Sailing Vagabond 14 At Saguaro Lake Arizona

Article By Patrick Valandra


We drove up early to the lake for a Saturday sail. There were only a few power boats on the lake as we launched.

Saguaro lake is kind of an S shape, with a large body then a narrow canyon, with another large body on the back side. We decided to sail around to the back side, in this photo we are headed for the pass.

Inside the pass, the wind was flukey to the point we couldn't make much headway. Here is a couple in their canoe passing us.

We would tack back and forth going almost all the way to the walls, I was continually amazed at how deep it was just a few feet out.

Here comes a big old deep V power boat, going at sub-planning speeds making a ton of wake. Some power boaters drop their speed as they go by sailboats, but it is more polite to be up on a plane because that creates less wake.

We arrived to the back end of the lake where several coves and beaches are. From the looks of the water vegetation, this lake is kept at a fairly constant level. The water is also pretty clear.

A fake paddle wheel tour boat works the lake, we saw them pass a few times with loads of tourists. Kinda funny how they took what looks like a standard pontoon boat, added the paddle wheel and interesting deck to make it more interesting looking.

The chart had this rocky obstruction named "Ship Rock", but from it's location in the channel, I am sure it is most probably called "Oh-Sh*t Rock".

Going back thru the pass that deep V came thru tossing a huge wake. This photo doesn't do it justice, the wake was atleast 3' tall.

Patrick was telling me about this one time that a longbow attack helicoper flew thru the canyon, and about 15 minutes later guess what! It buzzed over top a couple of times, and I could see another helicopter in the distance, they must have been on manuvers or playing hide and seek.

We looked back and saw something green in the water. At first, we though it was a tube fisherman, but it kept getting closer to us. Soon we could make out the solar panel, the minn kota and the feet. It was a russian guy with his wife, and a solar powered boat. They were just tootling along having a relaxing time - very interesting boat.