River trip this weekend from AVI...

[pwerwagn]

Me and a buddy both bought little 15' sea doo speedster jet boats. We have always wanted to run the river from laughlin to havasu, but dont want to be "that guy" in our bigger boats, so figured doing it first in a little boat was smarter.

We are heading out this friday. We are going to stay at AVI (weve stayed there a bunch). The boats we bought have 20 gal tanks, 4 stroke, ~100mile range on a tank. I have saved all the pics over the years of the mouth of the lake, path, etc in case we decide to venture down to the lake. Currently, we are planning on hitting the river at AVI this Saturday AM and heading south. How far south depends on weather.

Question I have is fuel/docking. I was planning on fueling up at topock, but I cant seem to find their hours? Does pirates have fuel too? Looks like AVI is ~25 miles from pirates/topock. What about fuel somewhere in the channel? I have never had to fuel up on the water at havasu.

What about a place to dock/tie up at havasu? The only place I have ever done that is on the beach at nautical, but all we did was go to the bar, didnt really wander around. Is tying up there for more than a few hours acceptable?

If we decide to go the other direction...Avi up to laughlin. I've seen little docks of some form up in laughlin, I think the belle had one at one time and maybe the riverside? Is there a dock to tie up in laughlin to go get grab a bite to eat or something?

I have all of the cool aerial photos of the mouth of the lake posted here over the years saved on my phone. I have safewaters. We have the website with the dam outflow.

Anything else to make this a successful trip?

Thanks in advance!
Jeff

 

[gqchris]

I would NOT worry about the mouth of the river. You are in Seadoo jet boats. Pretty much can go anywhere!

Avi to Laughlin is not far at all. Not much of an adventure.

Beaching in Havasu, just park in the channel and can walk to restaurants there, you can beach at Nautical or courtesy docks there. Lots of options.

Pirates has fuel, Marina has fuel in Havasu on water. And the Casino on Cali side.

Sounds fun, post pics, so many other answers here also folks will chime in.

 

[DWC]

Pirates has fuel. Probably more reliable than Topock on hours but takes longer to get in there. Needles Marina has gas also i believe.

 

[Bajastu]

With a 100 mile range, run all the way down to Havasu, have lunch and beverages, fill up a the Marina, and head on back. You should have no problems.

 

[Big B Hova]

Pirates has fuel. Probably more reliable than Topock on hours but takes longer to get in there. Needles Marina has gas also i believe.

Needles marina just closed their fuel dock for season I saw on FB

 

[pwerwagn]

Good info, thanks! Ill be sure to post pics, should be fun.


What about davis dam to hoover dam? Is that something that would be worth doing? Looks like its ~60 miles each way?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Good info, thanks! Ill be sure to post pics, should be fun.


What about davis dam to hoover dam? Is that something that would be worth doing? Looks like its ~60 miles each way?

Yea it’s about 62-ish miles each way. Though from Katherine’s (which only has 87 I think still) you can fuel up at Cottonwood or at Willow Beach.

When we ran the dam to dam we made it to
Willow and filled back up (cheaper on that side than CA prices at Cottonwood) and then made it back to Katherine’s. But we had a 30’ boat with a big tank and a thirsty engine.

It’s a nice ride but the basin can get rough. From Cottonwood and up it’s more like a river. You could also drop in at Cottonwood or Willow and save time/gas to go see the dam.

Also finally, check which day you’d go because some days they restrict powerboats.

 

[pwerwagn]

Yea it’s about 62-ish miles each way. Though from Katherine’s (which only has 87 I think still) you can fuel up at Cottonwood or at Willow Beach.

When we ran the dam to dam we made it to
Willow and filled back up (cheaper on that side than CA prices at Cottonwood) and then made it back to Katherine’s. But we had a 30’ boat with a big tank and a thirsty engine.

It’s a nice ride but the basin can get rough. From Cottonwood and up it’s more like a river. You could also drop in at Cottonwood or Willow and save time/gas to go see the dam.

Also finally, check which day you’d go because some days they restrict powerboats.

Thanks for that info! Looks like that is a nogo based off that image.

 

[RiverDave]

On late Mohave that gas station at the north end is crazy expensive.. lol.


I think you will have a blast doing avi to Laughlin. On the north dock at the Riverside hotel and casino, you can park your boats on the inside if you want to go inside for dinner or lunch, etc.

I go with bullheadbully every now and again and it’s an awesome ride! That river is a lot longer than you think it is

 

[pwerwagn]

On late Mohave that gas station at the north end is crazy expensive.. lol.


I think you will have a blast doing avi to Laughlin. On the north dock at the Riverside hotel and casino, you can park your boats on the inside if you want to go inside for dinner or lunch, etc.

I go with bullheadbully every now and again and it’s an awesome ride! That river is a lot longer than you think it is

Is that the dock that is right by the loading ramp at the north end of riverside? Or is it the actual dock that is right out in front of the casino?

 

[Angler]

I've done it on Sea Doos. Nice River run. Enjoy.

 

[Javajoe]

Years ago wife and I put our Skis in at Needles at about 6am and blasted thru the gorge at 60 going to Havasu for an end of Summer run. Cold and glassy all the way. Wife had ear muffs on. Coming back is when I noticed the No Wake Buoys

 

[DLC]

We did it years ago on 1100 2 stroke 3 seater wave ventures!

Going down Excellent fuel mileage! 1/3 - 1/2 of a tank we didn’t screw around much….

Topped off at Havasu marina

Head back up sucked some fuel almost full tank

So if your going to sight see and hit & splash some coves do it on the way down !

 

[jeepdog]

On Saturdays they usually release 3 units by 9am, won't know until tomorrow ( Davis dam water report) good chance not enough water till 11 noonish at Avi

 

[Ol Man]

We (two couples) were at the Avi last week and had a great time on Havasu (Wednesday) and Mohave (Thursday). Absolutely no wind both days. Our original intention was to do Havasu on Tuesday, but pretty windy, so did Kingman and Oatman. The Moonshadows restaurant has a great 2 for $55 dinner menu I would recommend. It is served 4-6, so if you get seated by 5:59 you can get the special. It is a nice restaurant with excellent service and food.

 

[Paradox]

Once did Laughlin to the Turtle and back in a rented 19 foot Yamaha jet boat. Fueled at the marina. There was a point where I swear the water looked 18 inches deep. I definitely wouldn’t want to come off plane.

That said, the large passenger jet boat does it regularly, seemingly without issue.

 

[SoCalDave]

Ran from the Riverside to Havasu in my 210 twice. Going down was a bit schetchy as we left mid morning. Going back just before dusk was a nice scenic ride.
Luckily I was brought up on the water an knew how to read the river. It's a fun run as little to no traffic on your way.
Have fun and post some pics!

 

[lbhsbz]

Can't throw a couple 5 gallon gas cans in each boat?

 

[pwerwagn]

We (two couples) were at the Avi last week and had a great time on Havasu (Wednesday) and Mohave (Thursday). Absolutely no wind both days. Our original intention was to do Havasu on Tuesday, but pretty windy, so did Kingman and Oatman. The Moonshadows restaurant has a great 2 for $55 dinner menu I would recommend. It is served 4-6, so if you get seated by 5:59 you can get the special. It is a nice restaurant with excellent service and food.

Moonshadow is a great place to eat! We stop at AVI a lot on our way west (we live in NM), and always eat there.

 

[pwerwagn]

Can't throw a couple 5 gallon gas cans in each boat?

We have some 3 gal rotopax that will fit under the rear hatch. I am going to go ahead and throw 2 in, empty, and see how we are doing fuel wise at pirates, then again when we get to havasu. If it seems like we will be cutting it close, Ill fill one or two of them up and strap them somewhere else safe. If were doing good, Ill just leave them empty. These little boats dont have much spare room, and about the only good place to strap a full can is on the swim step.

 

[mash on it]

Is that the dock that is right by the loading ramp at the north end of riverside? Or is it the actual dock that is right out in front of the casino?

North dock at the casino.
On the inside.
I've used it a few times.

Dan'l

 

[pwerwagn]

North dock at the casino.
On the inside.
I've used it a few times.

Dan'l

10-4, thank you!

 

[adam909]

Havasu landing has a fuel dock. Just go into the old marina.

 

[Mini Kat]

Took a trip from Havasu to Laughlin and a deep Vee Scarab years back. There was only one spot between the AVI and Laughlin that was super shallow had to go all the way to the west side of the lake to get by other than that no problem. Coming back with the Sun almost all the way set talk about a butt Pucker at a couple of spots but had a blast . And for gas you can get gas at Pirates Cove, Topac 66, California side Havasu Landing, Havasu Marina in Thompson Bay, The Riviera and your last stop down at Cattail Cove that's all the spots that you can get gas. And here is the path at the mouth of the river to take when you get into Havasu.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Took a trip from Havasu to Laughlin and a deep Vee Scarab years back. There was only one spot between the AVI and Laughlin that was super shallow had to go all the way to the west side of the lake to get by other than that no problem. Coming back with the Sun almost all the way set talk about a butt Pucker at a couple of spots but had a blast . And for gas you can get gas at Pirates Cove, Topac 66, California side Havasu Landing, Havasu Marina in Thompson Bay, The Riviera and your last stop down at Cattail Cove that's all the spots that you can get gas. And here is the path at the mouth of the river to take when you get into Havasu.

Havasu Springs has gas docks. They recently (in the last year at least) updated the pumps so you can pay at the pump. They have 87 and 91 ( but not non-ethanol).

 

[jeepdog]

It's gonna be a bitch to get boats off trailer till afternoon

 

[the510]

With a 100 mile range, run all the way down to Havasu, have lunch and beverages, fill up a the Marina, and head on back. You should have no problems.

Is the marina the best quality fuel on the water?

 

[n2otoofast4u]

@JUSTWANNARACE

Just reading about AVI warms my heart…..

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Is the marina the best quality fuel on the water?

The Riviera supposedly has non-ethanol 91 on the gas dock if you need 91. It’s the only place that does.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

@JUSTWANNARACE

Just reading about AVI warms my heart…..

River trips are not supposed to be in a golf cart

Fun times for sure

 

[Bajastu]

Is the marina the best quality fuel on the water?

I’m not sure. I always fill up on land.

 

[the510]

Me too. Just wondering

 

[pwerwagn]

I’m not sure. I always fill up on land.

Same. Ive never purchased gas from a marina, except at LOTO where its a paint to load/unload.

 

[pwerwagn]

It's gonna be a bitch to get boats off trailer till afternoon View attachment 1437508

Thats good info! Thank you.

 

[mash on it]

Thats good info! Thank you.

Found here under-
Projected Operations. >
Hourly Schedules >
Davis Dam and Parker Dam (pdf)

Lower Colorado River Operations | Lower Colorado Region | Bureau of Reclamation

www.usbr.gov

Dan'l

 

[Travieso]

A couple months ago I paid $10 a gallon at pirates!

 

[jeepdog]

Ya got lucky
Enjoy the river

 

[oldschool]

A couple months ago I paid $10 a gallon at pirates!

Yep. That’s what I paid the other day as well. But was cheaper than running out.
On Monday all the gas pumps at Topac had yellow bags on them.
Havasu Marina was under $6 for 91(if I remember correctly).

 

[oldschool]

The Riviera supposedly has non-ethanol 91 on the gas dock if you need 91. It’s the only place that does.

Havasu Marina has 91, not sure if it’s non-ethanol?

 

[oldschool]

Is the marina the best quality fuel on the water?

I probably ran through 100 gallons of fuel from there on our trip last week, no problems.

 

[pwerwagn]

Beautiful morning on the river! Thanks for all of the advice! Unloaded at Avi about 0800.

 

[Joe mama]

Has to be more pics than this.

 

[Javajoe]

Wife just did the math regarding miles from island to Pirates round trip, price per gallon and the roughly 1.5 -2 miles per gallon our boat gets. $120.00. At $5 per gallon. Really don’t know what we pay for 91 Non E
She said we are just going to hang out at white sands beach for now on

 

[pwerwagn]

Avi to topock, stopped a few places in the river a long the way, cruised the channel, ate at the turtle, gas at havasu marina. Headed back up, hung out at pirates and got back to Avi right at dark. Was a blast!
So far today, Avi to Laughlin and brunch at the riverside. I’ll post more as we take more!

For reference, these little supercharged sea doos get about 5-6mpg! Not bad. Much better than my twin 300 mercs.

 

[pwerwagn]

Few more pics of the weekend.

For reference, it’s the South dock at the riverside they let you tie up at, not the north dock.

Thanks for all the tips! Was a great trip.

 

[Havasu blue label]

Great trip