Picture it now, you are out on the lake, the sun is shining, and the water feels amazing. The day can’t get any more perfect. You can get to this point, too, with just a few tips and tricks along the way.
It is always useful to know a few tips for boating. You can do this by learning of places to launch your boat, learn tips for boating, and the location: Medina Lake. You will enjoy yourself even more with this information.
Whether you are new to boating or seasoned, it is always good to know some tips for the boat and the places you will be launching from. Being prepared never hurt. Read on for five boating tips for Medina Lake in Texas.
Article Contents
Am I Able to Boat on Medina Lake?
Although a small, manmade lake, people are allowed to boat on Medina Lake. There have been moments through the last few decades where this was not always possible. With low water levels and a severe drought, it can be difficult to go boating.
This is not the case recently with the heavy rainfall and increased height of the dam. This has helped keep the water levels up so that tourists and locals can enjoy the lake during a hot summer day.
3 Places to Launch A Boat at Medina Lake
There are four places you can launch your boat at Medina Lake, but the three best places to launch are:
- Joe’s Place Marina Boat Ramp
- Park Road 37 Boat Ramp
- Red Cove Camp Boat Ramp
The last ramp is at the base of the canal (farthest north point of the lake) and isn’t always the best place to launch your boat, especially with the water levels always fluctuating. This ramp cannot handle when water levels are low.
Joe’s Place Marina Boat Ramp
This ramp is located at Joe’s Marina and Resort. This is a great place to launch your boat, especially if you want to visit some of the surrounding activities and attractions. You can visit the restaurants, the marina store, rental shop or even visit the picnic area for a nice lunch under the sun.
This area has two cement boat ramps, so there is plenty of room to launch your boat, which is useful on a busy day when many families come out onto the lake. There is plenty of space for you to park your trailer and head out for a fun day at the lake.
Security stays on-site, so you won’t have to worry about your vehicle. There is a fee of 8 dollars, but this makes sure not everyone comes in and out of the area. You won’t have to worry about a thing!
You will find this ramp located on the most southern part of the lake. It is near the south dam. It is close to the town of Mico.
Park Road 37 Boat Ramp
This ramp is located more northeast of the lake and is easier to access if you are from or near the town of Lakehills. If you are coming from the north, this is also a great access point for you.
This boat ramp is available at all water levels. It is a concrete ramp. If the water levels do get too low, there is a gravel ramp below the concrete section of the ramp. Don’t worry, they thought of everything.
There is a courtesy dock, and you have access to a bathroom and a picnic area. This boat launch is available 24/7, but the park hours are 8 am to 7 pm. There are fees required, but unfortunately, there is no online information on how much those fees will cost.
Red Cove Camp Boat Ramp
This ramp is privately owned and not owned by the state like the others. This is close to Joe’s Place Marina boat ramp but is another option if the other ramp is closed. It is available all year long because it is privately owned. The owners can choose when the ramp needs to shut down.
Like the other ramps, there is a fee required, but unfortunately, this information is not posted online.
This ramp, too, provides the necessities: a bathroom and a courtesy dock. Unlike the other two, it doesn’t provide a picnic area or a park, but with the resort being down the road, you still have the option to drive your boat there for lunch or recreational activities.
5 Boating Tips for Medina Lake Texas
There is a lot of tips you can follow when going to the lake or going boating, but the most important are:
- Have your stuff
- Check the weather
- Know the laws
- Life jackets
- Adjust your trim
These are all great tips to make your boating experience that more memorable as well as safe.
Tip 1: Pack Wisely
One of the most important tips is to have all your stuff. This includes items that are required by state law, things necessary for you and your family, as well as snacks and drinks. Here are the items that are important for a great day on the lake:
| Required | Important | Low Priority |
|---|---|---|
| ● Life jackets ● Fire extinguisher ● Rearview mirror ● Paddles | ● Sunscreen ● Water or drinks ● Air horn | ● Snacks ● Fun floaties ● Towels ● A football or ball to throw around |
All items on the required list are considered required by the state to have on your boat. Important items aren’t required, but law but is necessary to stay safe. You will need sunscreen to protect you from the sun, water, or drinks to stay hydrated (being exposed to the sun can dehydrate you even when you are swimming, and an air horn just in case you break down.
Low priority items are great to have but won’t hinder your experience or decrease your fun. This section of your list may even change depending on your preference, but for a smooth trip, these items will help.
And if you are going fishing… Make sure you have all your gear on board! For more information about fishing in this wonderful lake, check out our guide on fishing at Medina Lake in that article!
It’s always nice to have a ball to throw around when you are hanging out at the beach. Plus, you can use it to make new friends!
Tip 2: Check the Weather
Boating can be great, but only when the weather is permitting. You don’t want to head to the lake just to be greeted with a horrible lightning storm. This is dangerous and will not be fun to experience if you put your boat in the water.
Make sure to check the weather before going to the lake. Severe weather can pop up in a matter of hours, but with all the technology today, you will have better accuracy than before.
You don’t want to go to the lake if there is a lightning storm as it is dangerous to be on the water if lightning strikes. You also don’t want to go out if it is too hot or too cold. You don’t want to be miserable when you should be having fun.
Tip 3: Know the Laws
Knowing and understanding the laws is great not only for you but your entire family. This provides safety not only for you and your family but for other boaters as well. Having an accident on the lake or doing something unlawful can be dangerous and could hurt both your driving record and your wallet.
If you or your family will be driving the boat and are between the ages of 13 to 17, they are required to taking a boating safety class. This is a law created for the state of Texas. If one doesn’t take the proper educational courses, this can result in a ticket. Safety is always a great aspect to be knowledgeable in.
There are also many other laws that you need to abide by. Some laws include having specific safety equipment onboard or having the proper lights installed on your boat. Some include mirrors, especially if you plan on water skiing or wakeboarding.
You most importantly need to know about the laws regarding life jackets, which will be discussed next. This is imperative to everyone’s safety.
Tip 4: Bring Life Jackets
This is a big tip, not just because life jackets are necessary for all types of swimmers (experienced and beginners) but because they do save lives.
When out in the middle of the lake, it is important to have a life jacket with you. They are great to relax on when in the water and assist with swimming.
It is also required by law to have enough life jackets in your boat for all riders. Any passenger on your boat under the age of 13 are required to wear a life vest while the boat is in motion. They can be a strong swimmer, but this is state law and will end with a ticket if local patrol sees them without a life jacket.
Tip 5: Adjust Your Trim
Some may not realize this but adjusting your trim is not only for when you go into shallow waters or when you are putting your boat back onto the trailer but for driving “on the plane.” First, you will need to know what “on the plane” means, especially if you are new to boating.
“On the plane” refers to when you increase the speed of your boat so that it feels like your boat is gliding on top of the water. When you are on the plane, think of it like driving on the highway, and it’s a smooth ride.
Adjusting your trim by raising the motor while on the plane will reduce the amount of fuel being used and make the ride even smoother. It will feel as if you’re floating on clouds rather than trudging through the waves.
Make sure not to trim up too much too early, or it will take longer for your boat to get on the plane. This can also make your motor work harder than necessary. When you lower your motor while on the plane, it will feel as if your boat is putting on the brakes and slow you down.
Outro
Going to the lake is fun but going to the lake with your boat is a next-level experience. Remember these tips and this information, and you can have an amazing time relaxing on the water.
And if you are looking for a place to stay, don’t worry we’ve got you covered! Check out our recommendations on the top 10 airbnb places to stay on Medina Lake in that article!
Just don’t forget that the low priority items can be catered to your preference and that safety is imperative to a fun trip. When all is said and done, make sure you relax and soak in those rays!
