Every time I take my wife out on the boat, she spends her time worrying if I will be able to find my way back to the dock.  She thinks that I am going to get us lost forever and become the Flying Dutchman of Lake Lanier, forever doomed to sail the lake because he was too stubborn to ask directions.  How can I get her off my back -- I mean ease her concerns.
 
Lost Lars
 
Ahoy Lars,
 
I feel your pain.  Like you, I have never been lost.  I always know exactly where I 'm not.  However, this is not about you and me, this is about our significant other who for some reason feels it is important to know where s/he actually is.  You need to get him/her a chart of Lake Lanier for their very own and show 'em how to use it.  You can pick one up at West Marine for a mere pittance when one considers the peace of mind it will give your beloved.   Below are some tips to help learn to read the chart, avoid bumping into things and find their way home again. 
 
Capt. Noah
 
Where am I? - Channel marks will tell you.
 
The lake begins where Buford Dam puts the plug in the Chattahoochee River  (Indian word for let's party) The main body of the lake is defined by the Chattahoochee River channel.  There are marks on the lake on each side of the channel starting with 1 and 2 at the dam and increasing as you head up river.  The even numbered marks are to starboard as you head up river and on the port as you head down river (toward the dam).  Many tributaries flow into the lake to form side paths where you can go.  These are marked with letters and numbers but still follow the same numbering convention.  Lowest number are where they enter the main channel and get bigger as you head up river away from the main channel; the letters identify the tributary.  As an example, LSA is located on Big Creek; the X docks are across the lake from 5 BC (fifth Big Creek mark up river from the main channel).  So, as you sail out of X dock, pick up 5 BC and leave it to starboard and you are sailing down river to the main channel which you should enter around marker 13. (Tip of the three sisters)  In short, the channel marks tell you where you are and what direction you are headed.
 
Am I about to go aground? - Read your depth contours.
 
Once you know where you are, then you can figure out how deep the water is.  The depth is marked on the chart.  You need to remember a couple essential facts before you use those numbers.  One, they are based on full pool, which is 1070 on the chart I have.  If the lake level is 1055, remember to subtract 15 feet (always use the latest lake level) off the number listed on the chart.  You also need to know how much water your boat draws.  Let's say 5 ft for this example.  The cove you want to go into to snuggle with your baby shows 40 ft. of water.  So 40 feet minus 15 feet at the current low tide (lake level), gives you a depth of 25 ft.  With your 5 ft draft, you have 20 ft of water below your boat. .  No worries! Enjoy your swim.  If the chart says 20 ft, find another spot or you risk doing the not so fun bump and grind.
 
Will I fit under that bridge? -  Nope, Nada, No Way
 
I can save you the math on this one.  NO, YOU WILL NOT, none of the bridges on the lake is high enough to be safely navigated under, by the way, you won't fit over the dam either.  However, if you want to do the math, lets have a contest.  I will purchase a six pack of beer for the person who can figure how high Browns Bridge would have to be at full pool for a Catalina 28 to safely navigate under with a 3-foot safety margin.  Answer must include how high Browns Bridge really is.  The winner will be picked at random from all the right answers I am sure to get.
 
Signed, Capt. Noah T'all