Our adventurous Lower River Run weekend!

[OldSchoolBoats]

The 2020 Lower River Run was an event I have been looking forward to since doing the run last year for the first time.

As most know, it was after that run I decided to sell my Howard and get back into an outboard for the purpose of trying to do more trips down on the lower river.

Wife and I decided we would do it without the kids, just because it is more fun that way!!

We left on Friday morning, drove to Havasu, picked up the boat, had lunch and some 1942 shots, then drove to Blythe to meet our friends Derrick and Leslie, who would be making the run with us.

Drove through Ehrenberg and stopped at the new 76 Station for fuel, drinks and ice. Then off to check in to The Hampton Inn.

Got the boat all tucked in for the night and then headed to McIntyre Park for some Tacos courtesy of @951prerun


Fun night hanging out and we actually got to bed before 10pm!!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Woke up early on Saturday to prep and be at McIntyre by 7:30am.

Green Lamborghini was parked out front of the hotel.

Got in the water right before 8am and motored to the beach. A lot of these guys must have been more excited than I was because the beach was already full!

Girls took a seat in the boat and hung out while we waited for the run to start. My wife went big the first night and was a little hung over....lol.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Drivers meeting and then the run started on time. Left McIntyre and cruised with the first group to the sandbar outside Walter's Camp.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Left Walter's and headed to stop #2.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Riley1]

Kinda funny that we both did LRR updates at the same time.

 

[guest hs]

Was this just for outboards or could jets come to this too?

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Was this just for outboards or could jets come to this too?

There were some jets that ran it. We did it in an I.O. last year.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[guest hs]

I would like to bro g the Spectra down and try it out don’t want to by myself

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Well, we made it to Martinez and while waiting for fuel, we noticed something was off. I was hearing gurgling coming from the helm and the boat wouldn't steer for crap.

In the moment diagnosis is that fluid was hot. Got fuel, parked and headed to the restaurant for food. Spent about an hour or so up there and went back down. Steering still was not right. We decided to see what it would do on plane because it seemed to steer better with a little speed. Nope, got on plane and had no steering.

Idled to a beach in Fishers and opened up the big Verado steering box. Noticed that there was no power steering fluid in the pump.

Got a ride across to the marina and tried to find some merc fluid. Luckily @KAP was there to save the day and help me out. He had the merc fluid and the bleeder kit!! Back to the boat we went and it sucked the merc fluid dry. Fock!!! Ok, let's put hydraulic fluid in. Sucks that dry!! Next up, ATF. Boat is now steering again.

Alright, let's go and start heading back to McIntyre. Nope. Get about 6 miles out and lose steering again. Look in the back and ATF is all dumped in the starboard sponson.

Decision was made that Jen and Leslie would go back with the group for the truck and trailer, while Derrick and I idled back to Fishers.

Well, as we were idling, we tagged a sandbar and clogged the motor. Not wanting to damage it obviously, we got a tow from some really cool kids.

First time I have ever been on a rope. Humbling, but we had drinks and got to use the lights....lol

Parked the boat at the marina and headed up to KAPs house to chill and wait for the girls.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[4Waters]

Well, we made it to Martinez and while waiting for fuel, we noticed something was off. I was hearing gurgling coming from the helm and the boat wouldn't steer for crap.

In the moment diagnosis is that fluid was hot. Got fuel, parked and headed to the restaurant for food. Spent about an hour or so up there and went back down. Steering still was not right. We decided to see what it would do on plane because it seemed to steer better with a little speed. Nope, got on plane and had no steering.

Idled to a beach in Fishers and opened up the big Verado steering box. Noticed that there was no power steering fluid in the pump.

Got a ride across to the marina and tried to find some merc fluid. Luckily @KAP was there to save the day and help me out. He had the merc fluid and the bleeder kit!! Back to the boat we went and it sucked the merc fluid dry. Fock!!! Ok, let's put hydraulic fluid in. Sucks that dry!! Next up, ATF. Boat is now steering again.

Alright, let's go and start heading back to McIntyre. Nope. Get about 6 miles out and lose steering again. Look in the back and ATF is all dumped in the starboard sponson.

Decision was made that Jen and Leslie would go back with the group for the truck and trailer, while Derrick and I idled back to Fishers.

Well, as we were idling, we tagged a sandbar and clogged the motor. Not wanting to damage it obviously, we got a tow from some really cool kids.

First time I have ever been on a rope. Humbling, but we had drinks and got to use the lights....lol

Parked the boat at the marina and headed up to KAPs house to chill and wait for the girls. View attachment 889491 View attachment 889492

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Well that sucks.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Wife finally arrives a little before 10pm and we go grab the boat while her and Leslie hang out with KAP, his son and awesome wife. They were so gracious, letting us hang out there and get things sorted out. We wiped the boat and even flushed the engine in his driveway!! I think we left his house around midnight and didn't get back to the hotel until 2am. It......was......a.......long day, but something that we will never forget. I am grateful for all that helped us out and stuck around while we tried to sort it out.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[77charger]

Wait aren’t you to call vessel assist.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Wait aren’t you to call vessel assist. [emoji23][emoji23]

Pretty much no service in these spots and I dont think they have it down on the lower river.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Woke up on Sunday and was pretty defeated, but had a good idea of what the fix was. Figured best idea was to head back to Havasu. I reached out to a lot of people to just get another set of eyes on it to see if my diagnosis was correct. I didn't have much luck, until Jen stumbled across Steven Conrad. He showed up to my house on time, jumped in and confirmed my diagnosis. It took us some time because of the location of the fitting but after taking out the back seat he was able to get to it.

Couple turns of the wrench and a loose fitting was tight again. Time to test. Fill up with fluid, start motor and BOOM, we have steering again.

Can't thank this guy enough for the help!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Made it out for a great Sunday afternoon run up north and ended with a well deserved dinner at Cha Bones!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

After the memorable weekend, it was time to do family time. This was Pirates on Monday afternoon......so peaceful!!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Tuesday was a kids day. We had 5 adults and 7 kids on our boat and I think @Devious_Chris had even more on his

Great day hanging with him and @E4L families

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

A few random shots from some of the photographers, along with some other boats I liked!! That concludes our 2020 Lower River Run weekend!!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[BingerFang]

Your boat is beautiful in person! We were one of the first ones to get gas at Martinez and decided to drive back up with no lead boat because we had dogs in kennels back up in Parker. Drive back was nail biting to say the least idk how we made it back... all I could think about was breaking down and how effed we would be since we really didn’t know anyone. Next time I’ll have to make some friends just in case

 

[JB in so cal]

Awesome! I need to find a boat...

 

[lbhsbz]

Great report and great pics....looks like everyone had a good time. Wish I coulda made it....next year...hopefully. Sux about the steering leak, but it happens.

 

[77charger]

Pretty much no service in these spots and I dont think they have it down on the lower river.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Just giving you shit. good to see good people out looking to lend a hand. I do the same if needed

 

[rivrrts429]

Nice job OSB. Great write up!

 

[Joker]

Hoping you now realize from Blythe south is where you want to boat with your youngsters. We never regret being at McIntyre for 10 plus years

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Hoping you now realize from Blythe south is where you want to boat with your youngsters. We never regret being at McIntyre for 10 plus years

It is so awesome!! I still need a few more trips to get to know the water better, but can't wait to take the kids down.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[fmo24]

It is so awesome!! I still need a few more trips to get to know the water better, but can't wait to take the kids down.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Once you get it figured out this area is awesome for skiing and boarding. Teaching smaller kids just start against current and it helps keep rope tight and skis in position. Person in water giving minimal support.

 

[DaytonaBabe]

Glad it was an easy fix [emoji106]

Sent from my Note 10+ using Tapatalk

 

[707dog]

damn that is a great looking boat on the trailer and on the water...

 

[LAVEYNICK]

Good times!

 

[Mandelon]

That stretch of the river is always an adventure. I found that people are very helpful in the area simply because it is only a matter of time until the tables are turned!

 

[Warlock1]

Derrick and Leslie are solid people, love those guys. That is a gorgeous boat and as a former rigger as soon as you said you heard gurgling I knew what it was. Glad it all worked out.
Now I need to get a lower river boat because this looks like too much fun...

 

[rivergames]

Nice meeting you at the Lower River Run bud! Your boat is lookin tits! I hit a few sandbars coming back. I was just barely on plane because with the position of the sun, we couldn't see shit. Luckily it didn't clog the pickup and I was able to float off the sandbars and keep cruising. I think they were hitting my turn fin first which might have helped protect the prop

 

[DrunkenSailor]

Boat looks great man. Glad it was an easy fix. Looks like an awesome weekend.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Nice meeting you at the Lower River Run bud! Your boat is lookin tits! I hit a few sandbars coming back. I was just barely on plane because with the position of the sun, we couldn't see shit. Luckily it didn't clog the pickup and I was able to float off the sandbars and keep cruising. I think they were hitting my turn fin first which might have helped protect the prop

Good meeting you too man, was fun running side by side for a minute, but man it was busy out when we got near Fishers!!

Freaking love the Schiada, first time seeing it up close. Pics dont do it justice.

Oh and that sun off the water going back was no joke, for the first few minutes I was running....lol

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[havasuhusker]

Thanks for sharing. What a memorable trip! Beautiful boat too.

 

[rivergames]

Good meeting you too man, was fun running side by side for a minute, but man it was busy out when we got near Fishers!!

Freaking love the Schiada, first time seeing it up close. Pics dont do it justice.

Oh and that sun off the water going back was no joke, for the first few minutes I was running....lol

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

That would have been some great Drone Go Pro footage. We'll have to get that next year!

 

[Todd Mohr]

Your boat looks great, I also had some issues and had to wait for my truck and trailer down at Martinez, made for a long day for sure. I overheated my right motor 5 miles
up from Fishers and limped back down on 1 motor. Ended up staying in Yuma and headed back to Phoenix on Sunday.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Your boat looks great, I also had some issues and had to wait for my truck and trailer down at Martinez, made for a long day for sure. I overheated my right motor 5 miles
up from Fishers and limped back down on 1 motor. Ended up staying in Yuma and headed back to Phoenix on Sunday.

Damn man.....sux! Hope it isn't too bad a fix. Good hanging out with you and your pup.

 

[BUDMAN]

Great write up and pictures Joe. Looked like a great trip. Glad you was able to get it fixed up and continue a great weekend with the friends then the family

 

[That Guy]

Joe - That is one nice looking boat!

 

[BingerFang]

When we left the second sandbar on the way down to Martinez I was 3rd in line with a little 20' Stoker with 4 people, 3 ice chests and a bimini. It was quite the adrenaline rush running behind that bad ass C3 (Green/white with 300R).

Does anyone know who makes that boat? It was gorgeous...

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

When we left the second sandbar on the way down to Martinez I was 3rd in line with a little 20' Stoker with 4 people, 3 ice chests and a bimini. It was quite the adrenaline rush running behind that bad ass C3 (Green/white with 300R).

Does anyone know who makes that boat? It was gorgeous...

That's @KAP boat. Think it came from Europe. Maybe he can chime in with some details on it. It should be making an appearance in LOTO this year.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Great group shot of everyone on Tuesday! So much fun!!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Wheeler]

Well, as we were idling, we tagged a sandbar and clogged the motor. Not wanting to damage it obviously, we got a tow from some really cool kids.

First time I have ever been on a rope.

I sure hope that you were pushing that boat and them cool kids dropped a deuce in your path.

 

[Tank]

Great write up! Looked like you guys had a great time even with the problems
As others have stated, your boat is so good looking!!

What's that little cat with similar colors to yours says "C3" on the side or something like that. That thing looks like fun.

Thanks for posting!

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Great write up! Looked like you guys had a great time even with the problems [emoji106]
As others have stated, your boat is so good looking!!

What's that little cat with similar colors to yours says "C3" on the side or something like that. That thing looks like fun.

Thanks for posting!

Thanks Tank, appreciate it. That C3 boat belongs to KAP. It is European and a full tunnel. Pretty stellar boat up close.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Tank]

Thanks Tank, appreciate it. That C3 boat belongs to KAP. It is European and a full tunnel. Pretty stellar boat up close.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Things got some good lines. KAP get rid of the DW?

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Things got some good lines. KAP get rid of the DW?

No, still has it.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[mbrown2]

Things got some good lines. KAP get rid of the DW?

He had it at Desert Storm street fair a couple years back. It is a Twister hull from Finland. The C3 is for the class they race these style of boats in Europe. They are normally rigged as single engine cats. Definitely built for speed as they are light, deep true tunnel, and can handle larger new modern motors.

https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/articles/twister-boats-from-finland.620/

 

[Tank]

He had it at Desert Storm street fair a couple years back. It is a Twister hull from Finland. The C3 is for the class they race these style of boats in Europe. They are normally rigged as single engine cats. Definitely built for speed as they are light, deep true tunnel, and can handle larger new modern motors.

https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/articles/twister-boats-from-finland.620/

Crazy how little freeboard there is!!