Boating on Blessington lake

westwicklow

What's the position on putting a small boat c/w outboard, on Blessington Lake?

Tabnabs

Non runner I believe as it's a reservoir, but ask the locals

http://www.blsc.ie/contact.htm

JamesM

westwicklow wrote: »

What's the position on putting a small boat c/w outboard, on Blessington Lake?

The lake is owned by the ESB - you can apply to them in Ardnacrusha for a permit. Apart from rescue boats at the Sailing Club and Leisure Centre, only small outboards are allowed - I think below 9hp.

Apart from the ESB permit, you can get on the lake by joining a fishing club or the sailing club www.blsc.ie .
If you go on the lake without a permit, there is a very vigilant warden who will hunt you down
Jim.

westwicklow

That's right Dyflin, it is a reservoir but I have seen some boats on it with outboards.

The lake comes right up to our land so in theory, it would be possible to fish without stepping foot on ESB ground! I'm not sure of the facts of the matter but, it is said locally, that because ESB flooded our land to make the lake/reservoir, we don't need permissions.... but back to the original post, thanks for the information JamesM, I'm looking forward to the vigilant warden hunting me down.... hunter hunting hunted!!!

JamesM

westwicklow wrote: »

That's right Dyflin, it is a reservoir but I have seen some boats on it with outboards.

The lake comes right up to our land so in theory, it would be possible to fish without stepping foot on ESB ground! I'm not sure of the facts of the matter but, it is said locally, that because ESB flooded our land to make the lake/reservoir, we don't need permissions.... but back to the original post, thanks for the information JamesM, I'm looking forward to the vigilant warden hunting me down.... hunter hunting hunted!!!

The ESB actually own the water area The Recreational boating Permit does not cost a lot. Do it the easy way (The Guards work hand in hand with the warden) Go on here and apply for a boating permit http://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/poulaphouca.jsp The warden can legally confiscate your boat :eek:
Jim.

On second thought, how does the lake come right up to your land ? It is my understanding that the ESB own the foreshore completely around the lake. They acquired the land and the water does not come up to their boundry at any time. Even after the recent rain, it is not anwhere as high as I have seen it over the years - so if you want to get on the water at the moment, you have to cross ESB land.

westwicklow

Thats great information JamesM, thank you very much. It's just the info I was looking to get. As for the foreshore, you are correct, it is ESB property but it's very narrow in some places

JamesM

I see from that page that the upper limit for outboards is 6hp not 9hp as I stated above. You do need to be careful on the lake, it can get quite rough out on the open water. There are lots of sheltered areas for exploring and fishing, but also some shallow areas and rocks. For example, the Lacken area is rocky, with a shallow shelf running a long way out from the shore. There is also a shallow area near the castle, if you cut the corner there. Of course it all depends on the overall level of the lake at the time.
Jim.

westwicklow

Thank you for the advise JamesM.

connel42

Hi
I live by the lake and do a lot of boating there send me a PM and I will send you my number if you want the full story

westwicklow

PM sent.

Muahahaha

I know this is an old thread but I have pretty much the same questions about boating on Blessington Lake. Im interested in putting a small day boat on the lake over the summer months and am wondering if anyone can tell me does ESB permit allow you to anchor the boat or do they require it to be taken out of the water every day?
Also are there any charts available for navigating the lake? I would imagine parts of it might be rocky & shallow?

JamesM

Muahahaha wrote: »

I know this is an old thread but I have pretty much the same questions about boating on Blessington Lake. Im interested in putting a small day boat on the lake over the summer months and am wondering if anyone can tell me does ESB permit allow you to anchor the boat or do they require it to be taken out of the water every day?
Also are there any charts available for navigating the lake? I would imagine parts of it might be rocky & shallow?

No Charts that I know of. There are some very shallow bits - walls running out into the lake etc. Ask the ESB about mooring - some are allowed. PM Connel - he knows the lake very well.
Jim.

ezra_

Muahahaha wrote: »

I know this is an old thread but I have pretty much the same questions about boating on Blessington Lake. Im interested in putting a small day boat on the lake over the summer months and am wondering if anyone can tell me does ESB permit allow you to anchor the boat or do they require it to be taken out of the water every day?
Also are there any charts available for navigating the lake? I would imagine parts of it might be rocky & shallow?

There are quite a few pocket cruisers that are moored by the Avon Ri.

Either there or the sailing club would probably be the best place to start.

I actually chartered one of the Avon Rís boats recently. Great fun messing about the lake. The warden guy in the power boat did come to check us out a couple of times!

Muahahaha

thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

He Who Dares Wins

Is there many boat slips on the lake? if so can someone point me in the direction to them? I have never launched a boat on it but would be interested in doing so this summer.

JamesM

He Who Dares Wins wrote: »

Is there many boat slips on the lake? if so can someone point me in the direction to them? I have never launched a boat on it but would be interested in doing so this summer.

Read all the above - then talk to the ESB. They will tell you where you can launch. You can't launch without a permit.
They will hunt you down - they will find you - and they WILL............

pachanco

https://www.esb.ie/docs/default-source/default-document-library/esb-angling-permit-charges-for-2015

See Poulaphouca resevoir.

pachanco

Some more information here about Blessington lakes.

I've seen launching sites mentioned on other websites. ....launching facilities at Russborough, Tulfaris and Burgage Bridge



https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056443806