BajaNomad

Road to PSFO from Bahia de Los Angeles

sbsyncro - 1-31-2015 at 09:08 AM

Question for folks that have traveled the road out of Bahia de Los Angeles to Punta San Francisquito since Odile...

I heard that prior to Odile the road was in very good shape (recently graded) for most of the way once out of the Camp Gecko area.

I'm wondering whether it would be feasible/advisable to trailer an inflatable over the road some time this Spring/early Summer.

Its a setup similar to this, but my truck has much higher clearance.



I know that washboard is murder on trailers, especially lightweight ones like this, but I'm very keen to get a boat down there somehow, since my understanding is that it is next to impossible to get a panguero locally.

Thanks!

Brent

larryC - 1-31-2015 at 09:48 AM

The road has been graded, but it goes without saying, take it slow and easy and you probably won't have a problem. Go fast and quien sabe?
Larry

sbsyncro - 1-31-2015 at 10:00 AM

Thanks Larry! Yes, it goes without saying that traveling in Baja with a trailer means a 30% reduction in already conservative speed! I just wanted so make sure there were no washed out sections that required 4WD or tricky maneuvers to get through.

woody with a view - 1-31-2015 at 10:20 AM

i remember something about large washes needing to be traversed. don't quote me tho.

AKgringo - 1-31-2015 at 02:55 PM

I jumped the gun and replied to your other thread about pulling a trailer to PSF, but now that I see your rig, I can make a few suggestions.
I drove the road after Odile, and just before the Baja1K, and you could have pulled that trailer in there then. It is probably more of a washboard now, since they were actively working on the road when I passed through. I only had to put my hubs in once when crossing through a very sandy arroyo just south of San Rafael (I was also pulling a trailer)
I would carry the outboard in your truck if possible, or well padded and strapped down over the trailer axle, but not on the transom. Anything in the boat must be strapped down! The dips (vados) between San Felipe and Puertocitos will cause as much damage as anything on the dirt road if you hit them hard.
I also fabricated a 10 inch third wheel with a 2 inch ball and a tow ring on it in case (when) I got stuck pulling the trailer. I am able to get the truck unstuck, and stretch a line back to pull the trailer through the soft spot. It worked when I needed it!
If you can get more clearance under the fenders, I would run even larger tires to clear road hazards and soften the ride. Trailer rated tires are best, but your load is not that heavy and LT all terrains tire would work for you, and can be run at lower pressures.
My information is not very recent, but in late October, the road between BOLA and San Fransiquito was better than Between S,F, and El Arco. I think that that stretch was improved some after I passed through, but I cannot confirm it.

[Edited on 1-31-2015 by AKgringo]

sbsyncro - 1-31-2015 at 03:10 PM

Super helpful information! That is not my actual setup. I'm actually in the process of shopping for a replacement, and that was/is a candidate, but the suitability of the trailer for Baja is one of my main shopping criteria.

Can you explain more about your "third wheel" setup? Is it just a tow ball bolted to a trailer wheel/axle that you fabbed up? That sounds like a great idea.

Barry A. - 1-31-2015 at 03:20 PM

In my experience with boat trailers in Baja, it's the springs that often fail, and that can be really distressing. If they are "slipper springs" then I would certainly replace them, if possible, with heavy duty springs with heavy duty shackles at both ends. When a spring goes out (breaks), it can tear your entire axle out and send it flying----------this happened to me once, on the old road to Gonzaga--------we had to abandon the trailer all together----very sad, and a huge hassle.

My son's boat trailer has heavy-duty shocks added to reduce the flexing and thus over-heating of the springs. So far that works. We also have over-sized (fatty's) tires, with low pressure (20 lbs) so as to soften the ride and shock to the suspension and the boat.

Barry

Pacifico - 1-31-2015 at 04:14 PM

Brent, check your U2U....

BajaRat - 1-31-2015 at 05:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.  
In my experience with boat trailers in Baja, it's the springs that often fail, and that can be really distressing. If they are "slipper springs" then I would certainly replace them, if possible, with heavy duty springs with heavy duty shackles at both ends. When a spring goes out (breaks), it can tear your entire axle out and send it flying----------this happened to me once, on the old road to Gonzaga--------we had to abandon the trailer all together----very sad, and a huge hassle.

My son's boat trailer has heavy-duty shocks added to reduce the flexing and thus over-heating of the springs. So far that works. We also have over-sized (fatty's) tires, with low pressure (20 lbs) so as to soften the ride and shock to the suspension and the boat.

Barry


Barry,
any pics of the trailer modifications.
Thanks, Lionel

marv sherrill - 1-31-2015 at 05:16 PM

Have the same Silinger boat -- a b-tch to deflate if it has the wooden keel - I agree with AK - don't have the engine on the transom AND strap the boat to the trailer to make it one unit, and, of course, don't tow with the bimini up..... Good luck - a good option of course is to stay in BOLA - lots of places to explore and fish in range of that boat.
Have fun

Barry A. - 1-31-2015 at 05:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaRat  
Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.  
In my experience with boat trailers in Baja, it's the springs that often fail, and that can be really distressing. If they are "slipper springs" then I would certainly replace them, if possible, with heavy duty springs with heavy duty shackles at both ends. When a spring goes out (breaks), it can tear your entire axle out and send it flying----------this happened to me once, on the old road to Gonzaga--------we had to abandon the trailer all together----very sad, and a huge hassle.

My son's boat trailer has heavy-duty shocks added to reduce the flexing and thus over-heating of the springs. So far that works. We also have over-sized (fatty's) tires, with low pressure (20 lbs) so as to soften the ride and shock to the suspension and the boat.

Barry


Barry,
any pics of the trailer modifications.
Thanks, Lionel


Despite David K.'s great instructions, I have never learned how to post pictures, so no I can't help you there.

My son's trailer is actually a Nissan Pickup bed that has been expertly welded up front with a very heavy-duty steel channel-iron tongue. The stock suspension is still under the trailer including the original axle and diff., but we do have KYB aftermarket shocks in place of the stock shocks, and also add-a-leaf overload springs. He has modified the actual bedrails of the trailer with steel clips/brackets to accommodate his 14' GREGOR alum. boat which lies on the trailer upside down on top of the side railings held firmly in place by the steel brackets. This rig has endured many bad-road trips to the Sea of Cortez---Animas Bay and/or Gonzaga, usually.

Barry

BajaRat - 1-31-2015 at 06:26 PM

Cool Barry, I can picture that, thanks :biggrin:

Hook - 1-31-2015 at 07:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by marv sherrill  
a good option of course is to stay in BOLA - lots of places to explore and fish in range of that boat.
Have fun


This is good advice, with that boat. You will have way more fun around the islands of BOLA. Pavement all the way.

And if you just gotta see PSFO, drive down one day WITHOUT THE BOAT!!

But goes as late in spring as possible. Fishing often doesnt really turn on until late May or even early June.

Hook - 1-31-2015 at 07:55 PM

Also, you should be able to hire a panga in BOLA that will take you down to PSFO for fishing. Just let him know in advance, so he can bring along enough fuel and you can agree on a fuel surcharge.

Besides, the "resort" is a bit of a disappointment. I liked hanging out in the cala north of the resort. And the best fishing is often north of the resort, anyway.

It is a really nice beach at the resort, though. But you can do that, if you drive it one day.

Bajaboy - 1-31-2015 at 09:18 PM

We drove it at Thanksgiving. The road actually in better condition this year than it has been the past few years. With that said, it is rocky and slow going without a trailer. Can you do it? Sure. There is traffic on the road so eventually someone will come by. I'd definitely bring back up parts just in case. If your goal is PSFO you might consider cutting over at El Arco instead.

Skipjack Joe - 1-31-2015 at 10:30 PM

AKGringo gives the best advice. Read his post carefully. Don't tow a trailer with 8" tires. They should be 12" or larger.

I'm pretty sure there is a panguero at the resort but he's a bit unreliable. Stay at the Cala north of the resort. The resort has a steep beach which makes the boat take out much more difficult. Also more surf.

The fishing isn't that much better than bola (Ebola hah). The spots aren't obvious.

4baja - 2-1-2015 at 07:33 AM

stay in bola and fish la guardia island. in fact do a loop around the island spending a few nights out there, insane fishing and diving for scallops. I have a place south of town and that road goes away real quick after grading. i'm heading down Monday and plan on doing a quad ride south of my place
towards animas.we'll see.

Hook - 2-1-2015 at 09:23 AM

La Guardia in THAT thing he's bringing? Surely, you jest.

I'm thinking he should be sticking to Ventana and Caballo, if he stays in town and the south end of Smith if he's out at the end of La Gringa.

And then, maybe, clamming in Don Juan.

Even all this is sketchy in that boat. Someone tell him how to recognize when the wind is coming. Absolutely vital in that boat.

woody with a view - 2-1-2015 at 09:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4baja  
stay in bola and fish la guardia island. in fact do a loop around the island spending a few nights out there, insane fishing and diving for scallops. I have a place south of town and that road goes away real quick after grading. i'm heading down Monday and plan on doing a quad ride south of my place
towards animas.we'll see.


see ya next weekend.

sbsyncro - 2-1-2015 at 10:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
La Guardia in THAT thing he's bringing? Surely, you jest.

I'm thinking he should be sticking to Ventana and Caballo, if he stays in town and the south end of Smith if he's out at the end of La Gringa.

And then, maybe, clamming in Don Juan.

Even all this is sketchy in that boat. Someone tell him how to recognize when the wind is coming. Absolutely vital in that boat.


Thanks Hook! Believe me, I have no illusions of taking an inflatable to La Guardia - I pay pangueros for that privilege! I've been through a few Chubascos and Elefantes. I forget which one, but one of them just comes out of no where as I recall. Its the main reason I won't even consider taking a boat with less than 30hp down there. I've heard about the tragedy back in 2000, and IIRC they were in a 20' RIB - much heavier and powerful than my SIB.

I've been around La Guardia and out to Partida and Estanque and to a couple of the unnamed sea mounts and high spots out in the channel with Aldredo Diaz and Pedro Torres, and the currents always amaze (and terrify) me. Drifting those currents feels a lot like drifting the Colorado river looking for stripers! I have not spent any time at the closer islands like Ventana or Caballo, though. People say they are "fished out" but that's probably a relative term.

I'm a fairly seasoned boater (I have a 23' Parker up here in the northern Channel Islands) and I don't think I'd even have the courage to take that Parker around La Guardia until I had a lot more years of experience with the area. (and we've seen some rough weather together!)

And thus, I've previewed what I'm sure will be another thread for another time - places to visit with a 14' to 16' inflatable from BOLA, La Gringa, and PFSO. :lol:

[Edited on 2-1-2015 by sbsyncro]

MMc - 2-1-2015 at 10:44 AM

Here is the third wheel set up. any good trailer mfg will do this. most that I see use the spare as the third tire. Just flip it over and replace the pin.
http://www.bajaenterprises.com/BoatWheels.html

4baja - 2-1-2015 at 11:04 AM

hook, I was down there one time when a guy and a gal in a smaller inflatable then that did just that and had a ball. you do have to pick the time(weather) but i'm sure it happens a lot.

Hook - 2-1-2015 at 12:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4baja  
hook, I was down there one time when a guy and a gal in a smaller inflatable then that did just that and had a ball. you do have to pick the time(weather) but i'm sure it happens a lot.


Amazing.

How far is it from Guillermo's to Los Machos? Or even the Estanque area?

The boat he is showing doesnt even has an inflatable keel, does it?

I can see a 12+ foot inflatable, with an inflatable or hard keel and a 25+ hp engine making it out there in flat calm.

But that thing?

sbsyncro - 2-1-2015 at 12:37 PM

That picture is not my boat but the style I'm looking for (I sold my RIB to replace with a SIB for lighter weight and beach launching). It is a 16' boat with wooden floor boards and inflatable keel. It's actually a French naval commando boat, believe it or not. And higher quality than the Zodiac units that the U.S. Navy uses, IMO.