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Name:	Bearcat Fan -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/13/2009 11:08:22 PM

Hope this is not too simple a question, but I am very new to area (recently stationed at Maxwell AFB) and new to boating (just bought first boat, a Bryant from Brech Marine in Selma).

Where would be a good place to dry store boat under cover near Lake Martin and a good, simple not crowded easy to use ramp (can you tell I am a little intimidated by backing boat in for the first time)?

We live in E. Montgomery, so somewhere on W. side of lake would probably be best.

Thanks a lot,
Ken

Name:	Pontoonfisher -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 7:25:30 AM

Good luck!!! The Lake Martin area has very few places to self store a boat under cover. If your boat has any height to it then forget about it. I used to have a center console with a T-top that sat 11.5' high on the trailer and there was no place I could find around the lake to store it uber cover. I actually stored it in Childersburg. It would be nice if the storage was more like Lake Lanier. There are tons of high covered boat storage places around that lake.

Name:	roswellric -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 7:43:39 AM

There is some boat storage on 63 south of Kowaliga and you could use the boat ramp at the Kowaliga bridge. I don't know any marinas that allow you to lauch & store.

One note if you are new to trailering. Surge brakes don't work when you are backing up. I almost put mine off a bank the first time...

And I think if you would bite the bullet and use dry stack you would be a very happy man. One phone call and its on the water waiting for you. So much time is used launching & trailering back and forth it really cuts into your family time. It's worth it.And I think you can get it for the summer months albeit at a higher rate

Get ready for Miles of Smiles!

Name:	Rooster -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 7:54:43 AM

Jo's boat storage on left hwy 63 before Kowliga and Nail's
Boat storage on hwy 63 on right are two places for self storage. Kowliga is wall to wall with impatient and down right rude people. Go a little farther up to Wind Creek, less people, more parking. Dry Stack storage is available at Anchor Bay Marina, just off hwy 223. Do your self and fellow boaters a favor. Teach your wife how to drive the boat on and off the trailer. Makes life a lot simpler for you and everyone waiting. Be safe and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name:	LakeLover -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 8:11:31 AM

If you are stationed at Maxwell you must be AF. Have you checked out Maxwell/Gunter Rec Area? They have some covered storage (and some uncovered), if available, although not totally enclosed. They also have a great boat ramp. You can also rent a wet slip and keep your boat in the water (if available). I am there most weekends and would be glad to assist you with launching and/or recovering your boat (until you get the hang of it) anytime. Sandy Creek is also one of the less crowded areas where you can learn to operate your boat safely without fighting the chop on the big water.

Good Luck,

LL

Name:	mbk -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 8:38:16 AM

Rooster, maybe his wife can teach him how to back the boat.

Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 8:58:25 AM

Ken,

Assuming you are retired military, check out Max/Gunther Rec area. Have a few covered parking spaces, kept my boat there a few years ago and the price was right. Decent year around ramp plus Sunday beer.

Re. your concerns on backing the trailer -- grab a couple of cones, drive to a big empty parking lot and have at it. Piece of cake once you get your brain calibrated..

In any case, bring a good map and decent compass. It's a big lake, with lot's of island and quite a few shallows (albeit well marked.)

Welcome aboard!!

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 9:35:25 AM

The Kowaliga bridge ramp is pretty busy on weekends but it has lots of free parking. It's wide so you don't have to be a pro to use it. A less crowded ramp is at Real Island marina. You will usually be the only one there. Also there is some dry storage available at the intersection of Little Steel Bridge road and Coosa County 2. Which is close to the marina. Either place will work good for you and these are the closest Maxwell. Like someone else said, be careful until you know your way around the lake. There are shallow spots where you would not expect. With the water so high right now you will probably have no trouble.

Name:	Rooster -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 9:46:45 AM

Possibly, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Name:	D-dub -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 9:56:33 AM

Call me lazy, but there is nothing better than calling the marina and saying, "I'll be there in 25 minutes please have my boat in the water and full of fuel." Dry storage lets you maximize your time on the water. If your interested in this option try Anchor Bay Marina, new restaurant coming this year.

A tip I use, paying for the whole year in advance saves you a few hundred bucks.

The military option some people mentioned above sounds good for you as well. Welcome to LM!! Have fun/BE SAFE!!

Name:	mbk -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 12:53:40 PM

Welcome to the area Ken. Check out Maxwell's Lake Martin web site
http://maxwellservices.us/lakemartin.html I believe you will enjoy the services plus if you decide to stay over night, or for the week, they have rental cabins and mobile homes.

Name:	F1Fan -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 7:47:06 PM

Don't have any good suggestions for ramps (I'm on the other side of the lake), but congrats on the Bryant, and especially for getting it through the Brech's in Selma. Great, great family business and the absolute best service I have ever had on any purchase ever, before, during and well after the sale. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a boat, and Bryant to anyone looking for Cobalt quality at a Chaparrel price.

Can you tell I love my 2004 214?

As others have suggested, just find an empty lot some Sunday and practice a bit if your not comfortable. Plenty of advice online at boating sites, etc. Basic rules from my dad when I was about 11 - hand on the bottom of the wheel, move it the direction you want the BOAT to go, and go slow.

Name:	Bearcat Fan -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/14/2009 10:39:54 PM

Thanks so much to all for the great info. Am going to look into the dry stack storage as that sounds pretty convenient.

I am active duty military, but unfortunately was turned away by the folks at the Maxwell Rec Area on Lake Martin. When I called they told me that they did not have any type of storage available (wet, dry, or covered) and have been full up for the past three years. I guess I should not complain too loudly as I will be a retiree soon and will settle down next to a base and learn the secrets that give me access to that base's benefits that we are lucky to have. We should not complain when they are not available as the Air Force did not promise me boat storage when I signed up, but still hard not to.

Name:	D-dub -	Reply
Subject:	Dry Storage and Ramp Locations
Date:	4/15/2009 8:57:26 AM

I think you will be happy with your decision.

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