Another Example of the LH Marina's Complete Ineptitude!

[Essex502]

After having launched many times at the LH Marina with our boat - which has its exhaust exitting below the waterline the Marina decided I needed to be tested. Okay, no problem as I have tested the boat myself against the CA law and it "blew" 84 dB(A) at 39 INCHES so 10' feet or 3 big steps shouldn't be difficult to pass. Well...the staff member doing the testing had me pull into lane number 1 (next to the courtesy dock and wall). I kept the boat as far away from the wall as possible and made sure that my exhaust was under water as the back of the boat lifted from the trailer and was floating. I fired the motor up - stock Mercruiser 502 with through transom exhaust and no mufflers - and prepared for the test. I also asked the staff member: "You want to use my meter or yours" since I had my noise meter out at that point. He looked at me like I was from planet Mars. Next he said lower the throttle to idle - duhhhh...it was at idle. I said let's let it idle and warm up. My meter at this time from inside the boat was reading about 77 dB(A). The staff member said okay is reading 87 dB(A). I replied: "What scale do you have it on?" He said "C scale as that reads lower." I said: "Isn't the law 'A' scale?" He said: "Yeah, I can switch it for you if you want" like he was doing me a favor and expecting the reading to be higher...Next I asked if he had it on slow or fast response. Staff member: "Oh, it's at fast response" Again I reminded him to put it to slow response. Then, as people were walking next to him and talking on the courtesy dock he said the boat idle had come down and the reading was now 78. Hmmmmm....I didn't touch the idle and the tach was reading the same.... He said I was good to go and he'd record the reading for the future.
Point of the story...
1) At no time did the employee of the Marina measure any set distance from the boat.
2) At no time did he check to see that my boat's stern was angle slightly away from the dock/wall.
3) The guy didn't know the proper way to conduct the test as he had both the proper scale and response set incorrectly.
4) He assumed the lower reading was due to idle "coming down" when in fact by my Gaffrig gauges the idle hadn't changed.
5) The "tester" didn't wait until walking and talking on the courtesy dock subsided before testing. This is almost IMPOSSIBLE during the summer months as foot traffic is heavy. There is a "joint" between the dock and the slight ramp that clunks every time someone walks over it - tweaking the noise level and fast response will pick that up.
The staff member tested me shortly after the Marina had the local PD come and escort or arrest another boater they had rejected. I wonder how accurately they tested him prior to getting the LE involved. I know the person I had that tested me was incompetent. I also had several witnesses who saw my test.
Just another example of the level B.S. that the Marina is pulling. Their activities are contrary to the contract they signed that covers their operation on public land.

[Jordy]

I thought we were boycotting the marina???

[dicudmore]

I thought we were boycotting the marina???
I launched at the marina friday and saturday, you know, had to see what kind of grief they could give me :wink:

[Garrddogg]

I launched at the marina friday and saturday, you know, had to see what kind of grief they could give me :wink:
TRAITOR!
I did buy a little gas there a wile back

[Sandbar Mike]

I thought you guys weren't launching at the marina anymore? (Damn) I was hoping for smaller launch lines. :D ;)
The only way to handle these Marina peeps is to treat them with a little respect and they'll give it back. :idea:

[phebus]

The only way to handle these Marina peeps is to treat them with a little respect and they'll give it back. :idea:
Yea, I've discovered through life, that a knee jerk reaction on my part, usually leads to me getting kicked in the nuts. Hmmmm, go figure. :confused:

[Essex502]

We boycott doing any business at the Marina except launching. No gas, no shopping at the store and no slip rental. The launch facilities in Lake Havasu City are delicately balanced and the Marina being closed to "Hot Boaters" because of the wishes of one person will cause undue crowding at the other launch facilities. Besides, the Marina being the only "sheltered" ramp in LHC it makes launching and retrieving difficult in inclement weather at other facilities. Look at the sunken boats last year at Windsor when the storm came up - was it 14 or 17 that went down?
The LH Marina is a concessionaire by contract operating of Arizona pland and all boaters have the right to launch there without restriction by the letter of the contract. The Marina has been repeatedly informed of this by the Arizona Department of Land in several letters which we have copies thereof. The management at the Marina cannot legally deny ANY boater to launch. Yet they continue to flaunt the contract and do so.

[phebus]

I agree, the Marina has the best and safest launch facilities in Havasu in my opinion, and I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face by not launching there, since I do meet their launch criteria.
Also, I think a lot of people are being proactive by installing muffling devices, and their test to see if they have met the goals, is to go launch at the Marina.

[LAVEYSABRE575]

i went to the marina wed. to be tested after arron and robert from absolute marine installed my north star mufflers, the old man working the guard shack was very polite to me i told him i blew 97 before the mufflers were on there he said it was alright to get re-tested i blew at 80 very quiet at idle, the guard did tell me if i didnt pass to go see steve at savage and tell him the marina sent him , sounds like incahoots...derek

[Screw LH Marina]

Also, I think a lot of people are being proactive by installing muffling devices, and their test to see if they have met the goals, is to go launch at the Marina.
Exactly! People are being proactive, yet the Marina, are still denying boats that meet the law the ability to launch! That is wrong!

[Sane Asylum]

Exactly! People are being proactive, yet the Marina, are still denying boats that meet the law the ability to launch! That is wrong!
What exactly do you mean by your screen name????

[riverracerx]

I passed. No mufflers! ;)
I did notice that Windsor was full this weekend with the sign out front. The Marina had about 20-30 truck/trailers in the parking lot (maybe).

[Essex502]

Passed at the Marina? Aren't you also a slip holder?

[riverracerx]

Yes, but that didn't help me. I got hassled at first but then got her passed.
It is true that a cold motor (at the same RPM) will be louder. I sat there for 10 minutes and when the boat warmed up at idle it went from 90db to 84.1
As you know it hops up and down on the meter, but 84.1 was the low end it hit. So I passed and am on the "list" now.
Funny (as you stated) if you pull a reading standing next to the boat, it blows a 67db.
they tested me with the meter level with the exhaust (down at foot level on the dock) at about 8-10 feet off the transom.

[Screw LH Marina]

What exactly do you mean by your screen name????
Isn't it fairly easy to figure it out? What the marina is doing is wrong and should be stopped! If a boat is legal per the law, why should it be demied launching?

[dicudmore]

Isn't it fairly easy to figure it out? What the marina is doing is wrong and should be stopped! If a boat is legal per the law, why should it be demied launching?
so do we know you by another name also?

[Havasu Cig]

I thought you guys weren't launching at the marina anymore? (Damn) I was hoping for smaller launch lines. :D ;)
The only way to handle these Marina peeps is to treat them with a little respect and they'll give it back. :idea:
Not the case with Jeff. My wife and I both tried to have civil conversations with him and it was pointless. He had already judged us by the look of our boat. He was using profanity and yelling at both of us. The place is a F@##ing joke.
Both boats I have now will not have any issues with noise, but I will still not launch there.
BTW, If I can put a 38' offshore boat with high freeboard (the wind pushes you like a sailboat) in nasty conditions on the the trailer at Windsor, most others should not have a problem either. The only exception I can see is a boat with very low freeboard and nasty conditions.

[rivercrazy]

Why would a cold motor be quieter than a warmed up motor? Isn't the same amount of water flowing out of the exhaust regardless?

[Havasu Hangin']

I agree w/HavasuCat...I was very polite, and they told me (and my family) never to come back there (even though I had never even gotten to the guard shack, let alone on the ramp).
I think the Governor needs to know about these idiots...

[Essex502]

Yes, but that didn't help me. I got hassled at first but then got her passed.
It is true that a cold motor (at the same RPM) will be louder. I sat there for 10 minutes and when the boat warmed up at idle it went from 90db to 84.1
As you know it hops up and down on the meter, but 84.1 was the low end it hit. So I passed and am on the "list" now.
Funny (as you stated) if you pull a reading standing next to the boat, it blows a 67db.
they tested me with the meter level with the exhaust (down at foot level on the dock) at about 8-10 feet off the transom.
If my memory serves me right you have a 502 in that boat, right?
Every 496 I have tested in Nordics "blew" higher than 90 dB(A) before adding mufflers at the distance the Marina is testing. I haven't specifically tested a 502 in a Nordic but the 84.1 seems very low. Did you add mufflers? The up and down cycling is probably due to the Marina staff not having the meter set to slow response like it should be. Fast response bounces all over the place. Also, when I was tested they originally told me I was at 87 when in fact the meter was set to the WRONG scale and WRONG response. When corrected I was at 78 dB(A). How many other peeps did they reject when in fact they would have passed their BS test. All testing at the Marina are to a higher standard (quieter) than the LAW requires.

[Quality Time]

We boycott doing any business at the Marina except launching. No gas, no shopping at the store and no slip rental.
WTF?

[riverracerx]

Yes, it is the 502. w/ no mufflers.
And the up and down on the meter was probably from the old guys hand shaking so much.
But he was even holding the meter down near water level. At the most 10' feet from the transom.

[phebus]

the guard did tell me if i didnt pass to go see steve at savage and tell him the marina sent him , sounds like incahoots...derek
No incahoots. Tony (the real nice, very tan guy's) daughter is Kelly, the wife of Steve at Savage. Helping you with great service (Savage) and the family at the same time.
People may fault the management at the Marina, but for the most part, they have some very nice and fantastic employee's.
I was saddened to hear that Mike (former LA CO Sheriff) that worked at the Marina, and was always very nice to us, died early this year from cancer.
I personally don't agree with the policies at the Marina, but do like the facilities, and employee's.
Just because I don't agree the price of fuel, and the way the oil companies gouge us, I'm not going to boycott the gas stations, and stop driving.

[Havasu_Dreamin]

Tony (the real nice, very tan guy's)
He's a great guy!

[Kilrtoy]

Why Do People Still Support This Clown....

[phebus]

I don't go to the Marina to support anyone. I launch at the Marina because I feel it is the safest most convenient place to launch for my family and myself.

[Havasu Hangin']

I don't go to the Marina to support anyone. I launch at the Marina because I feel it is the safest most convenient place to launch for my family and myself.
What about those of us who can't? :idea:
That's it! We're boycotting you! No more free advice...you're cut off!
:D

[phebus]

I don't go to the Marina to support anyone. I go to the Marina because I feel it is the safest most convenient place to launch for my family and myself.

[Havasu Hangin']

I don't go to the Marina to support anyone. I go to the Marina because I feel it is the safest most convenient place to launch for my family and myself.
What about those of us who can't? :idea:
That's it! We're boycotting you! No more free advice...you're cut off!!
:D

[Kilrtoy]

I launch at the Marina because I feel it is the safest most convenient place to launch for my family and myself.
Ok explain this, I dont understand what you mean

[phebus]

Ok explain this, I dont understand what you meanIn my opinion the Marina is the most wind protected launch area. Being that my wife is most comfortable taking the boat off the trailer, and reloading it on the trailer while I handle the backing and parking of the vehicle/trailer it makes it easier on us. Also the courtesy slips at Windsor are much tougher for her to safely get the boat into , vs. the large open dock area at the Marina, makes the Marina a plus for us, and finally from our experiences launching at both, because of the aformentioned reasons, there seems to be a lot less yahoos with pontoon boats and the such with their boats sideways and all a kilter at the Marina. We have had some bad experiences at Windsor through the years with launch ramp escapades.
And, one more plus is, we like to stay on the water pretty late at times, and it's nice not having to leave the channel/Thomson bay area to get back to the launch ramp.

[Jrocket]

Has anybody ever had the people from the marina actually ask to see the mufflers?Or do they just do the sounds test and thats it?

[LHC30Victory]

Hey T&B, we saw you pull in to Copper on Friday. We were anchored just outside, tried to yell at ya but you musta been looking at the scenery :D

[Havasu Hangin']

In my opinion the Marina is the most wind protected launch area. Being that my wife is most comfortable taking the boat off the trailer, and reloading it on the trailer while I handle the backing and parking of the vehicle/trailer it makes it easier on us. Also the courtesy slips at Windsor are much tougher for her to safely get the boat into , vs. the large open dock area at the Marina, makes the Marina a plus for us, and finally from our experiences launching at both, because of the aformentioned reasons, there seems to be a lot less yahoos with pontoon boats and the such with their boats sideways and all a kilter at the Marina. We have had some bad experiences at Windsor through the years with launch ramp escapades.
And, one more plus is, we like to stay on the water pretty late at times, and it's nice not having to leave the channel/Thomson bay area to get back to the launch ramp.
OK, Sally...let's see you put my boat on the trailer at night at Windsor (been there, done that). Ever put a 10,000lb. boat on the trailer in the wind at night? To add fuel to the fire...Mrs. HH can't back the truck (we can't make the turn anyway) or drive the boat, but we seem to manage.
If you want a protected launch ramp, then go to Crazyhorse across the street. Can you handle that idle?
NEXT EXCUSE?
No audio advice for you...1 year!
:D

[Jrocket]

Do you have to camp at crazy horse to launch or just pay the fee?
Is site 6 that tight to launch?

[LHC30Victory]

friday was not a good day for me :D i think i was going to die "mother of all hangovers" :D
I need to hook you up with my 19yr old son who experienced what 4 shots of 151 will do to ya :p :p :yuk:

[Havasu Hangin']

Do you have to camp at crazy horse to launch or just pay the fee?
I think the day fee was like $10 when I went there last. :sleeping:
I support the D-Row guys...they need the money more than the jackasses at the Marina!
:D

[phebus]

The reality of the matter is that if people didn't think the Marina was the better of all the Havasu launch sites, they wouldn't be complaining about not being able to launch there. Heck, if Windsor was the better launch ramp, who would care if all you could launch at the Marina was Bayliners.
I do feel for the people that choose to launch at the Marina aren't allowed to due to their exclusionary policies, but I really don't think a boycott is having a negative effect on them, and that they are just as happy to not deal with those people anyway.
There has to be a better way to get compliance other then a boycott, and hopefully better minds then mine will find the answer, but even though it might be an unpopular decision on my part, I will continue to do what I feel is in the safety and best interests of my family.
To those I upset, I apologize.

[Havasu Hangin']

The reality of the matter is that if people didn't think the Marina was the better of all the Havasu launch sites, they wouldn't be complaining about not being able to launch there.
Everyone agrees that the Marina is the best ramp with the best parking. Heck...I can't make the turn at any other ramp.
Although I am just kidding with you (mostly), if you truely feel that the Marina is safer, what about those of us that are forced to take their families somewhere that is dangerous? If my boat gets caught in a wind, it would probably take 30 guys to hold it (ain't gonna happen).
Go to Crazyhorse. The ramp is a little steeper, and the parking isn't as nice, but it is sheltered (so safety is not a factor), and you won't be supporting the devil that leases the Marina.

[Jrocket]

For the few times that I'll be on Havasu,I'll use the Springs or Crazy Horse.
Does anybody know of the water level is up or down right now?I heard its way down and some ramps arent doing to good?

[phebus]

Everyone agrees that the Marina is the best ramp with the best parking. Heck...I can't make the turn at any other ramp.
Although I am just kidding with you (mostly), if you truely feel that the Marina is safer, what about those of us that are forced to take their families somewhere that is dangerous? If my boat gets caught in a wind, it would probably take 30 guys to hold it (ain't gonna happen).
Go to Crazyhorse. The ramp is a little steeper, and the parking isn't as nice, but it is sheltered (so safety is not a factor), and you won't be supporting the devil that leases the Marina.
Your going to have to excuse my ignorance on this one, but I thought the ramp at Crazyhorse was a private ramp for the occupants of Crazyhorse only.
Now that I know the ramp at Crazyhorse is an option, I will definately try it out. I have never launched there. My launching has been limited to the Marina, Site Six, Windsor, Cattail, and the Nautical.
Thanks
Oh, and I did hear that the D row boys were worse then any wind! :D

[Havasu Hangin']

For the few times that I'll be on Havasu,I'll use the Springs or Crazy Horse.
Does anybody know of the water level is up or down right now?I heard its way down and some ramps arent doing to good?
http://www.coloradoriverinfo.com/waterflowreports/2005/0321.html
MY GOD! IT'S DROPPED ALMOST 1/2"!!!!! Alert the media... :notam:
Actually, it looks like Havasu is not only full, but they are finally letting water downriver due to the demand picking up.
:D
PS- The chant starts out of the crowd..."boycott phebus...boycott phebus...boycott phebus...boycott phebus..."

[Havasu Cig]

I feel for you HH, I don't think people realize what kind of havoc the wind can create for a big, high freeboard boat. It starts blowing you sideways and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
BTW: I will be taking the pontoon on it's maiden voyage this Sunday from Windsor so everybody on the ramp better stay out of my way. :eek: :D

[Havasu Hangin']

Your going to have to excuse my ignorance on this one, but I thought the ramp at Crazyhorse was a private ramp for the occupants of Crazyhorse only.
Two words..."day pass" ($10 or so)
:cool:
PS- keep it quiet...we don't want alot of people there... :messedup:

[Jrocket]

MY GOD! IT'S DROPPED ALMOST 1/2"!!!!! Alert the media... :notam:
Done!

[phebus]

PS- The chant starts out of the crowd..."boycott phebus...boycott phebus...boycott phebus...boycott phebus..."
O.K. I crack. I am now a Crazyhorse boater.

[Havasu Hangin']

O.K. I crack. I am now a Crazyhorse boater.
Even if you aren't...make sure to tell everyone you are. :hammerhea
:D
PS- Don't share these PM's with anyone else...parking there sucks if it gets crowded. :supp: I just tell them that I am a tow vehicle of Rocky's...
...and then I park in his spot. ;)

[locogringo]

Hav Cig,
I agree. If you can launch and retrieve at Windsor during inclement weather, anyone can.
Last year, I forget exactly when, but when all those boats sunk at Windsor, most of them probably did because of lack of experience or low freeboard. I was there in our 29 ft. Deep V and if you know how to handle the waves (literally on that day), and can read the wind and its attitude on your boat, you can trailer your boat. I actually got applauses from the people watching all the mayhem when I put her on the trailer on the first try.
If I can do it, so can most other boaters.
DAniel

[Essex502]

Boycotting the Marina has absolutely no effect on them as most of their money comes from the 700+ slip rentals not from launch fees.
The issue is more of a moral one...the public is the owner of the land the Marina is situated on. We pay taxes to the state and are entitled to use a public facility on public land. Furthermore, the delicate balance of launch facilities to boaters can't tolerate the loss of 7 ramps and a whole lot of parking. Come summertime, the lines all of the ramps will be packed and those not launching at the Marina will endure closed ramps and long waits.
The ambivalence towards the Marina's actions allows them to continue. Oh well...it's everyone's loss.