Nautiques in Iowa(DM)

[88mars2001]

Just wondering if anyone is in the Des Moines area? We live on a private lake about 30 min west of Des Moines. Have and 88 2001...baby blue and white.

[Luke]

Would that lake happen to be Panorama?

[88mars2001]

Nope...Just south inbetween Stuart and Dexter..called Diamondhead.

[88mars2001]

Luke...are you up at Panorama? Sweet boat!

[AWhite70]

I'm not really near Des Moines but I'm in Iowa....in Cedar Falls. I've got an '02 Ski 196 and a '79 Ski Nautique. A friend of mine is from Stuart, went to his wedding there last year.

[88mars2001]

Where do you all ski up there? Is that anywhere near lake Delhi? My buddies and I took a week long camping trip there and its got my vote for the best lake in Iowa.

[Luke]

We've got a place at Panorama, so we're over there off and on.

We typically ride in Saylorville before Memorial Day and after Labor Day and then hit the DM River the rest of the time.

I know where Diamond Head is. Been by there, but never ridden on it.

[88mars2001]

How long have you ridden on the river? We moved to Diamondhead about 5 years ago but spent about every day before then on the river. We had a 74 CC Skier it was Lime Green...couldnt miss it! It was actually Billy Grahms boat and then found its way to us. Now own an 88 SKi, baby blue.I can't figure out how to add photos to my album so no pics.

[Luke]

To add pics, just click on the "Album" shortcut you see at the bottom of your post. It will take you to your profile. From there you can click the "Upload Pic" button. That will open a menu system where you can browse out and upload your pics.

Been riding on the river about 2-3 years...Until last year never got my boat out there that often. Typically we're riding in a '99 Blue & White Xstar. Or this year it will probably be the Xstar, my boat, or a '02 Grey/Orange/White SANTE.

[drifter1136]

I have a couple of friends that are building houses on diamond head. We took my 94 sport nautique down there last summer. Its a nice lake, but the water is shallow in the cove behind his house. We will be taking a couple of trips down there this summer.

[88mars2001]

Shawn, has a Ski Ray? I think I know who you are talking about. His lil bro went to high school with my brother and were pretty good friends. House looks nice....mine is on the other big cove all the way at the end.

[AWhite70]

I've never been on Delhi but I've driven past it I've heard it can be good skiing but is frequently very crowded.

I do most of my skiing on the Cedar River in Cedar Falls just upstream of the dam. It's pretty shallow and you have to know where to go but there is about 3/4 of a mile of skiiable water. It's only 5 minutes from my house and most weeknights and early on the weekends there isn't much traffic. I'll also go to the Mississippi sometimes (have a friend with a house in Guttenberg) and we'll take an occasional camping trip to Red Rock.

[skundie]

We also ride on Saylorville Lake in Des Moines on calm weeknights in the summer. On some weekends we head up to Five Island Lake in Emmetsburg. We almost always get great water on the weekends on Five Island. As long as the wind isn't strong out of the south you can find good water. We just traded my red/silver 1998 Air Nautique for a 2006 Black/Blue Team 210. Picture is in the gallery. Luke, thanks for the stickers last summer, I hope we see you this summer!

[Luke]

Emmetsburg? That's quite a ways away.

Your new boat looks really sharp. Congrats!

[Hydrofoilmaniac]

I have family in Des Moines and Garner. I sometimes ski with my Dad in Clearlake (95 SN). Clearlake is not exactly clear and its more of a big pond since the majority of it is only 7-8' deep. There's only a couple places I foil on that lake......and I always leave with some special sinus problems.

How is the Cedar river water quality(green?)? Has anyone skied on the section of the Cedar River in Waverly. I think they have a small ski team there. It looks to me like a guy better have a spare prop if you are skiing in that area.

What about Saylorville Lake? How deep is that lake?

[Luke]

What about Saylorville Lake? How deep is that lake?

Saylorville is pretty deep. But it's a big bathtub. Once the season starts the water gets WAY to rough.

[Hydrofoilmaniac]

Clearlake is essentially the same way. There's no hills/trees and it is a round lake. Consequently, there aren't any lanes (people are traveling in all directions) and the water gets rough in a hurry.

How about Emmetsburg? That's about an hour away from Garner. Are there any good camping spots, etc?

[skundie]

I would say Saylorville is 10-30 feet deep near the shore and a little deeper in the middle. I've not seen it go very deep on my depth finder. Of course, this all depends on what time of season and what kind of rainfall we have had. The **** controls the depth.

[skundie]

5 island lake in Emmetsburg does have a campground on the sothern part of the lake. I think one campsite is actually out on one of the islands (connected by a short bridge). It's usually full on the weekends but the lake is almost never busy. The most boats I've ever seen at one time is probably 15 on a Saturday afternoon from 1-5pm. Then it clears off.

[Hydrofoilmaniac]

How deep is Emmetsburg? Hmm, I'll have to mention that to my Dad.

[skundie]

Not very deep, but they are in the process of dredging it out to make it deaper.
It's 5 - 15 feet deep in most places. Which is plenty, we've never had a problem.

[Hydrofoilmaniac]

That depends on what type of skiing you are doing? :) I need 8' or I take the risk of damaging a 3.2K foil assembly. But for my Dad, it would be just fine.

[Dtrain125]

I have the blue and white super air in cedar falls. The Cedar is muddy, but better than nothing. I have been lucky and not hit anything real solid in two years. I have not been to Waverly, but I might go with someone who knows the river. Awhite70, are you the guys with the extended pylon? If anyone needs a tow I am always looking for a third.

[88mars2001]

Whats the lake like in Emmetsburg? My buddies and I always go on a camping/skiing trip to Delhi but want to find another excuse for another road trip! Are there any docks/launches at the campsite? We try to take a week off and get some good skiing in without having to deal with a crowd.

[Skivail5]

Hi everyone. We boat at Panorama when in Iowa. We just sold our 2003 X2 and purchased a new 2006 210 TE. Looked at the new X1 and X2's, they are great boats, but chose the SANTE after driving it and pulling a rider. Wow what a great boat. Almost went with the new 2007 210, but actually liked the 2006 better, as did the riders.
Just wanted to say ho to all you Iowa Riders. GO Nautiques

[88mars2001]

[b]I live about 10 min. south of Panorama and actually did an internship with Coulters Marine last spring. Good guys but gotta stay with Correct Craft! Do you live in Iowa or just have a place on the lake?

[shortlineryan]

I know it's late in the season.. I just winterize yesterday. I live on lake Delhi (93 SN) every sat and sun you will find out in the morning. If I can talk my wife into it I'm out footing during the week, but the DNR was out all summer looking for spotters and such. It does get busy on the weekends but during the week or weekend mornings are great. I have a group of diehards I go with and would love some new blood.

[cwil]

I purchased a 07 SANTE in August and I only had a chance to use it in Iowa one time. I live up in Ankeny and I'd like your opinion on where to go skiing/boarding as Saylorville looks really choppy and dirty?