View Full Version : Lake Mohave Spring break
I just got back from a 8 day trip to Lake Mohave and Havasu with my Nautique and some friends. I have to say that is a good way to spend some time and beat the winter blues. We had to ski in wet suits but it wasn't that bad and the air temp was in the 70s so once you were up it was great. We camped at Davis camp and then put in at Catherines Landing each morning, both facilities were fantastic.
We spent a day going down to Lake Havasu to see the craziness of Spring break and it was entertaining to say the least. I'm glad I wasn't on the water that day. We did get back to our campsite in time to put in on the Colorado river side of the dam and get a late afternoon session in just before the sun went down, it was one of the best sessions of the week!
This was my first time to this area and I can't wait to go back. It's about a 9 1/2 from here to there but the time passed really quickly with some good music and good company.
One more. It was really beautiful and we had fun jumping off the tall rock to the left hand side of the picture.
NautiqueJeff
04-07-2005, 02:13 PM
Looks like a great place! That second picture is outstanding.
Nice water! First day out after a looong winter. A good start to the season I'd say 8-)
Hollywood
04-07-2005, 09:54 PM
I would really like to experience the lakes out west some time. They look gorgeous.
NautiqueJeff
04-07-2005, 10:06 PM
Click on the pictures to view them full-size. They're great.
SkiMatt
04-08-2005, 01:12 AM
Very nice pictures. Did you check out the London Bridge? Myself and a friend took a road trip several years ago to Havasu, Lake Mohave, and then to Lake Mead. We both liked Lake Mohave. Laghlin was a cheap place to stay and Lake Mohave had crystal clear water. Was the second picture you posted on Lake Mohave?
Yes, all the pictures are from Lake Mohave. And yes we did check out the London Bridge on our trip to Havasu as well, it's interesting but it's just a bridge, I thought the rocks around Mohave were a lot cooler, nature's sculptures always intrigue me more than mans. The water in Mohave is super clear, we could see the bottom in as much as 25-30 feet of water.
SoCalNautique
10-20-2009, 03:49 PM
I'm a semi-experienced boater, but always been nervous since I've owned my 96 SNOB about hitting rocks/weeds/rocks. Especially at Mohave, so I try to avid the shores as much as possible. I'm always keeping an eye on my depth guage, etc, but it seems like in your pictures, ie. the 2 boats on shore it wasn't a problem. How do you guys go about treading lightly near shorelines as to avoid hull damage and damage to fins, prop, etc?
Sorry for sounding like an amateur, but I wanan be able to enjoy my trip more without being such a worry wart. I just got back from a 3 day trip to Laughlin.
Thanks in advance.
SkiTower
10-20-2009, 07:18 PM
First, notice that the last post was 2005 so these guys might not respond. Second, I try to avoid those kinds of troubles by staying a good distance off shore, using my depth gauge, and doing my best to learn the water. If I'm in water I don't know I get real nervous when the gauge gets to single digits.
BKinSoCal
10-21-2009, 12:44 AM
I've spent some time on Mojave. In general, it is a very deep lake. We have been "close" to the shoreline, but like always, if you're going to go in close, go slow, keep someone up front as a spotter and proceed with caution. We never anchored on shore. We would throw our anchor off shore and then tie up the stern from shore.
If you put in in Laughlin on the river side, you already are braver than I am. Many years ago, before the drought we're experiencing now in the west, we dinged up a buddies prop on his I/O. We had to walk it back up river to the deeper water before we could start it back up so we could pull out and get a new prop. After that, we only put in in Mojave when we're in laughlin.
My issue with Mojave is the wind. When it comes up, which seems to be almost every day, the chop can get up to 3 foot, which is brutal in a wakeboard or ski boat.
But other than that, it is a beautiful lake. We took a day trip from Katherine's Landing on the south end of the lake all the way up to the base of Hoover Dam. It's something like 45 miles. Talk about a great day on the water...at least until the ride home when we got to endure some of that 3 foot chop.
SoCalNautique
10-21-2009, 12:50 PM
First, notice that the last post was 2005 so these guys might not respond. Second, I try to avoid those kinds of troubles by staying a good distance off shore, using my depth gauge, and doing my best to learn the water. If I'm in water I don't know I get real nervous when the gauge gets to single digits.
I thought that might be the case, SkiTower. Thanks for your response though.
You're right...when we travel in unfamiliar water the best rule of thumb is to go slow and either "learn" the water or learn from someone who is knowledgeable about the terrain. I get real nervous too, when the guage shoots from 30 something to single digits, even when I'm only going a few miles an hour. I'm thinking about purchasing an "Anchor Buddy" to avoid getting too close to shore I guess....along with just going really slow in strange waters...
SoCalNautique
10-21-2009, 12:57 PM
I've spent some time on Mojave. In general, it is a very deep lake. We have been "close" to the shoreline, but like always, if you're going to go in close, go slow, keep someone up front as a spotter and proceed with caution. We never anchored on shore. We would throw our anchor off shore and then tie up the stern from shore.
If you put in in Laughlin on the river side, you already are braver than I am. Many years ago, before the drought we're experiencing now in the west, we dinged up a buddies prop on his I/O. We had to walk it back up river to the deeper water before we could start it back up so we could pull out and get a new prop. After that, we only put in in Mojave when we're in laughlin.
My issue with Mojave is the wind. When it comes up, which seems to be almost every day, the chop can get up to 3 foot, which is brutal in a wakeboard or ski boat.
But other than that, it is a beautiful lake. We took a day trip from Katherine's Landing on the south end of the lake all the way up to the base of Hoover Dam. It's something like 45 miles. Talk about a great day on the water...at least until the ride home when we got to endure some of that 3 foot chop.
You're right..Mohave was generally deep. For the most part, the gauge stayed between 35-125 ft most of the time when you're in/around the main lake. NO CHANCE I would put a direct drive on the river side of the Davis Dam...It seems like most of the water is not very deep near the casinos. I would almost be nervous in a PWC. lol If I'm not near Havasu, I'm gonna stay in Mohave or north or Mohave. We launched out of Katherine's Landing over the weekend and generally stayed in Mohave proper. I wanted to go sight-see a little up through Gasoline Alley, but when I got to some shallow waters around the first buoy I had seen since we left the dock the waters got in the single digits and I turned around. I don't know if I was there during the time of day where water levels were low or I just navigated to a part of the lake where it was shallow???? I know what you mean about the chop and wind....heading SOUTHBOUND on the river is not smooth all day long for the most part.
What's the trick to heading up to Hoover and staying in the deepest parts of the lake? I'd like to try that next time... Thanks in advance. Chris
BKinSoCal
10-21-2009, 10:48 PM
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What's the trick to heading up to Hoover and staying in the deepest parts of the lake? I'd like to try that next time... Thanks in advance. Chris
There really wasn't a trick to it. It was relatively early in the season (May/June) so the water was deep the entire way. We left early in the morning because it's a long boat ride and to avoid the wind. We drove right up the middle of the lake most of the way and then when you get into the river mouth, it is a gorgeous drive through the canyon.
I highly recommend it to anyone going to Mojave, just go early to take the wind out of play as much as possible.
SoCalNautique
10-22-2009, 12:35 PM
Thanks for the info. I'll be ready for that gorgeous ride through the canyons next year. I noticed you're in MV...you ever take the SANTE locally, like Piru, Pyramid, or Castaic? Seems like we're being blessed with an indian summer and I wanna take my SNOB out a few more times..
BKinSoCal
10-27-2009, 02:21 PM
I haven't been to any of those lakes in a LONG time and for no other reason than we have a place in Parker and we keep the boat there so we don't have to drive it back and forth across the desert. We generally make it out there twice a month Spring Break through Thanksgiving. In fact, I just got back last night from a 4-day guys trip. The water was about 72 and the air was about 92. Great conditions and SMALL crowds. I love October at the River. The Glamis crowds have already made the switch to desert fun from water fun.
If you ever need a 3rd to hit up any of the local lakes, let me know. I'm always game to be on the water.
Brian
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