I was at Powell 2 weeks ago. It is a bit sketchy this year, and I've been there for the last 15 years. Every year at Powell you have to scope all the canyons and coves before you race through them, however, this year you have to be really careful near the main channel too. Stay away from the west side of the channel just south of Dangling Rope. Also, West Canyon is a perennial boat killer. A buddy was driving my dad's 1990 Sport Nautique in the channel this year near Dangling Rope, much closer to the Channel Buoy than the shore, and he hit an outcropping 100 yards off shore at 30+ mph. Every one in the boat (all Powell veterans) was totally surprised after they peeled themselves off the windshield and realized what happened. The crash took off all 3 fins, bent the shaft and strut, shredded the prop and took the rudder clean off. The next day, I was cruising down the channel to get the Sport Nautique, and I strayed just a bit from the channell buoy line in one spot and watched my depth guage go from 220' to 6' in about 10 yards. I was hundreds of yards off shore. Just be careful and stay between channel buoys and you should be fine. I did not notice any problems in the Channel between Wawheap and Padre Bay, but Padre Bay to Dangling Rope was pretty sketchy.
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