Lake Powell -- how is the sailing ??

[Mountainman]

the reason that I'am asking
while out recently looking for our new to us used sailboat
a long time skipper who was selling a 25' MacGreggor
told me that his sailing club had traveled to Lake Powell many times
for some fine sailing
spending a few days and nights out on the lake
sounded like much fun
made me want a sailboat even more
now we found our boat
22' Catalina
so now with boat in our yard waiting and getting ready for adventure
I goggled sailing on Lake Powell
seems there is not much wind there at many or most times ?

can someone share regarding sailing on Lake Powell ?

thank you
Mountainman​

 

[Sumner]

Lake Powell can be frustrating to sail on, but you won't find a more scenic....

...lake in the country probably. It is our nearest big lake, being 90 miles away for us. We tried to sail, not motor, from one end to the other. Unfortunately trying to weather out a storm with over 60 mph winds resulted in me being injuried. We continued on, but only made 90+ miles and will have to go back out later and sail the last 50 miles.

Here are links to our two trips.....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-trips-1/macgregor-trips-1-index.html

.. on Powell, plus some other trips.

I would highly recommend going to anyone, but be careful, according to one newspaper account and from our experience treat the lake with respect...

Lake Powell's blue water, winding red-rock canyons and sandy beaches form a vacation paradise for nearly 2 million visitors a year. But beware.
More serious recreational boating accidents occur there than at any of the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River or even the Pacific Ocean's U.S. coast.
In fact, Lake Powell recorded the sixth highest rate of boating accidents of any body of water in America since 1995. Half of all Utah boating accidents occurred there, too.

...you can get very high winds there also and with ......

.....shear canyon walls you don't always have a handy place to go. If your time is limited you might motor a lot to see as much as you can. There are lots of options as where to go or what to do on the lake.

Good luck,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Freedom77]

LIke our Buddy Sumner says: Lake Powell is absolutely beautiful and you can hide back in the canyons and no one will find you. We have lived near Lake Mead for 40+ years and the sailing is good. You're a few hours closer from San Diego right up I-15. The lower basin is as large as San Diego Bay. Wind is variable. Best months are May and October. It's 110 on the water right now! There's good launch ramp and dock services. Boulder City is a few minutes from the lake and you can get provisions. If you come up mid-week you can get special rates at the Hacienda Hotel which is 10 minutes from the ramp and has good parking for boats. AND you can blow your kids inheritance in the Casino There is a car and trailer fee and both lakes. think all the lakes are going to outlaw 2 cycle outboards soon. If you need more info let us desert rats know. Fair Winds and Full Sails....

 

[neilmcc]

A long distance reply

We have spent a few days on Lake Powell with the kids waterskiing while on vacation. Judging by my short experience it will be very much like sailing on the sea lochs here in Scotland (if much, much warmer). The winds are generally variable with strong gusts possible pretty much any time due to the steepness of the shores and the wind whistling down the valleys.
I would love to give sailing on Lake Powell a try as the scenery is spectacular and being out in a sailboat instead of a V8 ski boat sounds great.
Enjoy....

 

[Mountainman]

thank you

thank you all for the great information
those pictures of Lake Powell take the breath away
I have done some sailing in the past (way past now)
just getting back on the water with this Catalina 22
will be breaking in a new to sailing crew member (the little wife)
Lake Powell sounds like a sailing spot where all should be (tight crew ready for action)
Lake Mead might be a better first longer trip out for us
I was out there on Lake Mead 20 years ago on a friends motor boat
as I remember some high rock walls and very beautiful

Thanksgiving is a time when the wife can slip away (school teacher)
the Mountainmanbobwithsailboat is retired -- willing and ready at all times to sail
I wonder how the weather conditions on Lake Mead are around Thanksgiving ?

nice to be here
thank you all
from
Mountainmanbob

 

[Freedom77]

Ya need to check regs on launching and retrieving. We have a infestation of some kine of mussel not native to us and they are clogging up the Dam. Water temp at Lake Mead at Thanksgiving will be pretty cool, around 60-65 +/-. By late December 55 +/-. Nice thing is the lake is pretty well abandoned and you can get off in a cove and not be bothered. Also you might be able to rent a slip or and end tie. If you plan on coming this way shoot a post and I will get you some info. Fair Winds and Full Sails....

 

[Mountainman]

If you plan on coming this way shoot a post and I will get you some info. Fair Winds and Full Sails....

thank you
I would appreciate that
I'am availabe that seems to be for sure
but
the wife is a teacher and all will depend on her being able to get away
but for sure (God willing)
Lake Mead will be a trailer boat trip for us before too long
thanks again
from
Mountainmanbob​

 

[Joe]

thank you
I would appreciate that
I'am availabe that seems to be for sure
but
the wife is a teacher and all will depend on her being able to get away
but for sure (God willing)
Lake Mead will be a trailer boat trip for us before too long
thanks again
from
Mountainmanbob​

Any justification

for your justification, MMB?

Your posts

Look like a

greeting card!​

 

[Mountainman]

Any justification​

for your justification, MMB?​

Your posts​

Look like a​

greeting card!​

has to do with a past medical condition
one that I think is getting more common these days
Transit Gobal Amneisa

 

[JVB]

When you take a sailboat out on potentially hazardous waters you need to eliminate any weak spots in your ability to respond.

Do you have at least enough horsepower to push your boat at hull speed ? Is the propeller deep enough to not suck air when the boat is pitching in big waves ? Even if you don't need to go fast, you may need considerable thrust to counter a head wind or current before you can move forward at all.

Do you have a mast top antenna and a VHF with DSC capability and a GPS linked to it ?

Do you have a personal locator beacon ?

 

[Mountainman]

Do you have at least enough horsepower to push your boat at hull speed ?

Is the propeller deep enough to not suck air when the boat is pitching in big waves ?

Do you have a mast top antenna and a VHF
GPS linked to it ?

Do you have a personal locator beacon ?

good food for thought -- thank you JVB
this has slowed me down a little in my thinking regarding safe sailing
answers​

7.5 Honda longshaft
have not been out in big waves yet
second time out on this boat will be tomorrow
been out on my friends C-22 three times​

mast top antenna
yes​

GPS linked to it
no
something that I'am going to be looking into​

Do you have a personal locator beacon ?
no
another thing to look into​

have spent my monthy check at the boat store already
I know
get ready for more !!​

heading out tomorrow for some
San Diego Mission Bay and a ((little ways)) into the ocean
God willing
will check this thread before heading out in the morning​

thank you and happy sailing
from
Mountainman​

 

[Freedom77]

Moutainman: Catalina 22, along with J24 and sunfish, was just inducted into the Sailboat Hall of Fame. Biggest production boat in history. Honda 7.5 should be plenty for Cat 22. We have same on V-25. If I ever get to SD I'll email Ya and maybe we can hook up. I love SD Bay and Mission Bay. I lived in Mission Bay early 50's when it was still a wetland aka swamp. Attended Mission Bay Elementary. I also have conditions which affects seniors. CSR, Can't Remember S..t Now that I have it all together I forgot where I put it. Fair Winds and Full Sails....

 

[Mountainman]

hello to

Freedom77
Macgregor 1976 Venture 25
Lake Mead, Nevada

from the lower Lakeside mountains -- Mountainman

yes please -- if you get back to San Diego sometime
get in touch with us
I'am thinking that for a little trailer trip for us
Lake Mead would be good