​Lake Okoboji, Iowa
Nestled in the northwest corner of Iowa, Lake Okoboji, its east and west portions and Spirit Lake a little farther north offer Midwesterners a place to let loose a bit - without leaving the nation's heartland.
During the summer, these lakes are host to such events as regattas, 3.5-mile open-water swims and huge fireworks displays on Spirit and Okoboji. Attractions on the shore include a Hooters, ski and boat rentals, parasailing, an amusement park and PWC rentals.

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
With more shoreline than the entire state of California, Missouri's man-made Lake of the Ozarks has plenty of room for cruising, exploring and partying.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the lake is filled with revelers of all ages and interests. There are places to rent houseboats and ski boats and plenty of places to stay on shore. The lake has three state parks with launching facilities, two Army Corps of Engineers launches and ramps at practically every resort and marina. When the party is in full swing in some coves, you can walk from boat to boat for miles. Arrive early and make reservations.


Lake Shasta, California
Boardstock -- Toward the end of summer, Lake Shasta explodes to life with a celebration of one of the hottest extreme sports at Wake Boarding magazine's Boardstock. Boardstock showcases the talents of some of the best wakeboarders in the world. Add to that excitement about 3,000 people aboard all manner of watercraft, good food and drink, and you have an alternative party that is worth writing home about.
Lake Shasta features some 370 miles of shoreline and

Lake Havasu, Arizona
Memorial Day kicks off the season for this lake that forms the border between California and Arizona. And what a kickoff it is. Everything from PWC racing and pontoons to offshore racing boats converge on the area to create one of the hottest parties in the West. Bring the beer, suntan lotion and an open mind.

Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
In what looks a psychological ink-blot test on a map, Lake Minnetonka is Minnesota's premier party lake. Situated about 12 miles from downtown Minneapolis, the lake features 15,000 acres, 110 miles of shoreline, more than 10 restaurants accessible by Jet Ski's and enough secluded coves to call your own.
Big Island is located in the middle of Minnetonka. On weekdays during the summer as many as 50 boats raft up at the island to celebrate the season. On weekends, a couple of hundred boats and Jet Ski's converge on the island and let loose. With four towns accessible by Jet Ski's, there's always someplace to go on Minnetonka
Do you know of other party lakes? Let us know.

​Comments To This Article:
Overall Rating For This Article: ••••••••••

• Spring Lake Michigan (citygirl, 07/20/2007 , Ratings: ••••• )
  Hanky Pank Cove in Spring Lake Michigan. This is located down the channel from Grand Haven Michigan, on Lake Michigan. This place is filled with boats and jet skis in the summer. Hanky Pank Cove is great to go to for a huge party. Tons of boats tie up, especially on Coast Gaurd Festival weekend, you will see over 200 boats tied up and partying like rock stars. It gets pretty crazy, but a real good time!
  
  
• Lake St. Clair, Michigan (jjudd, 05/30/2006 , Ratings: ••••• )
  Jobbie Nooner is the biggest party on Lake St. Clair every summer. It's Mardi Gras in the middle of the lake on Gull Island. Has gotten bigger than ever - last year there were about 300 boats/jet skiis out there. Go to http://www.jobbienooner.com to find out more! **NOTE - if you bring kids the police will escort you off the lake - and this is enforced!!
  
  
• Lake Berryessa, California (Thatpitbull, 05/18/2004 , Ratings: ••••• )
  On Memorial Day Weekend there is a gathering on Lake Berryessa every year. The party gets pretty wild, and has been described as a slightly smaller "Lake Havasu". For most of the weekend there are a minimum of at least 150 boats in the main cover under the Putah Creek Bridge. There are campgrounds lining the lake just north and south of the bridge.

Our sport boat forum is a place where people who are interested in sport boats can come together to discuss and share information about these types of boats. Sport boats are typically smaller, faster boats that are designed for recreational activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. They may also be used for racing or other high-speed activities.
Sport boat forums can be a great resource for people who are looking for information about different types of sport boats, their performance characteristics, and the best ways to use and maintain them. They may also be a good place to connect with other sport boat enthusiasts and learn about events or activities that are related to sport boating.

If you would like to this sportboat forum join please post below

The Colorado River is a large river that runs through the state of Arizona, including the town of Parker. Boating is a popular activity on the Colorado River, with a variety of watercraft allowed including motorboats, sportboats, jet skis, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
There are several boat launches and marinas in the Parker area where visitors can rent boats or launch their own. It is important to follow all boating regulations and safe boating practices, including wearing a personal flotation device and having the necessary safety equipment on board.
The Colorado River is known for its warm water and beautiful scenery, making it a popular destination for recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and water skiing. There are also several sandbars and beaches along the river where visitors can relax and enjoy the sunshine. In addition to boating, the Parker area offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, biking, and golfing.
​By Bobby Boop

Silverwood Lake is a large artificial lake located in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. It is a popular destination for boating, with a variety of watercraft allowed on the lake including motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
The lake has a marina with rentals available, as well as a launch ramp for boats that are brought in by visitors. There is a speed limit on the lake of 10 mph, and all boats must follow safe boating practices including having the necessary safety equipment on board.
Fishing is also a popular activity on the lake, with a variety of fish species including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and catfish. There are several designated fishing areas around the lake, and a valid California fishing license is required.
In addition to boating and fishing, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, which surrounds the lake, offers a variety of recreational activities including hiking, picnicking, and camping. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
​By Bobby Boop

Scarab is a well-known American company that produces a wide range of boats for recreational use on the water. Scarab jet boats are a brand of high-performance sport boats that are designed for speed and agility on the water. They are popular among recreational boaters and professional athletes alike, and they are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction.
The Scarab jet boat brand was first introduced in the early 2000s with the release of the Scarab 165, a small, one-person sportboat that was designed for speed and maneuverability on the water. Since its introduction, the Scarab jet boat brand has expanded to include a range of models for both recreational and professional use, including the Scarab 195, a versatile sportboat that is suitable for a variety of water sports activities.
One of the key features of the Scarab jet boat brand is its focus on innovation and advanced technology. Scarab jet boats are equipped with a range of features, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and intelligent suspension systems, that help to enhance the user experience and performance of the boat.
In addition to its jetboats, the Scarab brand also offers a range of accessories and safety gear, including life vests, helmet cameras, and wet suits, to help water sports enthusiasts fully enjoy their time on the water.
Scarab jet boats are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction, making them a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world. Whether you are a recreational boater looking for a fun and thrilling way to spend your summer days, or a professional athlete looking for a high-performance racing machine, the Scarab jetboat brand has a model that is perfect for you.
In conclusion, the Scarab jet boat brand is a leading manufacturer of high-performance sport boats that offers a range of innovative and advanced models for both recreational and professional use. Its focus on technology and safety has helped to make it a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world.
​Bobby Boop

Chaparral is a well-known American company that produces a wide range of boats for recreational use on the water. The Chaparral Vortex boat is a brand of high-performance sport boats that are designed for speed and agility on the water. They are popular among recreational boaters and professional athletes alike, and they are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction.
The Chaparral Vortex boat brand was first introduced in the early 2000s with the release of the Chaparral Vortex V-1, a small, one-person sportboat that was designed for speed and maneuverability on the water. Since its introduction, the Chaparral Vortex boat brand has expanded to include a range of models for both recreational and professional use, including the Chaparral Vortex V-2, a two-person sportboat that is equipped with a range of advanced features and technologies.
One of the key features of the Chaparral Vortex boat brand is its focus on innovation and advanced technology. Chaparral Vortex boats are equipped with a range of features, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and intelligent suspension systems, that help to enhance the user experience and performance of the boat.
In addition to its boats, the Chaparral brand also offers a range of accessories and safety gear, including life vests, helmet cameras, and wet suits, to help water sports enthusiasts fully enjoy their time on the water.
Chaparral Vortex boats are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction, making them a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world. Whether you are a recreational boater looking for a fun and thrilling way to spend your summer days, or a professional athlete looking for a high-performance racing machine, the Chaparral Vortex boat brand has a model that is perfect for you.
​Bobby Boop

Polaris is a well-known American company that produces a wide range of recreational vehicles, including personal watercraft (PWCs) and boats. Polaris boats are designed for versatility and performance on the water, and they are popular among recreational boaters and professional athletes alike.
The Polaris boat brand was first introduced in the early 2000s with the release of the Polaris Virage, a high-performance sportboat that was designed for a variety of water sports activities. Since its introduction, the Polaris boat brand has expanded to include a range of models for both recreational and professional use, including the Polaris Genesis, a touring boat that is equipped with a range of advanced features and technologies.
One of the key features of the Polaris boat brand is its focus on innovation and advanced technology. Polaris boats are equipped with a range of features, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and intelligent suspension systems, that help to enhance the user experience and performance of the boat.
In addition to its boats, the Polaris brand also offers a range of accessories and safety gear, including life vests, helmet cameras, and wet suits, to help water sports enthusiasts fully enjoy their time on the water.
Polaris boats are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction, making them a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world. Whether you are a recreational boater looking for a fun and thrilling way to spend your summer days, or a professional athlete looking for a high-performance racing machine, the Polaris boat brand has a model that is perfect for you.
In conclusion, the Polaris boat brand is a leading manufacturer of boats that offers a range of innovative and advanced models for both recreational and professional use. Its focus on technology and safety has helped to make it a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world.
By Bobby Boop

​Sea-Doo is a well-known brand of personal watercraft (PWC) produced by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), a Canadian company. In addition to its PWCs, the Sea-Doo brand also offers a range of boats for recreational use on the water.
Sea-Doo boats are designed for versatility and performance on the water, and they are popular among recreational boaters and professional athletes alike. The Sea-Doo boat brand was first introduced in the early 2000s with the release of the Sea-Doo Challenger, a versatile sport boat that was designed for a variety of water sports activities.
Since its introduction, the Sea-Doo boat brand has expanded to include a range of models for both recreational and professional use, including the Sea-Doo GTX, a high-performance touring boat that is equipped with a range of advanced features and technologies.
One of the key features of the Sea-Doo boat brand is its focus on innovation and advanced technology. Sea-Doo boats are equipped with a range of features, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and intelligent suspension systems, that help to enhance the user experience and performance of the boat.
In addition to its boats, the Sea-Doo brand also offers a range of accessories and safety gear, including life vests, helmet cameras, and wet suits, to help water sports enthusiasts fully enjoy their time on the water.
Sea-Doo boats are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction, making them a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world. Whether you are a recreational boater looking for a fun and thrilling way to spend your summer days, or a professional athlete looking for a high-performance racing machine, the Sea-Doo boat brand has a model that is perfect for you.
In conclusion, the Sea-Doo boat brand is a leading manufacturer of boats that offers a range of innovative and advanced models for both recreational and professional use. Its focus on technology and safety has helped to make it a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world.

​Yamaha is a well-known Japanese company that produces a wide range of recreational vehicles, including sport boats. Yamaha sportboats are designed for high-speed performance and maneuverability on the water, and they are popular among recreational boaters and professional athletes alike.
The Yamaha sport boat brand was first introduced in the 1990s with the release of the Yamaha Exciter, a high-performance sportboat that was designed for speed and agility on the water. Since its introduction, the Yamaha sportboat brand has expanded to include a range of models for both recreational and professional use, including the Yamaha AR210, a versatile sport boat that is suitable for a variety of water sports activities.
One of the key features of the Yamaha sport boat brand is its focus on innovation and advanced technology. Yamaha sport boats are equipped with a range of features, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and intelligent suspension systems, that help to enhance the user experience and performance of the boat.
In addition to its sport boats, the Yamaha brand also offers a range of accessories and safety gear, including life vests, helmets cameras, and wet suits, to help water sports enthusiasts fully enjoy their time on the water.
Yamaha sport boats are known for their reliable performance and high-quality construction, making them a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world. Whether you are a recreational boater looking for a fun and thrilling way to spend your summer days, or a professional athlete looking for a high-performance racing machine, the Yamaha sportboat brand has a model that is perfect for you.
In conclusion, the Yamaha sport boat brand is a leading manufacturer of sport boats that offers a range of innovative and advanced models for both recreational and professional use. Its focus on technology and safety has helped to make it a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts around the world.

Winterizing Your Boat

It's that time again--time to think of brightly covered leaves and frozen, snow-laden lakes. Although very pleasing to the eyes, these autumn icons and hard lakes mean one thing: putting the boat up for the winter. With special precautions, this event doesn't have to be fraught with stress and worry. Old Man Winter can be pretty harsh on a boat, but by following certain guidelines closely, you and your boat will be ready to go next spring with little effort and, best of all, no stress.

Plan Ahead

Make a plan ahead of time. This is one of the first things you should do before laying-up your boat. A plan will guide you through the simple steps needed to protect your boat and trailer for the winter. It will also limit to one the number of trips you need to make to the marine store to buy the required items for winter lay-up. This trip will also provide you with some tips from the experts at the marine store. If you live in states between California to Florida, skip all the items below except for breaking the boat out for the spring-time boating season.

Once you have a plan in-hand, the first step is to hike down to your local marine supply store and check out the latest and greatest do-it-yourself lay-up supplies. There is a multitude of chemicals available to stabilize fuel and fog the inside of the engine, along with specialty lubricants to protect vital components from the elements. The list can be long, but if you have some WD40, an engine-fogging agent, fuel stabilizer, marine grease for your grease gun, engine oil and filters, and gear case oil, you're set for a winter lay-up.

While at the marine store, pick up a set of spark plugs and a fuel/water separator for the spring break-out-of-storage event. Purchasing in bulk may give you a little discount advantage. One word of caution: When purchasing the fuel/water separator, take it out of the box and take a close look inside. I found a lot of these filters have rust inside from sitting around the parts house shelves a little too long. You don't want to start the springtime boating season with rust running around your fuel system.

Getting Started

Once you've purchased these products and have thoroughly picked the brains of the experts at the marine store, it's time to get started. If you have an outboard, the lay-up procedures are a little less labor-intensive, and of course, if you have more engines, plan on extending the day a little.

Although some mechanics may say this step is unnecessary, I believe that you can't change your oil enough in the engine and drive. However, change the oil before putting the boat into storage. Run the engine with the clean oil until it reaches operating temperature. This will accomplish two things: First, it will put a fresh coat of oil on all internal engine parts; and second, the dirt and acids that are in the engine will be held in suspension with new oil a lot better than with old stuff. When springtime comes around, run the engine--again, up to operating temperature. Then shut it down, and drain the oil. Refill with fresh oil. Of course, you still need to change the oil filter both times, so make sure you have two filters on hand.

Take out your can of WD40 or equivalent, and spray all exposed cable ends, carburetor linkage or fuel-injection throttle body. Shift linkage should also be lubed, and on some models of IOs, the manufacturer may recommend a certain brand of lubricant/protectant for this purpose.  You may also want to fog the engine at this time, following the manufacturer's recommendations.

As for the drive, I don't see a need to change the oil in the drive before winterizing, unless you have water in it. If the water is left in the oil, it will rust all the internal parts of the drive; the first time you run the boat in the spring, the bearings and races will be destroyed. Remember to clean the magnetic plug when changing the oil in the drive.

Checking Things Out

This is a good time to check all the rubber hoses and lines, especially the fuel lines running from the fuel tank to the water separator and on to the fuel injection or carburetor, if so equipped. While you are on the fuel system, take the hose that runs from the fuel tank to the fuel filter off at the tank. Remove the anti-siphon valve and make sure the ball inside is tight against the seat and make sure it opens, also. If this valve gets stuck, although highly unlikely, you will think you are out of fuel. Another hose that is often overlooked is the vent hose. If this hose has a crack, or hole, it could pour raw fuel inside the boat, and you may not even notice it. ​