Boating and Marinas

In the 1950s, boating was a popular activity for families to enjoy on Lake Sidney Lanier. Families would often pack a lunch and spend the day on the lake, swimming, fishing, and exploring the many coves and inlets. Lake Sidney Lanier was created in 1956 when the Buford Dam was built on the Chattahoochee River. The lake is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its scenic beauty makes it a popular tourist destination. In the 1950s, there were many different types of boats available for families to rent or buy. Some of the most popular types of boats included pontoon boats, fishing boats, and speedboats. Pontoon boats were perfect for families with young children. They were stable and easy to maneuver, and they had plenty of room for swimming and playing. Fishing boats were popular with families who enjoyed fishing. They were equipped with rod holders and live wells, and they had plenty of storage space for fishing gear. Speedboats were popular with families who enjoyed water sports. They were fast and agile, and they were perfect for water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. No matter what type of boat they chose, families enjoyed spending time on Lake Sidney Lanier. The lake offered a variety of activities for all ages, and it was a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Here are some specific examples of boating family day trips at Lake Sidney Lanier in the 1950s: In 1952, the Jones family spent a day on Lake Sidney Lanier. They rented a pontoon boat and spent the day swimming, fishing, and exploring the lake. In 1954, the Smith family went on a boat ride on Lake Sidney Lanier. They rented a fishing boat and caught many different kinds of fish. In 1956, the Brown family went camping at Lake Sidney Lanier. They rented a speedboat and spent the day water skiing and wakeboarding. Lake Sidney Lanier was a popular destination for families in the 1950s. It offered a variety of activities for all ages, and it was a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Family Boating on Lake Lanier in 1964

In a typical summer season, all kinds of boats dotted the surface of Lake Lanier. They ranged from sailboats to houseboats, kayaks to pontoons. Watersports, including waterskiing and jetskiing, grew in popularity over the years. Local marinas became community gathering spaces where thousands of boats docked and people congregated.

Waterskiing is a popular activity at Lake Lanier, and it has a long history. The first waterskiers on the lake were likely locals who took to the water in the early 1950s, shortly after the lake was created. In the early days, waterskiing was a relatively new sport, and equipment was not as specialized as it is today. Waterskiers often used homemade skis and tow ropes, and they had to be very careful to avoid obstacles in the water. As the sport of waterskiing grew in popularity, more and more people began to visit Lake Lanier to ski. In the 1960s, several waterskiing clubs were formed on the lake, and these clubs helped to promote the sport and to provide a safe environment for waterskiers. In the 1970s, waterskiing competitions began to be held on Lake Lanier. These competitions attracted waterskiers from all over the country, and they helped to put Lake Lanier on the map as a premier waterskiing destination. Today, waterskiing is still a popular activity on Lake Lanier. There are several waterskiing clubs on the lake, and they offer a variety of programs for both beginners and experienced waterskiers. There are also several waterskiing competitions held on the lake each year. If you are interested in waterskiing, Lake Lanier is a great place to learn or to improve your skills. The lake is large and has plenty of room for waterskiing, and there are several waterskiing clubs and schools that can provide instruction and equipment.
Waterskiing on Lake Lanier in 1971

Jerry Henderson: “Boy, we spent six months a year skiing and learning how to ski on one ski and that kind of thing. There were my two cousins and myself and my two friends from Decatur, Georgia. We all skied behind the same boat. And it had like a 30-horsepower motor on it, but we didn’t weigh probably 60 pounds a piece. We were just kids….

I [also] learned to sail a little bit with what’s called a sunfish sailboat. It’s just basically a pontoon with a sail on it and a rudder…”

Aqualand Marina is a marina located on Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch, Georgia. It is the largest inland marina in the United States. Aqualand Marina was founded in 1958 by Bill and Betty Ann Aquadro. The Aquadros were avid boaters who wanted to create a marina that would provide a safe and enjoyable place for people to boat, fish, and swim. Aqualand Marina has grown significantly over the years. It now has over 1,000 slips and can accommodate boats up to 100 feet in length. The marina also has a variety of amenities, including a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and a playground. Aqualand Marina is a popular destination for boaters, fishermen, and swimmers. It is also a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Lanier. In 2017, Aqualand Marina was sold to a new owner. The new owner plans to make some improvements to the marina, including adding more slips and amenities. Aqualand Marina is a great place to enjoy the beauty of Lake Lanier. It is a popular destination for boaters, fishermen, and swimmers.
Aqualand Marina

Alan Wayne: “Aqualand Marina, had been started by my father and my uncle in 1958…. And from that point on, I was involved in the family businesses. We started off with one dock and had 12 boats on it. We built our marina to 2,300 boats.”

Vernon Maddox recalls days spent at Holiday Marina.