Driving experience

[Dave M.]

Dave,
And how I love HWY 101 north of Fort Bragg! Going inland just north of Westport is one of my all-time favorite motorcycling roads! But Dave, you are one crazy S.O.B. to think that one can pull a 53' long rig (front bumper to boat prop) up and down that road (and then to actually do so)! How in the world did you manage those switch-backs?!?!?! :smt038 :lol:

OK, had to do some looking on the map! It's HWY 1 north of Ft Bragg, and it hits 101 at Leggett. But if you know the road across from Westport, then you are familiar with the area.

I did this pulling the 5th wheel, not the boat. So I as a bit shorter, at 47 ft, not 53. But the 5th wheel by nature tracks more towards the inside of a curve, so the trailer wheels would probably follow about the same track.

How did I do it and manage those switch backs? Well, life is an adventure! :grin: Second answer, gears! You have to manage the grades and switchbacks at the same time. This is where it really pays off that CA tells you what is coming up. Third answer, make the trip from Ft Bragg to Leggett on sunday, so you don't have to share the switchbacks with logging trucks going the other way.

It isn't just the switchbacks after you turn away from the ocean towards Leggett. Going north on HWY 1 along the ocean is an experience too. The road is narrow, and hillside steep on the side away from the ocean. You really have to watch the mirrors on the curves to make sure the trailer does not hit the cliffs on corners.

The first time I did it, I studied the map seriously, and I think drove part of the road from Ft Bragg north to see if it was reasonably passable with the trailer. Decided it was, and went for it on a sunday morning when traffic would be light. It was an experience, and I did it again the next year.

I would have liked to have the boat in tow, and explore the lakes inland of Ft Bragg. Have you ever done that, and if so, is it worth it?

 

[gengiant]

Hi Dave,

Now you made me pull out a map (well...Google Earth...). You are absolutely correct - I got the 101 confused with HWY 1. We go up there so often (3-4 times per year) that I don't even think about which route to take anymore. As to pulling a trailer along the Coastal HWY, I know exactly what you mean by having to watch out for the cliffs. I have actually seen people hit the sides of the mountain with their camping trailers! Not a pretty sight. :smt089 We typically head out to Fort Bragg going HWY 20. The first 20 miles leaving 101 are quite treacherous when pulling a trailer - steep grades and sharp turns with vertical mountain sides 1' off the shoulders. I love driving that road in a sports car or on the motorcycle, though I once went through one of those corners doing a 4-wheel slide. I think the only way we didn't go off the cliff was me getting off the brakes and hitting the gas instead, thus litterally pulling through (front-wheel drive). With a trailer this is an entirely different story, though going down that road you can smell the burnt aroma of fried clutches, worn brakes, etc. Not for the faint of heart!

I am not sure what lakes you are referring to. There is Lake Mendocino just west of Clear Lake - both off HWY 20 between 101 and I-5. We've never been on Lake Mendocino, though I can tell you from the multitude of islands that apear during the late summer months that this is a very shallow lake. And then there is Clear Lake....or at least it used to be clear. That lake is mostly used by bass fishermen and some run-abouts. It also is quite shallow (at least major portions of it are) and because of it the water gets so warm during the summer months that it looses much of its oxygen, causing major fish die-offs. Plus, there is a ton of hydrangisa and other algea floating in that lake. It also quite literally starts to stink in the later summer months! :smt009

On of the best lakes near that area is Lake Berryessa east of Napa. A large and deep lake, it has crystal clear dark blue water, especially when you are drifting around the middle of it. We LOVE that lake. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave M.]

GG, yes, the two lakes you mention are the ones I was thinking of, off Hwy 20 on the way to the coast. So I guess I should not put them on my list of places to visit with the boat.

 

[280 SeaRay]

clear lake is the opposite of it's name..... not clear... just full of dead fish that hit your hull as you are cruising across it..... and shallow.... went there once... probably will not go back...

I am not sure about the other lake mentioned... as I have never been there.

Dave you may want to consider Shasta, Oroville, or even Folsom lake which is in my backyard.... great lakes... deep with good clean water.... the Delta/Sac River and into SF Bay is always fun as well... but not water I swim in.

Tahoe is a must do trip as well.... if you really want to pull up some grades with your CTD

 

[Dave M.]

Jeremy, you are lucky I did not just drop in and take your boat for a spin three weeks ago. We got pretty close. Were headed from Reno to Paradise, missed HWY 20 the turn off to Yuba City, and got headed into Sacramento. Got turned around though before things got too crowded.

One of these times I am going to hit those lakes. Maybe start out with Detroit Lake in the Willamette Valley if I go over that far and hit I5. I've been by Shasta many times, always look with envy at the boats out on the water. I have been to see Oroville by car once, many years ago. Have not been to Folsom though.

My wifes family is from Paradise, Chico, Willows area, still has family there. So we pretty much go there every year.

Of course we just came by Tahoe too, and the way back from Bullhead City. But I know nothing about that lake. Is it 'user friendly' to people who pull trailer like I do, from out of state? ie, safe place to leave a vehicle, reasonable launch fee, place to stay in the boat overnight....

Oh, and do you leave a key under the mat in case we get there really tired??? :grin:

 

[gengiant]

Of course we just came by Tahoe too, and the way back from Bullhead City. But I know nothing about that lake. Is it 'user friendly' to people who pull trailer like I do, from out of state? ie, safe place to leave a vehicle, reasonable launch fee, place to stay in the boat overnight....

Dave,

Tahoe is a beautyful lake to boat on, though launching, pump out, gasoline, and mooring ball rental for overnight stay are expensive! That is the only bad part about Tahoe. Other than that you need to make sure your boat is set up for the 7,000' altitude! Though mine is fuel injected it was not able to overcome the large props. My boat thus ran like "crap" up there. But what the heck. Puttering around the lake at 10 knots with 2 beaytiful women sunning themselves on the bow makes for a wonderful day! :grin:

Lastly, Tahoe can get quite windy and rough - and it can happen in a hurry! Some of my friends won't ever go back up there for an overnighter because of that and their experiences due to rough seas when on the ball. Of course, when we went the lake was like glass - perfect! :thumbsup:

 

[Dave M.]

GG, I thought I replied in part to this, but see that whatever I wrote did not get posted. It was just as well, as I was thinking Powell when I tried to respond.

My boat does not have much power as it is, so the 7.000 feet would be a problem. Mine is not fuel injected. Did you convert yours?

Maybe if I had a 19 inch pitch prop, and adjusted the carb, I could get on plane. But that is too much for just one lake.

I have never been moored where you had to pay to anchor off a ball. That would be a new experience. Sounds like I should just pull on by Tahoe and head to the Colorado. Looks like the weather is getting nice at Bullhead, but still cold at Lake Powell. Still not very warm here.

 

[Dave M.]

Dave,

... But what the heck. Puttering around the lake at 10 knots with 2 beaytiful women sunning themselves on the bow makes for a wonderful day! :grin:

GG, this has been bothering me since you posted it. I searched through Chapman's diligently, looking for any hint of authorization for 2 beautiful women on the bow. Found nothing, so checked with the Admiral. She was able to confirm immediately that in fact 1 is the authorized number, and compliance is mandatory! :smt018

Thought you ought to know. :grin:

 

[DuckBoater]

One of these times I am going to hit those lakes. Maybe start out with Detroit Lake in the Willamette Valley if I go over that far and hit I5.

Hope I am not butting in here, but just thought I'd give you a little encoragement.....Detroit is well worth it. We keep our boat there for the bulk of the summer and just really enjoy it. There are great, quiet places to anchor for the night and both marinas are good places to stay as well. There is gas, pump out, restaurants, store, etc.
Hope to see you on our side of the hill.

 

[Dave M.]

Not butting in at all! Would be nice to have someone there to say hi to from CSR! I know Marcus may be down there too in the summer.

I do know where the lake is, but have never been on it. Been over it though. Thought I would never find an excuse to post this non-boating picture, but here it is!



This picture is from about 1985. I am on the left, and a craftsman that worked for me named Rod Berge is on the right. You can barely see the helicopter pilot in the left edge of the picture.

This was taken at the top of Hall Ridge, just north of Detroit Lake. Just look north and up. :grin: Must have had a camera on a tripod in the snow, as there were only the three of us that day.

Just add 20 years, gray hair, and watch for me.

I have not been there in many years, it sounds like a great place to take the boat.

 

[DuckBoater]

Great pic!
Yeah, we all look different now....
Hope you can make it up the hill to see us. There are enough other SeaRays on the lake that we should have a little rendevous. Everything from 16-18 foot sportboats to a really nice 40 footer. The lake is large enough for some nice cruising, fishing, swimming and partying.
:smt001
Join us if you can.