I was in Madison yesterday, lake Mendota was completly open. Is there any one out there in LAKAWA land that has sailed Lake Mendota. Can you tell me about launch sites?Have you sailed Lake Mendota?
Moderator: MK
Have you sailed Lake Mendota?
I was in Madison yesterday, lake Mendota was completly open. Is there any one out there in LAKAWA land that has sailed Lake Mendota. Can you tell me about launch sites?Since my inlaws live in Madison I get to sail there every once in awhile. Great big lake that's a blast in big winds.
Here are some lauches:
Tenney Park - located on the East side of the lake....works on S, SW, N, W, NW.
Governor Nelson State Park - opposite end of the lake. Works for South, SE, E
Lake Minona works pretty well in a strong Southerly as well if you launch right off of Willy Street.
I think there are a couple of locals that peruse this forum every once in awhile - they can probably offer up more info.
Hit http://maps.google.com That will show you the launches and how to get to them.
Here are some lauches:
Tenney Park - located on the East side of the lake....works on S, SW, N, W, NW.
Governor Nelson State Park - opposite end of the lake. Works for South, SE, E
Lake Minona works pretty well in a strong Southerly as well if you launch right off of Willy Street.
I think there are a couple of locals that peruse this forum every once in awhile - they can probably offer up more info.
Hit http://maps.google.com That will show you the launches and how to get to them.
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Kevinousdigian
- Posts: 646
- Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2002 10:37 pm
I live in madison feel free to give me an e-mail (karl.bzdusek@philips.com).
Everything is open now but the water is colder on Mendota. Monona is warmer (I'd guess 45-50) since its been open for at least a week.
Here are the launches we use for various directions:
The 2 best spots just because they are shallow and offer the flatest water:
Governor Nelson state park on a ESE to S. SSW works also but its really side shore.
Olbrich on Monona for a SW and WSW. SSW works but you have to ride on the deep choppy side. WSW is probably the most fun wind in Madison!
Tenny park and Burrows park are pretty good but it is choppier. We go there for W to NNW. In summer, Burrows doesn't have the swimmers so it is easier to launch.
For ENE and East winds go to Marshall park on Mendota.
For N to NE go to Olin park on Monona or better yet go to Milwaukee and ride on Lake Michigan.
Cheers
Karl
Everything is open now but the water is colder on Mendota. Monona is warmer (I'd guess 45-50) since its been open for at least a week.
Here are the launches we use for various directions:
The 2 best spots just because they are shallow and offer the flatest water:
Governor Nelson state park on a ESE to S. SSW works also but its really side shore.
Olbrich on Monona for a SW and WSW. SSW works but you have to ride on the deep choppy side. WSW is probably the most fun wind in Madison!
Tenny park and Burrows park are pretty good but it is choppier. We go there for W to NNW. In summer, Burrows doesn't have the swimmers so it is easier to launch.
For ENE and East winds go to Marshall park on Mendota.
For N to NE go to Olin park on Monona or better yet go to Milwaukee and ride on Lake Michigan.
Cheers
Karl
I went to college for my undergrad at Madison and taught at the hoofers sailing club while I was there. Everyone provided great info on launches. I highly recommend Tenney cause it is an easy launch and the wind is good there. Mendota is a very good lake for high wind sailing.
You could try launching off of the union but that would require you finding a spot to park your car and then a tricky pier launch followed by navigating through the mooring field. The wind is typically extremely fluky at the union as well.
You could try launching off of the union but that would require you finding a spot to park your car and then a tricky pier launch followed by navigating through the mooring field. The wind is typically extremely fluky at the union as well.
Adam Anderson