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Seneca Overview
Seneca is a fantastic sailing site in strong southerlies (SSE through SSW). With a good south wind (4.5m2 sail or smaller), the lake sets up amazing glassy swells (almost as good as the Gorge). Sail from the Chamber of Commerce if the wind has any easterly component, otherwise sail from Seneca Park during due southerly and sou'westerly blows.
There is often great wind on Seneca when no where else is blowing. Southerlies often come up early in the morning and die by mid-day. Early wind channels down the lake, and is disrupted by thermal effects later in the day.
IF the prevailing wind is SSE to SSW, and just 8-10, it will be 14-18 on the water (add about 8). Most days, you'd better be there early 8 or 9 AM; arrive much later than 11:30 and you missed it. (Fall / Spring storms do blow all day). Also, on a N, the southern end of the lake - Watkins Glen - goes off as well (again add about 8 over the prevailing breeze, but if and only if it is blowing exactly down the axis of the lake).
Seneca Lake State Park is at the north end of Seneca Lake. The launch at the State Park is in the northeast corner of the lake and is a sandy / stony beach. The Chamber of Commerce is in the northwest corner of the lake.
THE place for big south wind days in Northwest New York. Also is highly under-appreciated by many sailors, as Seneca serves up excellent 7.5-9.0 days all summer long. Excellent spot for light wind early planing boards, or longboards.
Large parking lot at the State Park; $7 in season / $6 off-season, or an Empire Pass.
Seneca Lake is the largest (40 x 5 miles) of the Finger Lakes.
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