cumberland info for new guy

[186captiva]

Hey all!! How it going I'm kind of new to boating but not really I just have only been to one private lake my grandparents live on. So I sold my buddy my 19 foot bayliner outboard and bought a 18.6 foot i/o rinker. I just recenty planned a trip to cumberland for June 14-18. Renting a houseboat from conley bottom. I was just wondering is this boat big enough for 8 people on cumberland and what are the hot spots,what to do and not to do ect. Thanks.

 

[pburchett]

Re: cumberland info for new guy

Hi! I have lived on Cumberland 35 years now. Which boat are you putting 8 people on? The houseboat will hold them, but depending upon which one you rented. Some of them will have you sleeping on fold out couches, while others have you stowed away in small cuddy holes that look similar to coffins. <br /><br />Since Conley Bottom is in the middle of the lake, and all hot spots are towards the mouth or the end of the lake, you will not be getting there in a houseboat very quickly (speed is about 5 MPH). Hang a right from Conley Bottom and visit Mill Springs (old working Mill). Party Cove is 25 miles on toward the head of the lake. 76 Falls is on the opposite end of the lake and an equal distance from Conley Bottom, but the water is much cleaner, clearer and has much less logs, trash and Kentucky Ducks (floating containers).<br /><br />This may seem WILD but Lake Cumberland is a DRY LAKE (no alcohol, no open containers, ... )Water Patrol is out there every hour of the day for this purpose (tickets galore and confiscating). <br /><br />Enjoy your vacation...

 

[Bondo]

Re: cumberland info for new guy

This may seem WILD but Lake Cumberland is a DRY LAKE (no alcohol, no open containers, ... )Water Patrol is out there every hour of the day for this purpose (tickets galore and confiscating).

I've Never Heard of the Place.....<br />But, It's gone to the Bottom of My list of places I Have to see.....

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: cumberland info for new guy

Welcome to boating in Kentucky. In spite of the fact that much of the liquor you may drink is made here, you cannot buy a legal drink in most of the state. We have 120 counties, and probably 100 of them are dry. Definately BYOB!<br /><br />I live and boat on the opposite end of the state on Kentucky Lake. The nearest town where you can buy liquor to go is 30 miles from the lake. That said, I don't think the reality differs much from any other part of the country. There are plenty of party spots and probably the same percentage of boats with alcohol on board as there are anywhere else. As long as you are not getting crazy or flaunting your drink right in front of him, no officer is going to interfere with your pursuit of happiness.

 

[Ken G]

Re: cumberland info for new guy

You might want to find a ninth friend who owns a boat. It will be more fun and a lot safer to have 2 boats if you are going to do a lot of cruising. I'm not familiar with your boat but 8 people in it will be a pretty good load (and crowded) for an 18 1/2' boat. Lake Cumberland is a huge lake that gets a lot of boat traffic on summer weekends. I usually figure the majority of people operating the other boats don't have a clue what they are doing so you have to drive defensively. Bring a handheld GPS with you also. It may help you find your way back to your houseboat. <br /><br />As far as partying on the houseboat, have at it. Your best bet is to tie up in a secluded cove away from everyone else. There are houses on the ridges around some of the lake so be aware of making excess noise late at night. You can spend the whole weekend drunk and naked as long as you don't draw too much attention to yourself. Believe me, I know people who have done it. I also know people who have received tickets and even spent a night in the local jail. <br /><br />I was on a fishing trip in June 2 summers ago. I met up Saturday afternoon with 3 houseboats full of younger friends in Party Cove. There were probably 45 of them along with about 150 cases of beer and they weren't planning on taking any home. They had been up all night shooting off fireworks and partying loudly then spent Saturday morning and afternoon launching water balloons at the 75 or so boats anchored in front of them. Everyone was having fun but apparently they pissed of someone in the crowd and since everyone has a cell phone or marine radio on board someone reported them. I spotted 2 boats weaving through the crowd toward the houseboat, a watercraft officer and a conservation officer. I met them at the back of the boat and they asked if I was in charge (I was the oldest one there.) Two idiots came out of the cabin with beers in their hands, they could not produce ID's so they were told to get in the officer's boat. They started to argue but were given the option of going to jail so they relented. The officers entered the cabin and told the group to clean up the boats, get all the beer inside, and behave. They knew everything that the group had done since they had been there. The officers were polite but made it obvious that they wouldn't take any crap from the group and if they had to return it would lead to more problems. The only two that got tickets were the original two, one was under age and the other's ID was in his car. I think he had to return a couple of weeks later to appear in court with his ID.