Smith Mountain Lake Virginia
 

Do any of you people know anything about this lake, and the area in general? I was thinking of renting a cabin on this lake, for a 2 week vacation. I would go some time in the summer months. When would be a good time to go. Is there alot to do around the area? I usually go to Lake George every year but I'm thinking of a change. Of course I'll be bringing my boat.

Hey Gary I have been going to that lake for about ten years now and its one of the best places to boat very pretty. On the weekends it gets crowded but during the week its very nice. There is not alot to do in the area except boat. There is one big marina at the bridge which has a couplde of nice resturants, put put golf and shops. There are other marinas on the lake but some can be hard to find. One of the best places to is the cliffs. Its an area of cliffs that people can jump off to in the water. They range from 20 to 75 ft high with over 100 ft of water below. No worries there. Last time I was there they even had a rope swing. There are golf courses around if thats your thing. The lake is huge with plenty of little coves to go for the day. Any more questions let me know. I also plan on trying to make the poker run this year.

Smith Mountian Lake is doing a Poker Run on May 17th if you are interested in details PM me.

Definately sign up for the Poker Run. Unfortunatly, 2002's PR was very chilly, BUT, we had a great time. 2003 will be a BLAST! Check out www.bernardslanding.com for a nice place to stay. I have been there a few times. Beautiful lake; never choppy and everyone is friendly. It does get a bit busy though. Most beautiful lake in VA. Make sure the water levels are up. Sometimes they have to let the lake down a bit to power the plant at the damn.

Thanks for the info guys. My wife is getting some cabin info now and we'll see if we're gonna go this year. That Poker run sounds tempting, we've never done one.

Brian,

Have you already registered for the poker run? Friends of mind did it last year and said they had a great time and it was beautiful there. They were to ones that got sprayed with the fire boat hose:D wish I would have seen that one. No pics either.

Yes, I have entered. It hurt mailing out that check in December, but it will well worth it come May. I am going to call Bernard's in the next few weeks to see what is available that weekend. Last year I had 5 people in my group, so we filled an entire condo. Not sure how many this year.

Spectreboy,I'll keep that in mind:) Also, is there a prefered area to rent at? Like what part of the lake, or are they all pretty good on the whole lake?

Bernards Landing is pretty central. The lake is fully navigatable from all of the marinas. Most of the lake is 20-200 feet deep. Bridgewater Plaza is kinda up north a bit; so if you like to stay out at the plaza after dark; someplace close is good. The lake is NOT FORGIVING when it comes to navigating at night; and I do not recommend it at all; (unless you map your route with GPS). 27Fountain here on OSO used to live on the lake, and had a terrrible night accident heading home several years ago.

Does anyone remember the name of the Irish Pub on the water, that sorta has the Australian flair to it? Small rinky-dink marina; with not many slips, but GREAT food.

The Irish Pub is Sargent Pepers and it sucks!!

The best palce is Port Side!! Thats the marina where the Virginia Dare dinner cruze are from. Port side bar is the cove north of the state park on the Roanoke river.

We had a few poker run boats to stay at the bar last year, thought the bar was more fun than the Poker Run.

Gary C,

SML is a great lake, it is the prettiest lake in VA. I second what everyone is saying on this thread. As for navigation at night, it is allot better now, a few years ago my brother totaled a boat at night, allong with two other boats in same area that summer. I guess the lake figured after 3 accidents on the same turn, in one summer it was time for new markers????

Anyway, as for hanging out at the Cliffs on Blackwater it is a great time. Most the people at the lake are friendly, just watch out for the game wardens they like to check everyone.

Will:cool:

Engreps,

How often do you go to Portside?? What boat are you usually in, your profile didn't have much info???

Will:cool:

I prefer John H. Kerr Reservoir down in south central VA. Much larger and much more pristine...

Fountain 27

We were running the Prototype 28' modified 502 Chevy.

We are curently looking, don't know which way I will go.
Wating on this stupid economy to streighten out.

We usually go to Portside most every night on the weekends, Sunday afternoon is usually the best.
We could be in anything from a pontoon to a couple types of v bottoms. The Bridge club had some great bands this past summer on Saturday night.

Engreps,

I have seen your boat before, it has "Prototype" in green on it right? We are usually in my brother and my 27 Fountain, name on back is "Sangria"

Although many times I am in friends boats, also if you see a helecopter around the lake it is my family also, my cousins have three of them and fly them to the lake all summer.

I heard Tim Arrington (spelling) purchased a new boat, 30 Eliminator cat w/ 500s, guess he will have the fastest boat this summer??

As for bands at the bridge, I really only made it a point to see "The Works" and a few others. I usually have so many friends with me that we can' take the Fountain, and the pontoon is very slow. So we just drink and party on my Dad's beach.


Will;)

27 Fountain
My Boat was white and blue and yellow with purple lettering. We are down on the good side of the lake. I am a pilot and a number of my friends fly helicopters to the lake. I read the old thread about last years poke run and I know wher your fathers place is. A lot of the locals call it Wally World because of the Teki Hut and the water trike. We hang out a lot across the cove from your fathers at the B26 marker Twin Chimneys.

Our Place is in Pen Hook. Where the party people usually are hung over!!

Hey are you going to the Miami boat show?

I have an industrial show the week before and was planning on staying over for the boat show.

Engreps

I will most likely be at the Miami Show, and yes Dads house is "Wally World" my friend Marshall Prilliman gave it that name back about 1990, it just stuck. My cousins are Lee, Dana, and Leslie Hussey, maybe you know them? I know what you mean by "good side of the lake" all we have are old retired yankees moving in around us. They want to put all these restrictions in our neighborhood, I mean damn if you don't like it the way it is don't move here:mad: Also if the developers actually figure out a way to keep people off the Cliffs, their will be really no reason to go up Blackwater:rolleyes:

I think we might look at buying property at Lake Murray SC, it is a fun party lake and very undeveloped, reminds me of SML back in the 1980's Also since I am in FL for now might look at buying property here also.

Will

27 Fountain

Well I should know you, we party with Marshall and have been knowing all the Husseys for ever. We are in the Pen Hook cove.

Will be in Miami on the 11 12 13 14 15 and 16 I have an electronics show there before the boat show.

Catch you for drinks there.
You pick the plcace.

SML Poker Run
 

Does anyone know if there is room for more boats in this years run? It sounds like it would be worth the 3-4 hour tow.:D

Thanks, Craig

27 fountain
 

Have you ran across Gary with the 27 with the US1 graphics. He helps me with my boat sometimes. He also hanges out with the Husseys. I've Had some great steaks at their house. I'm lookin foward to getting back up there. http://ourworld.cs.com/Barry1784/myhomepage/auto.html

Check out www.smlba.com. I doubt they have reached the 75 boat limit, but there may be. Check with Audra/Atomic Sonic at the gathering, as she has inside info.

Re: SML Poker Run
 

I'll let you know in about a week, I mailed my check this morning.

Engreps,

I usually go to Mangos early on then to Automatic Slims or Spin for late night. Once the show gets closer we will confirm.

Barry,

I havent seen or talked to Gary Rogers since the summer, he doesn't seem to run his boat as much as he used to. As for Steaks at my cousins place, didn't get any this summer guess i was too busy chasing bikinis.

Will;)

Fountain 27

Good to go! Will catch up with you before the Miami show.