First Time To Lake Powell Looking for Guidance Suggestions Recommendations Departing Wahweap

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For your first time driving the HB- If you don't know about it get Stan's map of lake Powell. Available most every where in town.

Second BUT MOST IMPORTANT- when you are driving the boat if the water turns yellow shut down as fast as you can! You are getting shallow and running up on what we call a "whale". Shallow water that is hard rocks and will wipe out the props pronto!

Third, Never leave an anchor line or any other rope or line loose in the water because if you do you may wind it up around the prop and it can actually tear the outdrive right out of the boat and the boat sinks! I've seen it happen several times. Always do a complete walk around of the boat before you start the motors just so you can verify everything is out of the water.

The water is now going down for the rest of the year. You will have to tend to your anchor ropes once or twice a day as the water level changes.

Ask to see the pile of bent props that they take off the HBs every year. It'll make you really think about where your drive them :)

Don't try to drive too far in those short days. Allow time to just sit on the hook and enjoy your first trip. You don't have to see everything in one short week to go home wanting to come back. And come back you will.

Cell phone service is weak on the lake, Depends where you are so don't count on it working all the time.

Be careful but have a great time
 
Hi we will be on 59 discovery xl (have a dog so limited on rentals) mid September out of Wahweap This will be 4th time renting a 59 ft discovery and mostly go in September. Driving the house boat is part of the fun Use the upper driving helm is the place to be and way more fun . It is easier to see those unmarked stalagmites/ whales/ underwater giraffe’s up top , be watchful be careful at speed with the small boat there. We stay in one place with the house boat and take the small boat out to explore. If you do do this and since the water level is declining in September Mark the water on the beach (stick rock what ever) then Consider releasing and pulling anchor lines on to shore and backing the boat off the beach just enough so it is free every couple days or so depending. Then beach and reset anchors lines. Or you may find it difficult to remove the house boat from the beach on day 5. Also those boats don’t respond like a small power boat. The older discovery xl have some sloppy steering. But “I” assume there new house boat renters or sloppy steering for most part as their boats resemble world war 2 destroyers submarine hunting at full speed( zig zagging /over correcting ). Gets interesting passing them some times. But I only rent them every 3 years or so, so I can be guilty my self at first the unit I get use to the boat. Also if you fish and have a fishing float tube , being in the middle of a boil in the late afternoon close to the house boat in a tube and fighting a stripe bass with fly rod or fishing rod in a tube is a blast! Have fun and be safe.
 
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PowellBride said:
While the rental folks seem to encourage you to find a big sandy beach and dig holes for the anchors, if you read threads here you will see many folks look for just enough sand to beach the boat and tie up to LARGE boulders. We only tried sand once, and it was the only time we broke loose in a wind storm. We are big advocates for rocks, and there is no shortage
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I completely agree about tying to boulders if possible. Wind and anchors in sand don't work well.
 
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Anchors and sand can work well if done correctly. I used to anchor them commercially.
You need two heavy danforth anchors on each side. The lines to them need to be widely spread, at least 45 degrees from boat centerline or more. The blades need to be set well and deep. That means 100' of line at least, each. You need a BIG hole. I used to tell my guys to make it big enough and deep enough to bury John Wayne. Bury them deep enough (cut a channel for the line so the slope to the surface from the anchor is shallow) and spread them out wide.
Best if the water is going down and then you can set them in wet sand. Wet sand holds much better. Rising water and you'll have a hard time getting them out after a week.
I've anchored lots of big houseboats that have withstood big winds and never blown away.
Now, in a big blow, the windward side anchor lines are so tight you play them like a guitar. But they work.
You also need one good anchor on the bow up the shore dug in well so the bow doesn't drift away.
It can be done
 
I wanted to post a HUGE Thank you!!! To everyone who took time post and provide suggestions. We had an amazing trip, safe and fun, low stress due to the advice and things we learned on this forum!! 4 nights anchored at Kane’s Wash, on the beach side. One of the best vacations I’ve ever been on, balanced fun excursions with relaxing time, with unbelievable scenery all the way around!! Again, thank you to everyone for your thoughtful advice and suggestions!!
 
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