northbound travel

1940 Views 17 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Boatfloating, Aug 8, 2009

HWLaser23

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2009

in the 17 years ive been going to havasu ive never been past the needles bridge cause i always be nervous to do so. have heard equal stories about ruined outdrives and perfect trips to laughlin. does anyone do this run? if so what is the best time of day to go and get back with out destroying an outdrive???? starting from havasu to laughlin IMO would be an awsome trip just not sure how safe it would be for the outdive.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

HWLaser23

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jun 28, 2009

clarification

the bridge im talking about is not the 40/railroad im talking further north into northern needles

dschifan

· #3 · Jun 28, 2009 (Edited)

i run that stetch of river all the time, if you head down around 2pm you will be fine, after the needles bridge you stay towards the az side all the way up to the avi. i know the river like the back of my hand, but someone who does not i don't suggest running up that way in the am. the worst part is the huge rock bar on the CA side right before the willow valley marina, trim high, stay to the AZ side, and let your butt hole pucker

people worry about the entrance in havasu from the mouth of the river being shallow in the morning, that is a cake walk in the mornin compared to the stretch up river

grn

GAZOO

· #4 · Jun 29, 2009

I tried to do it a couple weeks ago. I got about 1/2 mile passed the bridge and freeked out. Man that is some shallow water. I would be willing to buy lunch and beers for anyone who knows it like "the back of there hand" to take me on a recon teaching trip up to laughlin. I want to make that run, but am too damn scared.

Anyone hungry and thirsty? Of course beers after the trip

newmexico

· #5 · Jun 29, 2009

MR.rvrluvr said:
I tried to do it a couple weeks ago. I got about 1/2 mile passed the bridge and freeked out. Man that is some shallow water. I would be willing to buy lunch and beers for anyone who knows it like "the back of there hand" to take me on a recon teaching trip up to laughlin. I want to make that run, but am too damn scared.

Anyone hungry and thirsty? Of course beers after the trip

When is your next trip out to Havasu?

waterboy

· #6 · Jun 29, 2009

i lost a drive about 8 years ago, now i turn at the bridge

hkunz

· #7 · Jun 29, 2009

We stopped after the railroad caboose on the CA side. We watched a rollcage boat hit the rocks at speed, it kinda ruined the mood for us.

I know there's a route, I'm just not into ruining a $600 prop finding it...

We've gone the whole way in the jet, it only needs 6" of draft, but has to get gas at every marina on the route.

HWLaser23

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 29, 2009

newmexico said:
When is your next trip out to Havasu?

i will be out there again the last weekend of july which is the 31 aug 1 and 2nd im gonna try and go as far as i can before i chicken out

sphss if anybody wants to make this attempt with me and is in havi that weekend send me a PM with your number and perhaps we can meet up and destroy a prop together

sphss

sphss

sphss just kidding

i ve got vessel assist so im not to worried

devil

HWLaser23

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 29, 2009

dschifan said:
i run that stetch of river all the time, if you head down around 2pm you will be fine, after the needles bridge you stay towards the az side all the way up to the avi. i know the river like the back of my hand, but someone who does not i don't suggest running up that way in the am. the worst part is the huge rock bar on the CA side right before the willow valley marina, trim high, stay to the AZ side, and let your butt hole pucker people worry about the entrance in havasu from the mouth of the river being shallow in the morning, that is a cake walk in the mornin compared to the stretch up rivergrn

thats cheating

sphss

sphss your in a cat with outboards you probably have the same draft at a jet.

sphss

sphss

Pushnwood

· #10 · Jun 29, 2009

HWLaser23 said:
i will be out there again the last weekend of july which is the 31 aug 1 and 2nd im gonna try and go as far as i can before i chicken outsphss if anybody wants to make this attempt with me and is in havi that weekend send me a PM with your number and perhaps we can meet up and destroy a prop togethersphsssphsssphss just kidding i ve got vessel assist so im not to worrieddevil

I have done this a few times, and I consider myself lucky, one of the times I hit a prop, the rest were OK. It was a great run , but be prepared to change out at least 1 prop maybe 2 and you won't be disapointed. I don't go past Needles bridge now. Good luck!

newmexico

· #11 · Jun 29, 2009

newmexico said:
When is your next trip out to Havasu?

If there is a way to email me a map of the river, I will draw out the route in red, at any water level!

boatless

· #12 · Jun 29, 2009

river

I have been that way a number of times and just before the avi bridge their is one heck of a rock quarrystay to the right az side. If you ever get a map i sure would like to have a copy also...avi used ot have really good hot dogs and beer in their little food court...

3queens

· #13 · Jun 29, 2009

HWLaser23 said:
in the 17 years ive been going to havasu ive never been past the needles bridge cause i always be nervous to do so. have heard equal stories about ruined outdrives and perfect trips to laughlin. does anyone do this run? if so what is the best time of day to go and get back with out destroying an outdrive???? starting from havasu to laughlin IMO would be an awsome trip just not sure how safe it would be for the outdive.

this takes years of driving this area to really know the layout
one of the best ways to learn is rent a lake lice in Laughlin at LOW river time (am) and drive down to needles bridge or find a friend with a jet boat and go for it

it would be near impossible to map out all the sand bars, rock bars, and tree stumps (willow area) there are a lot of turns and crossing river to get past it all. When the river is up it is a lot harder to see all this,some people get a false sense of security when the water is up..thats when all this stuff is just below water level....and drives are lost

hand

Rivertoys

· #14 · Jun 29, 2009

MR.rvrluvr said:
Man that is some shallow water. I would be willing to buy lunch and beers for anyone who knows it like "the back of there hand" to take me on a recon teaching trip up to laughlin. I want to make that run, but am too damn scared.

Anyone hungry and thirsty? Of course beers after the trip

I run up near or past Willow about every trip. But I'm very clear when people follow me....they do so at their own risk. If I wreck my boat, oh well....but I don't want to be responsible for someone elses!

That being said, you can follow me anytime - at your own risk.....just don't come crying if you hit the bottom.....something I've yet to do.

LOT more threads about running that section of the river....I better give York the heads-up he might have a pretty good year!

bulb

RTJas

scottietwohoty

· #15 · Jun 29, 2009

trip to laughlin.....

I will be at the turtle july 31 through aug2 or 3rd I also know the river like the back of my hand and do that trip all the time but I do have a jet.
If you would like to take a run up river I would be willing to go with you just let me know?

mike veloz

· #16 · Aug 8, 2009

north bound travle

I've gone north of the bridge many times. low tide typically is by 8a.m. Tide comes back about 2p.m. the level depends on the time of the year, later in summer the lower the tide. I've done this in a Sea Ray 22' I/O. Some sections we had to walk it through, it is doable but go slow and have sun glasses that work well on water.

Havasu1986

· #17 · Aug 8, 2009

Bullhead Bully knows this part of the river very well. My freind has a place on the river about 5 miles from the Needles bridge and we sit on his dock watching BB going up and down the river at anytime.

devil

Boatfloating

· #18 · Aug 8, 2009

Back in the day I used to run from Havasu all the way to Harrah's and gamble for a few hours. Like said before right going up left side coming back. Coming back was easier cause water was higher. It looks shallow but not as bad as you think it's deceiving because water is so clear. It's a great ride. About 3 years ago we had a 36' Nortech, 36' Spectre and my 29' all go to Avi from Havasu for CBBB at Avi weekend.

Don't be scared....

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