Western Lake, boating

[Needsumsun]

:confused: We are 1st time visitors to FL, to be visiting Grayton Beach area soon. We will be bringing down a small, 1-person Sunfish sailboat. We were told that West (?) or Western Lake backs up to our rental and is a short walk away (we hope to just carry the boat, about the size/weight of a canoe). I need info on this Lake, approx. size of lake, an online map or area map showing it if possible. I've done various searches online and am not coming up with anything. Thanks!

[kurt]

:welcome: You came to the right place.


Western Lake and a few others in the area are quite large (perfect for small sailboat) and uncommonly beautiful. Coastal dune lakes are gems, with varied ecology and awesome dunes.

The bay is nearby if you need more space.

Some aerials:

http://www.sowal.com/aerials.html

http://graytonbeach.com/aerial.html



Where is your rental?

http://graytonbeach.com/aerial-grayton-labeled.jpg

[Needsumsun]

Thanks for the great links and info. We have a rental at Holtz Avenue, in Grayton Beach (although building manager also called it Seagrove Beach?). Appreciate your help in making this a great trip. :cool: Lynn

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks for the great links and info. We have a rental at Holtz Avenue, in Grayton Beach (although building manager also called it Seagrove Beach?). Appreciate your help in making this a great trip. :cool: Lynn
"Hotz" Ave is located in Grayton Beach. You will find a boat ramp to Western Lake at the east end of Hotz Ave.

[Needsumsun]

Thanks for your reply, I take it you're a local? So it will be an "easy walk" to carry the boat to the Lake?? We are brand-new to Florida vacationing and think this area will be really great. What's this I hear about crabbing on Western Lake? And a walking trail? We are not boaters by practice, but with a new used (and almost antique!) mini-sailboat are willing to try. Any pointers??

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks for your reply, I take it you're a local? So it will be an "easy walk" to carry the boat to the Lake?? We are brand-new to Florida vacationing and think this area will be really great. What's this I hear about crabbing on Western Lake? And a walking trail? We are not boaters by practice, but with a new used (and almost antique!) mini-sailboat are willing to try. Any pointers??
Pointers on what? Boating, hiking, crabbing, Florida Vacationing?

Hotz is only three blocks long so, yes, it should be an easy walk, unless the wind is catching your boat. If you bring a cable lock, you can probably secure it to a tree next to the ramp, thereby removing the burden of carrying it.

We have miles of hiking trails in our State Forests. You will also find great gardens and green space, and walking trails in WaterColor.

[kurt]

Crabbing info:
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=568

Parks, trails, etc.
http://www.sowal.com/parks.html

[Needsumsun]

Since you seem to know the area really well, let me ask this. Will we be able to drive down Hotz Ave. to a dock or beach area at the lake, or do you access Western Lake from a walking trail? We're trying to figure out if we have to carry the boat from our rental or can drive it to the water. We've put together a kind of mini, portable trailer to roll it with us, cause it's probably to heavy for us to carry that far.

I appreciate the links about crabbing, too. We've crabbed alittle at Outer Banks w/o luck, and hey, I 'crab' all the time at the kids so you'd think I'd be good at it!

Everything I read about Western Lake says it's 'brackish.' Is that a code word for nasty and smelly, or what? Sorry I didn't pull a dictionary, but just wanted to check if it is safe for 4 kids (one who is very likely to fall, or be pushed, in!)

Also, I have to ask on another note: What does the 'unofficial slogan' of "Nice dogs, strange people" really mean?? Catch a nice sunset for all us landlubbers up North.

[beachmouse]

Brackish- general description of any body of water that's effectively a mix of fresh and salt water ie. too salty to be called freshwater, but not as salty as the Gulf.

[Smiling JOe]

Since you seem to know the area really well, let me ask this. Will we be able to drive down Hotz Ave. to a dock or beach area at the lake, or do you access Western Lake from a walking trail? We're trying to figure out if we have to carry the boat from our rental or can drive it to the water. We've put together a kind of mini, portable trailer to roll it with us, cause it's probably to heavy for us to carry that far.

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/2/1/6/Copy2ofP6100014.JPG
I guess you didn't look at the photos in my album, eh?
The ramp and dock were a little wet today, but they are still there. I am guessing you will be in the big rental house on the corner of Hotz and Garfield? If so, you will be about 50 yards from the ramp. You could "to drive down Hotz Ave. to a dock." Western Lake also snakes around to the Gulf, but, on a normal day, it is probably too shallow for your sailboat. When you go onto Grayton Beach, Western Lake opens into the Gulf to the east.

[Needsumsun]

Well, it took me alittle to figure it out, but I found your photo album (yes, I am pretty darned computer-ignorant). Great photos, really help with grasping the beauty and all-around atmosphere of the area.

[kurt]

The water level in the lake is back to normal.

[Smiling JOe]

The water level in the lake is back to normal.

Yes, indeed it is. This photo was taken today. The ramp is to the right of the pier.
http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/2/1/6/P6140017.JPG

[kurt]

Western Lake outflow closed to the gulf today.

[Smiling JOe]

Western Lake outflow closed to the gulf today.
Very true and here is the photo to prove it.
http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/2/1/6/P6140019.JPG

[kurt]

Hah! Just missed me. :D