Info on Lake Eustis?

[mikeneal]

Me and my wife are joining some friends in Orlando on Lake Eustis a couple weeks from now and trying to decide if Ii should bring a boat. They are part of a sailing club, but I am not much of a sailor, kinda all day cookout picnic thing. I have a 17CC that draws ~1.5 draft, but would rather bring our 20' Bowrider setup for wakeboarding (stern drive, tower etc.). Bowrider is larger, more people, good stereo, comfy etc. but it draws about 3 feet. I know/see Lake Eustis is part of the chain of lakes and saw on web a "small" boat can navigate thru. If Lake Eustis is deep enough, don't really have need to leave that lake i guess. I was looking for opinions of the lake an surrounding area. Anyone boat on lakes and tell me current depth/advice? Any shallow spots? I am pretty experienced boater, but all salt water so am sorta a lake newbe, more of coastal ICW guy. (live in Tampa Bay Area). I will buy a chart if i can, but don't expect to be able to find one locally to me prior to getting there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cribber]

Re: Info on Lake Eustis?

You should be fine with your 20 footer in Lake Eustis. On the south end of the Lake is a public ramp that will take your boat. A buddy of mine launches his Velocity 260 there all of the time. If you go to the southwest corner of Lake Eustis you'll find the Dead River which will take you to Lake Harris. It's a slow speed area so you can trim up and idle the mile or so between lakes. Both lakes are 8-16 feet deep just watch the shelf along western shore of Eustis near Haynes Creek. Here is a link to Lake County Water Atlas which has depth charts and lake information. My boat (Glastron GT-185) drafts 30 inches and we good. Just remember as your entering the Dead Rive from Lake Eustis to idle up and trim up about 20/30 yards out. There is a sandbar that is just under 4 feet below the surface. I've seen folks nail it (me included) trying to jump on plane before clearing it. It's in the middle so if you approach from either side your still okay.

http://www.lake.wateratlas.usf.edu/

I'm out on Harris and Eustis most weekends and if I'm not on one of those then I'm on Griffin. Iboats has having a get together at the Lake Griffin State park May 15th and 16th. It's just off US27/441 in Fruitland Park.