Who to visit while heading to California and Arizona?

[MahopacMarine]

Charlie and I are thinking of heading west for a road trip. We will be taking pictures, meeting folks, looking to head out on some of the lakes we hear so much about. We know the East Coast type of boating but would like to see the West Coast style. Basically, experience what California and AZ has to offer for the boating community. ie: Manufacturers, Distributers, Boat Builders.

So, who should we visit? Who should we ask to take a ride with on one of the lakes?
If this was you, what and who would you want to see related to the Marine industry.

 

[Chris]

I would definitely schedule a visit to Weismann. Pat is a MAJOR gearhead and is always doing something super-cool. http://www.weismann.net/ He's Shifter here on the board.

Besides that, Larry Smith is retired and Bob Nordskog is dead. Thr real-deal offshore stuff in California is soft at best.

I've seen the raft-up hijinks on Havasu- no thanks. Lake Mead is an awesome place to boat. But there's not much there besides water and the cliffs on the shoreline. We did jetskis one afternoon- that was a trip. The water is down somewhat and some of those ancient wrecks are now visible. Very cool.

There's just not a ton of offshore on the California coast- mostly because there's not many inlets. Last time I was out there we did the PCH from San Diego to Santa Barbara. We stopped at just about everywhere you could boat out of. Saw almost nothing but sailboats.

Our member Tank boats out of the LA area- I'm sure you could get lots of tips from him- and maybe even a blast on his Cig out in those amazing Pacific rollers

 

[Airpacker]

Without question, go see the Eliminator folks.

 

[Bgchuby01]

Thr real-deal offshore stuff in California is soft at best.[/QUOTE]

I resemble that remark! Give me a call when you get here, 909-816-1101 I live 10 miles from the new Eliminator factory and am all over Los Angeles during the day. I will try to guide you to various places to take the wife and see some people you may see from TV and movies.

 

[Bgchuby01]

As for visiting Tank, just speed down the 101 freeway in Ventura and he will pull you over and demand a boating donation to keep from getting a ticket

 

[Bgchuby01]

If you go to the San Fernando city of canoga park you may run into your friend Stecz filming a gay porno movie. Canoga Park is where most of the XXX films are made and printed.

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

You should also check out the SCOPE web site. www.scopeinfo.com

If you're coming next weekend, you'll see a pile of real-deal offshore at the Catalina Ski Race and Rum Run.

I'd check out Lavey Craft and Schiada as well.

There's good boating out of Huntington Harbour, Long Beach and Los Alamitos and Newport Beach. Dana Point is pretty and pleasant, but mostly sailboats.

 

[Chris]

There was a time when Schiada was the the most finely constructed boat built. Their fit and finish was unimaginably detailed. I didn't know they were still around. I'd heard the owner had died (His name was Craig?)

 

[Buoy]

I'm in the Phoenix area, but I'm new here, and don't have a lot to offer ya.
Oh yeah, and my boat is still in pieces...

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

There was a time when Schiada was the the most finely constructed boat built. Their fit and finish was unimaginably detailed. I didn't know they were still around. I'd heard the owner had died (His name was Craig?)

That's the story I hear as well (don't know about the owner). I have a buddy who has two of them. I think the newer one is only a couple years old. Very nice boats...