Mead Madness Sail, Lake Mead NV, APRIL 22-APRIL 29, 2016

[Captain Kimo]

Annual Mead Madness Sail of Lake Mead NV APRIL 22-APRIL 29, 2016

WHERE: Assembly at Callville Bay Marine (12 Mi East of Junction RT 147/167 on Northshore Scenic Drive, Lake Mead NV). Overnighting at BBQ beach SW side of Callville Bay just outside marina tire jetty. Normally leave Callville Bay Sunday morning for Middle Point, Overton / Virgin Basin Junction.

WHAT: Unsponsored flotilla sail open to all sailboats. Normally +/- 12 boats in week long sail. Many returning sailboats.

ROUTE: Sail to all the basins of Lake Mead and overnight beaching /anchoring of boats either in shelter coves or at lakes' marinas.

CONTACT: Monitoring VHF Channel 68 on the hour to provide overnight location information during Mead Madness Sail. Contact: captkimo01@yahoo.com for any other information.

DRIVE ROUTE FROM LOS ANGELES: US 15 North, turn RIGHT on RT 146-147 (Lake Mead Drive). BEST PROVISIONING at strip mall, Boulder Hwy and Lake Mead Drive (West Marine, WalMart with Dry Ice). Fuel boat and vehicle before entering Lake Mead Recreation Area. After passing LMRA toll booth on Lake Mead Drive, turn LEFT at first crossroad. Follow signs to Callville Bay.

CONDITION OF CALLVILLE BAY RAMP: USING "Low Water Ramp". Deepest water on left side of the ramp dock. Bottom flat with panels in place to allow easy trailer tire traction. Overnight courtesy dock fee $15 / night assessed at 11 PM. If waiting till morning to launch, use Callville camp grounds for $10 / night (possible $50 fine for using parking area for overnighting). Mast up OK. Widest camp sites on South side of camp grounds. Potable water, and rest room available, but no showers. Coin operated showers at the East end of Parking Lot C (Long Term Parking).

[zuma hans 1]

Sadly, I can't go.

But I cannot recommend this enough. May sailing at Lake Mead is PERFECT.

Not too hot yet, the water is warm, the winds are steady.

But that big lake is deserted. I sailed for 4 days last spring and saw maybe ten boats the whole time.

And BTW, Overton has just as much water this year as in years past. Mead is being maintained just high enough for the intakes for the City of Las Vegas, at the expense of Lake Powell.

[Patrick Gilbert]

Hello Jim, (Captain Kimo). Susan and I will launch about 3 P.M. on Thursday, April 26. Look forward to see the whole gang of Mead Pirates.

You can't control the wind.
but you can adjust your sails.
Blessed be the wind.

Patrick Gilbert
Tropico (99MacX)
Canyon Country, CA
SailTropico@aol.com

[Captain Kimo]

Ahoy Pat,

Was out with Steve the K over President's Day Weekend on "FOREVER". Winds were light. Beached overnight Saturday at Hidden Cove, Shallow Bay. Very protected and quite, save for the coyote "serenade" at 3 AM, . Temperature down in the low 40's. Had trouble staying warm even with two sleeping bags. Steve spotted several caves near the ridge line, which probably were dens for the coyotes.

Second night, Sunday, had high winds and we beached at the NE cove at Callville Bay. Entrance to the cut is still at 30 feet of depth and could still beach with rudders down (came in with them up as insurance). Put out a stern anchor which was needed as high winds came in that night from SW and would have twisted us to the beach if not there.

BTW You were right about the motor problem on "Ole Smokie", it was the starter solenoid. Starter switch did not need replacing. All intrument readings now normal when running. Steve says its the best he heard from "Ole Smokie" running

Steve also plans to launch April 26 to avoid the LA-LV Friday traffic on US 15. Are your folks coming again for a day sail? I plan to be there on April 26 as well.

[mikelinmon]

Hi folks,

I sure would like to go but it is always same weekend as Ensenada race. I'll be on MacGregor's 70' Anthem. We won it last year in the two mast class and hope to repeat Maybe next year it will be a diff weekend.
Mike Inmon

[Captain Kimo]

Ahoy Mead Sailors,

Some current information about the condition of the Callville Bay launch ramp.

I have been down to Callville Bay today (Wednesday April 4) and launched my boat. They must have done something as I was able to
lower my rudders with them NOT touching this time just
after launching. Guessing I had some 6 inches under
the rudder tips, and remember with my "Y3K" stuff
onboard, boat is riding low in the water . This should give
at least 3.5 feet of launching depth.

Water was clear enough to see that they have a deeper
"trench" dug next to the ramp dock by at least to a depth of one
foot. Can see the edge of the trench away from the
dock. The trench is trailer wide, but you need to stay close
to the launch dock to avoid the high edge of the trench. They have laid some sort of a corrugated mat down to allow for trailer wheel
traction as well, so you will not sink the tires in the mud.

Also just got this from Steve the K:
______________________________________
Hi Jimbo,
Just got this off the Lake Mead Gov. web
site..........
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Callville Bay

Improvements to the ramp are planned for late April,
early May. Caution should be exercised while
launching and retrieving your vessel. The
concessioner offers a shuttle from the parking lot to
the launch ramps (WEEKENDS ONLY). Larger vessels,
and/or vessels with a ?deep v? hull, may want to
consider using the boat launch ramp at Boulder Harbor
(next to Lake Mead Marina) or Echo Bay.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
________________________________

I have called Callville Bay to obtain some exact dates. It may interfere with our launches on April 26-28. Confirmed that they intend to move the ramp dock further out in the marina during late April-early May time period, but the General Manager of the Callville Bay Marina was on vacation till Monday April 9. Asked for a call back. Phone number of their office is (702) 565-8958, URL www.CallvilleBay.com

[Captain Kimo]

Ahoy Mead Sailors,

RE:Water level of Lake Mead:

Total water level down 84 feet 4.8 inches measured 4/5/07. This is measurement from the Normal High Water Elevation of the lake's surface height of 1210 feet above sea level as referenced by the Lake Mead, FISH-n-MAP CO. chart. which is 4.8 inches down from last August 2, 2006 reading I took off the LAME website.

( http://www.nps.gov/lame/planyourvisit/weather.htm )

Improvements to the Callville Bay ramp area are scheduled for Late April -Early May. May interfere with our launching activities April 26-28, 2007 for Mead Madness Sail. Will keep you advised.

[Theo]

Hey Guys,

I just got back from Lake Mead. We launched at Lake Mead Marina in Boulder Bay. No problems. Just watch for the potholes. The ramp can be a total zoo though. Hemenway ramp just down the way looks good too. It is not nearly as protected though. Get all your supplies in advance. The store at LAke Mead marina is pretty skimpy and very expensive!






Otherwise it was beautiful. Warm, water is about 70. In the first foot at the surface!


Theo

[waternwaves]

wow.......

down 100 ft. +

[Hardcrab]

Could this event open a can of worms (no pun intended) for any Mac trailering California guys with that pesty Quaga(?) fresh water clam thing? Just curious.

[Theo]

Crab,

We had no problem. All vehicles now must stop at the Cal Agricultural inspection station. The guy asked us some questions and I just told him we had been on Lake Mead but that my boat was going to dry out for at least two weeks then go in saltwater, no problem. Well he did a cursory inspection then joked that he needed to call the CHP!

I don't think he realized the Mac was water ballasted and I did not tell him. We never open the ballast valve. The whole time we were there there was almost no wind so we just motored.

Theo

[Captain Kimo]

Ahoy Mead Madness Sailors,

Just got off the phone with the General Manager's
Office of Callville Bay Marina. Current Status of the
Callville Bay ramp is:

- Work on improving the ramp has started today, April
17. Estimate Time to Complete is 4-5 days, which
means all work "should" be completed by April 23.
Will keep you informed if that schedule should be
lengthen.

- This means, we can hold to our original launching
schedules on April 26-27 at Callville Bay Marina ramp.
Overnighting in Callville Bay on the SW protected
beach just outside the Callville Bay Marina tire
jetty. Look for masts. Monitoring VHF Channel 68 on
the hour for directions. Hope to have lights to show
safe beaching spot for after dark arrivals. Approach
beach from Southern side of cove to avoid sand bar to
the North.

- One lane for launching will remain open during this
construction period with a minmum of 3.5 feet depth
for launching up to a 30 foot boat.

- Work is in anticipation of a FURTHER drop of 15 feet
in the lake level in the next couple of months, .

Jim "Captain Kimo" Maher
Second Commodore & Events Coordinator
las_vegas_bay_macgregor_assoc@yahoo.com
Las Vegas Bay MacGregor Association
www.geocities.com/rbniel/

[piratecliff]

We're at the guest dock at Callville Marina. Been here a couple of days and no sign of active construction at the main launch. The good news is boats much bigger than the 26 are still launching ok. The white ones seem to launch faster than the blue ones

The dock on the left seems the deeper one now.

We're pulling out Saturday early afternoon - our schedule didn't permit attending Mead Madness this year.

Cliff
*After You*
Boise, ID

[HERNDON]

Post some pics and links when you guys and gals return!!!

[Captain Kimo]

Here are some pictures for you Ed and all of the 9th Annual Las Vegas Bay Macgregor Association Founders' Day Cup Race and the follow on Mead Madness Sail



LVBMA Founders' Day Cup Race & Mead Madness Sail 07