Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

[BoatMyAssOff]

I would like to rent a houseboat for Memorial weekend at Lake Mead. I would like to stay on the boat, and tow my boat (bowrider) behind it. Would appreciate any advice and tips, thanks.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

can i come??

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Can I also come?

But seriously, there are a few stories on the net of people inboard ski boats (bowriders) getting sunk while towing in that lake. The shore in some places is rock walls and wakes bounce back and in some busy channels is horrible. They reccomend a 100' or greater tow rope. Since you don't have a rudder you'll be better off than these inboard ski boats that sunk. I believe their rudder got stuck hard over and by the time some one noticed it the boat bow had scooped up enough water to swamp it.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Book early, book early, book early.
Take a look at this.
www.foreverresorts.com
Pick Temple Bar for renting location. It's the best place on the lake to head out of. Then head up towards where the colorado river dumps into the lake. It's only about 10 miles or so and there's nice spots to camp all along the way. Plus it will save you on the fuel for the houseboat. And they do suck the fuel up. Just remember, the smaller the houseboat, the less fuel it sucks. Temple Bar is on the upper lake basin. Best way to get to it from San Diego is to go thru Kingman, AZ. Head up Hwy 93 towards Vegas and about 20 miles or so before you get to the dam you turn right on Hwy 143 to Temple Bar. It's up the road about another 20 miles or so. Your gonna have a blast. Have fun and stay safe.

 

[QC]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

I have Houseboated on Mead at least 10 times . . . Your plan is a great one and the suggestion for Temple Bar is good as well with one major exception. You can't rent at Temple Bar (see below for correction) . . . The good part of the suggestion is I agree it is where you want to hang out. In fact if it was me and I was heading out of Callville I would head for Mushroom Reef, and beach it there for the entire weekend. This is 10 minutes by boat from Temple Bar for fuel, ice, mo stuff etc. The downside is that you will burn a lot of fuel getting there and back, but it is worth it. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with heading 20 minutes from Callville, beaching her and relaxing for what is really kind of a short HB trip. If you were going to rent for more than 4 days, Sandy Point is the place to be, but that is even more fuel and more cruising . . . The place near Callville with good sand is called Sandy Cove. As noted above, good sand at Mushroom as well.

Also, your boat will tow fine behind a Housebot. The sinkings referred to above are tournament boats. Low freeboard, very low bow entry, and very rough water are a bad combo . . . By the time you go, we'll have you all trained up.

If I could make only one BIG point about Mead and Houseboats it would be that you MUST stake down the boat as if your life depended on it. It does We are very experienced and very anal, and we work very hard at it, and I have still been to battlestations 4 times when the Houseboat has been blown free of her ties I am telling you that YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE PART OF THIS!!!!!!! The only good thing is the high fives when you get her back on the beach and there is no one to take to the hospital.

I can go on and on about this . . . Here's a Callville Rental (Forever) and my boat at Mushroom.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

QC,
I beg to differ, but you can rent at Temple Bar. If you click on the link, then click on destinations (right side of page), than scroll down to the bottom of that page (on the left), and click on Temple Bar. There are 4 different models to choose from.

 

[QC]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Well I stand corrected. Must be new. They always had service (fuel and pump out) for Houseboats there, but not rentals. Do you know when that started? I am guessing when they moved half of Overton there. Works for me, takes 90% of my cruise out . . . Awesome!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Well I stand corrected. Must be new. They always had service (fuel and pump out) for Houseboats there, but not rentals. Do you know when that started? I am guessing when they moved half of Overton there. Works for me, takes 90% of my cruise out . . . Awesome!

You are correct, half of Overton's inventory went to Temple, the other half went to Callville. About 2 years ago, I believe.
Anymore, I wouldn't think of launching out of Callville.....Unless your in good shape and not in a hurry! Where you park and where the dock is, seems like a 1/4 mile away. And that sucks when you come back in, it's UP hill "awalking".
Let alone, it's where all you guys go to launch, tourists that is. Maybe I ought to keep my mouth shut. Before another local chastises me for giving away the good spots!

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

My advise would be to rent anytime other than memorial weekend. 2 reasons, 1) it will be crowded, which is no fun unless you're on pwc's. 2) It's gotta cost an arm and a leg to rent durring such a peak time. I'd bet you could rent for 2 weekends for what you'll pay for a holiday weekend.

That being said, you might not have any choice due to time or work constraints, in which case, go for it. Even an overpriced choppy ride is better than no ride at all.

 

[QC]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

My advise would be to rent anytime other than memorial weekend. 2 reasons, 1) it will be crowded

​

There is only one place it will be crowded at Lake Mead anytime, and that, as my friend below has noted is the launch ramp. As soon as you clear "The Narrows" it is wide open regardless of the date . . . BTW, just like Temple Bar there is a shuttle from the ramp back up at Callville where I only launch if I am Houseboating . . .​

which is no fun unless you're on pwc's.

​

. . . and another thing, who in their right mind would admit to . . . ahh . . . never mind ​

Anymore, I wouldn't think of launching out of Callville.....Unless your in good shape and not in a hurry! Where you park and where the dock is, seems like a 1/4 mile away. And that sucks when you come back in, it's UP hill "awalking". Let alone, it's where all you guys go to launch, tourists that is.

Who you calling tourist Henderson boy? Hmmmmmm, the first time I launched at Temple Bar I bet you were knee high to one of Sgt. Majors' PWC's . . .​

Maybe I ought to keep my mouth shut. Before another local chastises me for giving away the good spots!

​

Well I oughta take you out backa North Howland and show you the way to God's Pocket and then smack you around while we head to Columbine Falls . . . dern it ​

Speaking of Columbine . . . any guess as to where this is and what I am sitting on ​

BTW, I think that was 1986 . . . no maybe that was my first trip in '84, or maybe that was the time I skied into the Grand Canyon . . . no that was '88 . . . ahh, that must be when we made it to Grand Canyon West, nah, that was 2000, yeah I'm pretty sure it was the '86 trip ​

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Who you calling tourist Henderson boy? Hmmmmmm, the first time I launched at Temple Bar I bet you were knee high to one of Sgt. Majors' PWC's . . .​

Hold on a minute. I didn't say I own PWC's. I fish so I hate the dang things.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Ya, your on a body of water and sitting on a LAWN CHAIR!
Let the pissing wars begin.
Sorry I don't have the time to sit on the puter all day long....
BUT, I thought this was a ?, asking about a Lake Mead Getaway for the holidays!
I give him a good destination to go to Lake Mead. Then you chime in....
With Tourist stuff.
SO, you've been to Lake Mead a few times...rented houseboats....had a newby experience with houseboats (drifted off stuff) and couldn't get it right the first time!!!!

But if you want to get me started.......As a local that is.

Let's just put it this way.......
When I take a houseboat out.....all I pay for is fuel.
And if your a smart boy....you'll know why & can...

P.S. GC, the only thing I like about that picture is....NO bathtub ring.
And I do know where it is.....It's where all tourists go for PIC's....

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Oh by the way......

What happen's in Vega's, STAYS in Vegas's

 

[QC]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Wow. I am having fun with you, know the lake like the back of my hand, and you start calling me a tourist . . . again . . . wow. Yeah, I admited that we have pulled some stakes in the wind, all for the benefit of a guy asking about houseboats . . . and I noted that they do now in fact have Houseboats at Temple Bar. Plus I give the guy good destinations. You and I both know where the sand is, there are no secret spots. Thanks for having a fun exchange. I have smileys all over that post . . . I'll just find a new lake since you want this one for yourself

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Sorry QC,
Didn't mean to come off that way. The lake is there for everyone's enjoyment.
Now you really got me thinking where that picture was taken. My guess......
Just south of the narrows on the lower lake. And if that is correct. If you tried to take the same pic today, the boat would be on rocks. Sad state the condition the lake has become. I remember the good ole' days, when it was so full they were dumping it over the spillway. That was a sight to see.

Best regards QC

 

[QC]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

OK. Now we're cooking and cool. Despite the time that I am posting I actually don't sit here waiting for replies no matter how much it looks like it. It is ,however, the first place I check in when I start up the ole 'puter , I just landed in Newark from Manchester UK . . . Anyway, it is Columbine Falls in the Grand Canyon, you can see the falls back left. We are heading out after spending they day there, I think that trip was '86. I have had a rental Houseboat in there twice. The fact is I have spent over 100 days on Mead, and do know my way around . . . We usually stay at the Hacienda and launch at Lake Mead Marina. It's just the most convenient and shortest drive from home. I have stayed in the hotel at Temple Bar as well a few times. When the Lake is up it is the best place to head to the Grand canyon from. Other than the Canyon, believe it or not I kinda like the lake down like it is. Maybe 10 more feet up as I like hugging the South shore when the wind is blowing and there are some really cool passes around Castle Rock Cove. As it is there is more sand, and some of the coves like "Wishing Well" have much higher and steeper walls.

I am literally trying to get my concessionaire's license for the park and also my Captains license to give charters for "tourists" on Weekends. Kind of ironic, huh? More of a pipe dream right now, but I have enough total days and enough Mead experience to pull it off.

Rock on dude, see you on the lake, Kevin

P.S. Here's a cool site for checking snow accumulation if you are interested: NOAA Snow for Colorado River runoff deal

Next quiz. Where's this:

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Love the link, GC....thanks.
So your saying.....Tourist leading tourist? When, you can do it?
WoW GC.....
Got to be a California thing....

???

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

P.S.
Nice looking bunch of boys you got there. You should be proud!
What's their ages now, cause I guess the photo is over 15 years old.
You have a NOW date photo? All together? With you?
That would be pretty cool.
Come on.....Let's see it

???

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

Oh, forgot to mention about the photo.....s
The stud in the middle got out....
He's mine..How's he doing?

???

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Houseboat Camping - Lake Mead

I am literally trying to get my concessionaire's license for the park and also my Captains license to give charters for "tourists" on Weekends. Kind of ironic, huh?

WoW