Summary: This is the third in a series on Lake Powell, continuing from the 5 January 2013 episode Lake Powell Water Skiing Vacation Teaser, and the 19 January 2013 episode Lake Powell Vacation from a Marina. After teasing and sharing the budget vacation option, this episode covers the real, best, and most immersive way to water ski Lake Powell: houseboating. Waterski magazine called Lake Powell the Ultimate Houseboat Vacation in its August 2012 issue This is not a private lake, don't try to make it that. Bring all of the water toys for varied water conditions when you can't water ski. Why stay on a houseboat, not a hotel? Stay where you play - 5 minutes from wake up to first turns More coastline than the US Pacific Coat - so if you choose well you can get a place just as quiet or loud as you like it Store water toys on the houseboat, not your ski boat - the back deck can become a crowded place with skis, tubes, boards, and other toys Immersive lake experience, as close as you can get to a private house on a lake. Watch the sun rise and set over the lake Get in touch with the rhythm of nature Push and play as hard as you want, then relax until you're ready to do it again Preparing for your Lake Powell house boating week Packing for a week - everything from clothes to food and first aid supplies. This can take some space in a car. What is the refrigerator and freezer capacity on the houseboat? What coolers can you use to supplement if it is not enough? Getting a rental houseboat: Aramark or Antelope Point Expect to lose cell coverage as you drive away from the marina Trip planning secret: the first and last day will be dominated by travel to and from your campsite. Plan accordingly. Who should you bring with you? At least one other driver, even subsidized Good friends, families with kids of similar ages Discuss costs up front: rental, travel, food, fuel, park entry Minimum fuel use I've seen for a week is $1,000, but it can go up well past that if you're playing hard or exploring Menus and meals KISS - can you prep parts of meals in advance so it doesn't take away from your lake time? Grill whenever possible. The oven and stove top can really heat up the cabin. Divide meals between families or friends going with you Where to moor the houseboat and water ski? Get a map of the lake that shows interesting features as you plan Distance from civilization and other people? Travel time on the houseboat (track the time out from the marina so you can know when to head back) What is your gas supply for your ski boat and toys? Aramark's five biggest have a fuel pump so you don't have to bring your own cans. Ask if you're renting from Antelope Point Use your ski boat or PWC to scout places you want to consider What is the exposure to wind and waves? Anchor it well! Canyon walls are beautiful, but impossible to anchor to, and reflect waves back. You'll need at least a hundred feet of beach to moor and anchor. Add more space to moor your boat and PWCs My favorite spots to camp and water ski Warm Creek Bay (if it's a quiet week on the lake) Three arms of Padre Bay Rock Creek Bay Anyplace in the San Juan River Arm Ribbon or Little Cottonwood Canyon Halls Creek Bay (if it's a quiet week on the lake) Warm Springs Canyon Good Hope Bay Other activities Geocaching Slot canyons Hiking - Boater's Guide to Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Additional Links and Sources http://www.riverlakes.com/powlmaps.htm Feedback on Weekend Water Skier Podcast I hope you've enjoyed this episode. If you have, then tell your friends and leave me a comment at weekendwaterskier.com, or send feedback to feedback@weekendwaterskier.com. I also welcome your thoughts about a land-based vacation to Lake Powell, if you're for it, against it,
