Havasu Marina Ramp on Labor Day Weekend

[3.Slow]

What is the Ramp at Havasu Marina like on Holiday Weekends? We dont have it down to a science like some members, but we are trying to go out for Labor Day and I when it comes to pulling the boat out, its a one man show, I have to back the trailer in and load the boat, so my question after reading some launch ramp rants, is the Havasu Marina a good place for this? I heard they have a very large courtesy dock, and the lines are not too long because they only allow a certain # of boats to launch on a given day.

 

[McRib]

What is the Ramp at Havasu Marina like on Holiday Weekends? We dont have it down to a science like some members, but we are trying to go out for Labor Day and I when it comes to pulling the boat out, its a one man show, I have to back the trailer in and load the boat, so my question after reading some launch ramp rants, is the Havasu Marina a good place for this? I heard they have a very large courtesy dock, and the lines are not too long because they only allow a certain # of boats to launch on a given day.

Is your wife/gf/BF 100% incapable of driving with the trailer? I ask because before I taught my wife to drive the boat is was in your shoes. I used to back the boat in then we'd switch seats and I'd get in the boat and I'd let her back me the rest of the way in till I floated off. Then she'd go park the truck. This was a few years ago and they would have people on the ramp directing traffic and a guy in the lot directing. They also had a golf cart that would gather up right drivers and take them back to the ramp. At the end of the day I'd tie up at the dock and leave the wife at the boat. I'd go get the truck and put it where I wanted then we'd switch again. She'd go to the truck and I'd go to the boat and put it on the trailer. She'd wait in the water to attach the strap and crank then she would pull it all out to the clean up area or to the upper lot to wipe down and pack out.

 

[mjc]

Is your wife/gf/BF 100% incapable of driving with the trailer? I ask because before I taught my wife to drive the boat is was in your shoes. I used to back the boat in then we'd switch seats and I'd get in the boat and I'd let her back me the rest of the way in till I floated off. Then she'd go park the truck. This was a few years ago and they would have people on the ramp directing traffic and a guy in the lot directing. They also had a golf cart that would gather up right drivers and take them back to the ramp. At the end of the day I'd tie up at the dock and leave the wife at the boat. I'd go get the truck and put it where I wanted then we'd switch again. She'd go to the truck and I'd go to the boat and put it on the trailer. She'd wait in the water to attach the strap and crank then she would pull it all out to the clean up area or to the upper lot to wipe down and pack out.

This is exactly what we do and it is easier to at the marina than windsor. Sometimes i can get the wife to get the truck and back up if the ramp is not to busy. she is getting better at backing this truck up little by little. We are spending the next week in havasu and she will practice weekdays

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Head to the parking lot behind the mall with the truck and boat and practice with her, she will be a pro in no time. Learning at the ramp isn't the best way to go out maintaining a marriage. My wife loves showing up the guys and often asks the guys who are struggling if they need any help. Love that about her.

 

[Singleton]

Is your wife/gf/BF 100% incapable of driving with the trailer? I ask because before I taught my wife to drive the boat is was in your shoes. I used to back the boat in then we'd switch seats and I'd get in the boat and I'd let her back me the rest of the way in till I floated off. Then she'd go park the truck. This was a few years ago and they would have people on the ramp directing traffic and a guy in the lot directing. They also had a golf cart that would gather up right drivers and take them back to the ramp. At the end of the day I'd tie up at the dock and leave the wife at the boat. I'd go get the truck and put it where I wanted then we'd switch again. She'd go to the truck and I'd go to the boat and put it on the trailer. She'd wait in the water to attach the strap and crank then she would pull it all out to the clean up area or to the upper lot to wipe down and pack out.

Same process for me and my wife. However that all changed at DS this year. She now does the trailer 100% on her own with my on the phone as needed and I have boat duty. Makes life so much easier now that she has the confidence to back the trailer in without any help.

 

[McRib]

My wife is now boat everything. It was easier to teach her the boat than to teach the trailer. I have zero patients with teaching someone to drive a motor vehicle lol

 

[purrfecttremor]

Ya gotta teach her to handle the trailer. As said above take her to the mall and get her some training. My wife learned years ago and I can't remember the last time I had to back down. She even drives the motor home exclusively! Man I love her😀

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Just launch out of Windsor before 8am and you will be all good with your program. Plenty of dock to tie up to and the lot is closer.

If you get there early there won't be anyone there.

 

[BHC Vic]

W young kids there isn't really another option other than the one man show. If she can watch the kids I can handle the rest [emoji4]

 

[UHHH SUCKA]

If you are doing it all yourself, its probably best to launch very early in the morning before it gets packed. After 8:00am, I think any ramp you go to is going to be a mad house and will probably have to wait at least 20+ minutes in line just to launch and good luck trying to find a dock or spot to park the Boat while you go park the Truck. Same goes for getting off the water. If you are off the water by 5:00pm it shouldn't be a big deal. We usually like staying in the Channel till 10:00pm after it clears up a bit but I've found that if you are getting off the water between 7:00 & 9:00 on a Holiday weekend, you will be waiting at least an hour. Its so much easier if somebody can handle the tow vehicle and you handle the Boat. My Wife drops the Boat in, I float while she parks and then I just pull up to the dock and pick her up and the way we go.

 

[McRib]

Can I change my answer?

Hit site 6 at 930 am. Ull be fine.

 

[Spudsbud]

enjoy the Show !

 

[Bigbore500r]

Launch the Thursday before the holiday, and pay for a slip for the week in advance. Problem solved, less drama, now you have 5 days to enjoy yourself!

Launching and Retrieving every day is for suckers [emoji3]

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Launch the Thursday before the holiday, and pay for a slip for the week in advance. Problem solved, less drama, now you have 5 days to enjoy yourself!

Launching and Retrieving every day is for suckers [emoji3]

^^^^^^^^^This.....if you can get ahold of one.

 

[cicchetti_24]

The Marina owner can kiss my ass :finger

That is all :cool

 

[YoPengo]

Is your wife/gf/BF 100% incapable of driving with the trailer? I ask because before I taught my wife to drive the boat is was in your shoes. I used to back the boat in then we'd switch seats and I'd get in the boat and I'd let her back me the rest of the way in till I floated off. Then she'd go park the truck. This was a few years ago and they would have people on the ramp directing traffic and a guy in the lot directing. They also had a golf cart that would gather up right drivers and take them back to the ramp. At the end of the day I'd tie up at the dock and leave the wife at the boat. I'd go get the truck and put it where I wanted then we'd switch again. She'd go to the truck and I'd go to the boat and put it on the trailer. She'd wait in the water to attach the strap and crank then she would pull it all out to the clean up area or to the upper lot to wipe down and pack out.

Twenty years later and we still do it this way. [emoji53]

 

[CoolCruzin]

Don't worry about it . We have all been there or still there .
Do what you need to do . Use one of the outer lanes .
Enjoy .

 

[Heylam]

Holiday weekends are no place for rookies. [emoji14] lol

 

[3.Slow]

Is your wife/gf/BF 100% incapable of driving with the trailer? I ask because before I taught my wife to drive the boat is was in your shoes. I used to back the boat in then we'd switch seats and I'd get in the boat and I'd let her back me the rest of the way in till I floated off. Then she'd go park the truck. This was a few years ago and they would have people on the ramp directing traffic and a guy in the lot directing. They also had a golf cart that would gather up right drivers and take them back to the ramp. At the end of the day I'd tie up at the dock and leave the wife at the boat. I'd go get the truck and put it where I wanted then we'd switch again. She'd go to the truck and I'd go to the boat and put it on the trailer. She'd wait in the water to attach the strap and crank then she would pull it all out to the clean up area or to the upper lot to wipe down and pack out.

This is how it goes for us, she can pull the trailer out with or without the boat, the only complicated problem is the time tied to the dock while I back the empty trailer in.

W young kids there isn't really another option other than the one man show. If she can watch the kids I can handle the rest [emoji4]

YES

Launch the Thursday before the holiday, and pay for a slip for the week in advance. Problem solved, less drama, now you have 5 days to enjoy yourself!

Launching and Retrieving every day is for suckers [emoji3]

I talked to the marina yesterday and I can rent a slip for the week, but it's not cheap, not that anything about boating is cheap :grumble:

 

[3.Slow]

Holiday weekends are no place for rookies. [emoji14] lol

Someone has to star in the Site Six youtube videos :yikes but it wont be me

 

[Bigbore500r]

This is how it goes for us, she can pull the trailer out with or without the boat, the only complicated problem is the time tied to the dock while I back the empty trailer in.



YES



I talked to the marina yesterday and I can rent a slip for the week, but it's not cheap, not that anything about boating is cheap :grumble:

Dealing with that shit show isn't worth the savings! Rent that slip!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

My girlfriend drives the boat. I have taught her how to drop me off at the dock then idle out where she is out of the way and as soon as she sees in coming down the ramp, make her way over. For launching, I back it in and then give her the option of driving the boat or the truck. She can easily handle either.

Oh, and my boat has no reverse so maneuvering around the ramp and dock has to be planned out and carefully done.

 

[relaxalot]

Don't stress... take your time.. The marina is the best launch in Havasu. Do it at about 745.. if you ask I am sure someone will help you if you want it. I used to back almost all the way in then jump in the boat and the wife would follow my signal when to stop backing in. Just make sure she puts it in drive on the pull out!!! Tell her to swing wide and watch the trailer behind her. It doesnt track the truck exactly. If she gets into trouble in the parking lot just ask someone to help. Have fun and be safe..

 

[Riley1]

3.Slow is no Rookie. Him and I have been driving and backing up and driving boats since we were 12. His wife on the other hand, total rookie. (my wife sometimes reads the forums, so.....)