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sbsyncro
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Road to PSFO from Bahia de Los Angeles
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
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larryC
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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
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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sbsyncro
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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.
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woody with a view
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i remember something about large washes needing to be traversed. don't quote me tho.
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AKgringo
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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]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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sbsyncro
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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.
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Barry A.
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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
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Pacifico
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Brent, check your U2U....
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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BajaRat
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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
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marv sherrill
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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
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Barry A.
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| 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
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BajaRat
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Cool Barry, I can picture that, thanks 
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Hook
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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.
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Hook
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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.
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Bajaboy
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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.
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Skipjack Joe
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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.
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4baja
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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.
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Hook
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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.
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woody with a view
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| 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.
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sbsyncro
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| 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.
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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. 
[Edited on 2-1-2015 by sbsyncro]
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