Auto vs. Manual

[Paradox]

Where do you run that bad boy? I'm doubting nearby Castaic.

That is correct.. It’s been over 20 years since we’ve boated on Castaic. Last time I was there, I got a speeding ticket for doing 75 in a 35. It was on a weekday and there was almost no one on it. The Lake Patrol was pretty angressive about it (boarded the boat, searched for alcohol, checked all the safety equipment, etc.) so I haven’t been back since.

We have a place in Lake Havasu. Perfect lake for go fast boats. The water is never low as they pump water out of it which I believe heads towards California.

It’s a relatively new to us boat (bought it 15 months ago) so I’m still working on seat time. That said, we actually hit 105 MPH last Monday (8/4) and it was still pulling fairly hard. Hoping to see 115 plus this year. Not really considered extremely fast out there but, fast enough for us.

Applogies if it’s felt I’m jacking this tread. I mostly belong to boat forums but now that we have a couple of Cadillacs, it’s interesting to hear other owner’s perspectives on them.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

Manual because I want to feel like I’m actually driving the car, not like the car drives itself while I just steer. Having driven automatic for such a long time prior to buying this Caddy, doing so is just boring to me. I haven’t had this much fun driving since I was in my 20s and was driving a manual twin turbo merc capri. This is obviously waaaaaay more fun.

 

[CBH]

I hope y'all indulge the hi-jacking a tiny bit longer..........

I love all things fast & loud. Boats are somewhat unique in that your budget is usually the only limiting factor to how fast you can go.

Are you kidding though !?!?!? Speeding tickets on the water ?!?!?

I presume no such silliness on Havasu ?

Triple digits on the water is phenomenal. It seems so much faster than on land. That must be incredible !!

I'd love one of those for sure. But I'd need a much bigger leisure budget to keep it fueled

Looks fun ....

 

[rubberduck]

I enjoy watching fast boats race. There is a right time and place for them. On a fishing lake is neither. They are obnoxiously loud and disturb people and wildlife. Keep it in CA on the ocean. I have camped several times at Castaic Lake, hard to imagine them allowing something like that out there. Harder to imagine anyone thinking it’s a good idea to do so.

Other than that, nice boat.

 

[Paradox]

I hope y'all indulge the hi-jacking a tiny bit longer..........

I love all things fast & loud. Boats are somewhat unique in that your budget is usually the only limiting factor to how fast you can go.

Are you kidding though !?!?!? Speeding tickets on the water ?!?!?

I presume no such silliness on Havasu ?

Triple digits on the water is phenomenal. It seems so much faster than on land. That must be incredible !!

I'd love one of those for sure. But I'd need a much bigger leisure budget to keep it fueled

Looks fun ....

Unfortunately most of the lakes in California have speed limits. Not so on Havasu and (as far as I know), Lake Mead, Mohave and Powell. That said, I was once issued a noise citation at the Las Vages Marine on Lake Mead.

No kidding about the budget though. This is our 8th boat over 30 years, each one being a bit nicer (and faster) as we moved up. It’s taken a while for sure.

The old adage, “speed cost money, how fast do you want to go?” Is as true as it’s ever been.

 

[Paradox]

I enjoy watching fast boats race. There is a right time and place for them. On a fishing lake is neither. They are obnoxiously loud and disturb people and wildlife. Keep it in CA on the ocean. I have camped several times at Castaic Lake, hard to imagine them allowing something like that out there.

Other than that, nice boat.

The amount of work required to clean up a boat and trailer after being in the salt water is staggering. Literally takes me 6 plus hours of cleaning after a day in the ocean. Even the props have to come off otherwise the shafts corrode. Most everything (including the motor/drives internals (as it’s running off of a hose) and 100% of the trailer) is rinsed in a salt desolving solution. All of the stainless steel rigging as well, and then a lot of polishing is involved.

We use to go to Catalina all the time. I no longer do because of this and my age. Just thinking about it makes my back hurt. We keep the boat in Havasu.

 

[rubberduck]

The amount of work required to clean up a boat and trailer after being in the salt water is staggering. Literally takes me 6 plus hours of cleaning after a day in the ocean. Even the props have to come off otherwise the shafts corrode. Most everything (including the motor/drives internals (as it’s running off of a hose) and 100% of the trailer) is rinsed in a salt desolving solution. All of the stainless steel rigging as well, and then a lot of polishing is involved.

I know, boats aren’t cheap. The bigger and more powerful they are, the maintenance cost increases exponentially. But I’m sure you’re more aware of that than most people. I would just pay someone to clean it if I had the kind of money to buy and maintain a boat like that.

There’s a very good reason there are speed and noise limits on lakes. They are mult-purpose recreational areas and they don’t want the minority ruining it for the majority.

 

[Paradox]

I know, boats aren’t cheap. The bigger and more powerful they are, the maintenance cost increases exponentially. But I’m sure you’re more aware of that than most people. I would just pay someone to clean it if I had the kind of money to buy and maintain a boat like that.

There’s a very good reason there are speed and noise limits on lakes. They are mult-purpose recreational areas and they don’t want the minority ruining it for the majority.

The cost to pay someone to clean it properly after ocean usage would grate on me when I could do it myself for free. I work for a paycheck (we’re not wealthy) so the dollars are better spent elsewhere.

No disagreement from me on the California lakes. Almost all of them are too small regardless. With respect to Havasu, the majority of users are boaters but yea, there is a minority that do some fishing and it’s usually up river in the no wake areas. It’s peaceful co-existence..