capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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question for the ground pounders
and off roadies out there:
when you go to alfi's the back way thru cocos and take the majority of the ride down mex 1, how is the graded road generally for a 4X2 SUV and towing
a very light boat, say 1000 lbs boat/motor and on a Pac boats brand galv trailer, 14' class? i am not a wash board receptive kind of guy. Frankly, the
short road from 1 to chivato is more pain in the butt than i ever want to do after having done it twice! And that's only about 18 miles of "jarr"
thinking about hauling a boat down (finally getting one, a starter edition) and easy way is via ferry out of Guaymas for us, but for some extra
adventure maybe hitting Gonzaga, BOLA etc might be in order although involves having to go to tecate 1st, a lot of extra driving from AZ.
I'm ruling out san felipe to gonzaga based on me being a wussss!!!!
Well, at least i admit it!
on second thought maybe i can get a baja friend to drive it down for us........any takers there know how to get ahold of me. you could use it as you
go.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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4baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1339
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: morro bay ca
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take tecate to ensenada and down mike, that road is a pain in the ass toweing a boat and the trailer that comes with that boat has very small
tires(unless its the baja model)wich could hamper the trip. get your boat down there in one piece and take the pavement.
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bajaloco
Nomad
Posts: 159
Registered: 12-5-2002
Location: Huntington Beach, California
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Mood: wishin I was fishin
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Just remember that roads which seem bad in a truck with suspension, is really tough on anything you tow without shocks.
The washboard from Hwy.1 to Gonzaga is much worse than out to Chivato.
I installed back-up nuts or lock nuts on everything possible on my trailers, tie everything down you want to keep, and don't forget the spare tire or
two.
Seems like a hassle to some people, but it's kinda like insurance...you hate to buy it , but boy when you need it......
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Mike, the fastest way to ruin a small aluminum boat, is to put it on one of those roads. I have seen the transom completely crack as the motor pounds
away on it even with a transom saver attached with spring loading. Unless you want to take the time to really set up a baja backroad trailer, the
pavement is bad enough. After years of doing this, I finally decided to leave my new boat at Santa Rosalia, and picked up a second boat for short
trips to the local lakes in Colorado.
I pulled a boat on that route through Puertocitos one time and after emptying the boat completely and taking the motor off, we were still stopping
and tightening things every 6 hours. Only took us 2 1/2 days from Puertocitos to the highway.
Take the boat to Mulege and then bring it up to San Lucas Cove, down to Conception, maybe even to Loreto, and have a ball but keep it one piece.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 9-2-2003
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Capt. Mike
I , Skeet/Loreto do hereby affirm and Agree to transport your Vehicle and Boat to Baja sur for $1,000 Cash and Expenses.
Signed
Skeet/Loreto
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bbbait
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Posts: 211
Registered: 9-9-2003
Location: Blythe, Ca
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We pull our boats back and forth to Bahia Christina (5 miles blw Puertecitos) all the time. Been doing it for 30 years. Have had our share of
problems over the years but just gear up for it and take it easy. I can get it down there for you if you want me to.. N/C... wayno
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Az/Ca/Baja
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hows the fishing out of Christina??
i've camped there a few times on the way down to Gonzaga and always wondered...
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Wash board and boats----------
I carry my 14' Gregor on top of my 42" Callen Camper, and have made the trip to Gonzaga from San Felipe maybe 35 times-----never had a problem. I have
a manual crank (Eide) boat loader so am able to load and unload the boat by myself. I carry the outboard on its side in a thickly padded container
under the boat (hoisting it up to the roof with a 1/2 inch nylon line) , and have an 18 gal. gas tank on the roof to carry the extra fuel. 2-6 gal
boat tanks on top too which I lower to the ground with the nylon line. I repeat, I have never had a problem with this rig, and I go to the most remote
places with it. If the beach is too sandy to safely drive down to the water, I use my winch to haul the boat up to the truck.
All my experiences using even a beefed-up boat trailer have been bad on the dirt roads of Baja. I have completely given up on trailers. 2 completely
disintegrated---both from crystalized springs----and I was NOT driving too fast either time.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Mike,
I don't know what you are driving but...
I have taken the trailer for my 14' Lund apart into four pieces (tongue, frame and wheels) and put them on my truck racks. I then put the boat on top,
upside down. Motor and wheels go inside with 12 bolts and a socket set. This allows me a lot more freedom on 4wd roads and washboards. Takes about 20
minutes to assemble/dissassemble and almost eliminates the wear and tear factor.
Most of the time we take our 10 foot Zodiak and outboard to Baja. These fit into one suitcase for the boat and one for the floor board inserts
totalling under 90 lbs. With the Merc 9.9 it will fly.
A 12' Zodiak is a bit heavier but will go anywhere fast with a 25hp outboard.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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nuff said...all pavement for me and no side trips......just head to mulege on HW 1.
thx for the offer Skeet but that's out of my league. I have other offers that will amount to gas expended and some airplane time.
and, i may still do it myself but from Sonora with some play time in Guaymas/San Carlos.
side note - anyone know about enclosed boat/RV storage in the Rancho Palos Verdes areas or there abouts??
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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I towed a 19 foot aluminum boat
probably weighed about 1200 lbs including the trailer. Took it to Alfonsinas.
I'll never do it again. I believe it took about 5 hours, not including stops to bailing wire the side bunks, fenders, etc. into place after losing
bolt after bolt.
The only way I'd do it is if I had a place out there and was leaving it.
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Steve in Oro Valley
Nomad
Posts: 105
Registered: 11-14-2002
Location: Near Tucson
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Mike:
The incredible punishment that suspensions undergo on that road (San Felipe to Gonzaga) make you realize that modern technology has not progressed
much when it comes to driving washboard roads.
The boat on top of a Callen Camper makes some sense. You still have to take it very slowly. The beating that the suspension endures can be very
fierce... and transfer to other parts of the vehicle...
exhaust headers, hydraulic lines, nuts and bolts everywhere!!!
Steve in Oro Valley
[Edited on 8-11-2005 by Steve in Oro Valley]
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Steve in Oro Vallery------additional info-----
When you let the air down to about 15 lbs. on the 285 tires (reads pretty big tires--on 8" wide rims) you can move on down the Puertecitos to Gonzaga
road at a pretty good clip (35 mph?) even with the alum. boat on top, and not have any problems. The low pressure in the tires soak up most of the
washboard. I also have gas shocks (Bilstein front, and KYG back), and add-a-leafs in the springs fore and aft. (1994 Ford F-250 ext. cab 4x4) The
truck rides like a dream, even on the washboard. It pays to slide underneath the truck and check all the nuts and bolts after each trip----and some
are always loose. This goes for the screws in the Callen Camper, also. I have put loc-tite on all the panel screws inside the camper and that seems
to work. The vibration is the worse enemy of all nuts and bolts, as you have said. I also have replaced many regular nuts (that I can get to) with
self-locking nuts---that also helps. It still pays to check after each trip.
I have a "Quick-Air" compressor to blow the tires up when I get back to the pavement. I love that compressor.
I went thru several sets of "helper springs" (bolt on under the spring-pack) until I finally wised up and put in "add-a-leafs" in each spring pack and
have had no further problems. The "helper springs" just crystalize and fall off. The add-a-leafs become an intregal part of the spring pack.
All this info even tho Capt. Mike has backed out of his proposed trip. Those "fly boys" sure like their comfort. He is going to miss a wonderful part
of Baja-----the challenge of keeping his vehicle together in one piece 
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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ha! hell, Barry - its all i can do to keep my "bird" in one piece!!
man, i am a sucker for toys but have to hold the line someplace!
next time you or anyone else is headed to gonzaga after sept ends....let me know and i'll buzz over for the weekend and split some boat gas with ya.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Capt. Mike-----
I will sure keep that in mind----that would be fun. Nothing in my plans for now, but when they take shape I will remember your idea and let you know.
I used to be a commercial pilot out of Jim's Air in San Diego, and also for the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras Natl. Seashore, but I have not
flown for years. We could probably keep a campfire going for several nights of "all-nighters" on the beach at Gonzaga.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Barry A.
"I have a "Quick-Air" compressor to blow the tires up when I get back to the pavement. I love that compressor."
Can you tell me more about this compressor? 12v? 120 ac? Can it handle Large tires( 17"- 20")?
Thanks
Al
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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in 1990 or so we chartered a C 402 from Jim's Air to take 5 of us to a project presentation up at LA area, i recall we went to burbank. pilot was
about mid to late 50s, longish grey hair and short beard. I was just finishing my instrument and he let me fly right seat, it was morning IFR both
ends.....pure fun! did you know him?
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Al G and Capt. Mike-----
Al G------the Quick-Air compressor is 12V, and can easily pump up big tires in just a few min. each-----vastly better than all the el cheapo air
compressors that we usually see. This one is not cheap, ($200 to $300) but it is worth every penny. You can take a look at one at any of the larger
"Off road" shops around San Diego or LA----they are pretty compact----the one I have is all self-contained in a small metal box.
Mike-----I was flying for Jim's Air, (and also working there on the flight line) in the mid-60's when it was on the other side of Lindberg Field. I
was taught to fly there by "Dutch" Schultz, a retired airline pilot that worked as a part-time instructor, and long haul pilot for Jim. Dutch flew
many a "wrecked" airplane out of Baja up to Jim's to be rebuilt and added to the fleet of aircraft the Jim owned. By the way, I believe that Jim of
Jim's Air is the one that built the "Villi Vitta" motel at BOLA, and was a very good friend of the Diaz's there at BOLA. That all happened after I
was long gone from Jim's Air. I lost contact with the gang there at Jim's Air and do not know any of their personel except Jim's sons who I guess run
the place now. Jim was a great guy to work for, and he did a lot of favors for me back then. He was from Peru and a very hard working guy, and got me
started in flying. I got my private, commercial, instrument and multi-engine license with Jim's Air. Later I got my amphibian (commercial land and
sea) license, and flew a Lake Buccaneer for the National Park Service-----that was a real "kick". I loved that airplane----it is a "rock". (pull the
throttle and it drops like one, too)
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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great stuff Barry
thx for posting. bet you have some stories......hope to hear some or heck, write up here.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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synch
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 9-14-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: wandering...
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaloco
Just remember that roads which seem bad in a truck with suspension, is really tough on anything you tow without shocks.
The washboard from Hwy.1 to Gonzaga is much worse than out to Chivato.
I installed back-up nuts or lock nuts on everything possible on my trailers, tie everything down you want to keep, and don't forget the spare tire or
two.
Seems like a hassle to some people, but it's kinda like insurance...you hate to buy it , but boy when you need it......
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Spare tire AND SPARE WHEEL BEARINGS for the trailer.
Perhaps not trailer'ing and just renting one when you get there looks a bit better now?
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