Lake Tahoe winds are hazardous!

More boats sink on Lake Tahoe than people know about. Here is how to prevent it from happening to you.

It’s a quiet threat that sometimes surprises boat owners on Lake Tahoe: your boat doesn’t sink from a crash or a storm—it sinks from a little splash, again and again. Wind and waves send water into the boat, often through scuppers, hatches, or over low transoms. It’s not a flood, just a slow, steady seep. But over time, that water collects, and your bilge pump kicks in to clear it—again and again—until eventually, the battery runs out. Once the pump stops working, the water keeps coming. And then, it’s too late.

Lake Tahoe may look calm, but it can turn rough in a matter of minutes. With its vast, open surface and sudden weather shifts, the lake can generate large, powerful waves—sometimes up to 4 or 5 feet—that slam against moored boats relentlessly. Even on seemingly sunny days, wind-driven swells can push water over the sides of an unattended boat. Without a watchful eye, even the toughest vessels can take on more than they can handle.

Fortunately, this is completely preventable. With the right equipment—solar battery chargers, high-capacity bilge pumps, backup float switches—and regular check-ins, your boat stays safe and sound. At Tahoe Boat Concierge, we make sure your boat is always monitored, dry, and ready to go. We’re your eyes and hands on the dock, so you don’t lose sleep—or a boat—to something that could’ve been a simple fix.