For years I had hoped to sail Lake Colac. It is the biggest body of water inland from home, and inland sailing has its own special feeling.
We have had lunches overlooking this lake since the 1970's, but it wasn't until I started to build a sailing boat that the lake began to dry up.
Over years of drought it finally became a paddock, a field, a grassy plain. The local sailing club take their boats to a smaller, more distant volcanic lake for their races.
In the time since it disappeared I've even built a second boat, and over the last year or two the lake has started to fill again, but I still lie in wait for solid Spring rains to bring the edge of the water up to the level of the launching ramps and jetties.
Once again, it looks tantalising, but there is no room yet for a centre-board.
If the boat you were building was a "Duck Punt" you would already be sailing that beautiful lake! Check out my building blog at www.ridingonadonkey.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThey are super simple little boats, but a challenge to sail well, and perfect for exploring the shallowest of waters.
very true Rusty. I've seen what Dylan Winter has been up to, and I hope you have as much fun as he has. Thanks for dropping by and showing us your blog.
DeleteLook forward to future lake status reports over spring. Maybe Cup weekend?
ReplyDeletethere is certainly still water flowing into the catchment. Have you two sailed there?
DeleteNo I haven't sailed there yet. But I have been waiting a while for the water level to reach the boat ramp.
DeleteLet's hope we get some rain to top up the lake. It's a great camping spot, too.
ReplyDeleteHave you camped at the grounds near the Botanical Gardens?
DeleteIf perchance the lake fills enough to sail, I'll be there! A real hidden gem, the southern shores. Might be the last time we get to sail the lake.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at the beautiful work you do about sailing. It's very inspiring. About Sailing Manhattan
ReplyDeleteWe were at Lake Colac on Saturday 11 Oct 2014, there is water, you can launch something small at the concrete slip way on the Eastern Shore end from the Botanical Gardens, but not at the wooden bridge from the Colac camping ground though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your observations!
Deletehi Robert, Lake Colac certainly has been a sad point for us yachties. The Colac Yacht Club have been sailing at Lake Bullen Merri for the past 7-8 years due to the low levels in Colac. Unfortunately it will take floods to give us a level where we could return, average rainfall seasons will not do it.Bullen Merri has a bad algae problem at the moment, we have only been able to sail once so far this season. This Saturday we are trying Lake Purrumbete, you are more than welcome to join in. regards Steve Cartwright, Commodore Colac Yacht Club
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you Steve. Your frustrations make mine seem quite insignificant! Good luck at Purrumbete and I hope I do catch up with you sometime, thanks
DeleteRob