So, as you can see from my other thread, I'm contemplating the idea of buying a boat. I'm wondering which local lakes you guys would recommend for boat use. I'm particularly looking for lakes that have a good social atmosphere (water activities, dock-side restaurants, people just hanging out, etc). I'm also looking for something that's not too overcrowded, and that at least has a couple of quieter places or coves to pull into when you just want to chill and not be around people. Additionally, I want a lake that has good support services in case the boat is damaged or needs engine service, etc... as well as easy to get to fuel.

Lake Lavon is closest to me, but I get the impression that it's not a particularly "fun" lake. It seems to be more of a fisherman's lake. Plus, seeing all those tree stumps sticking out of the water when going across the bridge scares the crap out of me from a boating perspective. I'm guessing Lake Lewisville or Lake Texoma are going to be the best fit for me, but I'd just like to get other people's opinions on our area lakes.

Thanks!

 

There is always the lake north of lake lewisville... ray roberts... don't remember too many stumps out of it (even tho i used to ride my motorcycle where there is lots of water now... lolololol)

Dunno of any "fun" lakes... most of those i know are in Florida where my dad calls home. My best guess for fun lakes is lake Lewisville.. but have no practical exp.

If you were fishin i'd say lake Fork... not that i fish... but i hear its the Bass capitol of the world... lol

hehe

Smiles all around

J/Tharg!

 

The guy who knows about lakes and boats is for sure not on this forum, if you want pm me and I will give you his contact info.
Thanks.

 

I used to have a boat and I'd frequently boat out on Lake Lewisville. Not a bad lake, but there are better. Lake Lewisville has a "party cove" which used to be on the west side of the Lake Lewisville bridge but moved to where the dam used to be (or at least when I had my boat). There is Sneaky Petes and Pier 121 with docks for pulling up to eat. We would usually go to Pier 121 as just a preference over Sneaky Petes... not quite sure why, just did. The stumps at Lake Lewisville is in the west side of the lake Lewisville bridge.

What kind of boat are you looking for, a open bow, fishing, ski?

Oh, respect the Game Wardens. They are out in full effect and will not hesitate to give sobriety test or equipment test. I've heard they have the power to impound your boat, tow vehicle, and trailer for a violation.

Lastly, Lake Lewisville is very crowded during holiday weekends and there are a TON of personal water craft buzzing around. They like to jump your rooster tail and will occasionally get close to your boat. When they do this to me, I just stop and they'll go find someone else.

 

Are you going to tow it with the S ala Gernby

Lake Lewisville is gross, the water is always murky and apparently it doesn't have a very good safety record, someone dies there almost every single year.

 

I used to do Lake Lewisville when I lived in The Colony, it is fine if it's not during the holidays, but as said, can get WAY too crowded (usually with drunk drivers behind the wheel) on 3-day weekend holidays... but I think that's just about any lake that's going to be within reasonable driving distance.

Sure, a lot of people get hurt and/or die out on Lake Lewisville, but look at the reasons why and you'll find that most of the time it was preventable. A lot of those accidents included jet ski's trying to splash each other, people swimming outside of the designated swim area (and also outside of no-wake areas where boats may be at full throttle) and the saddest ones: kids that are allowed to swim in the lake without proper flotation gear and supervision (also usually outside of the designated swim areas and no-wake zones).

I liked the shore setup better at Lewisville than Lavon, and there seemed to be more "room" in general.. but I've got a jet-ski so I just hit up Lavon most of the time. The one thing I do hate about Lavon is there seems to be more boats parked at the small shore line I use, than out on the lake. People bring their boat out, throw anchor and just sit there playing in waist-deep water next to the boat (blocking everybody trying to get to/from the shore). And no, these people aren't partying and social with anybody outside of their group so I don't think that's quite the atmosphere you were looking for.

 

The best 2 days in a boaters life are the day he buys the boat and the day he sells the boat. With gas prices the way they are now I cant even imagine what it would cost to go boating for the weekend.
I have heard possum kingdom is the place to go.

 

I do miss my boat, but if I were to get something for the drink now, I'd probably go with a pwc (personal water craft) again. I had one before I sold it to get a boat. With the PWC, we just to go hit up the rivers after a good rain which would allow us to get higher up the rivers and creeks than normal. Its been 10+ years so I'm not sure if the new pwc are small enough to to the places we used to go. That was a LOT of fun. We used to bring coolers and go as far up as we could, break for lunch and then head back down stream. Our local chapter I rode with were the River Rats.

PWC also allow you to get cooler easier than on a boat. Surpisingly, you can get very hot on a boat. If you do end up getting a boat, dont forget the bimini or some sort of cover. You'll need it. The water reflects the heat like nobodies business.

 

I just got my boat running this past weekend. Had a nice little first time boating experience fishing/launching/docking/loading at lake ray hubbard. Lake was not crowded and had some nice stops to dock on. I also got stopped by a Hot female Game warden lol.

 

Yep! That is why I have friends and family with boats and do not own one myself.

Oh, I grew up on Lake Grapevine due to it's proximity to Keller (where I grew up). It's a nice lake, though I haven't been on the water in a year or two, so I'm not sure how it is nowadays.