Raystown Lake in PA or .......

andy k

andy k

Active Member
Feb 7, 2009
505
Lake Erie
Boat Info
40.3
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Yanmar
I received a Job offer to work in PA. As it is a more remote type job I am able to live anywhere in PA. One of our big requirements is having a boat friendly area. We enjoy marina hopping but mostly enjoy throwing an anchor and finding a beach.

Some areas that we were looking at are

Raystown Lake
Sandusky Area
Presque island Area
Somewhere on the ocean side?? seems very expensive and a long drive from where we would like to live.

I would like to get some of your advice as there are many members boat in this area and are familiar with the boating areas.

Also what would be the price range that I could expect for a 40' slip in these areas. In our neck of the woods we pay a little north of 3k for a 40' Slip in a nice marina.
 
Blueone said:
Where would that be?...PA is a big state with many options
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My Territory will essentially be the western 2/3rds of the state with a little bit of overflow into NY and OH. I can live anywhere in that territory as I will be working from home most of the time with a little bit of traveling.

We are still doing tons of research in regard to schools homes etc... and of course marinas!!! Currently we have thinking north of Pittsburg.
 
If it was me...like I do I would shoot for Lake Erie... Sandusky is a great choice

we have boated on Raystown when we lived in Allentown and it’s a great Lake to visit but too small to keep you entertained for a summer if you are also putting in a long drive
If you lived a bit further east I would do the northern part of the Chesapeake bay in a heart beat....our favorite boating area
 
Ohio River is also an option. We are about 25 miles NW of Pittsburgh on the Ohio River. It isn't the greatest body of water but you can go as far as you want. Many go into downtown Pittsburgh several times a year. You often see boats on the water when watching Steeler or Pirate games. You can also go as far as the Mississippi River if you want to go that far west. We are in Bridgewater, PA on the Beaver River about 1/4 mile from the Ohio River. There are about 10 marinas on the Beaver River but everyone boats on the Ohio. Beaver River is all no-wake

There is also Shenango Lake in Mercer County. It's not huge but a nice lake. It's about 60 or 70 miles north of Pittsburgh. Lake Erie is nice too. Check out Presque Isle. It's a peninsula in Erie PA.
 
Thank you for your advice. I may consider living closer to Harrisburg area. The Chesapeake boating looks awesome.
 
andy k said:
Thank you for your advice. I may consider living closer to Harrisburg area. The Chesapeake boating looks awesome.
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Good choice.... you wont regret it for a second.... the bay is a great place to boat and explore
 
There is no better boating anywhere than The Bay, slips are pretty cheap. Hundreds of places to explore. Just need to realize deep water is 12’, average can be 3 - 6’. Upper Ches is shallow.
 
We lived in PA for 3 1/2 years and loved the boating in the Pittsburgh area. I am a fresh water guy and we love river boating. Check out Foxx Chappel it is a nice area and a nice marina.
 
I boat on Raystown and started going there in 1990. As much as I love it, it falls short on some amenities. It is an Army Corp lake and they control the shoreline and development. There are two marinas on the lake, Seven Points and Raystown Resort. Both have a waiting list of several years as far as I know. Other than the marinas, the rest of the shoreline remains pretty much forested, so finding a beach is pretty rare. There's plenty of coves though for anchoring. You get to see deer, maybe a bear and sometimes an eagle.

The lake is about 30 miles long, but very narrow and serpentine. Lots of trailer boats and PWCs on the weekends so it gets choppy.

The marinas are pretty strict. No dock boxes, no cooking on the dock, no campfires on shore, no picnic tables ashore. No guests allowed on the boat unless the boat owner is present. You can stay on your boat all summer if you want though

Price wise, I pay $2400 for a 28' boat. My finger is under 20'. That includes $500 for electric, and $35 for pumpouts. Water and cable are included. Luxury slips are more but they accomodate wider beams and have longer fingers. Slip season is May 1 - Oct 30. Sea Tow members get a 15% fuel discount

I havent been out on the water much the last two years but I'm happy some days to just drive up and have a beer and cigar at the dock. I live an hour away. I'll admit though, sometimes it sounds like fun to just go, and go and go, as far as you want. That would be the fun part of the bay
 
Move anywhere you can to make sure you can boat on the Chesapeake. It'll be well worth it and you don't have to drive 4hrs either. I'm thinking an 1-1.5hr drive from the marina to your home. Plenty of marinas and areas to choose from. Next thing you know you'll be "working from home" while on your boat.
 
WV 320 Dancer said:
We lived in PA for 3 1/2 years and loved the boating in the Pittsburgh area. I am a fresh water guy and we love river boating. Check out Foxx Chappel it is a nice area and a nice marina.
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Yes. Fox Chapel Marine is a Sea Ray dealer. They are on the Allegheny River but very nice marina. The Allegheny River is one of the 3 rivers that meet up at the 'point' where the stadiums are. FC marina is about 1 mile up from the point. Continue another 25 or so miles NW and you will be right at our marina
 
I'd go for the Chesapeake too. Raystown Lake is very pretty. We've trailered our center console up there several times (Dave-M gave a perfect description above.) But it isn't particularly exciting. Chesepeake will keep you busy forever...
 
Thanks for all of your advice. I think we try to stay as east as possible so we can boat on the Chesapeake.

On a side note: What is up the the carp on Raystown Lake I see tons of pictures of the carp.... It looks like it would be fun to jump in and be swarmed by a bunch of carp!!

777e96bb6a2784f471dd1d7158c40e5a.jpg
 
andy k said:
Thanks for all of your advice. I think we try to stay as east as possible so we can boat on the Chesapeake.
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When we got transferred from PA where we kept a boat on the Chesapeake to Indiana ...All I said to my wife was get a house on the water if possible....there is one mud puddle as I call it north east of Indy in this land of corn fields.... but I get to see water everyday... Nothing wrong with your plan as far as I am concerned
 
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