Lake Travis vs Lake Austin

P

Propeller

New Member
Mar 29, 2006
13
West Palm Beach
Boat Info
280 Sundancer, 05
Engines
Mercruiser
Hi every one,
We will be transferred to Texas, Austin area and I am wondering where would be the best place to but my Sundancer 280, in Lake Austin or Lake Travis?

I appreciate any advise from local people or anyone who has been in this area.
 
I haven't been in that area as a resident for many years, but Lake Austin is a very controlled environment with speed limits and the like. It's a nice, calm setting. Lake Travis is a free-for-all with big wake and big fun (personal impression only). Lake Travis has a much more diverse environment from boat-in restaurants to isolated camping sites.

Check into Lake Autin restrictions, then you decide. When I lived in the area, my 19' open bow was illegal due to having a 5.0L V-8.
 
Thank you, John
I will check on the restrictions of Lake Austin. Do you have a preferred marina in Lake Travis? Thank you again,
Propeller
 
Propeller said:
Thank you, John
I will check on the restrictions of Lake Austin. Do you have a preferred marina in Lake Travis? Thank you again,
Propeller
Click to expand...

No, I lived on the NE side of San Antonio and trailered up there. We camped on Inxs Lake, visited Lake LBJ, Canyon, Travis, Austin, Dunlop, McKinley...
 
There is a CSR Member, Bon Dia, who runs a 340 DA on Travis. Try PMing him for some insights-he may not have posted in a while.

We were stationed at Ft. Hood, in Killeen, for two years in the late '90s. We nver got our boat out on Travis-the Army kept me pretty busy-but we did a lot of weekends at Belton Lake, which adjoins the Fort. Fairly good sized, and one or two small marinas off the post for public use.
Beware the Texas thunderstorms. We got caught in one while camping in our class A motorhome. 35 feet and 9 tons of MH were rocking back and forth like a child's toy...and the hydraulic leveling jacks were down.

regards
Skip
 
Good Luck with your Austin relocation you lucky dog. We are trailering our boat to Lake Travis there in a few weeks. I can't wait. The women, water, boats, and landscape I hear are beautiful...
 
No question, Lake Travis. Lake Austin is really just a wide river (actually the Colorado river) that is formed beneath Lake Travis. Lake Austin is a constant level lake that is used more for fishing and wakeboarding boats. Been on both lakes for years and my sister lives on Lake Travis and if I ever get the chance would move back there in a second. Lake Travis is one of the best cruising lakes in TX.
 
Well after having my 280DA on Lake Travis for 4 years I feel I can offer some advice. Lake Austin is for boats under about 22ft because it's just a big river. They do not take too kindly to big boats making big waves. You'll get bored fast anyway and eventually transfer to Lake Travis. Your boat will be perfect for Lake Travis. I absolutely love it there. I live in Dallas and I keep my boat there if that tells you something.
I was at Emerald Point Marina which i feel is the best and it's the place to be. That's where all the fun is. Carlos and Charlie's is located there. Devil's cove, where all the boats gather during the weekends, is just across from that as well.
Make sure and watch a sun set at The Oasis(don't eat there) as it is the best view in Texas. Watch The Brew(a band) that plays on sunday there. Travel all around and check out the multitude of multimillion dollar mansions. Eat at Los Penos mexican restaurant. Best mexican food around.
Lake Travis is alot of fun. Enjoy.
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Skip said:
There is a CSR Member, Bon Dia, who runs a 340 DA on Travis. Try PMing him for some insights-he may not have posted in a while.

We were stationed at Ft. Hood, in Killeen, for two years in the late '90s. We nver got our boat out on Travis-the Army kept me pretty busy-but we did a lot of weekends at Belton Lake, which adjoins the Fort. Fairly good sized, and one or two small marinas off the post for public use.
Beware the Texas thunderstorms. We got caught in one while camping in our class A motorhome. 35 feet and 9 tons of MH were rocking back and forth like a child's toy...and the hydraulic leveling jacks were down.

regards
Skip
Click to expand...
Hmm that's Brasilian for good morning. My boat is Boa Vida which is the good life in Portuguese.
 
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We were on Travis over Memorial Day weekend. I forgot how cool it was since it's been about 3 years since we've been on it.

Definitely one of the better lakes in Texas....
 
We did our Lake Travis run a few weekends ago. We did a thursday thru monday..I am in love with it. It was awesome. We stayed in Point Venture and kept the boat on the water. We did all the local hangouts, Devils cove, little devils cove, hippy hollow, johnny fins, the pier, C&C,,,,

I was amazed at the water, and even though there were alot of boats out on sat & sun. you could still find a decent place to tube and wakeboard...

I cant wait to go back....
Its a true texas gem....:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
355spider said:
Make sure and watch a sun set at The Oasis(don't eat there) as it is the best view in Texas.
Click to expand...

The Oasis still exists? It's been over a decade since I've been there. I now live in South Carolina and married a gal here and told her I wish I could take her there to see one of the best sunsets in the world. I didn't know if it was still in business though. If it is I might have to take a side trip to Lake Travis the next time we visit my mom in Dallas.
 
The Admiral and I are considering going to Lake Travis the first part of August and doing the Thursday through Monday thing. A friend of mine on the dock said it was taking two hours to get launched, but that may be just on the weekends.:huh: Any truth to that?
 
GJarrett said:
The Oasis still exists? It's been over a decade since I've been there. I now live in South Carolina and married a gal here and told her I wish I could take her there to see one of the best sunsets in the world. I didn't know if it was still in business though. If it is I might have to take a side trip to Lake Travis the next time we visit my mom in Dallas.
Click to expand...


The Oasis is still there. It burnt down a few years ago, but now is back up and running. Still has the best sunset views.
 
I’d like to thank everyone who provided their input. The pictures 355Spider posted and the different posts from the rest show that Lake Travis is a fun place with a lot to do.

We just came to check on Austin for housing and for us and the boat. We are very excited of what we saw. We are looking forward to our life in Austin. We’ll be moving at the end of August, we can’t wait

Thanks again to everyone
 
355Spider are you still in Emerald Point? I went there and I like it, but there was not any slip available for my boat size.
 
i live in Austin and would say hands down Lake Travis. (also building a house about 200 yrds off the water)

until you know where you will be living, i'd hold off on looking for a marina. given the geography of the lake and austin getting to certain marinas could be a LONG drive!

lake austin is know for bass fishing ,wakeboarding, and cold water...

PM me if you have any questions or want more info on the area.
 
Lake Travis for sure. Lake Ausitn is for Wake Boarding. Travis is for everything!!! As far as marinas go, Emerald Point is indeed in the heart of it all but if yoiu are looking for the finest -- consider Rough Hollow in Lakeway. Very upscale.

I have been on Lake Travis for the last 4 years and still am. Hope to see you soon!
 
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