Just a reminder that all lakes open to winter fishing in Inland NW (E WA., N ID, NW MT) will officially close this March 31 to fishing and boat launches (fishing and gates opens again the day after Black Friday on Sat.). Winter lakes for example in E WA. like Fourth of July Lake, Hog Lake, etc. It means again the lakes are closed to fishing and the gates to the access roads to the launches are locked.
However one can go over or through the gate or fence (cannot cause damage to the gate or fence of course) when fishing is closed and gates locked. The lands are public and access is allowed unless posted otherwise on the gate or fence. Always follow all rules as posted.
My wife and I like to access these lakes via hiking into them with our inflatable SUP's. Its nice for paddleboarding because there are no powerboats to deal with. Its quite and beautiful.
I thought this video was a perfect example of why powerboaters should never make a video about the problems with sailboats as it devolves into silly arguments against sailboats because the lack of any real knowledge on this topic. I think if one does a video about the pros and cons of powerboats versus sailboats its better to drop the pros and cons and simply note each boats characteristics, usage, etc. Let the reader or listener make the choice of what is best for their needs.
However here is my evaluation of this powerboater, Wayne the Boat Guy video called "Sailing: The Problem With Sailboats." See his video below.
I do not want my comments to be negative but its obvious Wayne has never sailed. His comments are what I find typical of power-boater mentality. Seriously why even make a video about a thing you know nothing about. I would never do a video on racing cars because I know nothing about it.
I am going to comment related to each of his 5 points on his video about the problem with sailboats.
1. Steep Learning Curve: This depends on what you are going to sail. I run a sailing school, teaching on small boats up to 18', small catamarans and sportboats (what some may call trailer-able keelboat). I teach basic small boat (capsize-able boats) and big boat (non capsize-able boat with cabin) classes, that includes safe boating. Both of these classes are one day classes starting at 7am and ending at 6pm. I teach the required safe boating stuff and basic sailing, by the end of the day all my students sail well, mainly because I keep it simple. So in a day with any excellent instructor one can learn to sail. After this class one can build on their knowledge and base skills layer by layer until one is highly proficient. The fact you can motor your powerboat out and back to the dock with no or little skill is nothing to brag about, all boaters no matter a sailor and powerboater should all take classes. There are far more powerboat accidents than with sailboats, why because sailors have to be knowledgeable, they can't just turn the key on and go. Wayne says driving a boat is similar to a car in spite of having no brakes, etc. Really, like a car? No brakes, hull moving through the water, etc. is just like driving a car. Sorry that is quite a stretch.
2.The Weather has to be just right: Well he obviously does not understand weather. No, the weather does not have to be perfect as he states. Are you kidding, have you seen all the variable weather that sailors sail in. I think he is talking about no wind or little wind. My students have learned to say “there is always wind.” Now I am joking kind of, however the air is rarely not moving, if the air is moving, there is wind. The boats I sail can sail in a whisper of wind. None of my boats have motors. I have oars, paddles, or other human powered options. I grew up in Westport WA sailing on Grays and Willapa Harbors, and the Pacific Ocean and never used a motor, not once. Now I know I am the extreme example even with sailors. What I have learned is to watch the weather and tides/currents. New powerboaters and those who are not very educated would be wise to learn a lot more about the weather, as the weather can significantly impact ones boating. The weather can kills you! Does not matter if your a sailor or powerboater. Sailors are known to work well with weather, most powerboaters not so much.
3. Going Solo: He says its not easy to sail solo. Actually its so so easy to solo sail. If a sailor solos a lot he will own a sailboat that is easy to do that with. Heck I had a 33' racing catamaran with a 16' beam, 54' tall mast, and sailed it solo all the time. love to solo sail it. I still regularly solo sail. Sure it takes skill to sail solo, but once your an experienced sailor one can easily solo sail. I am solo sailing a small sailboat to Alaska in 2025. There are a lot of weekend warrior sailors, or martini sailors as they are called that simply do not take the time to learn to sail solo, they are the ones you see always motoring their sailboat, with the sails never up. That is fine if one wants to do that but do not judge the ease or not of solo sailing from them.
4. They Are Slow: Oh boy this guy has no clue on speed. Sure most keelboats and big house boat like catamarans are slow, however there are many sailboats that are much faster. I had my 33' cat up to 26 knots. I could regularly sail her at 15-18 knots. Under motor power it was easy to have her at 10 knots. So there is a lot of variability in sailboat designed related to speed. I should note all the around the world speed records on water are by sailboats, none by powerboats. If you watch SailGP racing, those foiling catamarans reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour.
5. More Work: "More work? More Preparation?" No matter a powerboater or sailor one should be prepared. Before I go sailing I supply a float plan to someone that will notice if I do not get back in a reasonable time (if you do not know what a float plan is, that is a big problem). When I go to sailing it does not take hardly any work, because my boat is always prepared for any trip. All I really need to do is check the weather and pull up my sails and off I go. Pretty simple. Rigging, if your boat is at a dock it takes little work to do and go. Sure you have to take the covers off the sails (extends the life of the sails), about a 5-15 minute process. If you trailer your boat, sure rigging takes more time, but again it depends on the sailboat. The rigging as he calls it is already set up, what is there to do really. My Hobie Wave literally takes about 15 minutes to rig and launch.If you are driving a powerboat are you really going to just tie to the dock and turn off the motor(s), and go. Really, your not going to do anything else with your motor? If your on salt water are you not going to clean out your system? Not going to lock up, check the boat, etc. He notes if it is hot putting the sails away is difficult? Boy I never knew sailing was so hard before listening to him. I have sailed for 57 years. Nope, not hard to me. I see all the work my friends have to put into their motors (repairs, etc.) and cost of gas and oil, etc., which always makes me thankful to be a sailor. I especially love when I sail by them when their motors die (as long as I know their ok I will sail by). I am being funny but Wayne may want to start exercising if he thinks such low effort requires so much work.
On the topic of hating power-boaters, the reason some sailors dislike power-boaters is simply what Wayne's attitude is. He says "I can take my boat out with no training and boat." This is the problem! Most power-boaters are uneducated. You take training to drive a car, yet they think no training is needed to drive a boat, and that is just not true and its also a dangerous way to think. Powerboaters are not suppose to create a wake within 100 feet of a sailboat, boats not moving or anchored, or other non motorized watercraft, yet they do it all the time, why because they have no clue. I could make a very long list of what I see powerboaters do wrong almost every time I boat, not so with sailors. The good news is at least safe boating certifications are now required in all but 4 states. Hopefully those 4 states will be on board soon. You might notice these certifications are for powerboats of 10-15 hp or more. No such requirement for sailors. Food for thought, hint its because 99.9% of all boating accidents are by powerboaters. I suggest all powerboaters take a sailing class also. When you get caught in a big wind storm, etc. you will be better able to handle it because you will be much more aware as a sailor, much more aware of their environment and how windage affects the boat, etc.
I am not trying to be negative but seriously this video did not really teach the truth about sailing because its from the perspective of a powerboater with no sailing experience. So I was not surprised he got almost all of it wrong. Hopefully some day someone can make a factual video about the skills needed for powerboats and sailboats, without the biases. I am going to do such a video, so stay tuned.
Amelia Wheaton... First steamboat on Lake Coeur d'Alene Idaho, launched 1880. In this picture she is docked in the big pool on the Coeur d'Alene River in Cataldo, Idaho. Notice the Sacred Heart Old Mission in the background. This was typically the furthest these large steamboats would go up the river but sometimes during high water they would go a few more miles up the river to kingston, Idaho. Information, pictures, etc. like this will soon be posted on our new Lake Coeur d'Alene history site.
It is with great anticipation that we are announcing that our 2nd edition Historical Lake Coeur d'Alene chart will be coming out this May 2024, to be shown for the first time at the first annual Northwest Hunt Fest at the Kootenai County Fair grounds. This show is for hunters but is also an outdoor show in general as well.
This new chart, called Historical Lake Coeur d'Alene chart will include as before the Steamboat history but with new features, Native history, depth lines, navigation aids, kayak routs, and other new info. The chart will continue to show boat launches and access points.
Our chart will of course be available in printed form but also in artistic form, such as light up chart, wood, and metal. And we will also include clothing, with designs on hats, shirts, and hoodies, etc.
We will continue to have lake information on our site, FunToSAIL.com but our new chart and products will have its own new site at historicallakecda.com or historicallakecoeurdalene.com . For now these 2 web address our pointed at our funtosail.com lake cda page, but again as soon as our new site is up and running it will be directed to the new site.
Our new website will have extensive lake history not seen on our current funtosail page or anywhere else online. We will also include current day info, such as restaurants, resorts, and services.
I want to yell from the tops my lungs, FINALLY!!!!!! We finally have a North Idaho outdoor show. This show as is noted in its name, has a big focus on Hunting but again you will find other outdoor info and stuff at this show.
This show takes place this May 10-11, 2024 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, North Idaho.
Some say its best to have big shows in Spokane due to their population but now that N Idaho has grown so much, we have a new larger population. In addition Spokane is not that far from where this show is taking place, at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, so its a short driver for them as it is for us to go to Spokane.
In addition Gun shows have died in Spokane due to WA state government anti gun stance. Eastern WA is very pro gun area but their governments sadly not. I must add most Eastern WA sheriff departments are pro gun and uphold the 2nd Amendment. It makes sense a show with a big gun and hunting focus would be in Idaho versus WA.
Visit the Northwest Hunt Fest website at https://northwesthuntfest.com . Please come and support our first N Idaho Gun, Hunting, and Outdoor show.
We, FunToSAIL and Historical Lake Coeur d'Alene will be there. Come visit out booth at this event. We will show and sell for the first time our new 2nd edition Historical Lake Coeur d'Alene chart at this show.
We currently have a sale on our Melbac18 at $44,000 with $2500 off of options. This is an amazing dealer offered rarely.
Saturday, June 25 of 2022 was the second time I have sailed my Malbec 18, and first time in the summer. I had 1-5 knots of wind during my sailing class I was teaching from noon to about 3, but then after the class the wind piped up to 7-10 knots while sailing with my wife. I cannot express enough just how well this boat sails in very light to stronger winds. The boat will sail with a whisper of wind and handle stronger winds as well.
The boat is easy to rig, taking my time it only takes 20 minutes are so. Less rigging time means more sailing time.
Part of the plan is to use my boat for our sailing classes and use as a RV for camping, a Recreational Vessel (RV). Stay tuned for more.
After a couple of challenging years, it's time to get our Inland NW Hobie Cat and Small Boat Sailor club going again. This is our first event of 2024 that will include a fun Saturday distance maze race through the sand islands of the Potholes Reservoir just below Moses Lake, WA. in Eastern WA. Prizes given! In the evening we will have a beach party.
Bring your kites. This area has amazing winds.
You can come for the day's events or stay longer and camp with us. We will camp for free on the northeast side of the reservoir.
Event takes place July 27, Saturday. Camping over the weekend.
Learn more about the Potholes Reservoir by Click Here!
Miles Moore of FunToSAIL will be applying to enter the Race 2 Alaska as Team FunToSAIL.com in 2025. This is a 750 m/1207 km race from Port Townsend WA USA to Victoria CAN (Vancouver Island), and onto Ketchikan Alaska. No gas or electric motors allowed, all muscle or sail power, or both.
Tolo Lake is a small 36 acre lake
located on the Camias prairie, 6 miles west of the town of
Grangeville, Idaho off of HWY 95. Its the only lake on the Camias Prairie, all other bodies of water are ponds on farm and private
property lands. Camias prairie was home to Mammoth's and various
tribes over thousands of years. Most recent native history show that
Nez Perce tribe claimed the area. The lake is also home to Geese and
other waterfowl, and Deer and Elk.
Its a popular fishing lake, for
Crappie, Blue Gill, Catfish, and Trout. The lake has one paved launch
with dock and 2 finishing docks. There are paved access paths and
picnic tables covered and uncovered, and fire pits, and one fully
accessible vault toilet. No camping allowed. The lake is only 1800
feet wide from west to east and 1500 feet wide north to south, with a
max depth of 15 feet. It is surrounded continuous by brush with a few
open spaces for shore fishing or bird watching. The lake is not good
for swimming as its full of algae. Gas motors are allowed but is a No
Wake Zone and No PWC allowed over the entire lake.
There is a fishing dock and parking
area on the southwest side of the lake separate of (south of) the
boat launch area that also give access to a fishing dock separate of
the launch and associated boat dock.
Those who know about this lake use it
as a rest stop off of HWY 95. Whether you come to fish, birdwatch, or
have a relaxing picnic this lake is a beautiful place to be. Bring
your bug spray as the lake is home to mosquitos. The lake is always
full enough with water to boat on.
Directions:
Tolo Lake is 6.7 miles due west from Grandeville. HWY 95 goes east
into the town of Grangeville and then west away from the town,
making a U shape. The access road, Lake Road cuts across the U shade
made by HWY 95, from the north to south or vise versa over the
prairie. Heading toward or away (west or east) from Grandeville, turn
off of HWY 95 from the north or south onto Lake Road. From the north
or the south the lake is about 4 miles off of HWY 95. The lake is
very visible and on the east side of the road. Latitude/Longitude:
45°55'3.27"N 116°14'18.39"W
TOLO
LAKE BOAT LAUNCH ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly
level hard packed gravel parking area. No disgnated paved accessible
and/or van parking; PATHS/TRAILS... 1
paved path and 1 gravel trail to fishing dock (see West Fishing Dock
and North Fishing Dock and Trail assessments below). Paved accessible
path gives access to covered picnic area, launch ramp and launch/boat
dock. Paved path is 5-7% grade. Dock ramp/grangway is 3-5% grade
depending on water level; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One
fully accessible vault toilet with parking access pad; SENSORY... No
sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments.
DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS…
One L shaped dock at launch is primarily for boats as there are 2
other docks specific for fishing. However due to the other 2 fishing
docks not having ideal trail width, grade, and hard pack surfaces it
is not ideal to be navigated by most wheeled mobility devices (this
could change particularly with the North fishing dock access trail),
so fishing on the launch dock maybe be best for some persons with
disAbilities. The ramp/grangway to this dock is 3-5% grade depending
on water level; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No
access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... No;
CAMPING/PICNIC... No
camping allowed. 2 covered pinic tables on cement pads with one
having a short paved access path. The one covered picnic table
without access path is next to the parking area, on level ground, and
easy to access with a wheelchair. 2 fire pits. Camping available in
nearby town of Grandeville (7 miles away) or White Bird or Salmon
River (15 miles away); O.T.H.E.R…
Oddities/Barriers:
Gravel and sand/dirt ground;Terrain:
Mostly Level
with banks around most of the lake; Environmental
Conditions:
Cold and hot during the summer months. Can be very windy at times.
This brush around the lake that does not give much shade, and few
trees for shade, but a few. There is shade at 2 covered picnic
tables. Water in lake is typicall full of alge or other debre;
Resources:
No
drinking water available at site. Food, drinks, and gas at town of
Grandeville off of I95.
TOLO
LAKE NORTH FISHING DOCK ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly
level hard packed gravel parking area next to boat launch and
restroom. No disgnated paved accessible and van parking; PATHS/TRAILS...
1 gravel trail leads to fishing dock of 30” to 36” wide. Width of
trail is limiting to some wheeled mobility devices such as
wheelchairs. Near the end of the trail by the fishing dock the trail
has a 15% grade on loose gravel. This dock and trail was installed in
2023, so some improvements may still happen in 2024; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One
fully accessible vault toilet with parking access pad at main parking
area; SENSORY...
No
sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments.
DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS…
T shaped 60' fishing dock is wide enough for 2 wheelchairs to pass
each other. The ramp/grangway to this dock is 3-9% grade depending on
water level; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No
access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... No;
CAMPING/PICNIC...
No
camping allowed. 2 covered pinic tables on cement pads with one
having a short paved access path at main parking area. The one
covered picnic table without access path is next to the parking area,
on level ground, and easy to access with a wheelchair. Camping
available in nearby town of Grandeville; O.T.H.E.R…
Oddities/Barriers:
Gravel and sand/dirt ground;Terrain:
Mostly Level
with banks around most of the lake; Environmental
Conditions:
Cold and hot during the summer months. Can be very windy at times.
This brush around the lake that does not give much shade, and few
trees for shade, but a few. There is shade at 2 covered picnic
tables. Water in lake is typicall full of alge or other debre;
Resources:
No
drinking water available at site. Food, drinks, and gas at town of
Grandeville off of I95.
TOLO
LAKE WEST FISHING DOCK ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly
level hard packed gravel parking area with some potholes separate of
boat launch and restroom facilities. No disgnated paved accessible
and van parking; PATHS/TRAILS...
No accessible path or gravel trail. 1 gravel/dirt/sand primitive
trail leads to fishing dock of 30” or less wide, with 10-15% grade;
RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One
fully accessible vault toilet with parking access pad at boat launch
parking area; SENSORY... No
sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments.
DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS…
One figure fishing dock. The ramp/grangway to this dock is 3-7% grade
depending on water level. Dock is not accessible to wheeled mobility
devices due to trail to dock; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No
access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... No;
CAMPING/PICNIC...
No
camping allowed. No pinic tables. Camping available in nearby town of
Grandeville; O.T.H.E.R…
Oddities/Barriers:
Gravel and sand/dirt ground;Terrain:
Mostly Level
with banks around most of the lake; Environmental
Conditions:
Cold and hot during the summer months. Can be very windy at times.
This brush around the lake that does not give much shade, and few
trees for shade, but a few. There is shade at 2 covered picnic tables
at the Boat Luanch area facility. Water in lake is typicall full of
alge or other debre; Resources:
No
drinking water available at site. Food, drinks, and gas at town of
Grandeville off of I95.