Steve Moore
Well-Known Member
I like my Lake Master card in my Hummingbird. Set the lake level and zoom in with the GPS and you can be on the look out for them critters before they sneak up on ya. Also enjoy seeing the main channel on it
Whales at Powell
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gznokes
Well-Known Member
I agree with Birdsnest on this. West canyon is a great example of this.
bdn
Well-Known Member
Ouch
ScottF
Well-Known Member
I also didn't see on the app where it identified the base level for Lake Powell so I called Navionics, and also computed it myself using the depth finder on my boat.
But more to your question, if you've forgotten that the base lake level is 3600' or if you forgot to look up the current level of the lake and now you're out of cell phone coverage, just... Check the depth finder on your boat (says I'm in 10' of water), then move the slider on the app until it shows you are in 10' of water. Easy peasey.
I highly recommend the Navionics app on your phone. I have a suction cup phone holder that allows the phone to be right in front of me and plugged into a 12v charger. As noted prior, adjust the app to current lake level and it is amazingly helpful and accurate. I just spent the last 6 days on the lake using it and now won’t enter an unfamiliar area without it.
ScottF
Well-Known Member
Agree, I require that any of my kids who drive my cruiser or sport boat use the Navionics app.
If you're considering the app for your sport boat please consider: First, a phone screen can be pretty small - okay if you are on a houseboat traveling slowly and can take a good look at it, but for a sport boat going fast and you're looking ahead for boats, behind at the skier, fiddling with the radio and glancing at the Navionics app for whales, you may want a smaller ipad rather than a phone. Second, on a sport boat a phone or ipad in the open sun overheats, so you will want to have it shaded. Third, unlike dedicated GPS/navigation devices, phone and ipad screens are often not bright enough for viewing in bright sunlight - another reason for the shading.
ScottF
Well-Known Member
I have forward looking sonar on my cruiser that looks ahead about 125' and alarms on anything within 10' of the surface. This is useful as long as you are traveling at a speed that would allow you to stop in less than 125'. Not sure what that speed would be on a houseboat?
gznokes
Well-Known Member
ScottF, I'm not trying to turn you into Navionic customer support, but you really are dishing great info so I'm going to ask another question.
One of the things that bugs me about Navionics is that the canyon names and bays are hard to figure out. I find myself wishing there was a Stan Jones map layer or something! Anyway, I really do find it a pain to zoom in and out to find the names and to hover over buoys and even then, I can't find the names most of the time. For example, I haven't ever been able to find "Cookie Jar" on any of the maps. Do you have any thoughts on this? Are feature names not in the apps' wheelhouse?
bdn
Well-Known Member
While we are on the subject, I have been planning to replace my lower end fishfinder with a upgraded unit that includes GPS/navigation. I have been looking at this unit at Cabela’s, but I would appreciate opinions from everyone regarding recommended units that they really enjoy.
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ScottF
Well-Known Member
ScottF, I'm not trying to turn you into Navionic customer support, but you really are dishing great info so I'm going to ask another question.
gznokes, yes I've also been disappointed with the labeling of canyons and features on the Navionics maps. Wouldn't it be great if there were a Stan Jones map layer, as you suggest! Or, up until about four years ago we had the Lake Powell App that showed canyons, hikes and other features - be really nice to see that come back.
Does anyone on this forum have contact information for AJ Call, named in a Lake Powell Life article as a local teen who built the Lake Powell App.
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Maverick5207
Escalante-Class Member
I just downloaded the Navionics App. Beyond COOL. I'm planning my first ever trip next week to Lake Powell and was bothered by the whales and just not knowing the waters. This app has made those concerns go away.
Saved me at least $600.00 on a new fish finder/plotter etc.
Saved me at least $600.00 on a new fish finder/plotter etc.
Just remember that even with the App its not fool proof and the best thing to remember while boating on Powell is-
IF THE WATER TURNS YELLOW SHUT HER DOWN FAST
Don't even think about it just pull it back to idle as fast as you can and then figure it out.
Going into the sun will prevent you from seeing the water turn yellow until its too late if you are going fast!!!!!!!
Maverick5207
Escalante-Class Member
My boat cruises about 25 to 28. It's not a rocket but I'll keep my eyes wide open.
Quick question. I downloaded and saved 2 maps of the lake for offline use but I can't find them in the app. How do i access the saved maps? I'm assuming I'll have no cell service on most of the lake.
I'm with T-Mobile and have a droid
Quick question. I downloaded and saved 2 maps of the lake for offline use but I can't find them in the app. How do i access the saved maps? I'm assuming I'll have no cell service on most of the lake.
I'm with T-Mobile and have a droid
Meatwagon
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Polarized sunglasses are a HUGE benefit as well not only for seeing whales while cruising but for watching fish take your lure in 15ft of water under the boat. Powell is amazing.
amilberger
Active Member
I usually run the app the whole time with my phone on airplane mode so it doesn't constantly look for service. If you zoom out on the map the brighter yellow is the area you downloaded.
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Maverick5207
Escalante-Class Member
I gotta tell ya.......... I've been to Powell twice now in the last month and as it turns out, I'm headed back on the 9th for a week. My brother bought a houseboat and I'm the mechanic in the family.
Anyway, I've used this app every second I'm on the water and I can honestly say that it has saved me from harm at least 2 times that I know of. I now consider it essential equipment on Powell. The only thing more important would be life jackets. This app has not only saved me from a few whales, it has also guided me back on track when I took a wrong turn that I wouldn't have noticed for quite a long stretch.
I use the plotter all the time. Just click automatic, mark the start and end point and it clearly marks the route for you.
You won't find me on the water without this app on.
At $14.00 a year, I think it's the best deal in boating.
Anyway, I've used this app every second I'm on the water and I can honestly say that it has saved me from harm at least 2 times that I know of. I now consider it essential equipment on Powell. The only thing more important would be life jackets. This app has not only saved me from a few whales, it has also guided me back on track when I took a wrong turn that I wouldn't have noticed for quite a long stretch.
I use the plotter all the time. Just click automatic, mark the start and end point and it clearly marks the route for you.
You won't find me on the water without this app on.
At $14.00 a year, I think it's the best deal in boating.
I have a lake master chip on my Hummingbird fish finder. Base lake level on mine is 3700. So at this water level (3606) I would adjust it to -94 feet to obtain the proper readings. Water less than 10' is red on the map and less than 20' is green. I won't run down the lake with out it on.
Meatwagon
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
This is exactly how I set my colors as well really like having the red zone and green zone for caution and fishing to look at a quick glance while running on plane.
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