Clinton Lake

[Keep'r Wet]

Anything special at Clinton Lake week end of Aug. 29/30? We are thinking of making a first time trip over.

[DaleM]

Wish I would have seen this sooner.  Not for me but Herm is on the lake there in a marina.  Pretty good contingent of Rinker owners there.  Would have tried to point you in their direction.  Party cove there isn't too bad either.  

[Keep'r Wet]

What with the cooler weather this past week end, we talked ourselves out of the trip. For sure at another time, hopefully a little warmer.

[Herm]

Well we made it out to party cove friday night and stayed there by ourselfs. On saturday a buddy and his wife showed up with their 270 and three other couples with house boats and a crownline cruiser. We all tied up together and stayed through sunday.
It wasnt to bad, We all had a good time.  

This weekend will be a big hoot in party cove. There is suppose to be a band again this year on top of one of the houseboats. If its  like most Labor days at the cove there will be alot of boats tied up together. And probably 20 to 30 rinkers in the cove.
And a bunch of just about any kind of boat you would want.
 
Also if you want to do some good swimming  go down just passed the bridge on the north east side of the lake.
The outlet for the power plant is there and the water will be very warm.

[Keep'r Wet]

Kinda calling for rain now this week end....don't mind some rain, but hate to trailer all the way over for a saggy week end. We went to Mark Twain last week end Saturday, stayed over till Sunday. Was fairly cool but just about had the lake to ourselves. Thanks Herm, will stay in touch.

[DaleM]

Looking to do Clinton mid May....WEATHER PERMITTING.  Launch either Friday night or Saturday morning then pull off on Sunday afternoon.  Do I get a slip or hang out on the hook?  What's up with the firepit I heard about some years ago at the marina?

[bat32]

We hit Clinton Lake once or twice a year.  Great times.  Never did the overnight thing there though.  Sounds like fun!

[Herm]

Hi Dale.  The fire pit is pretty much people that have slips there. There may be 4 people or maybe 10. This early probly not much.  I am not going to be able to be at the lake that weekend cause of family including the wife getting operations that week so the boat is out for us. 
I recommend using the marina ramps. It cost 5 bucks to launch there but the parking is good, Ramps are easy to use and there are restrooms right there at the ramp. If you want a little cleaner go inside the marina building there through the double doors on the south side and there are other restrooms there.
When you exit the  marina make a right and go straight down to the cove there and go just around the corner to stay out on the hook. Most of the time that will keep you out of the wind and you wont be swinging on the hook all night.  Dont go all the way back in though, I would stay about half way. If you get to far to the east there are some trees that you cant see  this time of year. Its where we stay everyweekend.
If you dont go into that cove make sure and watch the bouys on the right before you go right to the rest of the lake It can abe easy to miss those and get in shallow water pretty quick.  After that you will see a big beach on your port side and alittle farther you can turn left into a launch area that has a little restaurant there that has some pretty good walleye dinners and burgers stuff like that and a great breakfest.
Dont partk down at there docks they are for small boats and yours wont fit. Use the big docks that you see when you first go in. More below

[Herm]

When you go down  toward the power plant watch for bouys in that area there are about 3 on the starboard side that can be easy to miss also. Make sure you stay to the left of those.  They are just after a big open bay that narrows they opens up to the power plant bay.
Fuel last week at the marina was going for 3.45  Since its the middle of may there wont be much traffic.  If you want the warmest water go on down past the beach area I mentioned and you will see the bridge. Your boat wont go under it but on the port side of the lake is where the water will be the warmest.

Have fun I wish I was going to be able to be there. we stayed on the water the last 3 weekends and hope to get out there this weekend.
One other thing I would stay out on the water there is no reason to get a slip on clinton unless the weather is just bad.

[DaleM]

Herm I still haven't gotten my boat out of winter storage.  Now this cold snap doesn't have me missing it at all.  Plans are to pick it up on Wednesday the 12th.  Hope it warms up soon!!  Brrrrr!  I will certainly let you know when I get down your way.

[Tom]

Do you guys deal with the Rinker dealer there, Clinton Marine? What's the consensus on service etc?

[DaleM]

I never used Clinton Marine.  No reason other than I don't live near there.

[slawson]

I bought my 212 from him in 2003 as has some others with new boats.   I only had one service issue and they got it covered under 'warranty' (even though it was technically out of warranty) in that there was an exhaust manifold gasket issue with some 5.0s....they not only fixed the one that was leaking but also the 'good' one knowing that eventually it would leak (Mercruiser skimped and took out a couple of studs that hold it on and that created a weak space that started leaking).   I've never heard anyone else with issues....they always are responsive to parts needs and get things in pretty quick.