Sailing on Lake Geneva

[BlueSkyNick]

A good friend is considering an attactive work opportunity based in Geneva, and is wondering about the opportunites for sailing.

As far as I know, the lake is about 40miles long so one would think there is plenty of scope for a weekend boat.

Anybody been there, done that, and got the T-shirt?

are there any recommended clubs, marinas, whatever?

 

[BrendanS]

Plenty of antifreeze!
http://www.skyandsummit.com/Glacegeneve/

ex used to live there and loved it. Don't know anything about sailing there though.

 

[rwoofer]

I think it is a light wind location. Seem to remember they do a big race each year, where everyone goes for monster rigs.

 

[eastlaked]

Went to Geneva on a business trip last year and was taken to the lake by some of the guys I was visiting. Lots of sailing, all sorts of boats. Everything from oppies to 35 ft Benny's (and larger).
From what I saw, I would agree with rb_stretch, very light winds.

One thing the locals did say was don't drift ashore in the wrong place. Apparently the guards at the embassies and other diplomatic mansions around the lake get very irate and point big machine guns at you!!

 

[BlueSkyNick]

David, thanks for the useful feedback on your very first post - welcome to the forum!!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Lots of sailing, some with rather specialised lake boats. As far as I recall the main sailing base is Geneva itself, but there are marina style docks at several other locations - Montreux, Lausanne, Vevey and on the French side at Evian and Thonon, as well as at smaller locations. I've only ever seen the lake in light airs or blowing a hooley, but maybe there are less taxing conditions sometimes.

 

[BrianH]

Getting a mooring is difficult and expensive with many years on a waiting list. Easiest is to have something to haul out and store ashore - but even that can be a problem. I live in Berne so only know firsthand the situation for the local lakes but have been informed about the situation in the west (French-speaking) of CH, which is much more fraught.

Every boat of any description has to be registered and numbered with regular checks for conformance with condition and safety compliance (lifejackets, etc.).

Countrywide there is a regulation that forbids sailing when the authorities deem the conditions to be dangerous, i.e. strong winds, or that they are expected. Yesterday I was in Biel and the lake had whitecaps with about 25, gusting 30, knots of westerly wind. The warning lights were flashing around the lake (no sailing) but the windsurfers were skimming about all over.

 

[charles_reed]

Lots of boats on the Lake.

Sometimes you see them in the Med.

Usually steel, improbably rigged and short of freeboard.

 

[Scillypete]

Went there once to sail in a race, Bol D'or or something like that. Hundreds on the start line and chaos in the marina when everyone set out at the same time. We had wind from all sorts of directions with varying strengths so were constantly changing sails. Had a thoroughly good time though, and the scenery was fantastic.

The boat we raced on was a Toucan.

 

[Fergus]

I've sailed on the lake quite a bit (lived there as a kid for 15 years) and there is/used to be a "round the lake" race which was pretty exciting if the "bise" was blowing - it blows towards the SW so right down the middle and can get quite rough. There's plenty of area and anchoring is generally easy. I don't remember any marinas, just the fun of sailing a Hobie under the Jet d'eau!

 

[bbg]

Your friend will also need a skipper's licence to sail anything larger than a dinghy. I believe the licence is good for all lakes in Switzerland.

 

[BrianH]

There is a relevant article here, although applicable to Switzerland in general and not specifically Geneva.