Havasu Advice June 7-11? Please help!

[Guppydriver]

I'm having a hard time finding a decent place to stay in Page for a Powell trip (Not ready or prepared for a house boat yet), so we are thinking about Havasu from June 7-11. Yes I know it's hot, but kids would love surfing in warm water and still plenty of airbnb's available.

Anyway, (assuming we actually get our boat) we are wondering if anyone has any advice for nubes in their first V drive down there. I have I/O experience, but always in sub 20K boats that I never worried about dinging up a little here and there (a new prop was $200). I'd rather avoid any real shallow water with my experience, but am looking for some places with a little space for pull sports.

Please share any tips which include where to go and (most importantly) where to avoid (especially for someone who isn't super confident yet) and other resources that may be helpful. We will probably launch daily just because I'd be worried sick thinking about my brand new 100k boat if I rented a slip..lol.

Oh...before we get into it.. you guys think it will be way too hot to enjoy ourselves? I'm hoping early June isn't unbearable.

Thanks in advance!!

[sandm]

havasu will be HOT AF in june. we hit 100 last weekend and havasu will be hotter. expect 105 daily if it was me going and remember it's the desert so the sun is much more intense than slc....

that said I have not spent any time on the water at havasu but have stayed there several times to golf. I like the london bridge resort. it's old and a little dated but its right on the water and has a nice beach to play on. marina/docking and I would not worry about leaving boat in the water there. just empty it out each night and cover. the tige reunion is at havasu springs this fall and looking at the place, they have pool, beach, marina, restaurants and such but depending on where your room is you will want a golf cart to get around. they are quite a ways from town so expect to drive in.

lake is big but it's also a lake full of gofasts so watch for them. the channel under the bridge is no wake and has sand sides to park the boat and play. lots will chill in the channel and watch the parade of boats all day long.

there's a mexican joint right at the start of the london bridge that is really good. never had a bad meal there. the sports bar/restaurant on the other side of the bridge from the mexican joint is really good and has windows overlooking the channel. nice for a dinner out.

lots will take the trip up the river toward needles and supposed to be some super cool canyons up there but be careful with a vdrive. download a good mapping software program or get a river map and study. I know you can make it but knowing the channel is important. I have heard it's a "must do" when in havasu and it's where all the partiers go. nowhere to run a tube or surfer that way. all about the view.

[sandm]

Random pics from spring break 2018 of the channel and lake.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210503/a19860d3f6bca44e1128be7255e1fdde.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210503/c5158628bfc703d617dda4d9938802f3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210503/ebd24057ff516ebea8ec32d64a246f13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210503/eff6f8a9aff54f3cdb64c7616e313aa2.jpg

[sandm]

One more.....https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210503/cca582cf3748d6bf2e9e9fc34dcd881d.jpg

[Guppydriver]

Thanks @sandm !

We are going with the kids, so won't be doing much park n' drink, but definitely will check out the restaurants!!

Maybe I will rent the slip, it's probably about the same price as having to launch daily at $15-20 a day. I'm not sure I've got the huevos to beach a new boat even if it is sand, but I will see. As an I/O veteran, I'm sure I'm going to look like a royal dipsh!t trying to dock my V drive into a slip, but you there's a first time for everything..lol.

I will definitely invest in a mapping program, I won't have built in GPS. I plan on doing the Navionics "full app" weekly trial while I'm there connected to a phone or tablet. Is that a good mapping software?

[sandm]

I liked navionics. should be good with it.
the lines at the launch at havasu can get 2+hrs long on a weekend day so paying the monies to slip will be MORE than made up as you drive past the line. I know a couple that have vacation homes there and they only boat on fridays now. sat/sun is a $hitshow there....

the channel can have drinking but there were a lot of families there as well so don't think it's a big party scene. granted there is some of that but I saw a lot of kids running around and this was during spring break- notorious there for college kids.

[Zog]

Navionics is good. It is a must have at Powell since you can adjust the depth. I suggest you familiarize yourself with it before you need to rely on it though, since there are a bunch of settings that could lead to trouble if you don't watch out (boat configuration, depth offsets for water, depth marks on the map, etc.).

[rockymtnsurfer]

I was at Havasu last week for a week. Check out the VRBO's...they are totally affordable. Get one with a pool which is most of them. Try to get a slip at the marina for your boat......makes life super easy. Go during the week....Fri Sat are a zoo with the Cig Boats. Water was 68 and the temps were 80-95. Best times were early am and late am...and hang at the pool during mid day. Just my experience
D

[rockymtnsurfer]

I was at Havasu last week for a week. Check out the VRBO's...they are totally affordable. Get one with a pool which is most of them. Try to get a slip at the marina for your boat......makes life super easy. Go during the week....Fri Sat are a zoo with the Cig Boats. Water was 68 and the temps were 80-95. Best times were early am and late am...and hang at the pool during mid day. Just my experience


D

Sorry Late PM

[Guppydriver]

I was at Havasu last week for a week. Check out the VRBO's...they are totally affordable. Get one with a pool which is most of them. Try to get a slip at the marina for your boat......makes life super easy. Go during the week....Fri Sat are a zoo with the Cig Boats. Water was 68 and the temps were 80-95. Best times were early am and late am...and hang at the pool during mid day. Just my experience
D

We are going Monday, leaving Saturday! Good advice! We will do most of the boating during the week and maybe use friday night for a "London Bridge" day! We went through airbnb and got a sweet place with pool for under 2 grand! Really pumped if I can get my GD boat.

[sandm]

might be putting break in hours on havasu :)

rocky is right on going early/late. wind is an issue there and comes up almost every day. it's a big wide open lake and susceptible to wind easy.

great golfing there if you're into it. emerald canyon in parker is one of my top3 favs..

[Guppydriver]

Might have to take my clubs!

Just reserved a slip.... Does this mean I'll be paying 5 bucks a gallon or so for marina gas as opposed to launching daily where I can fill up at a regular gas station? That might get pricey...but I do love the convenience of just parking...walk up to the boat and go.

[rockymtnsurfer]

Its just pricey.........but don't make the mistake I did and fill my truck up betweem Vegas and Havasu in the California part :$4.80 or something like that. $$$$

Sandm is defiantly correct on the wind. If its 20+ go find some other things to do....not worth even getting out. 0-15/19 we found if you go out the marina and head to the right to the bigger side of the lake, you can tuck in a little bit and stay mostly out of chop and the wind.

Just a comment.....I was super surprised at how shallow the lake is. Not grounding or anything (except London bridge channel...which did make me nervous) but the lake in general. Seemed average around 30-40ft. Maybe I am wrong, but I watched it a lot on Depth finder. I am not used to lakes that shallow, so it caught me off guard.

Have fun! My teens loved it as well as the boss and me

[Guppydriver]

Its just pricey.........but don't make the mistake I did and fill my truck up betweem Vegas and Havasu in the California part :$4.80 or something like that. $$$$

Sandm is defiantly correct on the wind. If its 20+ go find some other things to do....not worth even getting out. 0-15/19 we found if you go out the marina and head to the right to the bigger side of the lake, you can tuck in a little bit and stay mostly out of chop and the wind.

Just a comment.....I was super surprised at how shallow the lake is. Not grounding or anything (except London bridge channel...which did make me nervous) but the lake in general. Seemed average around 30-40ft. Maybe I am wrong, but I watched it a lot on Depth finder. I am not used to lakes that shallow, so it caught me off guard.

Have fun! My teens loved it as well as the boss and me

Thanks man! We are pumped. Now I just have to decide on whether to keep or cancel the slip. I'll be boating tuesday through friday, so I doubt the launch retrieval times will be too bad....but the convenience would be nice....and my wife isn't exactly the best backing up a truck and trailer. lol

[Swervy]

Thanks man! We are pumped. Now I just have to decide on whether to keep or cancel the slip. I'll be boating tuesday through friday, so I doubt the launch retrieval times will be too bad....but the convenience would be nice....and my wife isn't exactly the best backing up a truck and trailer. lol

As someone who trailers the majority of the time, I’d keep the slip for your trip. The convenience of leaving the boat in the water while on vacation is totally worth it. Not sure on the age of your kids, but not having to deal with waiting to launch or retrieve the boat on a hot day is sometimes worth it’s weight in gold. Just my $.02 :)

Enjoy your trip!

[Josh828]

If you are going to slip it I would try to get some nice buoys
I was actually really happy with my first weekend with the LetsTieUp Balls It would be the only way I would sleep after tying the boat up haha

Also these things are a bear to trailer. I didn't have a single problem all weekend docking or anything or putting it back up on the trailer is going to take some practice.

[Guppydriver]

If you are going to slip it I would try to get some nice buoys
I was actually really happy with my first weekend with the LetsTieUp Balls It would be the only way I would sleep after tying the boat up haha

Also these things are a bear to trailer. I didn't have a single problem all weekend docking or anything or putting it back up on the trailer is going to take some practice.

Yeah...Gonna keep the slip. We will launch with a full tank so we will probably go through 2-3 tanks of Marina gas (120-180 gallons) .....so in the long run...what's an extra $120- 180 bucks or so on a week long vacation. I have some let's tie up balls I got during black friday. They aren't the Big Bertha versions but I'm excited to try them out. I do have experience tying up my I/O, so I'm not too worried and the Marina looks really protected.

[rockymtnsurfer]

As someone who trailers the majority of the time, I’d keep the slip for your trip. The convenience of leaving the boat in the water while on vacation is totally worth it. Not sure on the age of your kids, but not having to deal with waiting to launch or retrieve the boat on a hot day is sometimes worth it’s weight in gold. Just my $.02 :)

Enjoy your trip!


Keep the slip!.......so great to come in the am and surf for a little bit. Dock....go have lunch, swim, shop(as my wife and daughters do......then go back out for a late afternoon session, dock and go home to a cocktail. Best money spent in my opinion.

[Tommy2slow]

Just curious. Are there no travel restrictions in the US? We aren’t even allowed to travel outside our region, never mind outside our state/province. An out of province plate on a truck pulling a boat here is guaranteed hefty fine.

[larry_arizona]

Just curious. Are there no travel restrictions in the US? We aren’t even allowed to travel outside our region, never mind outside our state/province. An out of province plate on a truck pulling a boat here is guaranteed hefty fine.

No travel restrictions in the continuous 48 states.

Some states ask you to quarantine, but largely unenforceable. Those fully vaccinated are unrestricted also.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rockymtnsurfer]

Just curious. Are there no travel restrictions in the US? We aren’t even allowed to travel outside our region, never mind outside our state/province. An out of province plate on a truck pulling a boat here is guaranteed hefty fine.


No mask requirements at all...any place ....in Havasu

[Guppydriver]

Just curious. Are there no travel restrictions in the US? We aren’t even allowed to travel outside our region, never mind outside our state/province. An out of province plate on a truck pulling a boat here is guaranteed hefty fine.

WOW. Just Wow..

The RCMP will actually pull you over for leaving provincial boundaries? Are you guys behind the US with vaccines? We are at the point where everyone who wants to be vaccinated has had or has the opportunity. I'm a pretty progressive dude, but we have to start seeing the end game soon. I wouldn't be going to Havasu if there were still stringent restrictions.

Back on thread...got a call from the marina and they put me in a nube slip with no one behind me...definitely keeping it!!!

[Swervy]

...got a call from the marina and they put me in a nube slip with no one behind me...definitely keeping it!!!

I think you will be very happy with your decision to keep the slip! You’ll be able to spend your time enjoying your vacation without having the stresses of dealing with launching and retrieving each day. Enjoy!!

[Guppydriver]

I think you will be very happy with your decision to keep the slip! You’ll be able to spend your time enjoying your vacation without having the stresses of dealing with launching and retrieving each day. Enjoy!!

Thanks man!

Another FNG question...

Is it taboo to bring some gas cans to your boat in the morning and mitigate the marina gas premium a little? I know it's not much but I have four five gallon cans that I could empty into the boat every morning. Will they allow me to do that? Not a big deal, but more curious than anything. We will probably drop around 4k or so for everything for the entire the week, so what's $80 bucks....

[Josh828]

Fuel cell in the truck or even a 25 gallon fuel caddy on wheels hahaha, Im not sure if there would be rules against it (I could see it for spillage reasons) but I sure wouldn't judge you if I saw you I know the pain

[HFarr]

Thanks man!

Another FNG question...

Is it taboo to bring some gas cans to your boat in the morning and mitigate the marina gas premium a little? I know it's not much but I have four five gallon cans that I could empty into the boat every morning. Will they allow me to do that? Not a big deal, but more curious than anything. We will probably drop around 4k or so for everything for the entire the week, so what's $80 bucks....Man, I am one of those people that will drive across town just to save 5 cents per gallon. Drives my wife crazy. Its not the money as much as it is the principal of paying more. If one place can sell it low, so can another. I call myself rewarding the guy for having good prices. My wife just says I'm stubborn.

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[rockymtnsurfer]

Thanks man!

Another FNG question...

Is it taboo to bring some gas cans to your boat in the morning and mitigate the marina gas premium a little? I know it's not much but I have four five gallon cans that I could empty into the boat every morning. Will they allow me to do that? Not a big deal, but more curious than anything. We will probably drop around 4k or so for everything for the entire the week, so what's $80 bucks....

With the location and parking for slip holders.....the main office would never see you anyhow

[Tommy2slow]

WOW. Just Wow..

The RCMP will actually pull you over for leaving provincial boundaries? Are you guys behind the US with vaccines? We are at the point where everyone who wants to be vaccinated has had or has the opportunity. I'm a pretty progressive dude, but we have to start seeing the end game soon. I wouldn't be going to Havasu if there were still stringent restrictions.

Back on thread...got a call from the marina and they put me in a nube slip with no one behind me...definitely keeping it!!!
Yep. Still have a full mask update and full covid protocol. RCMP roadblocks at all highways in and out of the lower mainland. Provincial campgrounds canceled all reservations if you don’t live in that health region. We are behind the US in vaccinations with only about 30% receiving their first dose. Alberta is really struggling right now and increased lockdown measures this week. Canada, generally speaking, has done a good job of keeping the infection rates low compared to the US but we don’t have the secure vaccine supply chain that the US has.

[jph3]

I have been in Havasu since March 20. Came back to Colorado here and there, but sold our place at the end of 21, and we are still here now. I can tell you the marina will not allow gas tanks on the dock - you can try, but there is security in the tower and they keep a decent eye on things. Truth be told, you would probably get away with it, but not sure its worth it. My $.02... its worth $1/gallon to not pull the boat, or haul gas around anyway.

You got the slip, thats a great thing already. Rhonda and MaryAnne are awesome - there is a waiting list for year round slips that is 400+ people deep. Its a busy marina for sure. We are headed to Tablerock in June, so wont be here at that time, but I am sure you will enjoy it. Take the time to go north into the refuge - lunch at Topock. If you are surfing, I would go on the California side in front of the casino to avoid the go-fast boat traffic. Weekdays here are dead... Saturdays and Sundays (until 3p) are busy - its the california crowd.

[Guppydriver]

I have been in Havasu since March 20. Came back to Colorado here and there, but sold our place at the end of 21, and we are still here now. I can tell you the marina will not allow gas tanks on the dock - you can try, but there is security in the tower and they keep a decent eye on things. Truth be told, you would probably get away with it, but not sure its worth it. My $.02... its worth $1/gallon to not pull the boat, or haul gas around anyway.

You got the slip, thats a great thing already. Rhonda and MaryAnne are awesome - there is a waiting list for year round slips that is 400+ people deep. Its a busy marina for sure. We are headed to Tablerock in June, so wont be here at that time, but I am sure you will enjoy it. Take the time to go north into the refuge - lunch at Topock. If you are surfing, I would go on the California side in front of the casino to avoid the go-fast boat traffic. Weekdays here are dead... Saturdays and Sundays (until 3p) are busy - its the california crowd.

So surfing by the Havasu Landing casino ? I assume the refuge is the Topock Bay Area. We will plan lunch at the Topock 66 for sure! Any other preferred areas for surfing? I’m not used to seeing speed boats going that fast so I imagine it can get a little unnerving.