Lake Mead
Azucena tries her wings...

Page 2
       There are many places to launch and each one provides a different setting for exploration.  Lake Mead Marina is nearest Hoover (Boulder) Dam and the largest.  We don't like it very much because it is overrun with tourists.  Las Vegas Bay Marina is the home of the Las Vegas Bay MacGregor Association, a group of very helpful sailors who welcome ALL trailerable sailboats.  There are many coves and interesting places to visit; good launch facilities (We won't repeat that at each location.  All of Lake Mead's ramps are terrific...and FREE).  This is a good place from which to explore Boulder Basin which is the area of the lake nearest to the dam and to Las Vegas.  Las Vegas Bay is no gamble...but 'Lost Wages' is another story.  LVB is pretty busy but just around the corner, a mile and a half away (9 miles by road) is Government Wash Launch.  There are no facilities except restrooms and free dry camping for 15 days.  But it is beautiful.  The cove containing the ramp is very secure and you can sail to Black Island or back to LVB Marina ... or just choose any of the dozens of coves to find solitude.
       Before I go on to other locations, I should describe the lake.  This is an area of convoluted hills...delightful rock formations...and cactus.  Desert vegetation is sparse, but we find it beautiful.  In the spring, wildflowers are everywhere; sometimes in great carpets of color, flooding a wash or a hillside.  The hills and rocks are ever changing, summoning new shapes and colors with the migration of the sun each day.  We have been over most of the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska) and find Lake Mead to be our favorite sailing venue.  The waters are clear, changing color with depths and sky condition.  There is usually great fishing.  If you want to have company, there ar many other boats near the marinas.  If you want isolation and privacy, just sail five miles from any Marina and enjoy the quiet with your favorite sailing partner.
       If you want to try something different, rent a houseboat at any of several locations on the lake and live in it while you sail your shallow water boat into the nearby coves.  This is a large lake and each area has its own delights: Boulder Basin, Virgin Basin, Overton Arm, and Temple Basin each has its own character and rewards for the curious sailor.
       Calville Bay Marina is another on Boulder Basin and has the usual amenities including guest slips, restaraunt, beautiful ramps, and great destinations.  Moving north into Overton Arm, we find ECHO BAY, our favorite marina location.  There is a very nice hotel, marina, slips, repairs, campgrounds (as there are at all marinas), houseboat rentals, and many islands just off the beach ... within a couple of miles.  Each of the island has hidee holes for a nap, tryst, or just a cup of coffee while the ever changing landscape accomplishes its magic...the spell will last for a long while.  On north is Overton Beach where there is another marina that is not so well developed and a campground.  There are some great bays within easy sailing distance:  Fire Cove with its great fishing and complete serenity; Fish Island and behind it the entrance to the Virgin River and the narrows leading into another great isolated small basin.  At the south end of that basin is a cliff and if you can't catch fish there...quit.  Stewarts Point, south of Overton Beach has a small settlement of cabins located on leased land, and the bay of the same name is another knockout fishing location.  Twelve miles north, by road, the small town of Overton has all the facilities:  nice market, restaurants, the Inside Scoop (for ice cream to die for), hotels, and washeteria.  Temple Bar Marina is an unknown to us.  We have never been to that part of Lake Mead, but folks tell us the fishing is great and sailing is not so great.  Bonelli Landing we know nothing about.  Perhaps you can explore it and let us know.