Lake Martin AL....

[jwh445]

Planning a family vacation in Lake Martin AL, has anyone been there? Any info would be appreciated. We will be bringing our Checkmate Pulsare 1850.

John

[Chummy]

Lake Martin is a awesome lake take plenty of gas :)

[jwh445]

YIKES!!! There are no marinas in the area?

John
Checkmate Pulsare 1850

[Chummy]

No thats not a problem its just that [SIZE="5"]Big[SIZE="2"] be sure to jump off of Chimney Rock its a rush

[BIRDDOG]

been a few years since I've been there, but the lake is divided into 3 parts, upper,middle,lower, all seperated by hydro dams. used to be the upper pond had huge amounts of traffic, usually big boats{28'-36'] just get to the area, you should be able to get detailed maps,of boat launches and marinas. you definetly need to stop at Kowliga and see the wooden indian Hank Sr. wrote his song about. Thumbs up to chimney rock, has two jump points, one about 35' the other about 80',but be careful, heard someone got killed there a couple of weeks ago, water patrol keeping a good eye on the place. Most of all, be safe and have a good time!! DOG

[W. Tripp]

I boat on Lake Martin all the time - have a lake house there. Big lake, lots of marinas with good fuel - but expensive on the water (like everywhere else). A few decent places to eat and watering holes on the water. In past years, lots of idiots in big boats that shouldn't be allowed to breathe air, let alone boat.

The state just limited the boat lengths allowed on the lake to 26' 10" and 500 hp (hard to enforce). Sound limit of 86 db taken 4 feet behind the boat and 4 feet above the water - at the ramp. Trim it in and no problems to pass. Few frog cops on the water many weekends - most weekends there are none. Kids under 12 cannot operate PWC alone - keeps MOST PWC issues under control.

The lake is NOT seperated - only one dam on the south end. I run from the 280 bridge to the southeast end of the lake all the time.

Lots of long quiet arms and coves off the main channel for skiing or speed runs. Chimney Rock/Acapulco Rock (as marked on maps) is a big party location on Sunday afternoons. Jumping is fun, but several are hurt or killed there each year - watch WHERE you jump!

Make sure you have a map of the lake (gps is even better), the arms/channels are not well marked and it is easy for people not familiar with the lake to become lost. Watch for shallow areas between islands - the "danger" buoys are there for a reason.

The south end of the lake gets busy on weekend afternoons, but the north end stays nice most of the time. North of the 280 bridge (river area) is a great place to ski even on busy weekends - just watch out for trees in the water near shore.

I hope this helps. Heading back out on the lake now.... ;)

[Liberated 18]

Well put Wayne..shhhhh..dont want it to get like Lanier:eek: :) going to do the same..hope all is well.

[jwh445]

Thanks for the detailed info, I will print your posts and bring them with me. I believe we are staying in Jacksons Gap at a Lake House called Spectacular View.

John
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