IF NOT HAVASU, THEN HOW ABOUT MEAD???

After posting my "I NEED A HAVASU CRASH COURSE" http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/490855.html?1187760408 (which btw, thanks for all the feedback) I'm thinking Lake Mead might be a better option for me. It's about the same distance, seems alot safer, and seems like it still might have a little bit of a party atmosphere to it. But like Havi, I've never been there and need some advice. No specifics, just give me an idea how the lake is, the party spots, possibility of getting a slip, wakeboarding conditions, etc. Like the other post, all info is welcome. Thanks again guys.

Patrick, I have never been there on a holiday weekend but have been twice on a regular weekend. As far as I know, there is not one big party spot on Mead. It is tough to get a slip. There is a waiting list. Usually by the time our name came up our trip was over. We always stayed at the Edgewater Hotel and launched from the ramp near there. I can't remember the name of that ramp.

The wakeboarding conditions were decent but the lake was not crowded that weekend. I would imagine that it would be much worse on a holiday weekend.

One possibility is Lake Mojave. THere are some good fingers on that lake and there is one cove where people hang out -- I think it is called Gasonline Alley. However, it must get packed on holiday weekends. It isn't much bigger than Copper Canyon at Havasu.

If I were you, I would stick with Havasu. Launch very early or late, avoid the channel, and hang out in Steamboat Cove, where it is fun but not too crazy. That's what we're doing!

Mead definitely doesnt have the party scene that Havasu does for sure. There are some spots tho where i am sure there will be people partying but still allow you to wakeboard if you want.
You can launch outta Calville Bay and head towards the Narrows and on your left hand side there will be a big beach with alot of people. You can then head threw the narrows and find good water anywhere from there to Echo Bay/Overton(up to 1hr boat ride)

Hit us up if you need more info. Mead is huge compared to Havi and so people are spread out.

Havasu - party your arshe off, won't ride alot.

Mead - Ride your arshe off, and party wwith the group you brought with you.

I'd take Mead over Havasu any day of the week.

The river might be the way to go you can find nice beaches on the river with tons of people partying and still hit the good water on the river. The current keeps the chop down so you can pretty much find good water anytime of the day or night. There are some really cool place just north of Havasu on the river where you have tons of people partying and still have nice water within 5 minutes.

I just read through your other post. Look at Laughlin. I'm pretty sure you can get a slip somewhere. Hotels right on the river. Shoot me a PM or give me a call and I will give you the low down.

The River between Topoc and Needles is good for boarding. Above Needles, however brings shallow water problems. I've wrecked several props on my old i.o. there (while staying at the Avi - awesome place) and will not go back to that area with the inboard.

My vote is Meade or trying out Lake Mohave. 2 resorts with slips there but probably sold out for Labor Day weekend:
# Cottonwood Cove Resort
(702) 297-1464
# Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine Landing
(928) 754-3245

Also, from memory, while it's true that all the Laughlin casino/hotels are located right on the river only has one hotel (don't remember which one) has river access. Most of the hotels are up on a bluff with no beach, no docks, no slips nothin'. I just remember thinking that based on this Laughlin was almost false advertising!

I was just out a Laughlin and I'm actually heading down there tomorrow for the weekend. To get a slip at Katherines you just have to show up when the store opens and get your name on the list. Then they call them out at 1pm. Good thing is 2/3 of the people don't show up becuase they're to busy out on the lake. The real trick is to show up on thursday and get a slip for the entire weekend (Thurs - Sunday). It gets pretty windy but you can find decent water by the damn. What you want to avoid is pulling in and out each day because the line for the ramp is really long...so a slip is a must.

I've have never been out on the actual river but I've heard it's pretty shallow north of Needles to the Damn.

Just to Chime in a little on what WakeLV said. Once you past the narrows you come upon what I think is referred to as the great basin. It looks like a fricking ocean. Depending on the wind that day I have come upon it when it was just miles of endless glass. I have also come upon it when it was like traversing the NORTH SEA. Hopefully you will be lucky!