Storage and Towing Options (Taken from 'Auto Suggestions')

[BigRed]

I'm splitting this off into a seperate thread to not hijack the other one.

[chavez]

BigRed, Depending on where you like to ride, you should first check out Disco, then check the Marinas that ring Bethel.

If you just want to find a storage yard for truck & boat - break out the yellow pages and start calling.

PS: My father's slip is at Bethel Harbor. In the same covered area, there are 2 SANs, a PS205, and a Launch (DD). They all use lifts. They are directly across from fast water via Frank's, which for wakeboats is navigable without much worry (just don't sack up first). The regular channels are 2 minutes away. The San Joaq is 5 minutes away. There are some really nice riding spots within a 10 minute ride.

[BigRed]

Your father's argument is strong, but not exactly what I'm thinking.

1) Tow vehicle is nowhere near $40k. $5k max. Reliable enough to tow the boat home 1 or 2 times per year and possibly to oroville, shasta and/or other parts of the delta. It doesn't have to be pretty. Just work.

1a) Gas and insurance would be minimalized by limiting the miles put on the truck. It's less than 300yds from the sheds to the launch ramp.

2)Our marina options are limited and expensive. (walnut grove area). Slips are not economic and they do not offer any dry storage/lauch services. In addition. Often we arrive around 8-9pm and drive out to the houseboat. so boat services would not be available at that time.

3)We have 5+ dry storage sheds for the boats between my in-laws and close family friends. They've been using the sheds for over 20 years. By using the same area, the truck would be available to others if needed.

If the situation was different, I could see it working, but there is no way leaving the boat slipped saves money.

[BigRed]

We're up near the meadows.

[justsomeguy]

We're going the opposite direction.

I currently pay approx. $125/mo. for covered (not enclosed) storage on Bethel. I find that I spend a good deal of time retrieving the boat and returning the boat since we spend so much time on lakes rather than the delta.

Just the hassle factor alone is enough for me to seriously think about borrowing a small tractor and doing some kung fu to my existing side yard/hillside and keeping the boat at home.

[BigRed]

Where do you live?

[chavez]

BigRed, for what he would need to tow (around 9,000lbs) he would need a 3/4 or 1 ton with a diesel.

I know exactly where you are - and yeah, you are limited. I think you are going down the right road though.

Probably look for an easy to work on truck. Mid 90's Chevys fit this bill pretty well. 350pushrodV8, throttle body, generally very simple to deal with. Just don't tow in O/D!

Either that or maybe a F150 from that era. 302/351 motors are a dime a dozen and fairly easy to wrench on as well.

[Road Head]

I have my boat in dry storage at a local marina and its sooooo awesome. $125 a month, and they are open 8am-8pm every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I call, and within 30 minutes, my boat is in the water. I just show up and drive it. They also have work racks, so if you need to clean your boat (wash, wax, vacuum, etc) you just get it put on a rack. There is also a full service shop, and if you need something fixed, they can do it during the week while I am at work. Its well worth it to me.

[boobybunny]

We are poor, our boat sits in a 350.oo marina for six months. But we did the math, and the gas savings alone were 350, except now we buy half our gas on the lake. (bring 16 gallons every time out) But we drive out to the marina with the hybrid.

[justsomeguy]

[chavez]

Yeah, my father's case doesn't match all of yours as his is a cabin cruiser that is trailerable, but I don't know why anyone would want to deal with that.

justsomeguy, call your buddy lcap to do that kung-fu to your side yard. I hear he is really good with tractors.