Lake Havasu Houseboat

[ksanders]

Has anybody here ever spent time on a houseboat on Lake Havasu?

The reason I ask is that, and this is no secret the wife and I are thinking of snowbird destinations.

Since our boat is stuck on the Pacific Coast, and since we didn't really take to the Southern California crowds, we're continuing looking.

The wife had an idea today to look into houseboats on a lake in Arizona.

It looks like we could buy a decent 50'+ houseboat for a reasonable price, and use it in the winter. We could stasy at the harbor, but our interest would be to beach it at a cove and play, possibly moving as our water and waste water needs dictated trips back to a harbor.

Its a thought at least. Is anybody familiar with Lake Havasu City, and or spent any time there?

 

[Crusty Chief]

Kevin,

I've done a lot of boating on most of the Lakes in the Southwest. My favorite, Lake Powell by far. The most scenic and plenty of hide away spots as well as the largest shoreline.

The only advantage to Lake H, is your pretty close to the downtown area. Gets pretty wild in the spring/summer months. Lots of go fast boats. And party crowds.

Spend a little time and visit them all, I think you and the Admiral will like Lake Powell the most.

John

 

[Larry H]

I have boated in the Colorado River lakes (Havasu, Mead, Mojave) at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. The water is almost empty of boats, and many of the marinas are almost closed. Cold at night, near freezing with 55 to 65 degrees in the day. Strong winds can and do blow in the winter. Anchoring and having the winds pick up to 45 is no fun. Lake levels are lower in winter, and some marina buildings are so far from the water, they need shuttle buses to get you from the docks to the buildings. The docks float, and are moved up and down the beach to keep the boats floating. Open pumpouts are not easy to find in winter. Basically, the Colorado River lakes are for summer, not much activity in the winter.

 

[hollywood8118]

Kevin,

I've done a lot of boating on most of the Lakes in the Southwest. My favorite, Lake Powell by far. The most scenic and plenty of hide away spots as well as the largest shoreline.

The only advantage to Lake H, is your pretty close to the downtown area. Gets pretty wild in the spring/summer months. Lots of go fast boats. And party crowds.

Spend a little time and visit them all, I think you and the Admiral will like Lake Powell the most.

John

We have made ten trips to Powell over the years and it is by far the best house boating lake if you want to get away from it all.. winter there can be cold!.. but sunny.

The views and vistas are stunning.
HOLLYWOOD

 

[Scary]

Powell is the most spectacular by far.

My favorite lake. How about this idea, motor home with a 20 plus ft trailer boat. This would let you enjoy Arizona lakes as well as Baha on your own terms. Hang out inland from San Diego, Palm Spring Or north of LA on the coast. A 20-26' boat will let you cruise the Channel Islands, Catalina, and the Colorado river lakes. Tow it into Baha for a month or so and get out. It's been in the high 60's in the Delta this month, motor home would give a lot of options.

 

[CPseudonym]

We have not boated Lake Havasu but have stayed there a couple of times in the winter, February specifically. We enjoyed it so much we've entertained the idea of having our boat moved there. Lake Havasu City is a pleasant town and its proximity to the lake is awesome. The area near London Bridge is especially unique IMO.

Sounds like Lake Powell is worth a visit so will pencil it in next to explore. Go figure, I love Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico and the wife Oregon and Washington. I can see a lot of snow birding in our future.

 

[Crusty Chief]

Great idea!
I just happen to know where you can get 40 Ft Pusher and a 28 ft mid cabin, then you could hit them all!

 

[ksanders]

Thanks for the ideas guys!

Looks like we'll plan a trip down there and check it out.

We have considered motorhoming, and we have considered buying a snowbird home. Those are still being considered. This was an idea that my wife asked me to look into.

Personally if it were me I'd just move my boat to the intercoastal, then cruise the Bahamas in the winter, or bag the intercoastal and go to Mexico.

Still working on the wife on that one. She likes the boat in Alaska for the summer season.

The idea of Havasu is interesting enough that we'll have to go see.

 

[Tony B]

Kevin


Try houseboatmagazine,com. It has a forum and many good knowledgeable people on there. They might could help.

 

[BandB]

Wifey B: A snowbird is someone from the U.S. Northeast, U.S. Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or Canada who spends a large portion of winter in warmer locales such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, or elsewhere along the Sun Belt of the southern and southwest United States, Mexico, and areas of the Caribbean.

Ok, Lake Havasu and Powell are warmer than Alaska in Winter but do they really meet a bird's needs?

We just cruised the west coast of Mexico. Perhaps still a bit more crowded than you like, but we loved Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and La Paz. And we left south Mexico this morning, leaving 80 degree weather. Mid 70's this time of year in Cabo San Lucas. Or swing on around into the Gulf of California. Many smaller towns. Cross to Topolobampo. We didn't make it there but did make it to Mazatlan. To us, most of the areas were perfect escapes, but not so much an escape that you couldn't still find anything you wanted. You were almost there when you were in San Diego.

 

[ksanders]

Wifey B: A snowbird is someone from the U.S. Northeast, U.S. Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or Canada who spends a large portion of winter in warmer locales such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, or elsewhere along the Sun Belt of the southern and southwest United States, Mexico, and areas of the Caribbean.

Ok, Lake Havasu and Powell are warmer than Alaska in Winter but do they really meet a bird's needs?

We just cruised the west coast of Mexico. Perhaps still a bit more crowded than you like, but we loved Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and La Paz. And we left south Mexico this morning, leaving 80 degree weather. Mid 70's this time of year in Cabo San Lucas. Or swing on around into the Gulf of California. Many smaller towns. Cross to Topolobampo. We didn't make it there but did make it to Mazatlan. To us, most of the areas were perfect escapes, but not so much an escape that you couldn't still find anything you wanted. You were almost there when you were in San Diego.

I'd say that close to half of my neighbors have winter homes in Arizona. It is a Very popular snowbird destination for Alaskans.

To me, I'd cruise Mexico on the boat we have, or ad I indicated move the boat and cruise the Caribean in the winter.

The challenge is its not just me, and I'm glad for that.

We'll figure something out. The houseboat thing just sounded like fun. We just feel blessed to have choices.

 

[GFC]

Kevin, I'm sitting here in our condo in the NW part of Phoenix as I type this. It's 6:20 p.m. and it's still 71* out side. There's no wind, a few very high, thin clouds, and it's going to get warmer as the weekend comes.

BTW, our condo is going to be up for sale in the near future!

 

[BandB]

I'd say that close to half of my neighbors have winter homes in Arizona. It is a Very popular snowbird destination for Alaskans.
.

Wifey B: I'd think Lake Havasu would be ok, but isn't Lake Powell pretty cold in the winter?

 

[gwkiwi]

Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu is our home town and I dont think winter boating is really what you would want, there is hardly anyone on the water (except for hardy fisherman) in the winter except on really warm days.

If I were you I would do Lake Powell mainly due to its larger size and more anchoring and beaching opportunities but only in the summer and pray that some rain starts to fill the lakes.

In the mean time we will be enjoying the winter boating in FL which is much warmer than AZ, although we still have Lake Havasu as our home port on our transom.

Gerald

 

[ksanders]

Kevin, I'm sitting here in our condo in the NW part of Phoenix as I type this. It's 6:20 p.m. and it's still 71* out side. There's no wind, a few very high, thin clouds, and it's going to get warmer as the weekend comes.

BTW, our condo is going to be up for sale in the near future!

That's why people snowbird there!

Dry, warm, fairly affordable.

 

[ksanders]

Lake Havasu is our home town and I dont think winter boating is really what you would want, there is hardly anyone on the water (except for hardy fisherman) in the winter except on really warm days.

If I were you I would do Lake Powell mainly due to its larger size and more anchoring and beaching opportunities but only in the summer and pray that some rain starts to fill the lakes.

In the mean time we will be enjoying the winter boating in FL which is much warmer than AZ, although we still have Lake Havasu as our home port on our transom.

Gerald

Thanks Gerald

Powell is too cold. I found out Havasu has no houseboat size slips except a place that rents houseboats and they don't rent slips.

It was a try though.

 

[roguewave]

I was out on the intercoastal (a little trip from seabrook to freeport) here in Texas a couple of weeks ago. The weather was beautiful but chilly at times...I really enjoyed the trip and scenery but Florida seems to be the place to be if warm winter weather is your preference.

 

[RCook]

If I were you I would do Lake Powell mainly due to its larger size and more anchoring and beaching opportunities but only in the summer and pray that some rain starts to fill the lakes.

Lake Powell is a great place, especially in spring or fall. It's too hot and crowded for our tastes much of the time in the summer, but April, May, September, October (before Memorial Day, after Labor Day) are mostly fabulous. You can catch a really windy day from time to time, in the spring more than the fall. We've cruised many of the big lakes in the west, and Powell is head and shoulders above most others on our list.

We particularly enjoy Lake Powell in a small boat, often spending weeks aboard, exploring places most houseboaters never see. Have done houseboats, but the small boat can explore everywhere, and get there reasonably quickly and economically. Lots of beautiful anchorages in the side canyons, with access to wonderful hiking.

 

[johnrupp]

Thanks for the ideas guys!



Personally if it were me I'd just move my boat to the intercoastal, then cruise the Bahamas in the winter, or bag the intercoastal and go to Mexico.

Still working on the wife on that one. She likes the boat in Alaska for the summer season.

That's your best idea yet Kevin. Spend a couple seasons cruising the East Coast and you might just stay. Better yet buy Smitty's 47 and have one on both coasts.

 

[ksanders]

That's your best idea yet Kevin. Spend a couple seasons cruising the East Coast and you might just stay. Better yet buy Smitty's 47 and have one on both coasts.

Thats where I'm really heading with this. I have a houseboat. I can take it anywhere.

What I need to do is get the great boat I own down south and get the wife to try cruising for a season. She promied she would give it a one season try. One trip down the coast from Alaska to southern California.

We'll see how that works out. But, for now when she has an idea of how to spend winters somewhere warmer I'll entertain her ideas with full gusto and see whare they lead us.

 

[markpierce]

Lower (underwater) Antelope Canyon in the winter. Chilly, but it was comfortable having lunch on a sandy beach on the other side of the reservoir.

 

[Scary]

Absoluty true

Lake Powell is a great place, especially in spring or fall. It's too hot and crowded for our tastes much of the time in the summer, but April, May, September, October (before Memorial Day, after Labor Day) are mostly fabulous. You can catch a really windy day from time to time, in the spring more than the fall. We've cruised many of the big lakes in the west, and Powell is head and shoulders above most others on our list.

We particularly enjoy Lake Powell in a small boat, often spending weeks aboard, exploring places most houseboaters never see. Have done houseboats, but the small boat can explore everywhere, and get there reasonably quickly and economically. Lots of beautiful anchorages in the side canyons, with access to wonderful hiking.

I towed my 2855 Bayliner there four times, house boated 4 times. I don't think your could ever get tired of the beauty.

 

[BandB]

Thats where I'm really heading with this. I have a houseboat. I can take it anywhere.

What I need to do is get the great boat I own down south and get the wife to try cruising for a season. She promied she would give it a one season try. One trip down the coast from Alaska to southern California.

We'll see how that works out. But, for now when she has an idea of how to spend winters somewhere warmer I'll entertain her ideas with full gusto and see whare they lead us.

Well, on that trip you'll both learn a lot. Unfortunately the first part of it isn't generally in the best of conditions and even all the way to San Diego there are limited places to stop and see and enjoy. But there are some. I might try to impress upon her though that for future travel there are places where you don't have to go as far to see the next place of interest. To me that's where the east coast and even to an extent south of California have the advantages. In a 500 mile section of the East Coast there are typically 20-25 places worth stopping. We've cruised the East Coast heavily the past couple of years and still so many places yet to see plus others that we really want to get back to.

California's a bit of a different world. We loved it, but quiet relaxation it isn't. Small marinas off the beaten path, not. Great large marinas with thousands of boats. (Yes, to me, Marina Del Rey is one giant marina, even though it's actually 23. Look on an overhead shot and you can't even tell where one stops and the next starts, but there are 5,246 slips supposedly. I didn't count.) On the other hand, there is no other city like San Francisco and none like Los Angeles. They have a uniqueness that I could visit many many times and still have things I'd want to see or do. We spent three weeks in each and barely scratched the surface, but then we enjoy big cities I'm sure much more than you.

What does your wife enjoy when it comes to potential cruising? Would she enjoy the culture and cuisine of San Francisco or the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles?

As to lakes and houseboating, I grew up boating on a lake and we both loved lake boating. Lived on the lake, used our boat more than anyone we knew. But then we moved to the coast. Now if we went back to a lake, we'd feel so locked in. Tennessee River would be fine where you can go from lake to lake.

I hope together you are able to find something that can bring you both a great deal of pleasure.

 

[ksanders]

What does your wife enjoy when it comes to potential cruising? Would she enjoy the culture and cuisine of San Francisco or the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles?

We are small town people. Large quantities of people make us nervous, her much more than I.

Our cruising here in Alaska is wilderness cruising. Thats one end of the spectrum. The other end is many parts of California. We were recently in Seattle. Neither of us likes Seattle. Whidby we liked. Sequim we liked.

I'm taking her next to the delta area of California I think. That's her, and my speed. We've been to many of the towns along the Oregon Coast and really like that atmosphere as well.

Right now we're just playing at this, looking at places. Learning what we like and don't like as much. We could cruise now but I'm still working 2 weeks a month for the next 5 years.

To leave her in a strange harbor in a big congested town and go to work for a couple of weeks just would not happen. To leave her in a smaller town atmosphere is doable. She is comfortable in a place like Maui. She's actually there right now with her mom and happy. Perhaps i just need to bite the bullet and get a small second home there. It's just so darn expensive!!! I'd already have a "winter home" on the big island (cheaper there) if it weren't for all the Noisy frogs. It used to be nice there. Now you can't sleep at night for all the noise!

 

[BandB]

We are small town people. Large quantities of people make us nervous, her much more than I.

Our cruising here in Alaska is wilderness cruising. Thats one end of the spectrum. The other end is many parts of California. We were recently in Seattle. Neither of us likes Seattle. Whidby we liked. Sequim we liked.

I'm taking her next to the delta area of California I think. That's her, and my speed. We've been to many of the towns along the Oregon Coast and really like that atmosphere as well.

Right now we're just playing at this, looking at places. Learning what we like and don't like as much. We could cruise now but I'm still working 2 weeks a month for the next 5 years.

To leave her in a strange harbor in a big congested town and go to work for a couple of weeks just would not happen. To leave her in a smaller town atmosphere is doable. She is comfortable in a place like Maui. She's actually there right now with her mom and happy. Perhaps i just need to bite the bullet and get a small second home there. It's just so darn expensive!!! I'd already have a "winter home" on the big island (cheaper there) if it weren't for all the Noisy frogs. It used to be nice there. Now you can't sleep at night for all the noise!

I didn't know she shared your views on lots of people. I think you'll enjoy the Delta. Even in the bay area there are some smaller towns along the water in areas like that south of San Francisco. You're right about Alaska being at one end of the spectrum. I forget where we were that a local asked "where did all these people come from?" and I looked around wondering in my mind, "what people? what is the talking about?" Cruise ships are the exception in some towns. We lived in a somewhat small town suburb of a big city so were use to all the people and traffic and we were on a lake that often was covered with boats.