Possibly Relocating to Atlanta

[Phil'n Nauti]

I am currently interviewing for a position that would require me to relocate from Chicago to Atlanta? I would like to ask the group the following:

1.) How is Lake Lanier for Boating?

2.) How far is Lake Lanier from Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Norcross Area?

3.) Can you recommend (I know I will get different views on this and welcome them all) a Marina on Lake Lanier?

4.) Can you please give me approximately what a covered ( I like this we don't have them in Chicago) slip would cost?

5.) How long is boating season in Atlanta, In Chicago it is from May 1st until October 15th?

6.) Has anyone out there ever hired a transport company to move their boat any recommendations would be appreciated?

7.) Is there a Sea Ray dealer on Lake Lanier and are they good?

I thank you all in advance for your responses.
__________________

 

[JediJD]

Here's $.02

1.) How is Lake Lanier for Boating?
Compared to the Great Lakes, Lanier is just Pretty Good...seriously though, very nice boating lake...generally thought to be better for slightly larger boats. Gets a little busy for the under 21' crowd except early/late or coves. 320 is plenty big enough though.

2.) How far is Lake Lanier from Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Norcross Area?
Googlemaps, but traffic, not distance, is the killer in Atlanta. Norcross is an easier shot than Alpharetta (IMHO).

3.) Can you recommend (I know I will get different views on this and welcome them all) a Marina on Lake Lanier?
If I were moving to Lanier...Bald Ridge or Port Royale...but this is VERY subjective.


4.) Can you please give me approximately what a covered ( I like this we don't have them in Chicago) slip would cost?
This is just from memory, and may have been a "get acquainted deal" but I think I was quoted a little less than $3500 year for covered 14x35, with water at no extra charge and electricity at maybe $.07/kw? My avg monthly electrical bill was about $60/winter, $30/summer.

5.) How long is boating season in Atlanta, In Chicago it is from May 1st until October 15th?
Year round...no reason not to use your boat during most of the winter if you have canvas.

6.) Has anyone out there ever hired a transport company to move their boat any recommendations would be appreciated?

7.) Is there a Sea Ray dealer on Lake Lanier and are they good?
MM Cumming/Buford...a little pricey compared to independents, but has generally done what they said they would do, when they said they would do it and not screwed it up.

 

[hoard]

Lanier is a nice lake, we have been boating there for the past 4 years.

Alpharetta is a quick ride up to the Lake - my dock neighbors live there, and have no issues.

Marinas- we are in Port Royale, which is a great location because it is in the middle of the lake, and is doing some great renovations. Bald Ridge is a great marina as well.

I have a covered slip at Port Royale, about $1000 a quarter. Bald Ridge will be slightly higher.

Boating can be year round.

Never hired a transport co.

And Marine Max is on the lake, located at Bald Ridge. They also have an office near Lake Lanier Islands.

 

[stephenm27]

I am currently interviewing for a position that would require me to relocate from Chicago to Atlanta? I would like to ask the group the following:

1.) How is Lake Lanier for Boating?

2.) How far is Lake Lanier from Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Norcross Area?

3.) Can you recommend (I know I will get different views on this and welcome them all) a Marina on Lake Lanier?

4.) Can you please give me approximately what a covered ( I like this we don't have them in Chicago) slip would cost?

5.) How long is boating season in Atlanta, In Chicago it is from May 1st until October 15th?

6.) Has anyone out there ever hired a transport company to move their boat any recommendations would be appreciated?

7.) Is there a Sea Ray dealer on Lake Lanier and are they good?

I thank you all in advance for your responses.
__________________

1. We boat primarily on Lanier and really enjoy it.

2. We live in Alpharetta (Milton actually) and door-to-ramp (we trailer) is about 9 miles. We launch at Bald Ridge or the adjacent city park (Mary Alice).

3. Our neighbors keep their Carver at Bald Ridge and really like it. I've toured it briefly and it seems nice enough to me. One thing to remember, if you're considering Alpharetta for a residence, Bald Ridge is *the* closest marina you'll find. All of the other "big" ones are on the opposite side of the lake...something to consider if you're driving to your boat in order to use it.

4. Sorry, no info.

5. I winterized last year in mid-November and de-winterized sometime mid-March this year. With a bilge heater and some planning, you can enjoy your boat for a significant part of the year down here.

6. Sorry, no info.

7. There are 2 SR dealers on the lake. Both are MarineMax's ...one is at Bald Ridge Marina and the other is in Buford (other side of lake) on Holiday Road.

Hope this helps...always good to see another nice boat join the fun on the lake.:thumbsup:

 

[Phil'n Nauti]

JediJD, Hoard and StephenM27,

I thank all of you for the information, as it is deeply appreciated. I hope things work out and I get the job, because it sounds from a boating perspective that I will not be disappointed. being able to pretty much boat year round would be very nice.

Can you tell me is Lake lanier fairly deep all of you we have sizeable boats are you limited on where we go or can you pretty much use the majority of the lake? Thanks.

 

[stephenm27]

JediJD, Hoard and StephenM27,

Can you tell me is Lake lanier fairly deep all of you we have sizeable boats are you limited on where we go or can you pretty much use the majority of the lake? Thanks.

Since the end of the drought (late 2008), the lake has returned to full pool and remains essentially there. At this level, I've never encountered not being able to go anywhere on the lake that we wanted to go. Officially, I think the *average* lake depth is quoted as 60 feet.

During the drought, it was quite different--level was down ~20 feet (from memory) and there was quite a bit of underwater structure to avoid in many of the outer areas. Many private docks left high and dry, boat ramps closed, etc. If you check GoogleMaps' satellite view of the lake, some of their current imagery was taken during this period of ultra-low levels--evident by the extreme amounts of barren shoreline visible.

I think its safe to say we all collectively hope we don't get to see those conditions ever again. Fortunately, the previous low level was set in 1981 (again, from memory) so it's not that often an occurrence.

Good luck with the interviewing--hope it works out for you!

 

[JediJD]

Lanier has its danger spots, like any other. Be sure and update your chartplotter and listen to your dockmates. Near Cocktail Cove is a high spot, and there are a couple others that you learn and avoid, but for the most part, depth is not an issue.

 

[gsmallwood]

Lake Lanier ia a beautiful lake. Aqualand Marina and Gainesville Marina are also good marinas. I know a boat transporter from Gainesville. If you need him I will get you his number.

 

[Bill Z]

I moved a boat from Lake of the Ozarks to upstate NY. Bill Joules Transport out of Florida but they are all over the country. They were the best ! Very attentive to quality and reasonably priced ! I highly recomend them. Loretta is the coordinator and is on the money for scheduling.

 

[twade36577]

Lake Lanier is awesome. Lot's of friendly people up there. We are currently at Aqualand Marina and hate it. They don't allow their slip holders to wash their boats! OK who is going to keep a $200,000 boat in a $4,000/yr slip at a marina where you can't wash it? It's the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. Two years ago I could understand it when we were in a drought. Not now though with the lake at full pool and plenty of rain this year. We are planning to leave as soon as our lease is up.

We also had a bad experience at Sunrise Cove. The docks there were rotten and they would wait until people stepped through the wood to replace it. During the drought they moved our covered dock out to the end of another dock and left us without power. They made no attempt to hook the power back up for two years. Claimed the Corps wouldn't let them do it. That was BS because all the other marinas were able to repower their docks when they moved them out.

Just wanted to warn you about these two marinas. Good Luck on your move.

T

 

[Phil'n Nauti]

Gsmallwood. Bill Z and twade36577,

I thank all of you for the information, as it is deeply appreciated. Gsmallwood I would appreciate it if you could send me a private message with the transporter from Gainesville name and number. Bill Z you are the second person who recommended Bill Joules Transport. They are now on my list to contact if this happens. Did You live in Lake in the Ozarks before going to NY? If so talk about culture shock? I have boated at Lake of the Ozarks it is great boating and a beautiful place. No Party Cove in NY? twade36577 thanks for the info on those marinas, I can't imagine a marina not letting you clean your boat at the slip or give you a slip with no power? I clean my boat all the time at my slip now?

Once again thank you for the information.

 

[gsmallwood]

The guys name is Bill Sommerfield. His company is AWS Services. Ph# 770 539-0018. He does the transporting himself.