Sailed Lake of the Ozarks a couple of times.... save your time (see what Mike said).
I grew up on KY Lake and dad still owns the largest boat yard in the area. GREAT sailing lake. No real beaches to speak of, so you're SOL there. Not sure how active it is, but look up the Ky Lake Sailing Club.
I grew up water-skiing the headwaters of Lake of the Ozarks. Lake was dammed in the '30's and is the closest retreat for St. Louis & Kansas City boaters. It's not deep in the Ozark Mountains but close enough for some large bluffs and steep hills. The lake is 98 miles long and no more than 3/4 mile at its' widest point. Only successful sailing is a 40' leaner with an inboard, cabin air/genie and a bimini top. I've owned sailboats since '82 and never bothered. Over the years business owners have turned the lake into a weekend entertainment mecca. Some of the fastest offshore racing boats in the world are at the Ozarks...no wind, flat water. You need, at least, a 28' boat to "survive" on the weekend from the dam to MM25. Great party destination.
Wife and I stopped in Paducah, KY last Sunday/Monday on the way back from Merlefest(and selling the P15...sniff, sniff). Kentucky Lake, Lake Barklay, and the Land Between the Lakes are on our to do list...with a sailboat!
