Fair Haven (2)

FIG. 1 a lone sailor in a sunfish braves the chilly autumn wind
in the lake at Fair Haven

Launches located within Fair Haven Beach State Park in Cayuga County

Directions:  from Rochester, use NY Rt 104 East.  At about 45 miles east of Rochester,
turn left onto NY 104A at a blinking yellow light at sign for Red Creek/Fair Haven.
Stay on NY 104A and travel thru Red Creek and most of the way thru Fair Haven.
Turn left into Fair Haven S.P after traveling on Rt 104A for 7.5 miles.  Proceed to the
toll booth (0.8 miles) and continue to the lake front.  For the Lake launch, bear right
at lake front, cross the bridge, and pass the bath houses on the left.  Turn left onto a
sandy picnic area to unload your gear and park.  For the bay launch, turn left upon
reaching the lake front, and proceed to the boat ramp area to unload your gear.

Fees: $7 during the summer, $6 for weekends til Columbus day, free otherwise

Amenities:  picnic tables, bbq stands, bathhouse with restrooms during summer

Regulations:  do not commingle with bathers, instead launch to the east of the bath house

Best Wind Directions:  lake launch faces NNW, so NE, N, NW, W & SW work best
                                for bay launch, launch faces W, so S, SW, W, NW and N are best

Notes:  for lake launch, W to SW are best because flat water is created by the pier and land

Hazards:  bayside launch area is rocky, motor craft may be present in the summer

FIG. 2 Aerial view of the Fair Haven launch areas

FIG. 3 view of lake launch area --note that it is possible to
unload your gear and park next to the launch (convenient)

FIG. 4 view of lake launch area looking NW.  Note pier and
landmass to the west provide for great flat water sailing for
westerly winds

FIG. 5 close-up view of rocky bayside launch area

FIG. 6  Grassy rigging area next to rocky bayside launch

FIG. 7 view of bay from south end looking north (note: this photo is
taken outside the park but within the village of Fair Haven)

FIG. 8 view of turn off from Rt 104 onto Rt 104A for Fair Haven
(note:  you are now closer to Syracuse than Rochester)