katherine's on a weekend

[Toomstone]

so how bad can katherines actually get on a normal summer saturday? how long will the wait be if you get there between 9 and 11????

[dicudmore]

I've heard "hours".....
The longest I've ever waited to launch prob 15 minutes

[voodoomedman]

yes it can be hours. Launch before 7 for no wait 8 for not too bad a wait. After that it starts going up. Also you can take the turn where it says telephone cove. Telephone you can launch in the dirt. Keep going and you have to drive in the dirt for a bit but you can launch on concrete at Princess cove. For some reason everybody just waits hours at the main ramp and doesn't go to those spots. Don't tell everybody though.

[Rexone]

I've waited in line for 2 hours before. Never again. Get there early. It's no picnic pulling out at dusk either.

[JustMVG]

Just went thru this a few weeks ago, we went the weekend after the 4th so there were few folks and the ramp was busy but no real hassles, just the usual bs with the Jetskiers and some newbies but everyone has been a newbie at some point, and can understand and in some, if not all cases, most help them out best they can, but get there early have your stuff ready if you have plugs make sure they are in, all the other stuff , food, ice, bring plenty of that, have all that stowed or on board before you get in line, makes things alot easier, if you can have some one back you down and launch you great just mill around till you see them at one of the docks or just take an empty spot and kick back. Have fun and enjoy, watch for shallow spots the lake was little lower than i remember, and had a couple of scares. Take Care Mike VG

[FRENCHIE]

Originally posted by Toomstone
so how bad can katherines actually get on a normal summer saturday? how long will the wait be if you get there between 9 and 11????
b4 7 a.m. and your ok....9-11 a.m. might as well get some dvds installed in your ride and bring about 3 movies....no ....maybee four!!:rolleyes: ;)

[OutCole'd]

I won't go there on a weekend. Last time was two hours to launch & another two hours to retrieve.:mad:

[Essex502]

Not only can the wait be greater than an hour to put the boat in but also to take it out. Then the long walk to tone of the outer lots in 110°+ heat makes for a tiring experience. Skip it and take the 1 to 1-1/2 drive up to Cottonwood and see the north end of the lake. It's beautiful and usually no waiting at all.

[Member: 7673]

This past weekend(Sat) took 20min to launch at 11am and 2 hours to retrieve 7pm:mad: Friend used the dirt road to Princess Cove and he was in and out but his Car, Boat and Trailer got pretty dusty
Becareful everyone was playing bumper boats at the launch ramp and keep an eye out for jetskis, other than that well worth the trip:cool:

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

I have seen the line go up past the gate. Expect the wait to be 2 hours or longer. If it's shorter, great. But it probably won't be. I would either get up earlier or go to Telephone, Princess or Cottonwood. Good Luck.

[LaveyJet]

A few summers ago we were there when a thunderstorm hit in the afternoon. A couple of lighting strikes and everyone on the lake wants to leave at the same time. We launched from telephone cove. It took over an hour to get out, it's usually about 15 min. The line to Katherines was the longest I've ever seen. Heard stories that it took 2-3 hours in line, tempers get short, guys start knuckling it up on the ramp.

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

Thunderstorms at Katherine are quality entertainment. You can't buy that kind of show. My personal favorites are the people (abot 60-70%) who leave their bimini up so they don't get wet while the wind is blowing gale forces and they are trying to land their boat on the trailer.
Yes, I admit, we are those jerks sitting in the slip drinking beer.

[hd&boatrider]

Originally posted by Mrs. Sportin' Wood
Thunderstorms at Katherine are quality entertainment. You can't buy that kind of show. My personal favorites are the people (abot 60-70%) who leave their bimini up so they don't get wet while the wind is blowing gale forces and they are trying to land their boat on the trailer.
Yes, I admit, we are those jerks sitting in the slip drinking beer.
I admit to doing that also :)

[jas0502]

We were there last friday. Go there about 11 am and it was crowded!!! We waited about 30 min. I dont have any problem with newbies, but there were several people who waited till they were on the launch ramp to load their stuff, and put the life jackets on the kids, etc. They must have sat there 15 min before backing the trailer all the way into the water!! Thats just rude IMHO!!
We have been going to Katherines for about 8 years, and we have decided not to launch from there on saturday. Even if you can get there early, you still have to retrieve later! As for walking , at least there is Bert and his free shuttle!
We have been making the trek to cottonwood but the bad part about it is the parking.

[dicudmore]

hd&boatrider quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mrs. Sportin' Wood
Thunderstorms at Katherine are quality entertainment. You can't buy that kind of show. My personal favorites are the people (abot 60-70%) who leave their bimini up so they don't get wet while the wind is blowing gale forces and they are trying to land their boat on the trailer.
Yes, I admit, we are those jerks sitting in the slip drinking beer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I admit to doing that also
nothing wrong with that.....thats good, free entertainment :D

[CJ]

If you launch at Katherine's on a busy day, bring a scooter! Parking can be far away from the ramp.

[Kachina26]

I made the extra little drive to Cottonwood, I like my day stress free.

[Havasubum]

it could take you a while like evryone said it also sucks when the people that are luanching wait until they get down to the ramp and load up the boat.

[dicudmore]

Originally posted by Havasubum
sucks when the people that are launching wait until they get down to the ramp and load up the boat.
people should be more thoughtful than that and deserve a talking to if they don't....
I feel bad making people wait while the guy backing my truck unhooks my bow from the winch :D

[SeaRayPat]

Originally posted by Essex502
. Skip it and take the 1 to 1-1/2 drive up to Cottonwood and see the north end of the lake. It's beautiful and usually no waiting at all.
From the bridge at Laughlin to Cottonwood is only 45 to 55 mins I dont know why anyone would wait ..plus even when you do get your boat in the water after 2and half hours at Cathrines you still have a half hour hike from your trailer parking in 110 degree heat...Cottonwood is the best easy drop and easy parking

[Huckleberry]

My top peve about Katherine is the jerks who pull out of the line, drive past everyone, and stop in the ready lane. They then get their stuff ready and try to pull in the front of the line. Always a fight looking for a place to happen, but they usually get away with it. :mad:
As far as the storms, you are usually better off riding out the storm in your cove than trying to get back to the trailer before it hits. You end up being boater #763 who also had the idea of trying to beat the storm, and now you're trying to ride out the full force of the storm with the other 762 boats inside the cramped staging area in front of the launch ramp. Can you say BUMPER BOATS with angry drivers??? Hunker down and ride it out. When it passes over, you'll have then entire lake to yourself too!!!

[Toomstone]

thanks alot guys. we have something planned friday night but still wanted to go to the lake with some buddies who will already be there. so ive made a few 5 am saturday havasu trips. i wanted to try to make it there early enough to beat the traffic but guess i would have to leave a little too early. but now ive decided just to go up to cottonwood when we get there around 9 or 10

[FRENCHIE]

who named it a Katherines anyway???why not daisy??:confused: :p

[Desert Rat]

Also look into the year pass from the Lake Mead National Rec area. It saves you from having to wait in the pay line. You just drive up on the right, they look at your pass and you cruise through. You'll need one for both the tow vehicle and the boat. Not sure what I payed for it, $40 ea I think. Got it on line for the last two years. It is worth not waiting in two friggin lines. I launch at Telephone and am usually in the water in no more than 30 min from Casino to water.

[dicudmore]

Originally posted by Desert Rat
Also look into the year pass from the Lake Mead National Rec area. It saves you from having to wait in the pay line. You just drive up on the right, they look at your pass and you cruise through. You'll need one for both the tow vehicle and the boat. Not sure what I payed for it, $40 ea I think. Got it on line for the last two years. It is worth not waiting in two friggin lines. I launch at Telephone and am usually in the water in no more than 30 min from Casino to water.
$20 each