Havasu vs Bullhead??

[SSC]

I am considering a vacation home in one of the above places. I will be getting back into boating as well. What pros and cons are there to the above towns with respect to the boating and life style?
Also interested in thoughts on Jet vs prop.
Thanks for all information,
Regards, SSC

[Mrs.Racer277]

F Havasu :)
Go to bed Tom. :devil: :D

[DryHeatOnly]

F Havasu :)
U crack me up sometimes :rollside:

[DryHeatOnly]

I heard they have killer scorpions in Bullhead :eek:

[Mrs.Racer277]

I heard they have killer scorpions in Bullhead :eek:
HEHEHEHEHE
I heard Lobster size.
:2purples: :2purples:

[Boatcop]

F Havasu :)
Shouldn't you be out tormenting some arachnids or something?

[Mrs.Racer277]

We prefer Havi.
Building there right now.
I like the ramps better there.
I would only take a jet boat down the river. Some of the places the water is very low.
Just my .02

[6 Dollar Boat]

I would pick the one that isn't full of blue haired retirees and meth freaks... :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[roostwear]

I'd pick the one where the yachts can't go, and there's no threat of Chromium 6 turning it into a ghost town.

[Sane Asylum]

I'd pick the one where the yachts can't go, and there's no threat of Chromium 6 turning it into a ghost town.
You guys aren't helping at all............Lemme try
I'd pick the one where you can actually launch your boat at a Marina that's glad to have you there and where there's a city council that actually "APPRECIATES" the boaters that have come to spend money in their city....

[SSC]

Thanks all for the responses, though some of the info is a bit foggy. ;)
If it helps, the wife likes to gamble. I have been told that Bullhead is a good compromise because one can get to Mead or Mohave or Cottonwood or Havasu in short order. But it sounds like I would rather be on a lake. I am thinking of buying a 26ft warlock. Any thoughts?
Regards, SSC

[voodoomedman]

Thanks all for the responses, though some of the info is a bit foggy. ;)
If it helps, the wife likes to gamble. I have been told that Bullhead is a good compromise because one can get to Mead or Mohave or Cottonwood or Havasu in short order. But it sounds like I would rather be on a lake. I am thinking of buying a 26ft warlock. Any thoughts?
Regards, SSC
Both have great things about them. Mohave is right there just north of the casino's. If you want a view of the water you can probably get it for a lot cheaper in Havasu since the town is next to the lake. Bullhead is next to the river and the lake is just north of it. I personally like Havasu and that's why I got my house there. I think as far as investment goes then Havasu is better. If you like to go year round I also like Havasu. I personally like the looks and feel of the town better. Bullhead reminds me more of podunk nowhereville than Havasu does. Casino's will only get you in trouble being that close but in Havasu your only and hour to Laughlin if need be a short ferry ride across the lake to the Indian one or about a half hour to BlueWater in Parker. As far as boating then you can probably get away from the crowds better on Mojave but you can only Launch at Katherine's really and it is a zoo after 7:30 on summer weekends. Or you can trek dirt roads or launch in the dirt. In Havasu yes the partiers end up there more than anywhere else but Keep away from the launch ramps on the island and away from windsor when too busy and stay away from Sanbar, Copper, Channel and Steamboat and you will be fine. When it's crazy I launch elsewhere and stay down at the south end of the lake and the people that are there are other families on boats looking to have fun with there family and not get into a drunken stupor and get naked and drive the boat and endanger people. Mohave does seem to have better coves and more with sandy beaches though. I prefer Havasu but I don't think you could go wrong either way.

[SSC]

Voodoo,
Thanks so much for the response. It was very helpful. Seems there are many people from this area who have places out there. I am from Riverside. We are going out this weekend to look in both BHC and LHC.
Thanks again to everyone and any info is appreciated,
Regards, SSC

[Kachina26]

Good response VooDoo, I like Mohave the couple of times that I ventured up that way. But launching at Katherine's just blows! Who wants to drive all the way to cottonwood everytime you go boating?

[Paul65k]

Let me see if I can help. I have had a place in Havasu for about 20 years and have seen a lot of changes. I also have a good friend with a house about 1 mile above Katherines on Lake Mojave in Bullhead, so I have had a chance so spend some serious time at both.
I certainly agree with everything written about both places, especially with regard to launching and retrieving your boat. Bullhead is certainly more "Gomerville" than Havasu.......but Havasu has it's issues as well. Havasu certainly has more "Hot Boats".......at least 3 times as many as Mojave.....it's definately the place to see and be seen with a cool boat. Mojave is much larger....much, much larger and is way bigger a body of water.....which can be good and bad! I have seen that place look like the Pacific ocean when the wind comes up......10' breakers. The good news is that is is so much bigger that it is easy to find places all by yourself......depends on what you are looking for.
As far as launching your boat one thing to consider is getting a dock at Katherines landing, they will allow you to install one of those systems that will lift the boat out of the water when you are not using it....my friend had one of those for his 26" Sleekcraft and it was great. That way you don't have to wait in that long launch line and your boat stays nice.....just a thought. There is also a marina at Havasu but they have a waiting list and will NOT let you install a boat lift.
Havasu is definately the "more happening" place and Mojave is way more laid back.....depends on what you like and where you are in your life.
Good luck, you won't be disappointed with either place from a boating perspective just need to figure which lifestyle you are looking for.
Cheers!

[voodoomedman]

No prob. Have fun house hunting. Once it's all done and you have a place to get away from it all you will be a much less stressed person. Well maybe except for when the mortgage comes. :jawdrop:

[dannyo]

My take. I have done a lot of boating in both places and I go to each one for different reasons. Mohave is awesome to kind of get away from the crowds as long as you stay away from KL. Havasu is more of a party place but there are areas that are mild. I bought a home in Havasu for investment value, lake view, and more of a hip and up and coming city. Reminds me of palm springs with the lake. Bullhead has a lot cheaper homes if price is an issue. It depends on what you want. Don't think you can go wrong either way. Good luck

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

As far as launching your boat one thing to consider is getting a dock at Katherines landing, they will allow you to install one of those systems that will lift the boat out of the water when you are not using it....my friend had one of those for his 26" Sleekcraft and it was great. That way you don't have to wait in that long launch line and your boat stays nice.....just a thought. There is also a marina at Havasu but they have a waiting list and will NOT let you install a boat lift.
Very good post. I just want to add that there is a 5-10 year wait for boat slips that size. And if you don't have a slip, unless you go mid-week or off season, the launch ramp sux. If you have a slip, it is the only place to be, IMO. Awesome ramp, awesome employees, huge lake and the crowds aren't really bad except for holiday weekends. Part of the reason for the lack of big crowds is the lack of launch ramps. It's a pain in the a$$ for most people, so they don't go.

[voodoomedman]

Very good post. I just want to add that there is a 5-10 year wait for boat slips that size. And if you don't have a slip, unless you go mid-week or off season, the launch ramp sux. If you have a slip, it is the only place to be, IMO. Awesome ramp, awesome employees, huge lake and the crowds aren't really bad except for holiday weekends. Part of the reason for the lack of big crowds is the lack of launch ramps. It's a pain in the a$$ for most people, so they don't go.
Just launch before 7:30 and retrieve by 2:15 on busy weekends and you will be fine.

[Big Warlock]

Everything the others have said is true. However, the biggest concern I have is the political climate in Havasu. No one really knows what is going to happen next? They keep clamping down on what they do to boaters. At this point, I would have to say that Mohave is boater friendly. I also think there are some good bargains in Bullhead and not so many in Havasu. The single biggest development is Arizona is being built in BUllhead. Regardless, that is going to increase property values and attract more commercial stuff. Havasu is, for the most part, out of room. Thus the prices. But people are paying Paradise Valley and Scottsdale prices to have a home in Havasu??? I understand that it seems like a bargain for many who live in Ca. But realisticaly, I don't see them holding. Again, just my opinion. You are going to get much more for your money in Bullhead.
Havasu is only a short trailer away. Or you can boat it once you know the river well enough.
And the Warlock? Good choice. The 27 open bow is a nice boat. We ran my 29 and a friend's 27 in the ocean and it takes the big water better than most. But everyone knows my opinion on boats.
Good luck!!
Rob

[voodoomedman]

Everything the others have said is true. However, the biggest concern I have is the political climate in Havasu. No one really knows what is going to happen next? They keep clamping down on what they do to boaters. At this point, I would have to say that Mohave is boater friendly. I also think there are some good bargains in Bullhead and not so many in Havasu. The single biggest development is Arizona is being built in BUllhead. Regardless, that is going to increase property values and attract more commercial stuff. Havasu is, for the most part, out of room. Thus the prices. But people are paying Paradise Valley and Scottsdale prices to have a home in Havasu??? I understand that it seems like a bargain for many who live in Ca. But realisticaly, I don't see them holding. Again, just my opinion. You are going to get much more for your money in Bullhead.
Havasu is only a short trailer away. Or you can boat it once you know the river well enough.
And the Warlock? Good choice. The 27 open bow is a nice boat. We ran my 29 and a friend's 27 in the ocean and it takes the big water better than most. But everyone knows my opinion on boats.
Good luck!!
Rob
As far as the politics Havasu city only controls the Channel. All I'm saying is don't get caught up in everybody's gripes because they want to run around drunk and naked in the Channel and the city won't let them. Sandbar is only closed on Holiday weekends and you can get away from the crowds if you want to. Mohave is a great place to get away from the crowds but you better have an ocean liner to get back across the basin after 1-2 pm. So to be really secluded at any time of day you would have to drive all the way around to Cottonwood in Nevada anyway. If you like to boat in the morning and get way from everybody then Mohave is better than Havasu. I agree that you may be able to find cheaper prices and sometimes more value in Bullhead but it you were to compare the same type of house with the same view and proximity to towns amenities I think they would be the same in either city. Again about the crap that's going on in Havasu. I mostly know about all this stuff from these boards. I do my own thing in Havasu, do not drink and boat, keep away from the partygoers that do and I never have a problem with anybody. Except for Havasu Marina. I just don't launch there anymore.

[roostwear]

My decision to buy in Bullhead was because of 2 factors. First, I have an 18' jet (and have no urge to buy bigger), and lakes are out of the question. Sure, you can run a low freeboard boat early on a lake, and other limited times, but boating in an area where the big boats shy away was a plus. The other factor is the "Gomerville" factor. I actually WANTED to have a river place like that. I live in OC, and live day to day with all the good and bad that goes with it. I didn't want my "getaway" to be just like what I left. It does take a little adjusting to a different lifestyle, but it's nice having a slower pace.... maybe keep me from having a stroke sooner! The property appreciation in BHC is nice, but not the reason I chose it. It's nice OWNING a place so close to the water, rather than having another mortgage to get within a mile. Bottom line is....... what do really want from a new place?

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

I have a few points to argue, not to be argumentative, but to clarify some misconceptions about Mohave.
Mohave is a great place to get away from the crowds but you better have an ocean liner to get back across the basin after 1-2 pm.
The 27' Warlock he is looking to get is plenty big enough for traveling the basin.
So to be really secluded at any time of day you would have to drive all the way around to Cottonwood in Nevada anyway.
We have been south of the basin or at the very south end on many summer weekends and been able to find secluded coves. They may not all have beaches, but they are secluded. Especially if one knows where to look
If you like to boat in the morning and get way from everybody then Mohave is better than Havasu.
As a very general rule, if it is calm in the morning, it will blow in the afternoon, and on just as many occassions, I have seen it blow in the morning and be glass in the afternoon.
But again, unless you are willing to get up and going real early in the mornings or get there wed night/thurs morning to get your slip from the mooring office, it will be a nightmare until you can get a permanent slip. We are lucky enough to have one along with a trailer there, so we put in at night when we get there, watch the crowd between 8-9 while we eat breakfast in the restaurant and watch the launch ramp mayhem with the waitresses. Then at the end of the day, put the boat in the slip and walk home past all of the people waiting to get their boat out.

[SSC]

This is great info. We are looking forward to our house hunting this weekend. Got to get down to Warlock to order the boat. Sure is a lot to learn.
Thanks again, SSC