Hey Everyone,
I've been digging around the threads here looking for information for an upcoming group trip. While a lot has been helpful, some of the threads are old so I'm concerned about some of the information.
For context, I'm going to be the captain of a group of 6 couples. We are leaving out of Wahweap Marina on Saturday and returning on Wednesday. We will be on a 75' Excursion with a 21' Regal in tow. We are hoping to see as much as we can while also enjoying the lake and relaxing a fair amount.
My loose and totally uninformed plan as of now is as follows.
Day 0 - Pre-board check-in. Took some notes on what to look for at this point (any other reccomendations are greatly appreciated). Sleep on the boat.
Day 1 - Take off as early as possible. Sleep in Last Chance Bay? Not sure how long it will take to get there given our setup.
Note 1 : We have some friends coming late but I want to get out of Wahweap as early as possible from what I hear. Will we have enough cell service to get a message from them? My thoughts are head out early and take the 21' Regal back to the marina when they are getting close.
Note 2: Is Chaol Falls or Labyrinth Canyon doable this day?
Day 2 - Explore the lake. Maybe a hike (Chaol or Labyrinth?). Check out some arches. Sleep at Rock Creek Bay.
Day 3 - Hike Rainbow Bridge. Are there places to anchor near there that are good for our setup?
Day 4 - Hike Oak Creek Canyon. Make out way back towards Wahweap.
Day 5 - Lake day and return to Wahweap.
Other Questions
- Any cool places we can easily hit that I missed?
- Are the hikes I'm looking at doable given our setup and the water levels?
- Do we need to plan to head back to Wahweap mid trip to refuel given that Dangling Rope is closed down?
- How sparse will cell coverage be? We have a few in our group that will need to make some calls from time to time. (Is there an easy way to rent a Starlink?)
Any critiques or notes on questions are appreciated. I apologize for the long post, just nervous given the large group and it being my first time leading an adventure like this, let alone at Lake Powell. Thanks again.
Probably late to the party but I would only anchor the HB once. You will need four anchors on each side and one little short one right off the center of the bow with as little rope going to it as you can.
EVERY time I have lost an anchorage in a storm at Lake Powell it is because my side anchors held tight, but the waves moved the boat back and fourth on the beach. Each time that happens the bow moves down the beach one way or the other eventually collapsing the entire anchor system. Since I have started using an anchor at the center of the bow with about a three foot length of TIGHT rope going to it I have not lost an anchorage yet and I can finally sleep well at night.
When your crew is faced with digging nine anchor holes every time you move they will want to stay where they are and have wobbly pop.
With my 65 footer I have my crew walk out into the water 65 feet and if their head is still above the water, it is a no go.
With a 75 footer you will have to worry about the depth of the other shoreline. Please dont block a canyon, On your boat the bottom of the props will be about five feet below the water. So if the lake drops three feet while you are there you are either screwed or will have to move mid trip.
Drive the house boat like you would a tank. If you want to go right give the right engine more gas or cut back the rpm's on the left engine. If you try to use the wheel you will get confused of why it isnt turning immediately and will over correct. Personally I only use the wheel to get on and off a dock.
In the summer time try to find an anchorage in a slot canyon that will provide shade most of the day. When it is going to be cold try to anchor where the sun will hit you all day. If you have crew sleeping up top try to anchor where they will get the most shade in the morning. There is nothing like waking up in the morning with a hangover and a giant 500,000 degree light burning a hole through your retinas.
As the captain any day the houseboat moves is a working day. You have to keep sober because seriously you have the lives of everybody on board in your hands. Show them where the props are at in reference to the side of the boat. On my first trip to Powell I was cleating an anchor line and for some reason the boat kept pulling me to it. While cleating I let my feet get sucked under the boat and wound up with a nice set of wounds from the prop on the top of my foot. My brother is a doctor so he sewed me up with some fishing line and a few shots of tequila. Why spoil a party just because you have flappy skin, right?
Stay safe, don't panic and try not to yell at your crew. They are doing the best they can given the Captain they have ;-).
That was more of a shot at me rather than you.
Captain Jolly Roger.
