Which lake for first trip, near so cal?

[txmxer]

Ok guys we just picked up our first boat this past weekend (malibu...I know I know but I like this site so im sticking around). Anyways were new to boating and took it to Lake Elsinore for the first time just to get a feel for it. Well in a few weeks we want to take a trip and stay out in a hotel for 2-3 days. Now by close I mean we are willing to drive 4-5 hours, were not looking to go to lake perris or elsinore. Mostly we want a lake that is big, nice, and just generally a fun time. So give me your recommendations and even post pics if you want. Ive heard about lake havasu, blythe, parker, laughlin, mead all those which is best??

[slacker661]

Havasu in my opinion. But I dont mind the crowds. Just a good atmospehere out there

[txmxer]

oh and also feel free to give any tips or info about the spot your posting.

[Jeffe]

Lake Mojave...but stay near & launch from Cottonwood Cove. You will have the widest & most uncrowded part of the lake all to yourself.

[Jeffe]

We always go out on the Colorado River in the Needles area...makes it nice & easy with a place right on the water.

[Ewok]

Congrats, if you haven't read them yet, there are some very good threads on this site about tire pressure, make sure its good for the weight on the trailer. I believe someone posted that 5psi under the max psi decreases the max load by 500#/tire. If you can weigh the rig, boat plus trailer, you'll know how much weight the tires need to support and you can adjust the tire pressure appropriately.

Have fun! I get to drive 6.5 hrs on Wed to pick up my boat. I'll weigh it right away and make sure I have the correct pressure for my drive home.

[TeamAllen]

Tell us a little more about yourself. All three Colorado River Lakes will do fine Mead, Havasu and Mojave. They each offer something different. Do you have a family? Like to party at the sand bar?

[txmxer]

Well lets see first time boat owners, more family oriented. Itll be my parents, my nephew (5), me (17) and a few of my friends. So mostly well be intersted in having some fun wakeboarding not partying and stuff.

[whitlock87]

I second Lake Mojave
But I do not like cotton wood due to all the jet skis. We launch out of Catherine landing and get a slip.
There are many hotels to stay in Laughlin. If you go on a weekday (Monday – Thursday) the lake is very quiet and the hotel room will start around 25.oo per night.
There are many coves that you can day camp in that have trees and place to have a nice camp fire. We are going there on 7/17/10 and it takes about 5 hours from West Covina
I would recommend mend a nice anchor, like a box anchor. (I do personally do not beach my boat)
Let us(Jeffe and I ) know if you want some pics

[Jeffe]

I second Lake Mojave
But I do not like cotton wood due to all the jet skis. We launch out of Catherine landing and get a slip.
There are many hotels to stay in Laughlin. If you go on a weekday (Monday – Thursday) the lake is very quiet and the hotel room will start around 25.oo per night.
There are many coves that you can day camp in that have trees and place to have a nice camp fire. We are going there on 7/17/10 and it takes about 5 hours from West Covina
I would recommend mend a nice anchor, like a box anchor. (I do personally do not beach my boat)
Let us(Jeffe and I ) know if you want some pics

Katherine's Landing is nice...But you have to pay $20 to launch, it takes forever and its crowded. Granted I have not been to Cottonwood in a few years, but the basin is so wide open that you can pretty much go anywhere and not see any other boats or skis.

Here are a few pics from our porch. Our place is a few miles above Needles on the CA side.

[whitlock87]

Jeff
I might be thinking of a different spot. There is a second ramp north of Catherine landing, but you still need to go through the ranger station first. (You take the second right after going through the ranger station and it will take you to a different launching area. The first right takes you a mobile home track

[Jeffe]

Jeff
I might be thinking of a different spot. There is a second ramp north of Catherine landing, but you still need to go through the ranger station first. (You take the second right after going through the ranger station and it will take you to a different launching area. The first right takes you a mobile home track

On the Arizona side is Katherines Landing, Telephone Cove & another launch only with no Marina called Princess Cove out by the 5 mile marker. That one is accessible via a dirt road.

Cottonwood is about 26 miles up from the Dam on the Nevada side of the river.

Panorama of Telephone Cove
http://www.americansouthwest.net/ari...ead/qtvr2.html

[whitlock87]

My bad, i was thinking of Telephone cove

[txmxer]

I second Lake Mojave
But I do not like cotton wood due to all the jet skis. We launch out of Catherine landing and get a slip.
There are many hotels to stay in Laughlin. If you go on a weekday (Monday – Thursday) the lake is very quiet and the hotel room will start around 25.oo per night.
There are many coves that you can day camp in that have trees and place to have a nice camp fire. We are going there on 7/17/10 and it takes about 5 hours from West Covina
I would recommend mend a nice anchor, like a box anchor. (I do personally do not beach my boat)
Let us(Jeffe and I ) know if you want some pics

We really want to go check out Lake Mojave or Lake Mead, only thing is I heard there is some really bad wind there, is this true?

[dingleberry]

We really want to go check out Lake Mojave or Lake Mead, only thing is I heard there is some really bad wind there, is this true?

Mead is very big, so moderate winds can result in big waves. Just depends on your luck. Two weekends ago was very windy, while last weekend was calm. Just start looking at the forecast about 10 days in advance and checking every day after that. I would suggest having a backup plan in place if it's looking too windy.