Conference vicki::boats

I go to Lake Powell once or twice a year.  I've never been to Lake Mead.  
When I've rented houseboats, I've always gotten them from Bullfrog Marina.
That would be the closest marina to you, except possibly Hite.  The problem
with Hite is that you have to drive the boat a lot of miles before you get to
the real pretty scenery.  The same company does the houseboat rentals for the
entire lake.  Their number is 1-800-528-6154.  If you are planning on going 
next summer, you probably hadn't wait much longer before getting your 
reservation in.  Definetly, get it before Christmas.  Like I said, I haven't 
been to Mead, but I don't see how anything could be any prettier than
Lake Powell.  The only way to describe the scenery is breathtaking.  There 
is more beach area at Lake Powell than the entire 
West Coast of the United States.  Each canyon is different from the last.
My first year there, I had sensory overload before the first day was over.
The water level was down about 80 feet when I was there
in May, probably more now.  It makes it a little tight getting in and out
of the marinas with a 60 foot houseboat, but it has also opened up a lot of
new scenery and beach area.  The temperature in the summer is HOT.  The average
hi is probably around 105, but 115 isn't unusual at all.  The water in July/Aug
is 80+, and I've been in some canyons where you can lay in hot spots that have
to be in the mid 90s.  The best water skiing is up the San Juan arm.  You would
want to go about halfway up the arm where it opens up into a bay.  It is usually
glass there.  If you get up early, you can ski about anywhere.  The problem
is that once the houseboats start moving it is rough the rest of the day.  The 
wind usually blows during the day too.  For some reason, the bay in the San Juan
doesn't get the wind nearly as much.  Not as many people go up there either.
Rainbow Bridge is must-see, and it is also in the same general area.  There 
is also a refueling marina in that same area, accross the main channel.  Be
ready for gas pump shock.  It is expensive, and  you'll use a lot.  Also, if 
I had the ice concession, I wouldn't need to be working here (or anywhere else).
The biggest mistake we made our first trip was that we tried to see too much.  
We wore ourselves out trying to go up every canyon.  Just accept the fact that
you won't have time to see it all in one trip.  Also, use your ski boats for
exploring the canyons, while the houseboat keeps chugging down the channel.
It will use a lot less gas, and you'll get to see more in less time.  When
you aren't running around in the ski boats, tow them behind the houseboat with
a long line.

/wayne

    Ah yes, the ultimate vacation-Houseboating on lake Powell with Skiboat
    in tow...
    
    Doug

    Of course the ultimate would be if the Swedish Bikini Team showed up
    :-).
    
    How much does it cost to rent one of these 60' houseboats for a week?
    Sounds great!
    Wayne

     I went to AAA and got some info on where to call , It looks like about
    $2000.00 a week. Not bad at all , we are going to get around 10 people
    to go. (With 3 ski boats in tow). We have done houseboats at lake
    Shasta but next summer will be the ultimate. (even if the Swedish
    Bikini Team does not show , but just in case what kind of Beer do
    they chase after)  :-) X 10000

    The problem with beer commercials like the one which has the Swedish
    Bikini Team is that you don't pay attention to what beer they are 
    advertising :-)  
    
    Any special qualifications for being the "pilot" to this floating
    extravaganza?  I suppose it doesn't go that fast but some amount of
    basic skill must be required.
    
    Wayne

    When we went to Lake Shasta you had to veiw a 30 min. tape and the for
    about 30 min. they show you how all the equipment works on board. The
    main thing is to remember these do *NOT* stop on a dime , or turn to
    fast. I will be checking this file for a while to come , so if I could
    get info on Mead that would be great
    
    Ron

They have the same thing at Powell.  The Captain and First Mate watch a 30 
minute film, and then they walk you through the boat showing how everything
works.  Of course, 30 minutes doesn't a Captain make.  If you want some 
entertainment while waiting for your houseboat to get ready (it is first come, 
first serve, so get there about 1/2 hour before they open.  Otherwise, you'll be
lucky to get out by 4:00 PM), set up a lawnchair on the beach and watch as
two 60 foot houseboats try to come through a space big enough for one, in
different directions, all while the wind is blowing.  Or watch the gas dock
boys panic as a houseboat comes into the dock at a speed about 10 times what it
should be.

One other thing to be really careful about at Powell is to watch the storms.
A houseboat sideways in the wind makes an awfully big sail.  If you see a storm
coming, head for one of the canyons with the high walls.  There can be 5 foot
waves out in the main channel, while it is relatively calm in a canyon.  We
were in a canyon two years ago watching a storm approach when a tornado dropped
out of the clouds.  That was a scary moment.  Luckily, the tornado went back up
into the clouds before the storm hit us.  We still had 50 mph winds though.
Another time, the houseboat next to us broke loose and would have made 
kindling out of my
friends skiboat that was between the houseboats if there handn't been a 
rubber dingy between them also.  The dingy took the first shock (popping it),
and the other boat was able to get started and shifted back over using the
engines before any more damage.  This was a 2:00 AM.  Surprising how fast you
can wake up when you need to.  The wind had been blowing all night up the
canyon at about 30 mph and within a matter of seconds changed directions 
and came back down the canyon at over 50 mph.  When you anchor at night, 
make sure your anchors are solid.  Piling a few (or even a lot) of rocks on 
the anchor won't do it when the wind hits the houseboat sideways.  If that
happens, start up your engines and use them to keep the houseboat pushed 
against the shore.

Have fun!

/wayne

    I HAVE HAD BOAT SLIPS AT LAKE MEAD, FLAMING GORGE AND LAKE POWELL.  THE
    ULTIMATE WINNER IS LAKE POWELL FOR LOUNGING, SKIING, HEAT STRIPED
    BASS FISHING AND BEAUTY. 
    LAKE MEAD IS NICE BUT BORING....THERE IS NO COMPARISON.  LAKE POWELL
    INFO CAN BE OBTAINED FROM DEL WEBB CORPORATION.  CALL FOR 1 800
    DIRECTORY INFORMATION AND THEY CAN PROVIDE PHONE NUMBERS.  DEL WEBB
    WILL SEND AMPLE BROCHURES.  ****WATCH THE STORMS/WINDS**** THEY ARE
    VERY DEADLY.  YOU HAVE ACCESS TO WEATHER CHANNELS ON MARINE VHF AND A
    LARGE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FOR ASSISTANCE.                   

    The Swedish Bikini Team likes Old Milwaukee.
    

     
    So the coast guard is there huh?? That means I have to pay that silly
    tax on us rich boat owners. Keep the info coming , but I am leaning
    to Powell. What area do you live in . (the person who said eat my heart
    out .....I am I am). I will be gone for three weeks but any info is
    welcome!!!!!!
    
    Ron

I don't think Lake Powell is included in the fee list.
From the latest AWSA Water Skier:
The new boat user fee applies to boaters using 1) coastal waters and Great 
Lakes, 2) waters subject to tidal influence, 3) non-tidal waters from which
a 16-foot powerboat with a displacement hull can navigate to tidal waters and
4) the following specified waters: Lake of the Woods, Minn.; Lake Roosevelt,
Wash.; Lake Tahoe, Calif. and Nev. and the Colorado River Between Parker Dam
and Davis Dam including Lake Havasu, Ariz. and Calif.

I don't know where Parker or Davis Dams are, but I've never heard of them, so
I'm pretty sure they are after Powell.  If Powell was included, I'm sure they
would have mentioned it.

FYI: ARA bought out Del Webb on Lake Powell, so they rent out the houseboats
     now.  The phone number is still the same.  I was a bit concerned when I
     heard they had bought it out, since I saw how our cafeteria service went
     downhill when they took it over, but I was very happy with how things
     were run on my last trip.  My only complaint was how rude the gas dock
     people are.  They treat you like idiots.  I can understand it a bit though,
     since there are definitely some idiots on the lake, and it would only take
     one to blow up the dock.  But that doesn't mean they have to be rude
     to everyone.  I said that in the customer survey after the trip.

    I have never been to Mead,just Powell,and I agree with everyone when it
    comes to the scenery,it's incredible. The skiing however isn't always
    prime. The steep walls that are so righteous to look at throw all your
    wakes right back atcha. If it is calm enough to run out in the main
    channel,do,and keep going the same direction.