DCA Spring Rally - Lake Lanier, GA

[Captain Kidd]

Some of you sailors in the southeast might be interested in this rally planned for May 2-4. If you'll do a search on Facebook for the above title, you'll find all the details. If you don't do FB, contact info of the organizers is in the writeup provided below. Contact Adam and he'll put you on the email/text list for updates.

I plan to attend Fri/Sat. It would be great to meet some of you who are in the GA/NC/SC area. The event will be lightly attended as this is a fledgling group, but should be fun nonetheless.

Here is a writeup by Adam Rhinehart:

Overview:
Join with members of the Dingy Cruising Association for a relaxed, informal weekend of sailing, camping, and fun on Lake Lanier. Come and go as you please - it's all about enjoying the lake at your own pace. Some of us will gather on Friday evening at Pelican Pete's for dinner, followed by sailing and beaching around Three Sisters islands for a fire and beverages. On Saturday afternoon, some of us will meet for lunch at The Twisted Oar. Feel free to join us for the whole weekend or just for a day. A campsite at Old Federal Campground has been reserved for those who want to camp Friday/Saturday nights, but it's first-come, first-served, so let me know if you'd like to stay there. As always with group sailing, be prepared to be flexible and for an enjoyable time on the water! Note, there will be no safety boat, so all sailors are responsible for their own safety and decisions on the water (if you're nice, we might consider saving you from being shipwrecked!)

Organizers:
Adam Rhinehart, DCA Member #3888. adamrhinehart@gmail.com, c: 770-865-4084
Don Silsbe, DCA Member #4153. donsilsbe@gmail.com, c: 828-817-2586

About Lake Lanier:
Lake Lanier, located about 40 minutes north of Atlanta, is one of Georgia's largest and most popular bodies of water. Spanning roughly 38,000 acres with over 620 miles of shoreline, the lake offers a variety of sailing opportunities. It has a maximum length of about 12 miles and a maximum width of 3 miles, making it a sizable waterway with plenty of room for cruising. With an average depth of 35 feet and some areas plunging to depths of over 150 feet, it offers sailors a range of conditions, from shallow sandy coves to deeper, more open water. Lake Lanier is home to more than 100 islands, making it perfect for exploration, camping, and quiet anchorages. The lake's diverse ecosystem includes sightings of bald eagles, osprey, herons, and seagulls, and it supports a wide variety of fish species, including native striped bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish. With numerous marinas and a hub for regional sailing events, Lake Lanier accommodates both small dinghies and larger vessels. Whether you're looking to leisurely explore its vast expanse or enjoy more challenging conditions, Lake Lanier provides a perfect backdrop for a weekend of dinghy cruising.

Planned meals (optional):
 • Friday, May 2 – Meet at Pelican Pete's Tiki Bar at 6:00 PM for a casual dinner/drinks. Free docking available. Afterward, I'll sail to the 2-Mile Island/Three Sisters islands to anchor off and enjoy a campfire and beverages and maybe some night sailing.
 • Pelican Pete's coordinates: 34.2434° N, 83.9615° W
 • Three Sisters Islands coordinates: 34.2158° N, 83.9870° W
 • Saturday, May 3 – Meet for lunch/drinks at The Twisted Oar at 1:00 PM. Free docking available.
 • The Twisted Oar coordinates: 34.1725° N, 84.0028° W

Campsite Info:
For those who prefer a designated camping spot, campsite #61 at Old Federal Campground (6219 Old Federal Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542) has been reserved.
 • Check-in is Friday after 1:00 PM and before 6:30 PM. Check-out is Sunday before 3:00 PM.
 • The site accommodates 8 overnight guests, with room for 3 small tents. Guests can share tents if desired, but no more than 8 people total.
 • Water and power are available at the site, and parking passes are $5 per guest.
 • The campsite features a large shade tree, a small bay with a 60-yard stretch of clean sand, and clean, clear water (no red mud!), and a flat grassy area perfect for gathering. A 24-hr bathhouse is located about 100 yards away.
 • If you wish to use the campsite, please contact me (Adam Rhinehart, adamrhinehart@gmail.com) ahead of time to reserve a spot. Once it's full, it's full, so please remain flexible and be ready to explore other nearby lakeside camping options if needed. In true dinghy cruising spirit, there's always room for adaptability! For those looking for other camping spots, Lake Lanier offers numerous nearby lakeside camping opportunities.

Regarding Camping on Islands:
Lake Lanier is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and they do not allow actual tent camping on any of the islands outside designated reserved campsites. However, anchoring on or a few feet off the beach and camping on your dinghy is fine. Fire pits on the islands are tolerated, so you can enjoy a campfire if you wish.

Boat Launches:
Lake Lanier has multiple public boat launches, most of which allow for overnight parking for a $5 fee. Sailors should have no trouble finding a suitable spot to launch and leave their vehicle while enjoying the rally. I'll be using the Old Federal boat ramp.

Activities:
As this is an informal rally, feel free to do your own thing or join others. I'll be practicing anchoring techniques, working on trolling fishing set-ups while underway, and trying to learn how to scull (this last one should be rather entertaining to watch).

Weather:
Rain or shine, we'll be on the water!
RSVP/Contact:
No formal registration is required. However, if you'd like to be included in a group email or text for this event, please provide your contact information to rally organizers listed at the top of this document.

Helpful Links:
• Dinghy Cruising Association website: www.dinghycruising.life
• Fantastic Army Corps of Engineers ARC GIS map located here: https://tinyurl.com/2vzp8pc2
• Lake Lanier facilities map: https://tinyurl.com/3mutuwcr
• Army Corps of Engineers site for Lake Lanier: https://tinyurl.com/57hx7v5m

[pgandw]

Dates are too close to be ready for this year, but I would be interested in similar next year.

Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner #4133  Sweet P
Hertford, NC