Lake Tahoe, California Gathering?

[Eugene Nahemow]

I am trying to get a sense of who would want to do a Lake Tahoe Donzi gathering and also what time during the summer would work best for most.

We have talked about this for years.
Lets try to make it happen.

[DonCig]

I am trying to get a sense of who would want to do a Lake Tahoe Donzi gathering and also what time during the summer would work best for most.
We have talked about this for years.
Lets try to make it happen.
Eugene, if we can race for pink slips I will be there any day, any time.
Provided your nice 18 Classic is attached to your pink slip.
The Lake Powell group has expressed an interest in linking Tahoe to the summer fun. If you do not mind I will cross post this thread to the 2007 Lake Powell thread to generate some responses.
Are you still in agreement for an August date?

Don Tamm
Baby throw me some sevens!

[Vegas Classic]

I'd love to, I'm sure I'll be ready for a break from the heat. :)

I'm flexible on dates.

[Eugene Nahemow]

Don,
The race sounds great, but unfortunately I don't need another boat at this point!:eek!: I have too many already. :bonk:

Any weekend in August for me is fine. I can coordinate any arrangements that need to be made.
Let's make this happen.

[yeller]

It would be worth the trip just to see your boat Eugene. We have already committed to Powell and unfortunately would not be able to make Tahoe as well. Wish I could though.

[DonCig]

Don,
The race sounds great, but unfortunately I don't need another boat at this point!:eek!: I have too many already. :bonk:
Any weekend in August for me is fine. I can coordinate any arrangements that need to be made.
Let's make this happen.
Eugene, I am glad that you are going to let me keep my 18! LOL
Can you find me a boat slip on the water and some lodging for the nights of August 8th, 9th and 10th (W,Th, F). Two bed rooms would be great. This is the Wooden Boats Week and I have to have my son back to school on Monday the 13th. What a great way to finish the summer.
http://www.tahoeyc.com/concours.php

We may not get a lot of turn out in the first year but once I publish the photos of the weeks events I bet we get some interest for 2008.

Don


LAKE TAHOE

Tahoe residents are extremely proud of their lake and sooner or later you will hear all of the following facts, persuading you to grant them bragging rights.

Surrounded by mountains, the present day lake sits in a valley at an elevation of 6,229 feet. It is the highest lake of its size in the United States. It is the third deepest lake in North America and the tenth deepest lake in the world.

Lake Tahoe is 22 miles in length and 12 miles in width and covers a surface area of 191 square miles. The consistently beautiful shoreline is 71 miles, with the California shoreline being 42 miles and the Nevada shoreline being 29 miles.

This breathtakingly blue lake is so clear that in some places objects can be seen to depths of 75 feet! The reason the lake is so blue is that the thin, clear mountain air allows the lake's pure, crystalline water to reflect the blue sky above. The lake can also appear red during sunsets or gray-black during storms.

The average annual rainfall in the Lake Tahoe Basin is 8.3 inches and the average annual snowfall is 216 inches or 18 feet, for a total annual precipitation of 30 inches. (The ski areas average 350-600 inches of snow per year!) Most of the snow and rain falls directly into the lake or drains through lakeside marshes and meadows that act as water filtering systems, preserving the purity of the water.

Sixty-three streams flow into Lake Tahoe, but the Truckee River is the only one that flows out, past Reno and into Pyramid Lake.

The maximum depth is 1,645 feet, near Crystal Bay, and the average depth is 989 feet. The water shed of Lake Tahoe is 519 square miles. The lake holds over 39 trillion gallons of water, enough to cover a flat area the size of California to a depth of 14 inches. If drained, it would take 700 years to refill the lake!

Lake Tahoe loses much if its water to evaporation. If the water that evaporates from the lake every 24 hours could be recovered, it would supply the daily requirements of a city the size of Los Angeles.

The maximum surface water temperature is 68 degrees F. and the minimum surface water temperature is 41 degrees F. Below 600 feet, the lake's water is extremely cold, staying at 39 degrees F. year-round.

And for the curious, Lake Tahoe never freezes because the huge volume of lake water is always in motion. Each winter, the cold water on the surface sinks while warm water rises from the deep. Some protected inlets like Emerald Bay have been covered with a layer of ice at times.

So, let the locals have their moments by resisting the urge to say, "I knew that!"

[Vegas Classic]

I've heard there are quie a few Donzi's on Tahoe, I think this would be a good time.

[DonCig]

I've heard there are quie a few Donzi's on Tahoe, I think this would be a good time.
Maybe having an annual Donzi / Aronow meet the weekend before the Classic wood boat show could grow into something impressive that could continue on for years, who knows, maybe it might even help Donzi sell more boats on the West Coast???

Don

[gcarter]

Laine and I could probably fly up if we could get a seat w/ someone.

[RickSE]

I'd be interested in going if it was around the time of Hot August Nights (http://www.hotaugustnights.net/) or the Wooden Boat Show (http://www.tahoeyc.com/concours.php). Like Don says looks like Aug. 9-12th.

[DonCig]

I'd be interested in going if it was around the time of Hot August Nights (http://www.hotaugustnights.net/) or the Wooden Boat Show (http://www.tahoeyc.com/concours.php). Like Don says looks like Aug. 9-12th.
Rick, I do not think we could losse on either the first or second weekend of August. The Hot August Nights looks like a blast, and I would think that some of the Wooden Boats come in a week early to catch both events.

Don

[Eugene Nahemow]

Don,
The Embassy Suites is the best place for you. There is a large bedroom with huge separate living area. The couch in the living area folds out to a bed The bedroom and living areas are separated by a small corridor. Plenty of privacy.We have stayed in the king suite many times when our house was under construction.
Here is a link to a floor plan of the room.
http://www.embassytahoe.com/hotel/floorplans.php

A slip is not a problem we just need to firm up the dates.
Hot August nights is a total madhouse. All of the events take place in Reno which is about an 1 - 1/2 drive from the lake.
Here is a link to this years schedule:
http://www.hotaugustnights.net/

The Concours D'Elegance is much more civilized.
Here is a link to this years events.
http://www.tahoeyc.com/concours_scd.php

[zelatore]

Any word on if/when this is coming together? It's close enough that as long as I'm not traveling for work I can run up there for a weekend outing almost any time.

I went up last year for the wooden boat show, but the girlfriend got so sick we never even spashed the boat! Other that a couple short rides to demo brokerage boats up there, I've yet to really get out on the lake.

Don

[DonCig]

I have decided to make this event in 2007.
I will tow into town on Wednesday the 8th.
The Wooden Boat Show is the 9th, 10th and 11th.
I plan on heading home Saturday afternoon/evening the 12th. It is a 16 hour drive from Denver and I have to be back home by Sunday evening.
Here is a link on the scehdule.
http://www.laketahoeevents.com/tahoe/SITE/indexlisting.cfm/activity/6462/163.25605.51265675/direct

http://www.acbs-tahoe.org/event%20photos.htm

If anybody want to spend some time running our Donzis on Tahoe on Th., Fri and Saturday, drop me a line.

Don

[zelatore]

Well, if you're willing to tow for 18 hours one way how can I say no to only towing 3 hours?

I don't think I'll be able to get up there as early as you due to work, but I'll try to come up early Friday. I'll have to check into scheduleing for me and She Who Must Be Obeyed, but it shouldn't be a problem.

I've never checked into it, but is there dock access if you go to the show by boat? Other wise, you'll be in traffic hell going around the west side of the lake and you'll end up parking 6 blocks away anyway.

Who else is in?

Don

[DonCig]

Well, if you're willing to tow for 18 hours one way how can I say no to only towing 3 hours?
I don't think I'll be able to get up there as early as you due to work, but I'll try to come up early Friday. I'll have to check into scheduleing for me and She Who Must Be Obeyed, but it shouldn't be a problem.
I've never checked into it, but is there dock access if you go to the show by boat? Other wise, you'll be in traffic hell going around the west side of the lake and you'll end up parking 6 blocks away anyway.
Who else is in?
Don
Here is what Eugene reccomended:
Don,
The Embassy Suites is the best place for you. There is a large bedroom with huge separate living area. The couch in the living area folds out to a bed The bedroom and living areas are separated by a small corridor. Plenty of privacy.We have stayed in the king suite many times when our house was under construction.
Here is a link to a floor plan of the room.
http://www.embassytahoe.com/hotel/floorplans.php

A slip is not a problem we just need to firm up the dates.
Hot August nights is a total madhouse. All of the events take place in Reno which is about an 1 - 1/2 drive from the lake.
Here is a link to this years schedule:
http://www.hotaugustnights.net/

The Concours D'Elegance is much more civilized.
Here is a link to this years events.
http://www.tahoeyc.com/concours_scd.php

[DonCig]

Here are some great boat photos from Tahoe on another boat web site.

http://www.hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156028

Don

[Formula Jr]

heres an old thread

I'll try to re-link the photos later.

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1187

[Red Haute]

I know of two Classic 22's that will be at Tahoe the week of August 4-11. Have any plans been set?

[zelatore]

I know of two Classic 22's that will be at Tahoe the week of August 4-11. Have any plans been set?

Make that three...

Sac ?! Hey, I'm just down the river in Walnut Grove!

[zelatore]

So ... anything 'formal' about how we might find each other up there?

Myself, I'll be towing up at the crack of dawn Friday morning. I'm staying at a place on the south side call 'the ridge at Tahoe' (it's a time-share thing).

Depending on what everybody else has in mind, I'd guess it would be better to get to the show on Friday as well to avoid some of the crowds.

Last question - anybody got a line on a dock? There's only so many ramps on the south shore, and they get jammed up early in my (limited) experience.

[ITTLFLI]

If you get a chance you should check this out!

http://www.tahoecruises.com/tahoehome.htm

My brother in law Jeff is the captain! Cool boat!!

[zelatore]

I love wooden boats, and no doubt I'll have one some day. However, for now I still remember my grandfather's words when I told him I was looking at a 1952 50' Chris Craft. (he was a Chris dealer back in the day)

"NO! You don't have any idea how much work that thing is! You don't want it!"

OK, maybe I have a little better idea these days, but every time I think of getting a wood boat that little converstation just pops into my head.

Plus, I'm not all that good with a varnish brush anyway. :)

[zelatore]

OK - let's have a roll-call. Who's coming to Tahoe this weekend?

I was hoping to meet a couple of board members up there, but looks like maybe no?

Regardless, I'll be heading up Friday about 6:00 AM. I'm staying at a place called 'the ridge' on south shore, a little off the lake although I'm hoping to russel up a mooring or maybe even a dock (I know a guy who know's a guy...) although that's a reach.

Regardless, I'll check the board for posts tomorrow night before heading out. Hopefully a few people will make it up. I'll be in a white/red 22 Classic with stainless windshield, towing with a black Dodge quad cab. Cell # 510-825-5056 if anybody wants to get together.

[zelatore]

OK – so I got up to Tahoe last Friday morning, but never managed to find anybody. In fact, the whole lake was pretty scarce of Donzis as I only saw a few during the whole weekend. What there were was a lot of Cobalts. I’d noted this phenomenon on previous trips, but I’d forgotten about it. I swear, half or more of all the boats on the lake must be Cobalts. I’ve also seen an increase in the newer Chris Craft run abouts. Not surprising really, as both have a strong dealer presence at the lake.

We headed out from our place in the delta at 6:00 AM Friday morning and got to our hotel on a ridge above the south shore about 9:00. We dropped the boat in the parking lot there while we drove around the east side of the lake up to the north shore where we spent the day at the show.

(pics: leaving at o-dark-thirty, view from the hotel, our 22 from the room)

[zelatore]

We got up to the show at Sierra Boat Works’ marina around 10:00. Not surprisingly, we had to park about 1/4 mile away, but at least the weather wasn’t too hot. Naturally, there were tons of boats on display, all in the water, ranging from the early 1900’s on and including everything from steam launches to race boats to commuters. There were even a few modern boats thrown into the mix. And of course, no Tahoe show would be complete without the Thunderbird – reputed to be one of the fastest boats on the lake in her era and currently sporting over 2000 hp via a pair of V12 Allisons. http://www.thunderbirdlodge.org/theboat.html

Unfortunately, I didn’t put new batteries in the camera so I ran out of power about half way through and didn’t get pics of a lot of the boats I wanted, such as the Mercury, which was undergoing restoration the last time I saw here but looks to be finished now. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23085

[zelatore]

More shots from the show…
I have a particular affinity for the 38’ commuter (too bad I couldn’t get a decent pic of it, but here’s a another one - http://www.sierraboat.com/boats/221.html ) as I had a short-lived gig taking care of a ’29 38 called Big Chief when it was moored at Redwood City, CA. Nice boat to drive as it had all it’s vintage hardware but was equipped with a late-model Merc 454 and bow thruster.

[zelatore]

I mentioned the new boats on display. One of them was a new Fearless 28, the Porsche-designed rig. Interesting, but I’d have a hard time justifying the expense. There were also several new ‘vintage’ boats on display, including the only V12 Jag powered boat I’ve seen.

[zelatore]

This particular ride stood out. I’m not sold on it myself, but it’s hard to miss. Interesting rudder set-up; wish I had got a better look at it. Surface piercing drive??

[zelatore]

After making the rounds at the show and blowing more cash than we should have with the vendors including 10 sheets of the new ‘woodie’ stamps http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&productId=31301&langId=-1 and a really nice framed photo of a Gar Wood that used to hang in the photographer’s living room http://www.eddiesanderson.com/01eddienew/frameset2.htm we headed back to the hotel to recover. It was late enough in the afternoon we didn’t put the boat in the water, but we were up early Saturday morning with the plan of launching around 7:00 AM to avoid the lines at the ramps. I decided to try a new ramp, the El Dorado Boat Ramp, as it was open 24/7 (many others are 8 to 5 or similar) and considerably cheaper at $13/round trip than some of the others. That was a bit of a mistake. The ramp was very shallow and the approach was unlike anything I’ve seen before. You went down through a narrow tunnel to the ramp, with just enough space at the bottom to turn your rig around and back it into the water. With the truck as far back as I could get it, I was still in only about 30” of water. Suffice it to say I didn’t drive the boat on or off the trailer! I also don’t think I’ll be using that ramp again even if I have to pay 2x + as much at the keys.

I was hoping to find a few Donzis on the water, but I was sadly disappointed. There was a Crossbow (?) moored near the ramp (with the mooring cover blowing off by the end of the day), and a yellow 22 on a mooring up near the show. Otherwise I saw a 22 under cover at the Tahoe City Marina when we had lunch; and a new Shelby for sale at Cope & McPheters, although they are not the local dealer and were just letting him display it there – I asked one of the guys at the shop but he didn’t know much about it or when the dealer would return. I also thought I saw a Hornet (?) headed south on the lake at one point, but never got close enough to him to be sure.

We headed over to Emerald Bay http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/78330007QBAyGW and found only a few boats there at this time of the day. Just as well for us as I usually like to avoid the crowds when I can. Took a short tour of Vikingsholm http://www.vikingsholm.com/ and literally had the place to ourselves as we were the only ones on the tour! Made it a little more interesting at least! We then worked our way north up the west shore until we got up to the show, then started back down the east side of the lake. Unforunately, the winds were giving us hell. The forcast said 25+ mph, and they weren’t kidding. The east side of the lake was just beating the crap out of us. Solid 3’ waves with a few I’d guess even bigger. Not much fun. We worked our way south for a little while then back across to Emerald bay figuring if anybody from the board was on the lake this is where they’d end up but found nothing.

[zelatore]

Sunday morning the forecast had even more wind – 30 mph+, so we decided we’d skip the lake and do some hiking. My girlfriend is really into hiking of late, so she picked out a trail on our way home about 15 miles down highway 50 called the Rockbound Pass Trail. I was towing the boat and got a lot of looks dragging it up a tiny, winding, STEEP little road up to the trail area. We had 8 miles of this:

[zelatore]

Eventually we made it to the top and found an overflow lot where we could drop the boat and truck off. We were far from the only trailer around as there is also a Jeep trail up here and plenty of people had towed their off-roaders in. None of them were close to as long as we were though, so getting the thing parked took a little doing. Then we set off on the hike. The place is called ‘Desolation Wilderness’ and I think you’ll figure out why in the pics. The shot were I labeled ‘final destination’ is taken from about 4 miles in. The higher-altitude shots of the lakes are looking down from either side of the pass you see in the ‘destination’ shot. Total distance was about 12.5 miles. It was a little rough on the return trip; I was pretty sure I was going to die :eek!: Fortunately I escaped with little more than a minor sunburn and some tired legs.

[zelatore]

And that was it. From there we headed back home, getting stuck in a huge back-up on 50 south for no apparent reason. Too bad I never got a chance to meet any of the board members, but I know most of you are east coast types anyway so I didn’t expect a lot. I suppose I’ll have to schedule some time for Powel next year if I want to put faces with the names.

Oh yeah, and for what it’s worth, I got 11.2 mpg from the truck on this trip according to the on-board computer. OK for what it is – ’05 Ram quad cab 2WD hemi, always driving above the speed limit :wink: