New from Lake Havasu

[Budman]

Hi to all!
I moved to Lake Havasu 7 years ago after living in northern Illinois on the Chain O Lakes for 18 years.
You can boat here almost 365 days a year with no snow or mosquitos. The lake is so much cleaner, too. Makes it easy to change props.
Sort of nice having one of the very few Checkmates here. Most people are curious, especially when you pass them on the lake.
In 1997, I bought a new 253 Convincor with a carbureted 500. Even in 100*+ heat, the boat runs in the low 70s on gps.
The only thing that has broke is a valve spring. Same interior and no gel cracks unlike most of these west coast builders. I worked for Magic boats for over a year and they were quite impressed with the quality of the gel and rigging.
It's getting hot. Time to head to the lake.
Later, "mates".

 

[cooperider]

It would be so cool to have a dealer out that way.

 

[vinny p.]

My wife and I are thinking of moving to either Havasu or Lake Mead area. Its still a bit off, I have 6 years to go until I can retire from my job. We are coming to visit the first week of October. We plan on checking out some real estate for the future. We are staying at the Agave Inn by the London Bridge. I am also looking into renting a boat while I am visiting. Any suggestions on where to rent or any place in particular to visit?

 

[cooperider]

Vinny, thats going to be quite a change for you, Long Island to Havasu. You'll love it.


Hey Vinny, this is where I was last Friday. Do you recognize it?

 

[vinny p.]

Although I dont frequent that bridge , I know it well enough. It doesnt usually look like that. It is usually filled with cars bumper to bumper. Thats the Gearge Washington bridge, coming in from New Jersey. Man I hate that damn bridge. I avoid like a Leper Colony.

What the hell were you doing around here? You should have let me know. I could have taken you for an ocean run Saturday.

 

[cooperider]

I was delivering a boat up in East Haven CT. Got to CT just before 5pm, and started the run back on Saturday morning. I might be back that way in a couple of weeks, they seem to be selling everything that I deliver.

 

[vinny p.]

Well, if you can factor in the time for a run, drop me a line. I will be glad to show you around the South Shore of Long Island.

 

[Budman]

My wife and I are thinking of moving to either Havasu or Lake Mead area. Its still a bit off, I have 6 years to go until I can retire from my job. We are coming to visit the first week of October. We plan on checking out some real estate for the future. We are staying at the Agave Inn by the London Bridge. I am also looking into renting a boat while I am visiting. Any suggestions on where to rent or any place in particular to visit?

Hi Vinny, Hope you like the heat. Calling for 118 by friday.
Lake Mead is nice and huge but the the stops are few are far. Lake Havasu has a few places on the way south to Parker dam, about 20 miles. There is a small casino across the lake on the CA side which also has a marina. 20 miles to the north, past the well known sandbar, is Topock and I've gone past that to Needles and never to the end at Laughlin, NV, a fairly good size casino town.
I've never stayed at the Agave Inn. It's only a couple years old. It's right next to "the channel", where most of the cruising and partying happens. The police have really tamed down the parties over the years but pasties are still legal.
There are numerous restaurants in the channel and you could walk to even more.
I know the owners of Fun Time boat rental. They do a decent business but I don't have the prices.
If you get Hotboat, check out this months Desert Storm article. Hotboat is the main reason we ended up here. I got tired of reading about them being on the lake while I was shoveling snow back in Chicago.
Real estate is leveling off. 2001-2003 was the time to get in and make some money.
Let me know if you want more info. Glad to help.

 

[vinny p.]

As I said, it is too early to make a move. I have poked around a few real estate sites. Seems like 600k will get you a hell of a nice place in Havasu city. Around here, 600k gets you junk that needs to be torn down with a wrecking ball. How is the living in Havasu and Mead? Expensive?? Got to be less than here. I have found out that Nevada is a pension friendly state ( as far as income tax goes), while Arizona is not. That is a big issue for me. I make a decent living here. In a few years, I can leave with a good pension. Most likely enough to live off of away from here.
Besides, I hate the New York winters. For that matter, I hate it here in New York all together. The only thing I like is the ocean and the beaches. It will be difficult to leave the ocean for a lake.

I dont get HotBoat, but do get PowerBoat. They covered the Desert Storm Poker run. There is a great picture of the bridge with the Agave Inn , along with numerous boats coming down the river.

Yes, I do like the heat.

 

[Budman]

If you have 600k and love the heat, you'll fit right in. Your house will be at least 3000 sq ft and have a boat deep garage and an RV garage depending on location. You may find one in the exclusive golf course next to us called the Refuge. There are no waterfront homes, just waterview. A $500k house in Sun lake Village has taxes about $2800/year.
Milk-$2.50, gas-$3, 24pk Bud-$16, my 3 essentials
Auto licenses were a big shock. Expect to pay about $600/year for that new truck.
Wages suck. Bring lots of money or a good profession.
Nevada is still new to us. We have a couple condos in Las Vegas and are building a home in the suburb of Summerlin for the dog, Bud(of course). I here from the locals there is no personal state income tax but they pay for everything else. Not sure exactly what that meant, but the casinos take quite a bit of our money.
Just realized I was rambling again. Should we be chatting here or would you like to exchange e-mails? I can't post pictures.

 

[vinny p.]

My e-mail checkmate259@earthlink.net

The property I was looking at is just as you described. Dont care about the RV parking, but need a boat garage. Dont care about the wages, I am not planing on getting a job. Heres an example. http://www.tourhavasuhomes.com/listing.asp?propid=39066 I am sure the RV garage can be used for as a boat garage.

What more would I want than this.

 

[Chris E]

hey vinny, you lookin to adopt a child you never wanted??? love to live out there - i'm low maintenance. please??????

 

[vinny p.]

Why not? Can you wax a boat? :cheers

 

[Budman]

Vinny, the house you showed is nice and on the golf course in town. I would try and look at something a little newer unless you really like the golf course. You'll see what I mean when you actually look inside. JMO
Downtown is a disneyland of streets. Take a walk around the block and you'll be 2 miles from home.

Check out this one. We're 5 minutes from the launch ramp. We could be neighbors.:cheers

http://homes.realtor.com/search/lis...056d5114&lid=1071310299&lsn=2&srcnt=57#Detail

 

[vinny p.]

That home I listed was just a " For instance" I dont care at all about golf. In fact, I dont care about any sports that require a ball or a puck. That home you listed is great also. As I said, I am only poking around for now. I am not ready to lay down any commitments yet. The facts are, I am serious about moving to the area but it wont be for 6 more years. I am too close to getting a pension from this job to leave now. The idea of buying now has crossed my mind, just dont know if its feasable. Being a 2 home owner would be nice, but would require a huge commitment. The extreme distance would only complicate things. Its not like I could drive there for a weekend getaway.
Any information you have is appreciated. I will be in Las Vegas ( The Bellagio) from 9/30 - 10/5. Then Havasu ( The Agave Inn ) from 10/5 - 10/8. Then Scottsdale from 10/8 - 10/9. Planning on checking out as many neighborhoods as I can. Most time will be spent in the areas of Lake Mead and Havasu.

 

[Budman]

Wow! The Bellagio? You DO have the big bucks! Hopefully your room faces the water feature. It's amazing how they do it.
Home sales just picked up 25% last month. Although it has slowed down, Havasu is still a bargain compared to NY or CA. Todays paper said we are almost at 60,000 pop.
Vinny, is that picture the motor in your boat? What have you done to it? I should have mine gone over this year. It has quite a few hours but keeps on going. I heard they have an updated camshaft for the 500 but other than that, I would like to keep it stock and use the 87 octane.
Another day on the lake

 

[vinny p.]

Steve,

That is my engine. I did everything you can imagine to it. Unfortunetly, it broke last weekend. See thread " There goes my summer" in engine tech.