IF YOU'RE A SAILOR there is perhaps no lake in the American Northwest which offers so splendid a sailing opportunity. Bear in mind, however, the lake is so large and the surrounding topography so varied you'll find distinctly different prevailing conditions depending on where you're sailing. Also keep an eye out for storms.
      The majority of sailors on the lake berth at Bayview, at the southern tip of the lake. The prevailing winds here are from the southwest when weather is brewing, though morning winds in summer usually come from the east. The mountains surrounding Bayview are quite precipitous, however, and can often block wind.
      Those setting sail from Sandpoint will encounter three different wind patterns. With a weather front coming through, the winds are usually from the southwest. On other occasions, a north wind will blow down from Canada, usually coming up during the night, blowing in the morning and dying by noon. But most typically in the summer, a light but steady easterly wind will come up in the early afternoon.
      One marina on the lake rents sailboats, MacDonald's Hudson Bay Resort in Bayview (208-683-2211).
      A good resource for sailors is the Sandpoint Sailing Association, with information about sailing plus a calendar of regattas and events. Go to sandpointsailing.com.