Clearlake CA

Posted By: Bob Cassel
Date: 7/7/99 8:17p.m.

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Okay, here it goes. Review of sailing on Clearlake, CA over the Fourth of July Launched the Mac 26S at a private ramp one-quarter mile from Konocti Harbor. You can launch at Konocti for $5, or at one of the many municipal ramps in most of the communities for less, if anything at all. The water is warm this time of year, around 72 degrees and somewhat green. Clearlake had a real pollution problem several years ago and is working at cleaning it up. It will take time, but I would, and did, swim in this lake with no concerns. The lake has a real algae problem. Hydraphillia (sp?) is a big problem especially late in the summer. Plan on washing the boat and lines when you get home. If yours is a water ballast I would recommend a flushing with a dose of chlorine bleach. Flush your outboard as well. You really don’t want to spread the hydrapillia throughout the state waterways. My sailing was limited to the smaller leg of the lake, from Konocti to the “narrows”. The larger section of the lake is prone to larger wave action but steadier wind directions, I’m told. On Friday the wind was 10 to 12 mph and I sailed it with a nearly fully deployed 150 genoa and no main. Single handed the day away and sailed the east edge toward the narrows, rounded the islands and worked my way back to Konocti along the southwest edge of this leg. Many beautiful homes in the Buckingham subdivision to admire. Saturday was a screamer, winds to 20 mph and gusts in the narrows to 30. Sailed with an experienced crewmember (I’m a novice) and he was a great hand. We raised the full genoa and main. After experiencing a steady 30+ degree heel I decided that the next run would be on a reefed main and a furled genny. It was and the trip was much less eventful. Sunday was a great day for sailing as the wind deminished to 7 to 10 and the weather warm. The water was great for swimming and sailing. Power boaters were really starting to show up for the day and there was a decorated sailboat parade around the smaller leg of the lake. The crowd was getting thick so sailing was a little more measured. A great fireworks display at Konacti was the coup de grau of the evening. That and resting at anchor and listening to the Beach Boys concert. Docking for overnight in this leg of the lake is tricky. The wind blows down from the narrows (nothewest) and waves from the main portion of the lake channel. This results in a near 90 degree difference that produces quite a bit of rocking. I went on anchor for the final night and it was better, but only after the wind died did it really get comfortable. The bottom is great for anchoring, except for the algae you’ll drag up when you lift anchor. Clearlake is the largest natural fresh water lake within the boundries of California. I recommend you drop by a fishing store and pick up a lake map such as Fish-n-map that shows the depths. Clearlake is only 42 feet at its deepest, but the map is still handy to find your way to each of the communities around the lake. When the wind dies, the mosquitos come out, so take the SkinSoSoft or Off with you. All in all a great lake to sail this time of year and really the only downsides I found were the variety of winds (so be prepared to reef that main) and the long travel routes to get there. From the north bay area, go north on 101 to Calpella and then east on 20. From the central valley go to Williams on I-5 then west on 20. Both of these will take you to the north end of the large section of the lake and both will have plenty of signage to get you to the southern end. A state park is located on the south end about 7 to 10 miles west of Konocti Harbor. I’ll see you there most likely, since I’ll be there again.