New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

[ElleA]

My husband (63) and I (56) just purchased a slightly used 18' Tahoe Q3. It is our first boat and we have no experience in boating. The dealer in Lake Havasu was great explaining everything to us and taking us out on the lake, but I am sure we will have more questions. We would really like to meet someone in our area who wouldn't mind sharing their advice and possibly getting together for our first outing.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Hi there ElleA. If you're new to the area just let me know and I'd be happy to fill you in on all the hotspots and nice places to go boating. Being in Prescott, you're going to have to travel a little ways to get to any descent size lake. Not too much to choose from in your local area, but lots of possibilities in a 2 hour travel radius. Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />DR

 

[AzMeadMan]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

ElleA, Let me add my welcome as well. You live in one of my favorite areas of the state. My Sis is in Prescott Valley. Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with. You will find some very nice folks here at iboats.

 

[ElleA]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Thank you both so much! We would like to take the boat out on Lake Pleasant within the next few days (watching the wind forecast most of all). Anything we should know?<br />(Ellea@commspeed.net)

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

ElleA. Lake Pleasant has some nice areas to explore. Your 18 footer will do just fine on that lake. You should have plenty of water all to yourself this time of year! I like to launch on the South East side of the lake next to the marina just because it's closer and not as busy. In the Summer on the weekend they do have a 10 lane ramp on the West side too. $6 gets you in, cash only.<br /><br />You should also consider Bartlett lake. It's just a little further drive for you, but personally I think it's a much more scenic lake. Good luck and have fun!

 

[AzMeadMan]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Lake Pleasant is a nice lake. The 10 lane will give lots of room to back down. There are several wind guages around the lake that will start flashing should the wind get going real good. <br /><br />I spend most of my time at Bartlett. You can pay with Cash/Debit/Credit at the pay station. The same $6.00 fee for vehicle and boat/trailer. The ramp is only about 4 wide but I haven't had a problem putting in or out and haven't ever had a long wait. <br /><br />If your going to fish the AZ game and fish dept web site has a fishing report for all the lakes. <br /><br />There are also Hydro maps you can get for all the lakes to help you know where you are and what might be hiding around the next bend. I got mine at Wally World (Wal-Mart)<br /> <br />Hope your day on the lake is most pleasant and safe.

 

[AzMeadMan]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

BTW Remember the Plug!!!!!!!!

 

[ElleA]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

We made it to Lake Pleasant yesterday and back with only one minor problem when we first put the boat in the water.....there were 2 hoses that were disconnected in the engine (for winterizing - since it gets cold up here at night) that we didn't even realize until we were out on the lake. When water started coming in and the boat would only go 15mph, hubby called the dealer who told us what to do. We did learn something!! <br /><br />Practiced putting the boat in/out of the water a couple of times. I think I will put a sign in the window that says "new boater-please be patient!!" <br /><br />We are definitely feeling a bit more comfortable now. Had a great time and met some nice people on the lake, too.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Congrats on a successfull first outing! Glad you had a good time.<br /><br />DR

 

[AzMeadMan]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Good to hear most everying went well and you had a good time. It really isn't a trip unless something goes wrong. The practice will help too.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

I think I will put a sign in the window that says "new boater-please be patient!!"

Don't worry, after watching you for a few seconds most people can tell... Don't panic, take your time, most people will be patient. For the ones that aren't, well, too damn bad. I've seen lots of things go bad real fast when people let themselves be put under pressure on the ramp.<br /><br />We have a big boat so we like making trips with people that have smaller sport boats. We can hang out and have food/drinks on ours, and do things like boarding and tubing with the sport boat. So if you're up for that some weekend, send me a message. We have sleeping space for another couple on the boat.<br /><br />I haven't been on Pleasant yet, what's it like for a bigger boat?

 

[ElleA]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Lake Pleasant was perfect for our 18-footer. I think Lake Pleasant is nice, but small. I see that you are from Chandler - we were in Phoenix today picking up my stepson/wife at the airport. This week we are going to go back to Havasu. If the weather stays nice and it isn't windy, we will try going up Topock Gorge. I wanted to post a message a few days ago asking for some recommendations/helpful hints, but the website was having problems. <br /><br />We don't have any "boating friends" yet. Would love to meet some new people. Being new to this, we are avoiding weekends until we feel more comfortable putting the boat in the water. Don't want to hold anyone up<br /> ELLEA@commspeed.net (Linn)

 

[KRS]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

I like pleasant also, but I think it's HUGE, not small. If you want bigger, then come over to Roosevelt, but not many bigger than Pleasant around Phoenix.<br /><br />My favorite is Saguaro, there is a sandy beach up the arm in the no-wake zone, it is worth the trip.<br /><br />ElleA, have you seen the Lake Havasu get-together posts? there are located here<br /><br />You would be welcome to join us and maybe learn a little, maybe teach us a little. It should be a good time.

 

[John_S]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

For a New England boater, seeing Lake Pleasant's 10 lane boat launch was quite a trip. I am only use to one and two laners on our small lakes. They look to also test your ability to accuratly back down some very long ramps. I am not sure if it was a low drawdown, when I saw it this last Nov. You should be proud for conquering that on your first outing. <br /><br />PS: I'll try to post a couple of pics of the lake and ramp, this evening, so others can appreciate.

 

[John_S]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

The first is a shot of the ramp, followed by by a few of the lake.<br /><br />

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[QC]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

ElleA,<br /><br />Since you are newer to boating and you want to go into the Gorge I do have a strong recommendation: Follow a bigger boat in and out . . . Where the river enters into the lake (entrance to "gorge") there are many shallow and some deeper areas. If you choose poorly . . . well you can guess. I know my way around very well, but I almost got high and dry there first time in for me. I still don't like it and I have spots marked on the GPS.<br /><br />There is usually a large debris area (floating crap etc.) on the AZ side. It looks bad, but is actually where the deepest water is. On the CA side (there is a large sand bar between these two entrances) there are lots of shallow spots, but many do go this way. That's why whenever there is doubt, get safely behind another boat and watch like a hawk. If that boat starts moving erratically, abort mission!!! Also, there are ways to get in trouble once you are past this entrance issue and inside the "Gorge". I naturally get sucked too close to the AZ side once I am in and this can lead you away from the main channel.<br /><br />If you have high speed internet, get Google Earth and check out the lake. You can get a good feel for what I am talking about, remember the shallows always move, so Google Earth is just to get an understanding, not to plan your route in . . . <br /><br />Like KRS mentioned, look for the iboats West Havasu Get Together threads. April 1. Let us know how your trip goes.

 

[ElleA]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Our trip from Lake Havasu up to the I-40 bridge was a success! Topock Gorge was beautiful. We had no problem entering the gorge from the lake, but we took it really slow. Some places were only 3' deep. I did print up a detailed map showing where the shallow water, etc. was.

 

[QC]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Awesome. That's how I went in the first time as well. You can see how a mistake could mess up your whole day . . . Was there anybody at the "Sandbar"? AKA Blankenship Bend? Did you go into Topock marina for somethin' to eat?

 

[ElleA]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

There were a few boats in the Gorge, but they were few and far between. There was a bass fishing tournament on the lake, but even so it wasn't crowded there either. Near the London Bridge was a different story. Too crowded for us new boaters! We went up to Topock marina, but did not eat there. We (hubby, me, son and d-i-l) packed a cooler and had lunch on a little beach. Is there a trick to use that makes it easy to get your boat back out after you "beach" it? We had a heck of a time, even with 2 big men pushing it back out!! Along the way we saw other boats pulled up on beaches and were wondering how they did it since there were only 2 people on some.

 

[ST]

Re: New to boating/Prescott AZ area/needs "mentor"

Depending on the boat traffic, like near the narrow area of the Topoc gorge (heavy traffic), this is what I'd do:<br />1. Find a sandy bottom.<br />2. I got my anchor ready, with some 30 ft or so line out; while slowly approahing the beach; throw the anchor out.<br />3. Start triming up the motor about half way while continuing to proceed until keel touches the sand, let it slide just enough to hold the boat. The more you let your keel penetrated into the sand, the more difficult it will be to push the boat out on the water again; unless the lake's water rises.<br />4. Trim the motor all the way up. <br />5. Tug the anchor a couple of times, ensure it got hold of the bottom, then fasten the anchor line to the stern of the boat-keeping the line taut. This will ensure that the boat stern won't swing from the river stream or other boaters' wake.<br />6. Now, to hold the boat in place, I would also take out a 2nd rope out and tie your bow to a rock or a tree branch or a stake you planted on the ground. Yes, since I like to beach when boating; I have a steel Home Depot's stake and a hammer ready.<br />

<br /><br />Now, you can start relaxing and enjoy your day at the fresh water beach...like this: <br />

<br />October 2005 traffic at the narrow Topock Gorge, Lake Havasu. As noted by QC above, I would avoid crusing on the brownish water...(shallow), following and watching other boat ahead is a very good advice....Thanks QC!<br />