Raleigh Area Lakes. Jordan, Harris, Falls.

[Shookie]

NP ! Just got back from a week on Kerr lake and catching up here.
@Shookie , late reply, but saw your question on the Fortress. I bought it, love it, nice and light. Added rubber coated chain, never fails. Kept the original as a 2nd in one of the bow lockers. Slight trimming needed to make it fit in the anchor locker.

How did you like Kerr for an extended period? I’m gonna get up there at some point this summer.

Thanks for the reply on the Fortress. I read the same thing that it needs shortened a bit. That will be easy enough. Didn’t think of a rubberized chain. Wonder if that Flex Seal stuff would work? I just used it to seal a water bottle for our floor steamer/mop and it worked well.

Family and I heading out on Jordan this afternoon around 3 for some evening grilling and cruising

 

[granpachuck]

We loved having the boat tied up 50 yards from the cabin. So we had lunch and dinner most nights on the boat. There isnt much as far as restaurants on the lake, but still plenty to see. Its a huge lake, probably 3 or 4 times the size of Jordan. Our favorite lake to spend a few days or more on is Smith Mountain lake, where you can find pubs, bars, restaurants, all over the lake.

 

[suke]

We loved having the boat tied up 50 yards from the cabin. So we had lunch and dinner most nights on the boat. There isnt much as far as restaurants on the lake, but still plenty to see. Its a huge lake, probably 3 or 4 times the size of Jordan. Our favorite lake to spend a few days or more on is Smith Mountain lake, where you can find pubs, bars, restaurants, all over the lake.

We looked at Smith mountain to rent a place, but heard it's a washing machine all the time. Ended up renting a place at Gaston since I know that lake really well having been all over it with my ski for years. They have a couple restaurants. Surprised they don't have more.

 

[granpachuck]

We looked at Smith mountain to rent a place, but heard it's a washing machine all the time. Ended up renting a place at Gaston since I know that lake really well having been all over it with my ski for years. They have a couple restaurants. Surprised they don't have more.

SML lake is very deep, and clean. You can see down several feet, unlike Jordan. The only lake in NC that I know of that is clearer is Lake James. Our depth sounder was at 100 to 200 feet quite often.

 

[suke]

How was Jordan yesterday? We went out Saturday and it seemed pretty slow, even at the ramp. My neighbor tried to go to New Hope ramp and it was closed by noon. We drove by there at 1:30 and it looked maybe half full. They ended up at Farrington and he said that was maybe 1/3 to 1/2 full as well. Wonder if they're just limited the amount of people at New Hope? When we got out it was pretty empty. I'm not exactly complaining as it's nice not to have to fight crowds to get in and out. Hopefully things are starting to calm down.

 

[granpachuck]

How was Jordan yesterday? We went out Saturday and it seemed pretty slow, even at the ramp. My neighbor tried to go to New Hope ramp and it was closed by noon. We drove by there at 1:30 and it looked maybe half full. They ended up at Farrington and he said that was maybe 1/3 to 1/2 full as well. Wonder if they're just limited the amount of people at New Hope? When we got out it was pretty empty. I'm not exactly complaining as it's nice not to have to fight crowds to get in and out. Hopefully things are starting to calm down.

We went to Seaforth. Packed. Rookie day for sure. Plenty of jet skis, a few people even mentioned it was their first day with a ski and trailer. I felt the lake seemed pretty busy. As soon as I think Saturday is too busy, and Sunday is quieter, it flips. We had a great day anyway.

 

[suke]

We went to Seaforth. Packed. Rookie day for sure. Plenty of jet skis, a few people even mentioned it was their first day with a ski and trailer. I felt the lake seemed pretty busy. As soon as I think Saturday is too busy, and Sunday is quieter, it flips. We had a great day anyway.

I noticed a ton of boats heading toward Harris yesterday, and I mean A LOT compared to normal. No idea how the ramp was, but my neighborhood is on the main drag to Harris so I can sort of get a sense of how it might be if I head out onto the main road. We started at Harris Sat at like 8am, and the lot was already starting to get busy. With it being such a tight lot and my wife new to the trailer backing we didn't want to risk it. So we left there and headed to New Hope. By the time we were getting ready to put in close to 9 it was still dead and no one really coming in. Was surprised just how busy Harris was at a similar time. There was maybe 7 vehicles in the whole parking lot. So that's likely what we're going to do. Get to New Hope early at 8ish when it opens, have my wife practice backing in some of the open spots, then put in around 9. Trailer assist is a nice crutch, BUT if the sun hits it just right it disconnects. She can normally pull forward and it will re-engage, but still she needs to just learn it. She practiced some this weekend and now thinks she's got it mentally pretty good in her head. It was nice when we were getting out it wasn't too busy so she could take her time, practice with both the assist and non assist.

 

[Shookie]

Saw a ton of jet skis over the weekend. Definitely more than I've ever seen.

 

[Shookie]

Thinking about going to Gaston or Kerr (prob Gaston) on Thursday or Friday. Wanna change it up and figure during the week is a better time to go vs weekend.

 

[suke]

Thinking about going to Gaston or Kerr (prob Gaston) on Thursday or Friday. Wanna change it up and figure during the week is a better time to go vs weekend.

we'll be at Gaston on Thurs. Well actually Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Checking out Friday. The week is definitely the time to go. My buddy that has a house there has said it's like July 4th every day on the weekend. They opened a new restaurant on the water called latitudes. Dock looks easier to navigate than the pointe, and looks like better conditions than shady shack.

 

[Shookie]

Cool! Weather isn't looking great..... can't do Wednesday and right now that looks like the best day. Will keep an eye on things later in the week.

 

[suke]

Cool! Weather isn't looking great..... can't do Wednesday and right now that looks like the best day. Will keep an eye on things later in the week.

Yeah weather looks like a chance of storms every afternoon this week.

 

[Andisimose]

Not a lake question, more a Raleigh question. Do we have a good boat supply/part store here? I went to West Marine and based on the conversation I overheard while browsing, it seems like they might have given up stocking the store (It was practically empty). Ive heard maybe Chatlee, when it reopens? While down it Charlotte there was a good supply shop every couple of miles

 

[IvanRZB]

Guess it depends on what type of parts or supplies you're looking for. Bass Pro Shops and Academy Sports are my quick-stop kind of place, although they're also looking sparse these days.

Depending on where you live and what you're looking for, Chatlee might work--I ususally call them first if I need something specific.

If you're looking for high-dollar watersports stuff, Inland Boat Company in N. Raleigh is the place.

 

[Shookie]

I order everything online. Went to West Marine 1 time for a part I needed while installing my 2nd bilge pump, but that's it.

Side note, not sure if folks check the Gatherings forum much.... Couple of us planning a mini get together in Beaufort Sept 25-27. A little later in the season, but shouldn't be as busy either. I'll be in Charleston next week and am planning some trips down there as well. If anyone has spare time, respond in those 2 threads.

 

[suke]

I order everything online. Went to West Marine 1 time for a part I needed while installing my 2nd bilge pump, but that's it.

Side note, not sure if folks check the Gatherings forum much.... Couple of us planning a mini get together in Beaufort Sept 25-27. A little later in the season, but shouldn't be as busy either. I'll be in Charleston next week and am planning some trips down there as well. If anyone has spare time, respond in those 2 threads.

Enjoy Charleston! I'm likely out for any other larger trips this season.

 

[StanM]

Kerr Lake Nutbush Ramp #2 on Sunday 7/25 @10am - This is my weekend go to at the moment. During the week it's Jordan.

 

[IvanRZB]

Kerr Lake Nutbush Ramp #2 on Sunday 7/25 @10am - This is my weekend go to at the moment. During the week it's Jordan.

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That doesn't look bad at all... How's the water up there? Jordan feels like a bathtub sometimes.

 

[Julian]

@Swimmingly let me know what you want to know about Falls Lake. My boat is at Rollingview Marina.

Rolling view state park ramp is usually very quiet.

 

[StanM]

That doesn't look bad at all... How's the water up there? Jordan feels like a bathtub sometimes.

Water is fairly clear and about 92 degrees on the surface, but there is cool water about 5ft below the surface.