to the second island and entering through the West end of the second island gap. Make sure you have a weed fin. If not you just need to dodge the weed mats. The water is flatter and wind gustier. If it's crankin in the channnel it's a nice reprieve. Usually waist to chest or deeper but be careful about bearing off too far downwind to keep planing as you will have to make it out between the East gap in the tewo islands or the East gap between the kiter beach and the first island...not fun unless you like swimming.

On epic days, the lake is fun. Best enjoyed on less than epic days if you have an adjustable outhaul. Best way to enjoy it is to sail the small gap between the West side of the second island and the West point upwind and into the lake about 300yds then back out towards the channel (1000yds total of flatter water or therabouts).

J

r_g_armstrong · Joined: 26 Jun 2000 Posts: 57

I had a bad experience there last year. As others have mentioned, the wind can be high off the water, and quite dead at sail height. I sailed in easily, but then couldn't waterstart in the lee of the island to the west, so I tried heading for the tall reeds at the western end of Sherman Island. My idea was to drag my rig through the reeds to land and walk back to the launch. There was a strong current flowing south through the channel. The reeds are a nightmare, probably at least 10 feet high with no footholds, and it was extremely difficult to make any progress with my rig. I eventually gave up, and slowly pulled my way around the edge of the island - it was hard work against the strong current. I don't plan on going back.

Rod

longvacation · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 87

delete

charlie12 · Joined: 06 Apr 2001 Posts: 254

i have walked / swim my windsurf rig back to the put in
inbetween the islands..
i have never tried to windsurf in there "the lake"
i never trusted it.

as a kiter
i love it in there.