Last Sailboats Pulled from Hoover Reservoir as Mooring Season Closes
The final sailboats were removed from Hoover Reservoir’s city docks Friday, officially bringing the 2025 mooring season to a close.
The last vessel tied up at Red Bank Marina, a compact white sailboat seen being winched onto its trailer Friday afternoon, was the final boat to leave the Columbus-maintained docks. It marked the end of the boating season on a cool, brisk day under early autumn skies.
The other remaining sailboat, Merrytime Adventurer, had been moored near Hoover Dam throughout the summer but was relocated to Red Bank for haul-out. The boat’s owner had to shift plans after the Walnut Street boat ramp, the closest access point to the dam, was closed for renovations. With limited options, Red Bank served as the fallback location for retrieving vessels moored at the dam end of the lake.
All boats were required to be out of the water by the end of the day, per city regulations that mandate the removal of all moored vessels by October 31. The policy is designed to ensure safety and allow for winter reservoir drawdown and dock maintenance.
Throughout the day, crews and boat owners worked steadily to remove lines, secure gear, and winch boats out of the water. By late afternoon, the docks at Red Bank stood empty, signaling the quiet transition from sailing season to the colder months ahead.
While the season has ended, work continues at Hoover Reservoir with ramp improvements and infrastructure updates expected to improve access for the 2026 boating season.
Saturday, Nov 1
Mark Twain Craft Bazaar
9 a.m.–3 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd. Early-bird 9–10 a.m. available. Admission listed as $5; early-bird $10.Holly Day Bazaar
9 a.m.–3 p.m., Westerville Community United Church of Christ, 770 County Line Rd. 55+ vendors; admission $3.Native American Heritage Month Launch: “Turtle Island” Display
All day, Westerville Public Library
Displays and interpretive material begin.“Sacagawea Speaks!”: Native American Tales & Traditions
2–3 pm, Westerville Public Library
Family-friendly storytelling event.Otterbein Opera Theatre
7:30 pm, Riley Auditorium
Second performance of the weekend.The Trojan Women
7:30 pm, Campus Center Theatre
Theatre production continues.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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