build a private wakeboard lake. <BR> <BR>I've spent several weekends at a friend's private ski lake here in so cal. The lake is only a quarter mile long, with only six homes on the property. Each home has it's own boat dock and each owner has their own boat. They also hold competitions there throughout the year to bring in money for the lake. However, because it's a ski lake (only average of 6 ft. deep) the wake that the boats throw are very minimal. <BR>I was talking to my husband, and we thought wouldn't be amazing if we could reproduce <BR>something similar but more suited for wakeboarding (deeper water, sliders, rails, etc.) <BR> <BR>This is just an idea, I haven't done any homework or research on land or costs, but I wanted to know if there are any SERIOUS (by this I mean, people who have the funds) people who would love to be apart of something like this. <BR>THis would not be for investment, as much as it would be for those who love the sport. <BR>I would perfer to keep it to 6-8 owners, in order to keep rotation down to a minimum. <BR> <BR>I'll be interested to see if what you guys think of this idea.

Rachel, <BR> <BR>Love the idea myself. I've been trying to find out how to get in on the ground floor of such an endeavor. I've seen a couple such facilities / properties and am very interested. I also have many many questions. Can we email each other to discuss? <BR><a href="mailto:dave@shannonwilseyphoto.com">dave@sha nnonwilseyphoto.com</a>

There have been a couple of articles this year in Water Ski Magazine about building a private lake. Apparently, it is a growing trend. One of the article features a guy who builds lakes all over the country. He has a website with tips for buying land, zoning, etc. If I can find it I will post a link, or maybe somebody has it.

<a href="http://www.feasbylakes.com/" target="_blank">http://www.feasbylakes.com/</a>

Awesome, thanks Rich.

dtw, check your email.

My family was actually involved with the initial design and concept at Bell Aqua in Sacramento. Lots of things to consider, that lake almost ended three good friendships throughout the build process. <BR> <BR>Be careful with water costs, a buddy that has a lake in the valley spends on an average $1200 per month running the well pumps to keep his lake full. <BR> <BR>Lakes are like boats, using them tends to be much more fun when you can just use somebody else's.

Thanks mikeski, much to think about.

What kind of $s are we talking about? Am very interested, but need a target to shoot for.

Mikski, do you know where I can get some info about Bell Aqua?

PC, I'm not quite sure what it's going to entail financially as of yet. It's not just going to be land, every owner will have a home on their lot and depending on lot size it could get more expensive. There will be lots of maintenance, upkeep. You gotta really want to do it <BR>Also, it depends on where we decide to purchase the land. That could change price dramatically.

Here is one in my town that's been a work in progress for quite a while. It's still an empty lot. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.esquilago.com" target="_blank">http://www.esquilago.com</a>

The esquilago sounds very cool, the only downside is the amount of owners on the lake. With 28 owners, let's say half of them are there on an average week or weekend, you'd only get to ski about every two hours and twenty minutes. And many times, people are skiing, sun up to sundown. At our friend's lake where there is only six owners, max wait time is an hour. But many times, we have the lake all to ourselves and ski and wakeboard till were just too tired.

Rachel, <BR> <BR>Nothing in my email. Try this address that I always have access to: <BR> <BR><a href="mailto:notsobueno@yahoo.com">notsobueno@yaho o.com</a> <BR> <BR>Been doing some research...

Rachel, are you sure your friends lake is only 1/4 mile long - that is pretty short. Did they have a slalom course? It wouldn't leave much room for setting up. Did you get dizzy? <BR> <BR>I am helping a friend who is toying with the idea of building a private recreational lake in Texas. Finding the right piece of land is always a challenge. There are a few private lake developments in Texas, but most are shallow and geared to slalom skiers.

LOVE The idea. <BR> <BR>I anyone in the greater Seattle region wants to look at doing this please look me up.

Rich, <BR> <BR>The lake is a 1/2 mile long, not 1/4 mile.