Dave, IMHO, Lake Powell is as beautiful as any place on Earth, but our multi-day trip there was in a 12' skiff with a little outboard. Two problems for sailboats: the winds are highly variable--as we all know--and the canyons (=coves) are so steep-sided that the winds are as likely to be howling on the nose as dead behind (if there is any wind), and tacking would be challenging in close quarters. The other challenge is deep water and questionable holding ground for anchoring in case the wind comes a-howling at night; better is grounding on tiny beaches where the trib streams dump into the lake. I think a Potter 15 with lots of gas would be good craft, and the ability to get the sails up and down very fast would be key. No doubt Powell should be on everyone's bucket list, and a keel boat should be okay with a beach anchor and another one in the the water, but vigilance is key. I will be disappointed if I don't get to return with our 17. We went to Powell at spring break, and the weather was ideal. I hear gusts are more intimidating in summer with all that thermal energy kicking around, and winter is pretty cool. Tom Sent from my iPad On Dec 26, 2012, at 4:00 PM, W David Scobie <wdscobie@yahoo.com> wrote:
hey ho folks -
i'm looking at doing some sailing in places i've not been before.
one place that is close and has been talked about ... lake powell.
so, what is the collective experience out there? good, bad, ugly? best time(s) of year? best place(s)?
just working on my bucket list.
:: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com