calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

but there's always the 1% that tie things up.

I think this will happen always and forever unless there was someone there to direct everyone on what to do like a boat launch ramp traffic cop

We'll never to be able to teach the inconsiderate, selfish, clueless, conceited or uncaring.

Does anybody undo everything, including the winch from the bow ring before launching for the 30 second 'clean sweep' launch? Assuming, of course, the boat runs and you're ship shape in all other regards to the launch - plug, etc. and your boat is heavy enough to stay on the trailer and you don't have roller bunks

I did that last time after I noticed all the Hallets in our group doing it. I used to do it, but somewhere along the line we got used to the driver doing it after the boat was in. We were gone in a half a minute and just did a bow sweep to pick up the driver (my wife) from the dock after she parked.

 

[QC]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Does anybody undo everything, including the winch from the bow ring before launching for the 30 second 'clean sweep' launch? Assuming, of course, the boat runs and you're ship shape in all other regards to the launch - plug, etc. and your boat is heavy enough to stay on the trailer and you don't have roller bunks

That's how we do it. I've taken some carp here for unhooking the winch, but with dry bunks she's not going anywhere. Kind of scares me not being in control of the braking, but been doing it for years. Easily gone in 30 seconds.

 

[sam60]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

The launch was great! Used the fall off side of the ramp away from others.

Same dry bunk unhooked method, i was floating in reverse before I started the engine.

 

[John3]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

The only legit answer is the same person who handles the trailer also handles the boat. Might as well be loading on alone.

I Launch & Retrieve alone a lot. Naturally you move the Boat/Trailer out of the way when not actually Launching or Retrieving.
The Boat & Trailer weigh about 6500#, The trailer has keel rollers, that don't roll very well, & bunks. There's a lot of friction. Launching is not too bad, I have to sink the trailer to get the boat off, usually I back the trailer in as far as possible, loosely tie bow & stern to dock cleats. If it floats off, I'm lucky, there are times when it won't even power off. Then I drive forward about a 1 foot, backup slightly & hit the brakes to bounce it off. One or two of these & it's either floating or I can power off.
Retrieving is a different story. I power it forward as far as it will go, pull the trailer forward, the stern settles & now the bow is about 6 inches behind the "V" pocket. I hook the winch to the bow eye, do a 180 with the Suburban heading straight down the launch ramp. Tighten the winch cable, move forward about 1 foot, jam on the brakes & it slides forward some. I usually must do this 3 or 4 times to get it all the way on. It must be on all the way or it will sway on the Highway.
It helps a lot that the Suburban has 4 wheel drive, keeps the rig from sliding on a slick ramp & the wheels don't spin when accelerating.
There's a bit of preparation involved when working alone. I try & do the prep work out of the way, not when I'm actually Launching/Retrieving.
Yes, people do offer to help. I usually refuse. If my Rig's gonna get busted, I'd rather it be me than a stranger who does it.

 

[QC]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I often load and unload alone too. And I don't really want help either. The original scenario above (lots of help along with you) begs the question, why?

You don't want to know what I do alone for retrieving. I get her stuck on the trailer, leave her in gear and then inch the trailer back a tiny bit at a time. Hop out take a look, tighten the winch strap. If I can't winch her on with a reasonable crank, I repeat. The whole time with her in gear. Some would call me stupid, and IF there was a wave or wake, or a tidal surge they might be right

 

[fishrdan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Does anybody undo everything, including the winch from the bow ring before launching for the 30 second 'clean sweep' launch?

I used to, but after seeing someone dump their boat, I slack the winch 1' and keep the chain hooked, then undo them when the boat's over the water. I have carpeted bunks too and don't think it's going anywhere, but... No 30 second launch anymore, more like 1 minute and 18 seconds

MZ, just wait until you run into someone who launches their boat,,, then proceeds to unload a weeks worth of provisions from their truck into the boat. Or the other way around, docks and then unloads all their boat carp into their vehicle,,, before pulling the boat out. Those are my favorites,,, well, not really . I saw the second scenario last trip, including 3 non-tow vehicles. I just leisurely prepped the boat and by the time we were ready to launch, they were pulling away. No harm no foul, but I bet the person who launched in front of me was seeing red. (Both sides of the dock completely blocked)

 

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I used to, but after seeing someone dump their boat, I slack the winch 1' and keep the chain hooked, then undo them when the boat's over the water. I have carpeted bunks too and don't think it's going anywhere, but... No 30 second launch anymore, more like 1 minute and 18 seconds

The Rangers now have a zero tolerance policy at T Bar for people riding in the boats down to the launch ramp since a guy was badly injured while riding on a Wave Runner up the ramp after retrieving when the PWC came off the roller trailer. It wasn't tied down at all.
They allow people in the boats when we're on the ramp, but just exactly where the ramp starts has even become a real gray area now. All the way up by the ice station there's a sign painted on the asphalt at what I consider the top of the ramp, designating a ready lane, but people have been hassled there even Heck, the lake has been higher than that!

 

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I get her stuck on the trailer, leave her in gear and then inch the trailer back a tiny bit at a time. Hop out take a look, tighten the winch strap. If I can't winch her on with a reasonable crank, I repeat. The whole time with her in gear. Some would call me stupid, and IF there was a wave or wake, or a tidal surge they might be right

I keep her in gear as well. Not a 'power load', just an 'in gear load'. It's much easier for me on the shallow sloped ramp than the steep one doing this. She stays centered, where on the steep ramp she's still floating and I have to hold on and walk along side while she's being pulled out..

 

[fishrdan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

The Rangers now have a zero tolerance policy at T Bar for people riding in the boats down to the launch ramp

That's good to know. When my wife goes along I have her pull the boat/trailer out, with me in the boat. Guess I need to rethink that one... The boat I saw get dumped was pulling out also, the (sun rotted :facepalm winch "rope" broke and it went skidding down the ramp. Took a couple of us to muscle it back on the trailer, luckily it was just a little tinny. After that I had the image of my boat slipping off the trailer, stuck in my head, wouldn't be easy muscling a 2000# boat back on the trailer

 

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Blow it out now. I don't want to hear about any wind this weekend..



We had such a great time with the new RIB over Memorial, but it wouldn't launch if we end up with 20mph winds this weekend.

 

[sam60]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Blow it out now. I don't want to hear about any wind this weekend..

View attachment 150389

We had such a great time with the new RIB over Memorial, but it wouldn't launch if we end up with 20mph winds this weekend.

You'll know for sure when the windy days will occur, it'll be when I'm going...

 

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

You'll know for sure when the windy days will occur, it'll be when I'm going...

LOL..I hear ya. Sometimes you need to say out loud that you're going when you're not to throw off the wind gods

 

[fishrdan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

You'll know for sure when the windy days will occur, it'll be when I'm going...

When I "plan" trips weeks in advacne, that's the luck I've had too. I've had better luck going spur of the moment... Weather looks good, pack up the boat!

 

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I was sent some really awesome pictures, ? Timothy O'Sullivan, of some areas of the lake waaayyy before a dam was even a twinkle in the government's eye... For anyone that enjoys the history of the lake like I do, these will be awe-inspiring.

Iceberg Canyon 1871

Black Canyon 1870's with Fortification in the background

Temple Bar, The Temple, 1871. Check out the guy in the desert.

 

[sam60]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Nice find, great photos!

 

[Skiya]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I love old photos like that. Thanks 12v

 

[QC]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Yeah, been trippin' on those pics too. Did a little research. Apparently they were shot during the Wheeler Survey by Timothy O'Sullivan.

I found this link too: http://riverguides.org/news.cfm?NewsID=25
Look down to Wheeler Expedition. Do you guys know where Table Mountain and Rocket Peak are? Diamond Creek? Apparently they called the Temple Cathedral Mesa. I guess that kinda works too

 

[sam60]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

When I "plan" trips weeks in advacne, that's the luck I've had too. I've had better luck going spur of the moment... Weather looks good, pack up the boat!

Yeah, a few more fine tuning issues and load a few more items that I always want with me. After that it's hitch up, throw a cooler in the truck and hit it.

 

[12vMan]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Do you guys know where Table Mountain and Rocket Peak are? Diamond Creek? Apparently they called the Temple Cathedral Mesa. I guess that kinda works too

That was a cool link. Thanks

It was almost like a game to find these other places. I found Table Mtn, N of the 15 and West of Mesquite. I'll have to bookmark that link I used to find it as well. It lists names of peaks that I didn't know had names!

Diamond Creek has a lot more history to it. It's a 22 mile dirt road drive from the town of Peach Springs, Arizona, on the Hualapai reservation, in the Grand Canyon. Apparently as the article reads "Extremely tough hikers can walk the Tonto downriver from Diamond Creek to Travertine Canyon, and reportedly all the way to Separation Canyon. Harvey reports it would take 1.5 days. The trail, once maintained by the wild burros, is still visible, although it fades in spots. Travertine Canyon, among others, provides access to the river. Upstream, one can follow the river all the way to the Granite Park area. Bob Marley and Bob Cree did an epic trip all the way to Lee's Ferry!

 

[sam60]

Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I'm sure that someone here is better at shrinking files. Please put this one next to Timothy's. A lot has fallen off in 140 years. http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg114/poofdirt/The Temple/

Edit: I cropped it to get there. Not perfect, but gave it a shot . . . QC