Caravelle PowerBoat Forum

[TX Redneck Boater]

Saturday Aug 14 @ the dam – it is

We will be there before Noon (probably way before)


I'm up for the river run too - as long as it's deep enough (be the first time on a river)


Yee Haaa
Marv

[dancaravelle267]

We will be there then or before. spctomlin was the one talking about the river run...are you still going to be there spctomlin? You know the river and you can lead. And Hey...4 or 5 interceptors and one 267...i'll open my exhaust...and bring up the rear because I am sure you will out run me. I'll sound good losing the race though!
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Boat: 2008 Caravelle 267, 350 MAG, Bravo 3
Tow Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Tundra Limited 5.7
KNOT AV8ING

[spctomlin]

OK, I'll give all of you a little briefing on the lake and river and let you decide collectively what you'd like to do. Pretty good amount of information to dispense, so bare with me if I start to get a little wordy.

Here's a map that shows the lake and Brazos river. At the northwest end of the lake is the mouth of the Brazos. Juniper Cove, where a few of you are staying, is on the central/east side and is marked with the red "B" star. The dam is at the southern end just to the northeast of Laguna Park. You may have to scroll west on the map and zoom out one order to get the lake centered on your computer screen.

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/7-3UdPvpsM21CKpAUL8l0f

The areas of the lake that are the most interesting and definitely worth seeing are the bluffs/cliffs and coves (southwest shoreline of the lake southeast and northwest of Lakewood Harbor) and the shoreline to the southwest of Juniper Cove from Juniper Cove to the Katy bridge.

The bluffs and coves in the vicinity of Lakewook Harbor are beautiful and have dramatic cliffs (some that are popular for jumping off of), a big rock/small island that is popular to anchor near and jump off of, and excellent coves for anchoring and swimming/hanging out. The cliffs can also make for a very effective wind break if the winds are out of the south, giving smooth water even if the main body of the lake is capping.

Further north up the lake and just to the southwest of Juniper Cove is another section of the lake that has some bluffs, but they are not as big and dramatic as the ones near Lakewood Harbor. However, this is where you find smooth water if the winds are out of the east and this is always a good spot for water sports.

Continue to the northwest and you eventually get to the mouth of the Brazos river. I strongly encourage a run up the Brazos if all of you (or even just a few) are interested in doing that because I'm positive you and your passengers would all enjoy the journey. And a journey it would be as it's about a twenty-five mile run from the dam to the mouth of the Brazos and another five miles up river to the Kimball Bend bridge (where Hwy 174 crosses over the river...might have to scroll north on the map). I've never made a non-stop run from the dam (I don't get down to the dam very often) to the Kimbell Bend bridge, but running 45-55 mph I'm gonna' estimate forty-five minutes to get to the Kimball Bend bridge. Starting at the Kimball Bend bridge and for about another ten miles up the river is where it starts to get interesting. The river narrows and has some curves and bends and the landscape is truly beautiful with the big limestone bluffs and cliffs. It's very Texas hill country-esque, if you will. After all, this is the northernmost part of the hill country, geographically speaking. I would be very surprised if somewhere in the archives of Texas Highways or Texas Parks and Wildlife magazines there isn't a feature article about this area of the Brazos. Two weeks ago I saw depths on the river from ten to twenty feet with a little driftwood here and there but nothing that presented a severe hazard. Wasn't very crowded, either.

So, in all, starting at the dam and running the length of the lake and into the Brazos and then another ten or so miles further up river from the Kimball Bend bridge, we are looking at about eighty miles round trip. That's almost one hundred miles for the guys at Juniper Cove if they decide to come down to the dam and meet up since they'll be running about twelve miles down to the dam and doubling back for the run up to the river. I haven't had my boat long enough to know what sort of range or duration my boat has if running at higher power settings all day, but I'm thinking fuel consumption will be a necessary consideration. Of course, Juniper Cove does have a marina with fuel, and there is another marina up close to the mouth of the Brazos, so I don't think anyone will be left high and dry.

Discuss it amongst yourselves and decide what you want to do for the day. The run from the dam up the river and back is nearly a half-day (could probably be made in under four hours). It could be done and still allow time to hang around the southwest shoreline around Lakewood Harbor where, like I said, there are lots of coves to explore/hang out in and be surrounded by beautiful scenery. It's a great lake with plenty to offer, so you can't go wrong with whatever you decide.
_________________
2001 Interceptor 232 BR/ Mag 350 MPI/ Bravo 1
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT
1968 Camaro
1979 Mercury Capri NASA CMC road race car
1976 Grumman Traveler
1946 Luscombe 8A
Black Mouth Cur (female)

[dancaravelle267]

Sounds like fun.....we're in. I have done alittle more than an 80-90 mile run in mine and had pleanty left over.
_________________
Boat: 2008 Caravelle 267, 350 MAG, Bravo 3
Tow Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Tundra Limited 5.7
KNOT AV8ING

[Larry R]

Would it be better to launch somewhere in the middle say closer to Lakewood Harbor???


I'm not locked into launching at the dam - thoughts??


And to be honest, we've only made about a 25 mile or so run up Travis before we pulled over and swam and took a break and then a easy ride back to the dam.

Personally, I don't mind riding for a while, but sure like to stop and swim and relax a little too!!

Also, those lake maps I found (which I posted earlier that I had a couple extras) show several stump areas up near the mouth of the lake and the river and some low areas further up river - I suppose if you've been up that way you can be the leader????

Larry
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2003 232 "Interceptor" Bow Rider - 5.7 320hp

[TX Redneck Boater]

We run the gauntlet (the entire lake) – I’ll definitely need gas (I could probably cruise it okay but I imagine some of us will ummm want to rev it up a bit on occasion ...) I can’t “run” all, or even most, of the day on one load of fuel…

But as long as I can get fuel (marina) – then no worries…

Having enough time to relax / swim – absolutely…. It will be hot

Needing to cruise back after dark – no issues


Starting at the dam – fine with me

Starting farther up the lake – fine with me


Okay so obviously I can’t make up my mind – Right…

Nope – what I am is totally flexible – this is about having fun



I’m okay with Lakewood Harbor as long as I can find it on a map…

So tell me where to go (and be nice ) … and when to be there


Marv

[Larry R]

TX Redneck

Me 2 - I'm good whatever the crowd wants to do!

I'm good with our original plan to meet at the dam say 11ish to 12ish and then meet n greet for a while then head up river!!

Actually, at the current time, I plan to leave the la casa around 7:30 and should be up there around 9:30ish to 10ish and hopefully in the water no later than 10 to 10:15.

Larry R
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2003 232 "Interceptor" Bow Rider - 5.7 320hp

[496 reasons to hold on]

I guess we should meet a little earlier at the dam, I am good with anything. Heck I am in my boat so I am good. Although, like I said a run up the river would be cool.
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2008 Interceptor SC 496 Bravo 1

[496 reasons to hold on]

OK one more thing if we are going to take a river run maybe we should meet at Juniper cove marina in the AM. We could then take the run and end up at the dam for some R and R. Just a thought.
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2008 Interceptor SC 496 Bravo 1

[spctomlin]

Now we're getting somewhere. If we all meet up at Juniper Cove, then the distance to run up the river is cut down considerably. And if you're traveling from Juniper Cove to the south the bluffs and coves in the proximity of Lakewood Harbor are reached long before you get to the dam (by the time you reach the dam, you've long since passed the cool stuff). If it makes no difference to you cats that are not staying at Juniper Cove, I would suggest that, logistically speaking, it would be a lot more efficient if everyone put in at a more centralized location on the lake....which Juniper Cove is pretty damn centralized.

As far as the stump fields at the north end of the lake at the mouth of the Nolan and Brazos....oh, hell yeah. There are plenty of stumps. But there is a well traveled lane that provides safe passage. Trick is to stay to the west shore. I'm probably gonna' be out at Whitney and the Brazos next weekend to do some dry runs (if I'm gonna be leading all these fine boats, last thing I want on my shoulders is prop strike or hull damage!).

Don't know about all of you, but I'm gettin' pretty excited about this little gathering, boys. TxRedneckBoater came by my place today and dropped a couple of sweet props into my lap to try out. This is why I chose an Interceptor. This is the good stuff! [/img]
_________________
2001 Interceptor 232 BR/ Mag 350 MPI/ Bravo 1
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT
1968 Camaro
1979 Mercury Capri NASA CMC road race car
1976 Grumman Traveler
1946 Luscombe 8A
Black Mouth Cur (female)

[TX Redneck Boater]

Is this where we’re talking about meeting/ launching

If it is… you can click on “Location” at the top of the page and it’ll send you to a map/ driving instructions

http://www.lakewhitneymarina.com/


Assuming I have the above correct;

Time???

And being it’s a marina I’m assuming launching / parking won't be an issue?

Marv

[496 reasons to hold on]

OK that sounds good we can meet and lauch at Juniper Cove. Parking will not be an issue we can park in front of my cabin (the blue cabin) I must say I am getting excited as well!
_________________
2008 Interceptor SC 496 Bravo 1

[dancaravelle267]

Sounds good to me.
_________________
Boat: 2008 Caravelle 267, 350 MAG, Bravo 3
Tow Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Tundra Limited 5.7
KNOT AV8ING

[Larry R]

OK - so we are going to launch at Juniper Cove - I'm good with that - it only adds about 30 minutes of travel time for me but I can live with that.

for you folks that launch there - and I think 496 asked - the launch fee and do they have plenty of veh/trailer parking fairly close to the ramp?

I have not search the web site but one final question - do they have a dock (loading - unloading type) at the ramp?

Thanks all - and looking forward to the gathering!

How many have we ended up with? I think I counted about 4 or 5? I know that BBCoon said he had to work - but I know his boss and I'm still gonna see if I can talk him into burning a day of leave!!

Larry R
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2003 232 "Interceptor" Bow Rider - 5.7 320hp

[dancaravelle267]

We are staying at Juniper Cove so I have some information about it. I just tried to call them and varify information but the did not answer. I know they do have a boat ramp. From the google earth pic, I can see a small dock next to the ramp for loading. There are overnight slips covered and uncovered ($15 and $25 a night). They are first come first serve. They do also have gas and a small store. It should be a good place to meet.
_________________
Boat: 2008 Caravelle 267, 350 MAG, Bravo 3
Tow Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Tundra Limited 5.7
KNOT AV8ING