Info on Lake Havasu

[watered down]

Ok, all you lower west coast boaters...since I now have a boat that's big enough to enjoy the lake, I need advice on going to lake Havasu. Looking to go in the fall/winter. <br /><br />1) Where's the best place to stay? (cheap but clean)<br />2) Where do you launch from? I'd like to stay away from the popular, crowded ramps...hopefully at this time of year it will be slow.<br />3) Best route there from So. Cal.<br />4) What's the weather like there fall/winter?<br />Any other advice, places to see on the lake, etc., would be great.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

Hi there WD. Havasu is a descent place to go in the winter. Air temp mostly in the 70's to 80's. Water is too cold to swim in without a wetsuit, for most people. . It's a "relatively" small lake and in my opinion all the ramps are equally busy. Personally, I like to put in in the city of Lake Havasu and go upstream into the canyon. Lots of little nooks to check out up that way. Downstream is open with not much to do except skiing and what not. Far south is the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge for the nauture lovers, no jet fleas allowed. Hope this helps, have fun!

 

[QC]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

I can't believe I missed this one. We spend a lot of time at Havasu; BIL lives there. There are definitely plusses and minusses. Big on the party and big on the crowd, but not during fall/winter. I second a lot of what DR says, especially about "the Canyon" which is really called Topock Gorge. A little bit treacherous entering from the lake, I suggest following another boat in.<br /><br />The south end can be really beautiful. There are some great coves that I can give you coordinates for if you have GPS, which if I remember correctly you do.<br /><br />If there are no traffic worries I go through Barstow and over on 40. If I am worried about traffic (Vegas crowd on Sunday night) I sometimes come home on the 10 by going south from Havasu through Parker, Poston, Ehrenberg and then to Blythe (adds about 7 miles). Just depends on my mood.

 

[QC]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

I just checked and it wasn't you WD that I knew had a GPS . . .<br /><br />Also, know some places to stay there. Cheapest on the water is probably Havasu Springs. You can get slips for reasonable too, but it is bascially right at the dam, so it is far from Topock etc. There are some hotels in town that are only a few minutes from launch ramps on the Island. The best place to stay, but also one of the most expensive is The Nautical Inn. Nice beach for kids etc. where you can beach your boat over night. rewal easy to get in and out etc., but it also known for the party during the summer . . .<br /><br />There is a free ramp out on the Island too, but it is pretty steep and narrow, I think it is called Site Six. I would launch at Lake Havasu Marina if you want a bigger ramp, very crowded during the season, but I bet it is very open this time of year. There is anothe ramp called Windsor Beach just a little north of the London Bridge etc. (not on the Island). There is a couple of hotels close to that as well. Good luck. We may be there on the Nov 5 weekend, but it doesn't look real likely at this point.

 

[watered down]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

Thanks for the info...looks like a trip is in the planning stages. The best I can do now is a 3-day weekend, if lucky leaving Thurs. night or early Friday morning. May try for next week...Nov. 11th since we both have it off. <br /><br />Since buying the new boat...money IS an object right now, so cheap place to stay is in.<br /><br />Question about gas. I still don't know just how much this v-8 burns. I have a 44 gal. tank so I know I'll be needing gas while there, but don't want to be stuck looking for it while on the water. If I stay in the city and launch there, is there gas on the Lake if I head north or south? Thanks

 

[ST]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

WD,<br />I do most my boating at Lake Havasu; mostly on week ends. Bought a house and left my boat there since Spring this year. As others mentioned above; quite a few launch ramps there; no worry about crowd after Labor Day. I suggest you launch free at "Site Six" on the "Island", about 3/4 mile West of London Bridge, it'll be on your left after passing Lake Havasu Marina. <br />I drive V8 Chevy Tahoe, when I get there I have 1/4 tank of gas left; distance traveled is 275 miles from my home in Walnut, S. California. <br /><br />There are plenty of gas stations too in the city (which is about 7 miles in N-S directions)along Arizona Hy. 95 (please beware; it's not the same as US Hwy. 95) where Lake Havasy City is located. I usually gas up at "PILOT" gas station at the junction of I40 and Az. 95 on the way home (Gas prices in Arizona generally is about 7 cents less per gallon compared to LA/Orange Cty area); others less expensive gas stations in the city are "ARCO" and "TERRIBLE"; can be seen on the East side of the main city street (Az. Hwy. 95).<br /><br />Havasu Lake is an all year round boating and fishing lake; as long as the sun is out, it should be nice out in the lake. Oh yeah, plan to also go up to North of lake; it'll narrows after you pass the "Sand Bar", but this is the famous "Topock Gorge" mentioned above by "Rat" and "Cat". Pack some lunch, find a deserted cove/beach, enjoy the scenery, drop your fishing line in the water, and relax...Let me post you few pics of the gorge:<br /> http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/st2216/album?.dir=7968&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http% <br /><br />and my 24 yrs old boat:<br /> http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/st2216/album?.dir=795e&.src=ph# <br /><br />Great if you can leave Thursday or Friday morning (Friday afternoon is the worst: Las Vegas traffic), from Ventura take 101 Eastbound, 134 and on to 210, cut to I15 North, to I40 East after Barstow, straight line (almost) for about 130 miles, exit Az. 95 South, you'll be in the city 20 more Miles ahead.<br /><br />Email me if you're still looking for the best accomodation in town!

 

[ST]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

Oops, <br />can't see email address in my profile, here it is: st2216@yahoo.com

 

[watered down]

Re: Info on Lake Havasu

Thanks, fired off an email to ya.