Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Yesterday, the winds were close to 50 mph, and the relatively cold north wind whipped the big lake into swells. Those with low boathouses were in danger of having waves wash away anything on their docks. It was simply miserable out on the lake, and I quickly returned to town.

Today, the winds suddenly died down, the sky was crystal clear and the very stormy Spring is hopefully in the past. After a couple of weeks of East TN and Western NC storms, the Tennessee River dams spillways have finally been closed, and our Wilson Dam is back to making 600,000 kwh of electricity.

Looks like the upcoming week's weather's going to be fabulous, and hopefully we've turned a corner. I'll take 83 degrees and 59 degrees at night anytime.

I peeled the mooring cover off my Bennington, gassed it up and hit the down button on my boat lift. My Yamaha F150 started as soon as I touched the starter, and I was off and running--at a whopping 5 mph for awhile.

Some new lake houses have been built this year--most of which are in the 5500 square feet range. It's not the houses that hurt so much, but 100' of deep water real estate's going to set'em back $250K-$300K. This place is really a secret to those in many big cities, but it's very famous to bass fishermen--with more big catfish and smallmouth caught her than anywhere.

We chose to get away from April's stormy weather by heading overseas, but we're now just thrilled to get back to the lake. On my half hour drive back into the city, even the honeysuckle blooming made the place smell so sweet.

It's just so nice to live the lake life--even if it's just for an afternoon. We're so fortunate to have had grandparents that bought this old fish camp in 1945.

Now, we'll be looking for many more 6 mile water views of incredible sunsets--just like my father and grandmother watched thousands of times. It's so nice to have retired relatively young.

Sounds nice. I took a ride out on Lake Tuscaloosa myself. Lots of boaters out today even though the water is not quite ready to get into (72 degrees) by my readings.

Hey Gearbanger, we were out on Lake Tuscaloosa yesterday. Spent about 3.5 hours just slow cruising the northern end.

Not us, It's like ground hog day of rain and wind AT LEAST through Mothers day. Haven't been out yet, mostly due to wind.

Bamaman.....I agree that it is nice to live the lake life.
My father built a summer house on Smith Mtn. Lake in 1969.
I used it every chance I got until my wife and I bought a condo on the lake, 9 yrs. ago for full time living.
Last October we bought a house on the lake and sold the condo.
The saying around here is, "If you are lucky enough to live on the lake, you are lucky enough".
We are very lucky.

[quote="smltooner"]Bamaman.....I agree that it is nice to live the lake life.
My father built a summer house on Smith Mtn. Lake in 1969.
I used it every chance I got until my wife and I bought a condo on the lake, 9 yrs. ago for full time living.
Last October we bought a house on the lake and sold the condo.
The saying around here is, "If you are lucky enough to live on the lake, you are lucky enough".
We are very lucky.[/quote]

I used to travel close to Smith Mtn. Lake on business, and you're very fortunate. It's one of the premier lakes anywhere. And the Roanoke area is especially beautiful with the Blue Ridge Parkway running through.

Only problem with lakes is winter weather and winds. We're just 50' from the water--up 27 steps--and we live the weather.

Bamaman, We got out yesterday after some boat cleanup. First time out this season. It was a nice day at least in the coves - wind gusts to 20. Papas on the Lake does Steak Night on Tuesday so we made our run over there. Making the trip back across the lake at 10pm would have been pleasant with the full moon and all but the danged cross wind made it a lot of work to keep on course. It's nice to hear your tale of "a day on the lake".

I got my first look at the new Varado 400R! Sorry no pix. It was on a Playcraft Extreme all black including the bimini frame. Wonder what that engine weighs. Total "Man Boat"!! I'll bet it would give the big Baja that came in a run for its money.

I'm back out On Golden Pond today burning all the limbs and some oak leaves that come with a heavily wooded lot. It's a job usually reserved for Fall, but an otherwise rainy fall and winter and a windy spring has put the job off.

It's sunny and 89 degrees today--perfect spring cleaning weather.

A neighbor came over and said the fish were biting well since the rains quit and the fish are spawning--moving up into the beds. But there again, he fishes all winter out of his Triton bass boat. He simply slays crappie in the Spring, but is not going after largemouth and smallmouth.

The Robert Trent Jones golf courses down the street are having some kind of NCAA golf tournament, and there are golfers all over the place. https://www.rtjgolf.com/theshoals/ Nice the winds have died down for the tourney week.

Time to go back out and mulch more leaves. Then I'll have to shovel the mulch into my utility trailer and let the wind carry them back to nature as I ride around.