Havasu Launch Ramp Recommendation

[Taboma]

I'm asking because I'm many many years out of touch with using a Havasu public launch ramp on Havasu, on a weekend and asking for my kid.

Here's the scenario:

Son's solo trip with inexperienced crew. Although has a buddy who can back up a trailer (Which helps and will save a marriage and a lot of ramp drama, hopefully )
Maiden voyage for freshly restored 22' Cole --- shake down cruise fresh out of Teague's shop, so before it shoves off, he'll be checking for any obvious drive area leaks.
First time launching without ole dad along.
Despite my advise, and his work commitments, happening over a weekend.

Needless to say, this is not going to be a slam dunk, well honed, precision launch.

Which Ramp would you guys recommend where he stands his best chance of not being pummeled by an angry mob ?

I thought maybe Havasu Marina, but are they still all anal about checking exhaust with DB Meters ? Is anywhere anymore ?

 

[JFMFG]

Riviera or marina

 

[stephenkatsea]

Cattail Cove is pretty mellow. Although, there’s limited dock space for checking on things after you launch. Never seen any DB checks conducted there. Riviera is very nice and well laid out. It is often used by the larger boats.

 

[92562]

Havasu marina doesn't check exhaust anymore, thankfully! Probably a safe bet.

 

[ChrisV]

Riveria

 

[Ziggy]

The elbow room that the Marina & Riviara offer are best suited for the less confident imo.

 

[Taboma]

Havasu marina doesn't check exhaust anymore, thankfully! Probably a safe bet.

I know when I had non-boating friends visit, I'd tend to launch there due to ease of boarding and lack of ramp drama.

 

[Taboma]

The elbow room that the Marina & Riviara offer are best suited for the less confident imo.

I haven't been to the Riviera ramp since it's opened, so wasn't sure how the crowds were

 

[stephenkatsea]

We launched at the Riviera 2 weekends ago. Mostly because it was well protected from the wind blowing out of the south that day. Even with the major PWC event going on, it was an easy in and easy out. Tow vehicle drivers and boat operators seemed all well experienced.

 

[Ziggy]

I haven't been to the Riviera ramp since it's opened, so wasn't sure how the crowds were

I haven't launched at Riviara yet either but it is roomier than Windsor & Site6.

 

[throttle]

LH Marina or Riviera seem like good options IMO. I have not launched at the Riviera so I can't compare.

The parking lot and ramp at the LH Marina yesterday were wide open. I think that would be a great option for them. I still have a slip there so I am comfortable there. As for them checking DB on exhausts, its been a decade since that shit stopped.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

Riviera, my buddy was just telling me a story about his last time out...


He gets to the ramp, has enough battery juice to run accessories bit not enough to fire over. The guy who drives the cart ran back to the maintenance building and comes back with a jump box. That kind of service is hard to beat especially with a new crew

 

[85RiverRAT]

We'd did our dadless solo trips to the Havasu Marina. Lots of dock, and wind protection, allowed me to get the boat secured while the rest of the party waits and then boards at the dock. Same getting out. I didn't have help either with the truck/trailer, I had to do it all myself.

Rivera, beautiful facility, but depending on the wind direction, can be a bear. The breakwater doesn't stop the wind, we've landed sideways on the trailer there. The Marina is more sheltered. Never been DB checked at the Marina either.

 

[Jay Dub]

I agree with others, for this type of launch. Riveria would be first choice, Marina as #2

 

[hav19]

Have them go to Site Six, first its free, no one can get mad they paid big dollars to launch and your inexperienced son and his friends are in the way. Secondly the Site 6 parking lot has not been more then 3/4 full until noon all summer even on Saturdays, Third The new ramp is shallow and things slide right on (I liked the old ramp much better, its so shallow now I had to modify the back of my trailer just so the turning fin on the bottom of my RT would clear the back rung on my trailer, without putting my rear diff under water)

 

[hallett21]

Riviera or island Marina. Helps that they have conscience stores too if someone forgot something.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Windsor 1 or 2 are ok, parking is ok but $20 to get in. Windsor 3 is too steep.

Riviera or LH Marina.

 

[DWC]

It was really quiet out last weekend. Other than the additional 22 boats for the Kamala parade, it should be pretty similar this weekend. The wind is pretty mild as well.
I’d honestly go with whatever is closest. They’re all pretty similar with fairly easy ramps. Windsor can get a little tricky with the afternoon rentals returning.

 

[Taboma]

Have them go to Site Six, first its free, no one can get mad they paid big dollars to launch and your inexperienced son and his friends are in the way. Secondly the Site 6 parking lot has not been more then 3/4 full until noon all summer even on Saturdays, Third The new ramp is shallow and things slide right on (I liked the old ramp much better, its so shallow now I had to modify the back of my trailer just so the turning fin on the bottom of my RT would clear the back rung on my trailer, without putting my rear diff under water)

No experience with the new improved Site Six, just figured it was a shit-show as was often typical of the past.

 

[Jonas Grumby]

Windsor 4, this time of year, you can take as much time as you wish

 

[LHC Kirby]

What date are they coming out. If I’m available I would meet them at any ramp to help give advice if they need it. Otherwise, I would just be a silent bystander just in case.

 

[Taboma]

What date are they coming out. If I’m available I would meet them at any ramp to help give advice if they need it. Otherwise, I would just be a silent bystander just in case.

That's certainly nice of you to offer. I'm not exactly sure which weekend, but probably in the next two or three weeks I suspect.
I have confidence my son has logged sufficient launching and boating hours with the ole man (Errr me ) to know what he's doing, but this time, unlike previously, he'll be flying Solo.
His buddy is a good wrench, and can back a rig, so they've got the talent. Just hoping if possible on a weekend, there's a preferred more uncrowded environment, not being distracted by feeling rushed or holding up others.
First trip will just be him and his buddy, and after many years of it being garaged, and a whole lot of parts replaced at Teague, all systems need to be water tested before he loads up the family.

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

Riviera

 

[HNL2LHC]

Site 6!!! We have not had any quality shitshows this year. Florida is blowing us out of the water on videos!!!! J/K.

Most have given all the info needed. One point to expand on options. @DWC taught me is Don pulls up to the launch ramp and gets things close and then it is a straight back up. I think Don puts the trailer in the water and jumps on the boat and I back up the remainder. Then pick up is easy as you don’t have the boat on the trailer. Best of luck and if you’d like some there to give a hand post up someone might be able to be there. I know if I was in town I’d travel down. Maybe @mjc could. He is a great guy in town. I also just saw that it might be a couple of weekends. I know that I will be in town. Post up and I will give him a hand. Also might get me out on the water as well.

 

[samsah33]

I used to store in Parker and go up to Cattail to launch about 6 or 7 years back, and Cattail was never crowded, the bathrooms are right there, and they had volunteers helping launch/retrieve for those who needed it. Not sure if they still have the volunteers, especially off-season (or maybe it's in-season for a campground...?), but I would give them a call.

I'm a regular at Marina these days, never been questioned on my exhaust or even seen anyone with dB meter there. I like the courtesy docs, plus it's an easy truck park for the skirt.

Hopefully not launching this weekend because of the Kamala parade...!?!?

 

[Nosocks]

Riviera will be the nicest, but the wind protection is non existent. Put the Bimini down when trying to get into the courtesy slips.

Havasu Marina on the Island is the easiest to tie up to while waiting for people to arrive. It has a very long walk way with cleats you can pull up to. Also great wind protection and right near the channel.

 

[Taboma]

Site 6!!! We have not had any quality shitshows this year. Florida is blowing us out of the water on videos!!!! J/K.

Most have given all the info needed. One point to expand on options. @DWC taught me is Don pulls up to the launch ramp and gets things close and then it is a straight back up. I think Don puts the trailer in the water and jumps on the boat and I back up the remainder. Then pick up is easy as you don’t have the boat on the trailer. Best of luck and if you’d like some there to give a hand post up someone might be able to be there. I know if I was in town I’d travel down. Maybe @mjc could. He is a great guy in town. I also just saw that it might be a couple of weekends. I know that I will be in town. Post up and I will give him a hand. Also might get me out on the water as well.

He's an old hand at launching with the ole man, but being his solo, just would rather he not be surrounded by inpatient people waiting to launch or even his own family during his initial post-restoration shake down run.
If it's just he and his buddy he'll do fine. Then if everything checks out, he can load up the wife and kids and go boating.

Got spoiled having a private ramp for the past 28 years, but if the water was to low or with guests, for ease of boarding I'd launch at Havasu Marina.
In the winter usually at Site Six, but my Cole on it's lowrider trailer didn't like that ramp and would scrape. Prior to '96 we often launched Windsor or Cattail.

 

[FreeBird236]

I tried the Riviera for the first time yesterday and it was okay. A little steeper than I'm used to, and my main thoughts were, this place would be a real cluster if it was busy. When you launch, you're basically surrounded by docks and although it's not that tight, with a lot of people launching and retrieving it could get dicey real fast. I think I'll stick with Windsor for the most part.