Smith Mountain Lake
 

Do you guys know anything about Smith Mountain Lake in Virgina. Is it boater friendly? The water clean. We are thinking about renting a house there for a week for the summer!
Also are there many places to boat with bars on the water :drink:

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

Nice lake. They have a poker run on that lake in May every year. I have been there one time and had a great time. :D

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

I was raised on the lake, and still have a place at marker 25. The lake has grown upp a lot. They have lots of restaurants, marinas, and bars. Thay also have alot of cops in the summer time....weekends the most, becareful with the drinking, they are real serious about that and open dry pipe exhaust is a no no......other than that is is a blast water is clear and very deep for a lake. Have fun and be safe.

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

We've been there several times in the last 2 years and will go again. Lake is about 40 miles long and the mountains at the dam are cool if you've never been to that type of water. Kept seeing 250ft depth readings at 50 ft from shore WOW! Near mid-lake is a shopping/bar scene where a bridge crosses the lake. Clear cool water, but get a map. The main part of the lake has a few marked shallow areas and I know a few guys that got turned around on the lake (They weren't used to being let off the short bus I guess!!!)
I remember a 35-40 ft cat boat passed us doing well over 100mph one day!

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

Great lake for boating and a couple good bars on the water.Putting a contract on a 2 bedroom condo today for a rental and it has a dock about 100' away for renters.So if you need a place stay email me when and how many people.Have freinds that have a couple rental condos too so we'll be able to hook you up.Bernards Landing is the place.They have sandy beach for the kids,rest.,and a outside bar pretty cool place.

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

Thanks guys for the reply. Does the water get real snotty? Taking the family down, it's not fun in 4' with little kids.We are thinking about sometime in June.

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

Most beautiful place in VA. I highly recommend the area. Check out www.smlba.com and be sure to get in on the 2005 Poker Run.

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

In my visits I don't remember seeing more than 1 or 2 boats that could put out a wake that big. May get a 2 ft chop on a busy day, but the wakes can come at you from all directions. (but I've only been there a few times.)

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

Last time I was there was 11 years ago with a Mastercraft ski boat, and we ran the entire lake.....beautiful!!!

If a 19 footer can do it, your 27 will not feel a wave!

If you have time, go parasailing! They put me up with 900 feet of line and I took pictures from up there. The mountains are great!

One of my favorite boating places in the Northeast.
(1000 Islands and Lake Winni are great spots, too)

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

no problem with wakes in anything 25ft or over, not that bad but the wakes do bounce off the shore,beautiful lake make sure you try and see all of it,every cove is different,game wardens wont bother you unless you are acting wild,about 15 marinas and 10 or so places to eat,make sure you take the kids to smith mtn dock and lodge for lunch and let them feed the carp,so many carp you can walk on them,but the bridge is where most of the action is,(shopping,food,bar,arcade,bands....)something is happening every weekend,lots of other boats to play with too.
and the big is a f34 dcb that runs 140

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

I second everything said, I am from SML and there all through the summer. If you are visiting the best place is Bernards, it is in the middle of the lake, plus it has rest/bar there. As for the lake itself it has grown really fast. Also as long as you are not hammered driving and watch out the Game wardens will let you be. Another great place to go is the "Cliffs" it is a few rock cliffs that everyone gathers at and jumps off of. Also for night life I will break it down for you in my opinion.

Bananna Joes ........................Bands/DJ's, younger crowd at night, Very good Food
Mangos/Bridge water Plaza ............. Great Bands, Bars, Allot of crowds, Slow service
Sportsman ..........................Bands, good food, Mix of people, nice bar/lounge
Irish Pub .......................................Irish music, Great food, Old people
Bernards "the landing" ....................Very good food, Music, Mix of people
The Pointe .................................... Haven't been yet??? Newest place on lake
Port Side "tiki bar" .......................... DJ's, wings/burgers, Midlife crisis crowd, still fun

I run with a group that really parties it up so we usually have late night at a designated house or island and party it up.

WILL :D

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

I have been there for a couple of poker runs and it is a beautiful lake with a lot of great people to meet. Will (27Fountain) has a pretty fun party before also, except for the Tornado's :D . Attached is a link of pics I took at last years poker run.

http://www.leica-gallery.net/michael...lder-6880.html

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

Thanks to all for the great info.
Toolman: I have a 33 Powerplay
Clearcut3: Nice pics, I would like to do the poker run in May down there if I still have my boat or my new one! For the poker run is there hotels near by?

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

We always stay at Bernards landing. We usually rent a 3 bedroom condo and the docks are right in front of your balcony. The poker run fills up VERY fast because there are only 75 boats (I think that's right) allowed. People will bring their boats hoping that someone doesn't show. Last year there was a 47' outerlimits that was the benefit of a no show I believe :evilb:

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

I grew up there as well. It is a great place to visit. There are also some nice rental houses as well. Check out www.cbrentals.com. If you want me to help you pick one let me know. I rented about 5 of them last year for my wedding.

Maybe we can set a date earlier for another fun run up there in the summer!!! That was a blast at the end of last summer. We had about 30 boats.

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Look at campersparadise.com is a waterfront motel.Fills up early but might have a condo for rent mine or the one i was going to rent for the poker run at bernards landing just put contract on it tuesday.Your from Pa. a STEELERS fan hopefully if not won't hold it against you.GO STEELERS.

Re: Smith Mountain Lake
 

never too many steeler fans! if he is rich u should let the brother stay free!!

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Only if OTIS can stay with me on the boat.Don't worry Will it would be albout her. :D :D :D

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I figure either Steelers or Eagles should make . Better yet both in the superbowl!

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Only if the out come is the same as the first game they played these season."THE TERRIBLE TOWEL"