Lake havasu

[Highrider2471]

I am just looking for some info on taking an out of state boat to lake havasu in AZ for spring break. Any considerations I should think about or reservations I should make well in advance? The girlfriend is from AZ but she is not much help in these matters.
any help would be great.

Thank you

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Lake havasu

well havasue is a zebra-quaga muscle infected lake so you will need to be decontaminated when you leave
as far as i know you will be ok on out of state registration. as long as it's up to date.

i avoid havasue because of the crowds and spring break is a big deal so yes you will want to get reservations for staying or temporary marina tie up asap

 

[12vMan]

Re: Lake havasu

well havasue is a zebra-quaga muscle infected lake so you will need to be decontaminated when you leave
as far as i know you will be ok on out of state registration. as long as it's up to date.

i avoid havasu because of the crowds and spring break is a big deal so yes you will want to get reservations for staying or temporary marina tie up asap

X2...especially on the spring break info. It gets real crazy and crowded there during spring break..you definitely won't be in Kansas anymore. Make sure you're bilge area is completely dry with the plug out, and vice-versa when you leave to go home. More info on the quagga mussel HERE

 

[Highrider2471]

Re: Lake havasu

Thanks guys, we are real familiar with zebra muscles here in kansas. More than half our lakes have them extremely bad, so the boat is already set up to be flushed and cleaned thourghly after each outing. Ill get on those reservations right away

 

[QC]

Re: Lake havasu

Missed this thread . . .

Define "spring break". My experience has been that it is nowhere near as crowded as say Memorial Day or Labor Day. What kind of lodging/camping are you looking to do? I have lots of experience with Havasu, hotels, camping and rentals. Let me know what you're thinking if you are still around.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Lake havasu

Missed this thread . . .

Define "spring break". My experience has been that it is nowhere near as crowded as say Memorial Day or Labor Day.

Never been to Spring Break at Havasu? It used to be one of the top 5 spots to Spring Break in the US. It's No. 1 on this site: CLICKY It was like Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day wrapped into one long 4 week stretch of mostly college students partying till the cows come home. Not a family time for the lake really. Lots of pasties and nudity, drinking and all-out partying. Hotels can fill up months in advance.
I have a friend who rents PWC's and he'll do more revenue during that time then all the holidays combined.
The city and law enforcement clamped down pretty hard several years ago but they have since loosened up somewhat to draw back the income they chased away, and it's my understanding that a large portion of the crowd has returned..especially since all the trouble south of the border. It's safer to stay in the states.
It's still a great place to go, just stay sober and aware.

 

[QC]

Re: Lake havasu

I agree with all that with two caveats:

1) Been there often during spring break

2) My experience is less crowded as it is spread out. That's why I said define . . .

I've been able to get rooms at the Nautical at a discount during spring break. Even the Turtle can be relatively quiet, but it definitely depends on which week and how the school schedules go. Even Desert Storm Poker Run period (April 23, 2012) is less crowded than Memorial and Labor Day weekends.

 

[wagnerz]

Re: Lake havasu

My Dad took me to Havasu when I was 12. It was a very eye opening experience in a lot of ways. Its definitely not a family destination.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Lake havasu

Not a family time for the lake really. Lots of pasties and nudity, drinking and all-out partying.

It was a very eye opening experience in a lot of ways. Its definitely not a family destination.

LOL... I had to visit a customer down there on my way out of town for vacation (long round about way) and dropped my wife and son off at McDonalds while I was busy for 1/2 hour. Needless to say my wife wasn't pleased with the clientele there that day and my son got an education. Lots of scantily clad women milling around, not your normal "McDonalds" crowd for sure.

 

[wagnerz]

Re: Lake havasu

"Lots of scantily clad women" It goes a lot further then that. We were staying at a campground that was right on the beach by the Lake. There was a lot of "stuff" going on, and it went on all night long. Of course, my dad made me stay inside the tent all night, and all I could do was hearing all of the... well you get the point.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Lake havasu

I heard they make you get nekkid so you won't take any of those mussels home in your trunks

 

[QC]

Re: Lake havasu

I've got to chime in, because Havasu is getting a little beat up here. Yes, especially in the Bridgewater Channel things can get a little crazy. But the south side of the Lake from say Steamboat Cove down to Havasu Springs is very mild, scenic and a decent family lake. There are some very fast boats that will always make it less safe than some other places, but I would have no problem recommending the south end to a family. Excellent on the lake camping too.

And the ride from the channel all the way to Needles is absolutely gorgeous, and the infamous Sandbar is almost dead now, so that too is not some party only trip. The fact is that Havasu can be pretty much whatever you want it to be.

Now, if you do want to party, it is everything you have heard. That's for sure.

 

[MRS]

Re: Lake havasu

Got to agree with QC it is what you want to make it. If you head down by sandy point and havasu springs it is nice and quiet but launching can be a real pain. But if you do get a room at the Nautical you have your own launch ramp and can beach the boat in the cove. Love Havasu any time, plus if you stay at the Nautical you can walk down to the naked turtle and crawel back to your room if you want.

 

[wagnerz]

Re: Lake havasu

When I went to Havasu when I was 12 was during the 4th of July, I have gone 3 other times there just during the week in the summer and it was not crazy at all. So it just depends on what time of year you go there.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Lake havasu

I am just looking for some info on taking an out of state boat to lake havasu in AZ for spring break. Any considerations I should think about or reservations I should make well in advance? The girlfriend is from AZ but she is not much help in these matters.
any help would be great.

Thank you

Hey Highrider

I would get in the mood for a great time and stay at the Nautical Inn where you can pull your boat up on the beach right by the hotel. You can explore the whole lake from there from the dam all the way up the Colorado River to the casinos at Laughlin. You're in for a great time during spring break. If you reserve now you'll get a great room as well. It sounds like you're already well versed as what to do with your boat taking care not to 'move a mussel' Enjoy

 

[donaldpeter58]

Re: Lake havasu

The city and law enforcement clamped down pretty hard several years ago but they have since loosened up somewhat to draw back the income they chased away, and it's my understanding that a large portion of the crowd has returned..especially since all the trouble south of the border.

 

[azboater2]

Re: Lake havasu

Remember that in Havasu there is an Arizona side and a California side, you might want to take a quick look at both states boating regulations, that’s one area where you can get in trouble. In addition the Colorado river is Federal water, so there’s a lot of jurisdictions out there.

I think if your looking for a party on spring break you will not have much trouble finding it there, but the rooms fill up quick on those weekends. Last time we went we wanted to avoid the crouds, so we took a Thursday and Friday and camped on the beach at a boat in camp site and it was great.