Sailing Kentucky Lake

[Toolman]

The Admiral and I had an opportunity 2 weeks ago to slip out for a long weekend, and decided to return to a favorite spot... Kentucky Lake.  Just off I-64 is a little place called Grand Rivers, KY.  So named because it rests between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.  These two lakes run  parallel to one another with a canal dug between them capable of handling barge traffic.  Interestingly, the rivers, the Tennesee forming Kentucky Lake, and The Cumberland forming Lake Barkley, both run South to North.  The area between the two lakes, referred to as Land Between The Lakes, is undeveloped and known for it's wildlife.  Kentucky Lake is the larger of the two, very clean water, and better for sailing.  If there's a drawback, it's the fact that, as a Corps of Engineers lake, there is very little development along the miles of shoreline.  There are a few Kentucky State Parks with marinas, and some fishing resorts, but that's about it.  If you like "camping" on your boat, it's a great place.  There are scores of coves and inlets along the Eastern side of Kentucky lake... the Land Between The Lakes, where one can anchor for the night and be entertained by the wildlife at both dusk and dawn.  We prefer sailing all day, then returning to a civilized marina in time for cocktails! Our favorite spot is Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina, located at the Northern end of Lake Barkley.  This is a first class outfit often utilized by boaters doing "The Loop".  GTB is a full-service marina with first-class amenities.  The transient dockage and restrooms/showers are the best I've seen, but the real kicker for me is the fact that, as a transient, you are granted a temporary membership in The Commonwealth Yacht Club.  A lovely dining room overlooking the harbor, complete with a very good menu.  The county in which GTB resides is one of Kentucky's "Dry" counties... no alcohol can be sold in the entire county.  Consequently, the yacht club allows you to bring your own.  Simply bring a small cooler with beer or wine, and check it in with the host/hostess upon your arrival.  It costs you $5 for them to "cork" your wine, and $1 per beer for them to serve your beers.  Sounds more cumbersome than it really is... they're quite used to the program.  There is a similar program for hard liqour at the bar.  We stay aboard our Eclipse, so we like the fact that we can stay for as long as we like and never have to drive anywhere.  We live in Central Illinois, and it's a 5 hour drive to Grand Rivers.  I believe it's 3 hours east of St. Louis.  If you're a midwesterner looking for something pretty special and fairly close to home, check it out!

[Lafayette Bruce]

Awesome place to go.  For my 40th birthday, Dad & I sailed from Paris Landing up to Grand Rivers and back & took a week to do it.  Plenty of room to sail.  There are marinas along the way (nothin' fancy, mostly fishing focused) and plenty of coves to anchor in.  At the North end of Kentucky Lake is Kentucky Dam Village State Park which is quite nice and on the east side is Lighthouse Landing which a sailboat marina. 
Lighthouse at one time rented ComPac 19's and that was my first experience in a 19 and the reason I bought one.  They had 3 of them and I head that one of them was hit by a barge headed for the lock.  No one hurt and the boat did not sink but was trashed.  The CP captain must have had no idea what he was doing because there is plenty of room to get out of the barge's way.  What a rush that would have been.
Lafayette Bruce

[kickingbug1]

    sarah and i used to go to barkley every year and always ate at patties at land between the lakes. im thinking that next year we might take the boat down for a few days and maybe spend a couple of nights on the boat.

[HideAway]

Kentucky Lake area is halfway between our home in Florida and our family in central Nebraska -- always a favorite stopping point.  We have camped in the area, although it was nearer to Nashville - Percy Priest I think.   Always wanted to sail it - a beautiful area thats for sure  M

[blighhigh]

I think that TVA controls Kentucky Lake while the Corps of Engineers manage Lake Barkley.

[brackish]

Was kind of planning to go up to Lighthouse Landing, rent a cabin for a few days and rent one of the Colgate 26's they have for some day sailing, then the Admiral went and broke her ankle.  That is a beautiful area.

[blighhigh]

Here is a link to the navigation charts of Kentucky Lake.  All for free.   http://www.kentuckylake.com/rivercharts.shtml