Powell houseboat trip invitation, expense donations only... 1st week of June

[walkers2rad]

Invitation for couples and singles to spend a week at lake Powell on a houseboat (the way is should be enjoyed) without the huge expense of renting!
Meet new people… pick up new skills behind the boat and enjoy all that this huge scenic lake has to offer!

This is a prime week plus a day (5-30 to 6/7) when the temps and weather are just right... not super hot yet and the nights still cool down nicely. The castle rock cutoff shortcut should be open at this time which would be a big time and gas saver!

I cant seem to get enough of my frinds or family to commit to the trip mostly because they seem to be busy with having kids or they are at the age where even they would not care to spend a whole week with them 27/7!
So I am open to spend this week with exceptional couples or individuals to share the minimal expense and the maximum experience and meet people that enjoy spending time on the water!

This is a fully equipped average size and age privatly owned houseboat in good condition. It is in a slip at wahweap marina and it has a slide, toy fuel tanks, pwc hoist, two fridges, chest freezer, trash compactor, twin v-8 volvo drive, charting gps, upper controls, A/C, generator, inverter, vcr/dvd TV, infared gas grill.

I will book no more than twelve so space is limited. As of right now it is pretty wide open for you to round up a full crew if act quickly.
If not I will try to put together a fun group of easy going people... please... no angry fighting drunks!

I am easy to get along with and can roll with almost any situation. I have twenty years of boat ownership experience, coast guard safe boater and advanced lifesaving training. I have all the boating toys and can ride and teach anything behind a boat including hydro foiling.

It would work best if I can arrange it to where someone could bring at least one boat, but no more than two are needed and someone else a jet ski or two. Otherwise I could bring my tige wakeboard boat and/or a supercharged jet ski but I would prefer to concentrate on keeping the big boat running smoothly so preferance may be given to those that can help provide for a good combination.

All I ask is donations to help with the fees... roughly $250 is the reccomended minimum pp for the whole week plus your share of whatever is used for gas which is expected to fall between $50 to $100 pp, those bringing a boat should get a break on this.

I will try to put together a fun group of people for a good time to be had by all… not all that reply will be accepted to make the trip. Sorry no young children or animals at this time unless you are arranging the whole party!

Please reply with as much information on yourself and what you like to do on the water for best consideration and I will get back to you.

Ray

[Jeffe]

My name is Jeff, I live in SoCal, I have a RZ4, I like long walks on the beach, candle light dinners and have a chow jindo mix dog named Princess.

[TJRiver]

Be my friend for only $250 pp, plus gas.


Actually, a phenomonal deal.......

[evil0ne]

Yeah, no kidding, seems like a great deal. Hit me up with some more info. How many more people are you looking for?

[bagzzz]

I would jump on that for sure, but my friend is getting married that week hahahaha.

[walkers2rad]

Yeah, no kidding, seems like a great deal. Hit me up with some more info. How many more people are you looking for?

Right at the moment I have no confirmed commitments, just one inquiry that I answered and another couple that really wants to go and is trying to figure out if they can pull it off.

No shortage of sarcastic comments from here tho!

So I would say that right now I have room for at least 9 to keep it under a total of 12.

Here are some pics from last year and I will try to pm or post a bunch of info... if it does not all make it pm me your e-mail and I will send it.
Ray

[Domsz06]

man that looks like a lot of fun!!!

Hope you get it all worked out!

[walkers2rad]

Here is probably more info than anyone wanted, but if anyone cares to learn some general information on how houseboats work, this is pretty typical.
May answer some of your questions but if not feel free to ask.

Windsong is a 54-ft. long, and about 14-ft. wide Stardust Cruiser houseboat, manufactured in 1987. It has been used exclusively on Lake Powell since then. The boat has two refrigerators, a trash compactor, a bar, and the ususal sinks. However, it has only one bathroom (and one toilet). It has a “cuddy” cabin, a below deck bedroom with two double beds. It has two double bed bunks, one above the other on the main cabin floor, plus a queen size bed in the back bedroom. This bedroom has a small closet, plus several drawers for small clothing items.

There are the requisite number of life jackets in the front storage area below the front deck. The boat has curtains, screens, screen doors, and sliding glass doors, front and rear. The roof is fully accessible via the spiral staircase on the back deck. There is a flying bridge so you can drive from the roof if you wish (see instructions later regarding transfer of control between downstairs and the roof). The front portion of the upper deck is covered by a canopy. There are five propane tanks on the roof, only one of which should be in service at a time, with four spares, plus the tank on the BBQ.

PILOT SERVICE

Windsong requires that you use the pilot service provided by Old West. About two hours or so before you expect to leave the slip, call Old West and let them know when you will be ready for them to pilot the boat from the slip into the open water of the marina. Due to problems in the past, use of this service is mandatory. The cost for this service will be paid by Windsong. If you choose not to use a pilot, any damage of any kind to Windsong or to any other boat (or other marina equipment) that might be involved in some sort of accident caused by you will be 100% to your account.

ENGINES

Windsong is driven by two 200 hp marine V-8 engines coupled to Volvo out-drives.

When cruising down the lake, bear in mind that your fuel mileage is on the order of 0.7 to 0.8 miles per gallon if you don’t run the engines above about 2800 RPM. At faster engine speeds, the fuel consumption rises markedly, but the cruising speed doesn’t increase proportionately. At maybe $4 per gallon, fast cruising gets expensive

MAIN FUEL TANKS

Windsong is equipped with three main fuel tanks (60-gallon capacity each) located below the main deck in the engine compartment at the stern of the boat. These three tanks are manifolded together such that all three engines (including the generator) draw fuel from all three tanks at the same time, and at a fairly even rate.

AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS

There are two 70-gallon capacity auxiliary fuel tanks affixed to the back deck at the stern of the boat. Both tanks have a hand-crank pump installed in them. However, the tank nearest the back railing is the most convenient to use, and it has a fuel filter. If this tank runs low, you can transfer fuel from the other auxiliary tank. This auxiliary fuel is intended for speed boats, personal water craft, etc.

GENERATOR

The generator is a 7.5 kW unit driven by a simple four-cylinder engine located in the main engine compartment. This generator provides 110 Volts AC (normal household power). The generator is best started from the main Captain’s console in the living room. First, be sure that the power transfer switch is in the OFF position. This is a large switch located toward the right side of the main console on the vertical front area to the right of the Wheel. The switch has positions of OFF, GENERATOR, and SHORE POWER. With this switch in the OFF position, start the generator using the controls just to the right of the switch. Hold down the starter switch plus the center switch, both together. When the engine starts, immediately release the starter switch, but hold the center switch down for an additional few seconds. If you don’t hold this switch down, and the engine has not come up to speed, the controls will stop the engine, and you will have to start over.

When the generator engine is running smoothly, turn the transfer switch to the GENERATOR position. When you do this, make a quick check on the refrigerator controls as they should automatically switch over to AC from LP (propane).

LAKE WATER PUMP

Windsong has two water pumps in the below deck area near the water tanks. One pumps the fresh water, the other pumps lake water. A short inspection will indicate which is which. Each pump has a filter. If water flow from the lake pump should drop off, simply replace the filter. Spares are in one of the baskets in the below deck storage area, near the front.

Lake water is also fed to the hot water heater. This heater is always ON, but is powered up only when the generator is operating. Normally, there is sufficient hot water for all to use.

The lake water pump will also be the provider for water to the slide on Windsong. Be sure that you have water to the slide before using it. Also, be sure to turn off the slide water when you are through using the slide.

Note that there are two spigots at each of the sinks. One is lake water, and the other (the goose neck type) is fresh water. Be sparing of the fresh water as its quantity is limited to what is in the below-deck tanks.

If you want to check the amount of fresh water remaining, there is a sight gage on the fresh water tank.

SLIDE

The slide on Windsong should be in the storage position (vertical) when cruising, and also at all times when the boat is in the marina. Be sure the slide is fully secure, both up (when in use) and when down. When ever it is not in use, make sure the safety chains are securely fastened across the entrance to the slide.

TOY HOIST

There is a hoist on the roof of Windsong that is used to lift personal water craft (PWC) to the roof for storage while you are cruising, or for whatever other reason you may choose to use it. This is a one-half ton capacity hoist (1000 lbs). This is nough capacity for all but the very largest PWC. This hoist operates on 110 Volts AC, and therefore you will need to have the generator operating when you use the hoist. Bear in mind that there are NO lifting slings for PWC’s on Windsong. If you intend to use the hoist for your PWC’s, be sure to bring your own slings.

There are two PWC cradles on the roof of Windsong. These cradles have wheels that will let you move them around when they are holding a PWC. HOWEVER... The wheels also let the cradles move on their own if you don’t tie them off to the railings. In fact, it is mandatory, if you intend to go cruising with Windsong, that you tie off your PWC, on its cradle, to the railing, BEFORE you move the houseboat. In the past, roof railings on Windsong have been badly damaged because certain vacationers have failed to tie down, and a loose PWC has smashed into them.

FRONT PORCH FREEZER

There is a freezer located on the front porch. It stays cold because it is always ON whenever the generator is running. If you are careful, the freezer contents stay frozen quite well. Ice blocks and frozen food remain in good shape for several days. Be sure to keep the lid closed securely.

BARBEQUE

The barbeque on the front porch works by radiant heat and is somewhat different than the usual BBQ. The cooking grates are to be installed such that the grooves are UP, not down. The grooves catch the grease runoff and direct it away from the hot heating surfaces. Enjoy this device, BUT..You are responsible for CLEANING it after you use it. When you turn in the boat at the end of your vacation, the BBQ is to be clean, clean, clean. A dirty BBQ always generates the wrath of the next vacationer.

GPS INSTRUMENT

A GPS unit has been installed on Windsong. The readout is on the main Captains’s console (you can’t miss it). This unit contains maps relating to all areas of Lake Powell. Read all of the instructions attached to the GPS unit to figure out how to use it. It is a lot of fun. ALSO... If you should ever get into trouble, and need to summon assistance, you can give the responders your exact location, longitude and latitude, on the lake. This knowledge will greatly minimize the time needed by the helpers to get to you.

RADIO

The radio is a standard marine version, with all of the necessary features and channels. Info on the radio can be found in the instruction books. When calling to someone, communicate on Channel 16. When your party responds, immediately choose an appropriate call back channel for your conversation, such as 19, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, etc. These conversation channels are noted in the instruction book. DO NOT use channel 16 for conversation. Use only for initial contact.

TV and INVERTER

The TV operates off an inverter in the cabinet below the bar. This means that the TV operates off the boat’s batteries. The generator will keep the batteries charged, so you should not have a problem unless you choose to run the TV for long intervals. On the other hand, you can watch TV in the evening (for a while) without having to run the generator. If you overdo it, you will have battery problems. So be careful. In general, very few of Windsong’s vacationers make any significant long term use of the TV. Mostly, folks want to look at their digital photos before they get home.

SPARE PARTS, etc.

In the below-deck area, there are spare parts for many things. Light bulbs are here. 30W oil. Also lots of miscellaneous nuts and bolts, plus spare parts for the outdrives, and a spare hose. Look around, if you need anything.

[walkers2rad]

Bump for the week...
No firm commitments yet!

[MoneyPity]

Wish we could take you up on your offer. We have a 20V we would bring but there are obstacles such as distance from Chicago and that we always bring our labs on boating trips. We lost one to blindness over the winter (she lost both eyes to glaucoma) so it would be a 5 year and 8 year old chocolate labs and my wifes two dachshunds. I would love to make a Powell trip to enjoy the rock formations and such but this year is out. We head to Bullshoals June 6th for a relaxing week. We expect temps in upper 70's and water temp to almost require a darn wet suit. Change almost t to will need.

[Tailwind]

Would be all over this as I have spent at least one week a year on Powell between the ages of 5 and 20. My folks were SoCal river and lake rats. Bull Frog was our host marina and the memories are priceless. Unfortunately for the proposed dates, my wife turns 40 and for that big day she and some friends are off to Europe for 10 days beginning May 31st. So I have the dogs and child under my watch. Wish me luck!!!!
Let me know if another trip begins to materialize, and thanks for the offer.

T.