Before Launching at LJ

[Oolie]

Make sure if you're going on the sand that you have 4WD.

i have a small midsize car, lowered with very little travel in my suspension, even slick summer tires but i have AWD, so i have no problems.

i usually end up stuck behind people with large trucks, which have high profile, knobbly tires, and are digging themselves into the sand.

don't be a tool, if there's any doubt if you're gonna get stuck or not, pull over to the 15 minute loading zone adjacent to the launch ramp and unload there.

i know that most of the people doing this are not members of this board, i'm making this notice so there's no hassle for anyone who frequents these boards and is planning a trip to LJ.

[dmrides]

Originally Posted by Oolie

i usually end up stuck behind people with large trucks, which have high profile, knobbly tires, and are digging themselves into the sand.

Again, I am sure it is no one on this board, but as I was pulling up to the launch the other day, some dude in a monster truck was barreling off the sand at no joke like 20 miles an hour. That kind of s@%t will get that launch closed so fast its not funny.

Originally Posted by Oolie

don't be a tool

[dniss]

When I had to split the launch last week, the sand was so chewed up on the exit side that even one of the rental companies with 4wd went out the entrance. I asked the lifeguard supervising if I could do the same, since the sand was much more packed there. He was cool about it and let me, but said they were thinking of making it 4wd access only due to the number of people getting stuck there. I told him it probably wasn't the fisherfolk, and he agreed. Perhaps we could be proactive about creating a rollup ramp out of a dozen milk crates and zip ties cut up and assembled like some of the personal anti-stuck devices I've seen on this board. I can't afford a new truck just to be allowed access to the launch, and though I haven't been mired yet, I've come close.

[dsafety]

The first time some tourist or worse, some unsupervised kid gets hit by someone driving unsafely in the launch area, we are doomed. I agree that we should be proactive and try to work with the Lifeguards and police to come up with a plan that solves the problem before it gets out of hand.

I have some contacts within the Lifeguards and would be happy to serve as the front guy. Lets put our heads together and see if we can come up with some ideas that will nip this in the bud.

Here is one. I hate the idea of more regulations but what about a $15 annual launch permit. To get one you have to read and agree to follow the rules. The money could be used for launch maintenance, including some sort of sand stabilization.

Bob

[tony]

No good deed goes unpunished........
Be proactive and try to work with the lifeguards and police but I wouldnt give the city any new ideas about collecting money.
Chances are good intentions would backfire and the $$ would go to protecting the seals or something screwy like that.....
Plus 15 would turn into 25 which would turn into 45 etc...etc.....

[CurtyL]

This is very simple: rule number one of sand driving: if you feel like you are loosing traction take your foot off the gas for a second and let the vehicle roll, but not to a stop. when you reapply it pretend like you have an egg btwn you and the pedal. ease over the soft spot vs. dig into it. works every time. the last two weeks I have seen douchebags in jacked up 4wds spin the whole top packed suface apart (of the exit lane) because they panic and floor it when their rig settles down a bit. the result is they chew up the sand and make it harder for hemselves and everyone else to get out (by the way - using the incoming lane on the way out seems to be alot firmer since the douchebags ruined the exit lane for now). BTW Oolie, I'm a huge fan of your s back several years to hte SD Fishboards. Dude is alright and knows his sheeite..

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by tony

No good deed goes unpunished........
Be proactive and try to work with the lifeguards and police but I wouldnt give the city any new ideas about collecting money.
Chances are good intentions would backfire and the $$ would go to protecting the seals or something screwy like that.....
Plus 15 would turn into 25 which would turn into 45 etc...etc.....

Good point on the fees but the City is broke and cannot do anything to improve the launch without a funding source. In my view, the bigger problems are the inexperienced drivers and yahoos who drive irresponsibly. Few come from the kayak fishing family I am sure but when the fit hits the sham, we will bear the punishment along with the real offenders.

Bob

[old_rookie]

Originally Posted by Oolie

don't be a tool, if there's any doubt if you're gonna get stuck or not, pull over to the 15 minute loading zone adjacent to the launch ramp and unload there.

i know that most of the people doing this are not members of this board, i'm making this notice so there's no hassle for anyone who frequents these boards and is planning a trip to LJ.

I do not have a truck, or 4WD or AWD - I have a car with front wheel drive. I have seen a number of cars on the sand there, maybe they are AWD - but where is the 15 minute loading zone adjacent to the launch ramp?

Where on this photo relative to the blue/gray jeep/truck?

[Rob929]

Its the whole curb along the street leading up to the luanch area. You will know you are there when the street signs say "15 minute loading..."

[roadx]

[old_rookie]

Thanks - looks like I'll need to wheel it.