Lake Powell Boating
 

Has anyone recently rented a powerboat at Lake Powell? We're moderatly experienced boaters, but are concenerned about mudflats, sandbars and protruding rocks since the lake level is so low. We can always just take the tour(s) and leave the driving to someone else but thought that renting a boat for a day might be a fun way to see a little more...unless we get stranded on a mudflat! FYI: This is our first time to Lake Powell. Thanks for your help!

I feel quite sure that the folks there who have those boats to rent will have some first-class advice on the matter....

gtrgrl - we were there in August when the lake was down 80 feet, lowest I've ever seen it. Still, its pretty obvious where the water is too low. You can easily travel thru the main channel and down most of the side channels. It was lowest around beach areas, where we got stuck in sand and we were able to hop out and without the weight of 2 people were able to motor out. Just make sure to have a lookout in low water areas.

bookhall: I have asked their advice and they are more than willing to take my deposit on a boat rental...

You shouldn't have much of a problem. There will typically be buoys marking unexpected shallows. No matter what the lake level, there will always be barely covered sections. Just use normal caution for unfamiliar waters, and discuss with the rental company the areas you are planning to cruise.

It's nice to have a somewhat larger boat (20 foot) with a top to give some shade, as it is a big lake and there is not much shade along the shoreline.