Lake powell questions

[Bpracing1127]

So I got invited to go to powell this summer with some family friends. I havnt been since 98.

my questions are related to cost. The boat cost is fixed, but food and fuel are not.

1. I know fuel relates to how far you drive in the houseboat and personal boat l. But what is the avg fuel cost for 6-7 days including getting there towing from havasu.
2. Food we are a family of 3 (1 baby) what to expect for food cost. We will do one day cooking for the group.
3. Misc, what to to expect here? Ice, souvenirs, permits, ect.

the boat cost 1600 before food and fuel. I am thinking all in around 3k does that sound right?

 

[Bpracing1127]

Also this is the last week of June

 

[Motor Boater]

$3,000 is about right. Depending on how far up lake you go gas for the boat will probably be $750, food and booze get expensive but cheaper than eating out on vacation. Our boat last year had an ice machine so ice was cheap. Tow your boats behind the houseboat uplake so you save all that gas.

 

[77charger]

We have been there many times this last trip i went through about 70 gallons of fuel from sun to wed in the boat normally will go through about 90.

Food depends on how well we want to eat normally will be on bbq so a tri tip,tacos,chicken, pork chops nothing fancy basic bbq and food.

As for ice get some good coolers ore borrow some ice on the lake is $$$ best to get one cooler to pack food where you may open once a day and use block ice it will last longer you try and make that cooler go 3-4 days if you can and its warm there.Your drink cooler hope for 2 days since your opening and closing often and if you add warm drinks it will melt the ice faster.I loaded my food cooler on a friday it held out til tues morning i added some more ice to it.A cheap cooler will last a day at best

 

[77charger]

I realized you have a houseboat and forgot you can put foods in fridge so instead of using one cooler for meats etc,Use one for just ice toss 2-3 blocks in there finish with cubed ice pull out as needed just get ice at local market before boarding boat.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Gas is 5.50 to 6 bucks on the lake so plan accordingly. I burnt well over 150 gallons in my whaler last year as a house boat tender for simple cruises once a day on a 7 day trip. Two wakeboard boats burnt 1000 in fuel that same trip.

We parked the houseboat in last chance and it was a 15 minute ride in my day cruiser just to get to the main channel and over an hour in any direction to a marina for gas...

If you plan on seeing the lake every day in the boat in your avatar triple you fuel budget estimation. As matter of fact, if you go to Powell with a fuel budget don't bother, put a 1000 bucks and a credit card in your pocket and go have the time of you life.

About 10 adults and 3-4 kids on our houseboat runs about 2000 a person all inclusive. That doesn't include transportation to the lake towing boats....

 

[2Driver]

There are so many variables in your post I think you would nail it if you allowed between $2,000 and $8,000

 

[throttle]

Heading to Powell in June, super excited, it’s been several years since last trip. Gas is going to be the biggest expense for us! Going to stay in Page this time. Will be boating out of Antelope Point.


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[throttle]

I remember a trip that a cooking schedule was used. One couple would do dinner one nite and then the next nite someone else (worked pretty well). Was kinda cool and then leftover for snacks or lunches.


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[McKay]

I remember a trip that a cooking schedule was used. One couple would do dinner one nite and then the next nite someone else (worked pretty well). Was kinda cool and then leftover for snacks or lunches.

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This is our typical program. Works really well.

 

[RVRKID]

Make sure when your crew meets and figures out the cost to take all the gas, ice and misc money and put into an envelope, that way everyone is in and you aren’t filling up your boat one time and hoping another guy pays the next fill up. If you go thru everything in the envelope then everyone annies up the same amount and puts it in the envelope. Also when you think it’s a lot for food and beer, remember you are on the boat and there will be no going out to dinner or the bars all week.


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[2Driver]

Program your handheld radio you use in your RZR with the main Marine bands before you go. That way you can talk back to the house boat and hail if you are out in your boat.

Remember the damn Park fees. Per vehicle and per boat. Have to jetskis? Its 2 boats...mother fuckers.

 

[HBCraig]

So I got invited to go to powell this summer with some family friends. I havnt been since 98.

my questions are related to cost. The boat cost is fixed, but food and fuel are not.

1. I know fuel relates to how far you drive in the houseboat and personal boat l. But what is the avg fuel cost for 6-7 days including getting there towing from havasu.
2. Food we are a family of 3 (1 baby) what to expect for food cost. We will do one day cooking for the group.
3. Misc, what to to expect here? Ice, souvenirs, permits, ect.

the boat cost 1600 before food and fuel. I am thinking all in around 3k does that sound right?

Fuel up at Dangling Rope is super expensive but you don't really have a choice

 

[Trash]

For food, I think it was about $700 for groceries/ice for 4 people for a week. Lots of meal planning involved to make it efficient. Gas is 3 mpg for a typical I/O small block. Figure out your mileage and fuel use based on that. Assume you are going to have to get gas at Dangling Rope and assume a good $6.00 / gal. We used significantly less fuel on the houseboat than advertised. Quoted fuel consumption was 10 gph. We were 4 or less. Generator was quoted at 1.5-20 gph full load (AC unit etc.) We were about 1 gph. Key to less fuel use is not firewalling the throttles on houseboat when transiting to your camping spot. Sweet spot was 2800-3200 rpm which yielded about 7.2 mph. WOT was about 4400 rpm or so and yielded 7.8 mph but used about 4 times the fuel.

 

[jet496]

For food, I think it was about $700 for groceries/ice for 4 people for a week. Lots of meal planning involved to make it efficient. Gas is 3 mpg for a typical I/O small block. Figure out your mileage and fuel use based on that. Assume you are going to have to get gas at Dangling Rope and assume a good $6.00 / gal. We used significantly less fuel on the houseboat than advertised. Quoted fuel consumption was 10 gph. We were 4 or less. Generator was quoted at 1.5-20 gph full load (AC unit etc.) We were about 1 gph. Key to less fuel use is not firewalling the throttles on houseboat when transiting to your camping spot. Sweet spot was 2800-3200 rpm which yielded about 7.2 mph. WOT was about 4400 rpm or so and yielded 7.8 mph but used about 4 times the fuel.

This, watch the rpm's. When I'm at Powell or Meade, I pay attention to my cruising rpm's and that conserves a ton if you're not hammering the throttle all the time like at the river. Much shorter distances at the river.

 

[Bpracing1127]

So I am locked in for this trip 19th-26th of June. The 19th is a preboarding day. We actually leave on the 20th from wahweep. I am headed to havasu the 18th to get the boat and go from there the 19th in the morning. We are taking my 15 month old will be 20 months by the time the trip comes up. I havnt been since 98 and I am sure a lot has changed. When I went last is rained everyday but one. I was also 14 lol. Things are different now. We are splitting the food evenly between people. And bringing 100 lbs of ice in coolers.

jet ski are unknown at this time but would be cool to have. But I think we will have 3-4 boats for 21 people 10 are adults.

taking advice for things that are must see and must do I know rainbow bridge, peteogyplyhs, ect. Anything else? We are bringing volleyball, cornhole, horseshoes, and board games. And I believe we have a full dj setup as well. Aiming for west or face canyon but we will see.

 

[QC22]

I've been a couple of times. This will sound strange, but last trip I brought a 14' aluminum boat with a 5hp OB and it was the star of the show. The kids all used it to fish, go off and explore, etc. The group kept asking why I was bringing it, and afterwards all agreed it was super cool to have along. And we had 3 real sleds, and two PWCs as well.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

We put a freezer in the back of the truck, run the cord through the rear slider window and plug it into the inverter plug that came with the truck. With that set up we bought all of the meat at costco and brought it with, then we paid the porters to put the freezer on the bow of the houseboat, with the inverter we kept it running for ice the entire trip.

Also, make sure you get a boat with an inverter and central air and a fuel tank for your toys, dont get RV style AC, sucks.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

So I am locked in for this trip 19th-26th of June. The 19th is a preboarding day. We actually leave on the 20th from wahweep. I am headed to havasu the 18th to get the boat and go from there the 19th in the morning. We are taking my 15 month old will be 20 months by the time the trip comes up. I havnt been since 98 and I am sure a lot has changed. When I went last is rained everyday but one. I was also 14 lol. Things are different now. We are splitting the food evenly between people. And bringing 100 lbs of ice in coolers.

jet ski are unknown at this time but would be cool to have. But I think we will have 3-4 boats for 21 people 10 are adults.

taking advice for things that are must see and must do I know rainbow bridge, peteogyplyhs, ect. Anything else? We are bringing volleyball, cornhole, horseshoes, and board games. And I believe we have a full dj setup as well. Aiming for west or face canyon but we will see.

21 people on one houseboat? If that is the case it is highly likely that someone will be less of a friend at the end of the trip.

 

[Thunderhead1]

I've been a couple of times. This will sound strange, but last trip I brought a 14' aluminum boat with a 5hp OB and it was the star of the show. The kids all used it to fish, go off and explore, etc. The group kept asking why I was bringing it, and afterwards all agreed it was super cool to have along. And we had 3 real sleds, and two PWCs as well.

And then you grew up and got a Hallet or something didn't you??

 

[QC22]

And then you grew up and got a Hallet or something didn't you??

Lol, I had a nice ride then too. I wish I still had the Tinny though. When's your boat done?

 

[fmo24]

We always like parking in the San Juan River. Great skiing, cool places to putt the jet skis into. Ok beaches for hanging out on and game type stuff.
Ive been on trips where one couple did all food prep, cook , serve and cleanup for a day then done for rest of trip. Others, you were on your own for breakfast and lunch than group type deal for dinners.

 

[77charger]

Water level can determine some places to visit as well if its too high cathedral in the desert aint the same as if water is 3615 or less.3620 a cool swim hole in padre bay.

 

[2Driver]

So I am locked in for this trip 19th-26th of June. The 19th is a preboarding day. We actually leave on the 20th from wahweep. I am headed to havasu the 18th to get the boat and go from there the 19th in the morning. We are taking my 15 month old will be 20 months by the time the trip comes up. I havnt been since 98 and I am sure a lot has changed. When I went last is rained everyday but one. I was also 14 lol. Things are different now. We are splitting the food evenly between people. And bringing 100 lbs of ice in coolers.

jet ski are unknown at this time but would be cool to have. But I think we will have 3-4 boats for 21 people 10 are adults.

taking advice for things that are must see and must do I know rainbow bridge, peteogyplyhs, ect. Anything else? We are bringing volleyball, cornhole, horseshoes, and board games. And I believe we have a full dj setup as well. Aiming for west or face canyon but we will see.

21 folks, my only suggestion would be a second houseboat

 

[mesquito_creek]

West and face canyon don’t have but a few spots to beach and anchor a house boat on a sandy beach. I would send a scout boat in before you commit with the houseboat. Many more sandy beaches on the opposite north shoreline. But have fun finding a spot its half the fun!

 

[Done-it-again]

21 people on one houseboat? If that is the case it is highly likely that someone will be less of a friend at the end of the trip.

F'that....No way being on a boat with 21 people. That's the worst thing about house boating.....Needing all these people so it doesn't break the bank... I would bite the bullet and rent the smallest boat they have (that has AC) just for my fam...

 

[2Driver]

F'that....No way being on a boat with 21 people. That's the worst thing about house boating.....Needing all these people so it doesn't break the bank... I would bite the bullet and rent the smallest boat they have (that has AC) just for my fam...

LOL better have a massive black tank or that's a every other day 3-4 hour ride to the floating dump stations

No good beaches in Rock Canyon

 

[Thunderhead1]

Lol, I had a nice ride then too. I wish I still had the Tinny though. When's your boat done?

HAHHAHA I don't know.. Im hoping for Desert Storm...BUt each day the reality of that happening is slipping away...

Soory to get off topic here... Lets talk about Powell.

 

[Bpracing1127]

21 folks, my only suggestion would be a second houseboat

Half of the people are less than 15 years old. We’re fine.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Big boat drama got old after a bunch of years, we ended up renting 48 navigators for just our family of 5 and paying in full a year in advance usually got us 50% off.

 

[Bpracing1127]

Also 3 of the people are in diapers lol. Again we’re fine. That number may dwindle to 18 if some of the bigger kids don’t go. Our boat has 5 staterooms

 

[mesquito_creek]

Also 3 of the people are in diapers lol. Again we’re fine. That number may dwindle to 18 if some of the bigger kids don’t go. Our boat has 5 staterooms

line them up on the upper deck under the stars and go make some memories. Because you know how much kids hate running free and wild for days on end!

 

[DUNEFLYER]

LOL better have a massive black tank or that's a every other day 3-4 hour ride to the floating dump stations

No good beaches in Rock Canyon

View attachment 839868 View attachment 839869

Know this beach and the island behind you very well

 

[Boat 405]

You'll have a blast! Enjoy, a week goes by in a blink!

 

[MeCasa16]

I'm pretty sure there is a limit on the total people on your houseboat. I guess as long as several people stay on the small boats and rendezvous after the houseboat leaves the marina. Don't forget leather gloves, a big hammer (at least a 5lb-10lb sledge), head lamps, and binoculars. I'm sure you have an idea, but working the ropes without gloves really sucks.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I'm pretty sure there is a limit on the total people on your houseboat. I guess as long as several people stay on the small boats and rendezvous after the houseboat leaves the marina. Don't forget leather gloves, a big hammer (at least a 5lb-10lb sledge), head lamps, and binoculars. I'm sure you have an idea, but working the ropes without gloves really sucks.

Yacht certification on houseboats... no limits

 

[MeCasa16]

Yacht certification on houseboats... no limits

I looked it up. When the boat is in motion, the limit is 12 people. If the boat is stationary, there is no limit. It’s a coast guard rule.

 

[DB / HAV]

Best vacations we had with other families. Make sure you all get along. 3 couples w2 kids each. Each family had to cook dinner & breakfast for 2 days-cook & clean. We talked about the menu in advance. Awesome time!!

 

[hallett21]

Big boat drama got old after a bunch of years, we ended up renting 48 navigators for just our family of 5 and paying in full a year in advance usually got us 50% off.

Do they offer the 50% off special anymore?

I looked 2-3 years ago and it wasn’t offered.

Granted we went out of mead not Powell.


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[mesquito_creek]

I looked it up. When the boat is in motion, the limit is 12 people. If the boat is stationary, there is no limit. It’s a coast guard rule.

You are right!.... and the same coast guard regulation states the the maximum limit on passengers for a boat under 100 tons is 6 persons.... Looks like most of the time 1000s of boats at Havasu are over the limit.

Operators must possess the appropriate credential issued by the USCG, vessel registration issued by the Coast Guard or by the state, and complies with required safety equipment. Passenger limits are 6 for vessels less than 100 gross tons and 12 for vessels more than 100 gross tons.

 

[QC22]

You are right!.... and the same coast guard regulation states the the maximum limit on passengers for a boat under 100 tons is 6 persons.... Looks like most of the time 1000s of boats at Havasu are over the limit.

Operators must possess the appropriate credential issued by the USCG, vessel registration issued by the Coast Guard or by the state, and complies with required safety equipment. Passenger limits are 6 for vessels less than 100 gross tons and 12 for vessels more than 100 gross tons.

These limits are if you are charging passengers as a Captain and for Uninspected Passenger Vessels. The 12 person limit is for rentals (chartered bare boats).

 

[mesquito_creek]

These limits are if you are charging passengers as a Captain and for Uninspected Passenger Vessels. The 12 person limit is for rentals (chartered bare boats).

So if you are in a timeshare/LLC partial ownership situation on a lake powell houseboat, you are by definition not a bareboat charter and you are exempt? If that is the case then the OP may or may not have a passenger limit on the Yacht certified houseboat depending on his situation....

Also, as a single owner of a Yacht Certified express cruiser, I would also be exempt from numeric passenger limits?

 

[cheezpanel]

Do they offer the 50% off special anymore?

I looked 2-3 years ago and it wasn’t offered.

Granted we went out of mead not Powell.


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Don't know if actually 50% offer any more, but the off peak rates are about that. We went in Oct. and paid about $3300 for the 59' Wanderer boat, which was about half of the peak season rates. It was prepay with no refund to get those rates. We do this every other October and seems to be the same as far as the rates go. Turn out to be about $430 each for the boat (8 people), and then everybody puts 250 into an envelope for gas, food, etc. We ended up with about $70 to spare when we turned in the boat after filling up. It covered gas getting there and for the boats, jetskis, food, etc. Didn't include booze though. Everyone is tasked with bring at least 2 bottles of what they like, beer, and either water, gatorade, etc.

 

[Bigbore500r]

@ONE-A-DAY 's suggestion to bring a freezer is awesome. When we went, only one of the houseboats had a chest freezer and it was awesome. Otherwise, you'll be making trips to Dangling rope all the time for ice.

From my trip, here is what I suggest -

-Pay for the early "pre board" so you can load up the night before, and get out on the water first thing in morning. The beaches fill up fast believe it or not. We got on the water late, and by the time we got out we ended up camping close for the first night. The 2nd day we headed out towards dangling rope looking for beaches, and it took the entire day to find a spot for our group.

-On day 1, head straight to Dangling Rope and top off the houseboat fuel, then go find your beach. Now you don't have to worry about fueling up on your "go home day" and you can run your generator 24/7 if needed without worry for running out of fuel

-Use your boat or a PWC to scout out a good spot ahead of the houseboat, once you get to the general area you want to be. Houseboat moves slow! Less time driving that around the better.

-The fuel gauges on the house boat are often way off. Another reason to top off at dangling rope before settling down, take the worry out of that issue.

-radios to communicate between houseboat and watercraft are a must

-watch for underwater hazards, they are everywhere due to the lake's changing elevations. Underwater tree stumps in coves are common. I nailed my props on one pulling in to our beach, almost ruined the trip. We beat them back into shape with a hammer

-Good pair of binoculars. A drone would be awesome!

 

[MeCasa16]

So if you are in a timeshare/LLC partial ownership situation on a lake powell houseboat, you are by definition not a bareboat charter and you are exempt? If that is the case then the OP may or may not have a passenger limit on the Yacht certified houseboat depending on his situation....

Also, as a single owner of a Yacht Certified express cruiser, I would also be exempt from numeric passenger limits?

I'm not saying this to be an asshole or Know-it-all. I'm giving you the heads up so you don't have to deal with the rental people on the dock. They enforce that rule to rent people power boats. It sounds like you have plenty of boats to get around that clause, so I'm just giving you the heads up so you don't have to waste time reorganizing people when you want to be motoring. The people working there don't know anything about any certifications and won't care if you are Captain Phillips. I don't have any issue at all with how many people you want to stuff on there. It's going to be a great time and super memorable for all those kids.

 

[QC22]

So if you are in a timeshare/LLC partial ownership situation on a lake powell houseboat, you are by definition not a bareboat charter and you are exempt? If that is the case then the OP may or may not have a passenger limit on the Yacht certified houseboat depending on his situation....

Also, as a single owner of a Yacht Certified express cruiser, I would also be exempt from numeric passenger limits?

That's the way I read it. The Operator Of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) deal is what is being quoted above, the license is often called a Six Pack. Bareboat Charter and your boat are not "for hire". You are not a Captain, so your passenger limits are a whole other deal. There is a formula the Coast Guard uses for any boat, even it is "Yacht certified". It's a Length x Beam type thing.

 

[Royally PO'd]

Number 1 cost saver is : don't be in a hurry under way with ANY of the watercraft. If you are worried about cost and need to get there in a hurry, you should go somewhere else. The occupancy IS limited on the rentals, so you need to be a little discreet at the marinas. And if you want to get shot, run the Genny all night. Never keep food and drinks together in the same cooler, especially with a lot of kids, and enforce the " you open it , you finish it rule. I had an older 44' Boatel, with a 7 cu.ft. chest freezer on the foredeck and NEVER had to make special trips to just get ice. In the 70's we would have to make special runs just for ice and the gas (even though cheap compared to now , cost more than the ice ). The newer board boats will KILL a fuel budget, so if you aren't a taker , be prepared to absorb some costs that aren't really your responsibility... We had many a squabble about shared costs with a gang , back in the early - mid 70's. That is a shithouse full of different personalities to be stuck on that space for a week, Good luck !!!

 

[Royally PO'd]

It took us about 4-5 years to weed out the poor companions, and even had 2 divorces culminate with the trips. And if it wasn't so goddamned fun , I would quit going !!!

 

[mesquito_creek]

I bought a dometic 12V/120

I'm not saying this to be an asshole or Know-it-all. I'm giving you the heads up so you don't have to deal with the rental people on the dock. They enforce that rule to rent people power boats. It sounds like you have plenty of boats to get around that clause, so I'm just giving you the heads up so you don't have to waste time reorganizing people when you want to be motoring. The people working there don't know anything about any certifications and won't care if you are Captain Phillips. I don't have any issue at all with how many people you want to stuff on there. It's going to be a great time and super memorable for all those kids.

I never accused you of being an asshole.... I participate in a timeshare/LLC houseboat and we exceed 12 people when motoring. After you posted the Coast guard rule I went looking for reference to see if our group is actually operating in violation of that rule. It appears that our boat is not a "bareboat charter." There is really very little difference in how we get our boat underway versus a "rental", our houseboat is literally on the same dock as the rental fleet. I have never encountered any rental staff that would have enforced the rule as a matter of reference.

We did get a coast guard auxiliary "safety check" last September in Rock Canyon for a life vest count. So the coast guard is out there and the basis for my questioning the rule.

 

[Royally PO'd]

The rules are why you never see fireworks at the lake- against the law !