My first road trip with my Utopia

[Sikiguya]

Hey,

You guys must have thought I had dropped from the face of the earth. We were gone for a little over a week on our trip to the cabin. Once I returned, I was so swamped, it isn't even funny....but I digress. Let's talk about the trip.

The cabin was up in Solon Springs..you won't find it on the map. It is basically 30 minutes north of Hayward, WI. The lake is Upper Eau Claire Lake...no where near Eau Claire. The water is so clear you can see about 20 feet deep. They tested the water and its purity is like that of bottled water.

It took about 7 to 8 hours to get there...with potty break, gas break, etc. Pacifica pulled the boat just fine. Didn't get my spare tire mount...so took the spare tire in the boat!

Here is a couple of pictures of us leaving and stopping at Wally World. More to follow...(including questions!)

 

[RFoster130]

Sweet lookin cabin, boat looks good too. Is that cabin a rental or a family thing?

 

[Sikiguya]

It's my buddy's in-laws cabin. They have had it for a long time. We have plans to repeat. There are a lot of lake and waterfront homes in the area. Like most markets, it has depreciated in value but still a lot. I was told what they are charged for their property taxes....uke:

 

[kustomkarl]

It sounds like a great place to get away to. Glad you had a good family vacation.

Karl

 

[Sikiguya]

So, my story continues

We decided to put the boat in the water the next day. We had packed all our stuff in the boats so we had to unpack them first. It was actually a fun event. We drove the boats to the ramp and the dad drove the boats back with the kids while the moms drove the trailers back. It was my wife's first time driving the trailer! The ramp was sand and it was shallow!:ack: I had to almost put my Pacifica into the water!...at least the back bumper was almost there!

The lake is almost 1000 acre and very quiet. There were perhaps 20 boats at the busiest and about 10 boats on the average. There were 3 jetboats on this lake. A yamaha small jetboat(call Going Propless) neighbor, a 2001 Utopia 205, and a Challenger 200. We drove the boats back to the cabin at full speed. Full tank with kids and got 50 mph(no gps). I dock at his neighbors dock. Put the fenders out and cover..forecast for rain. Craig, this was when the storms came...while we had docded We had gone to Duluth the following day. Later, I found that I got some dock rash from the storm. Must have push it pretty good...Although I had thought I had tied it pretty well. I am hoping that I can buff it out this week.

It was a great lake. We fished in the morning mostly. In fact, my 6 year old son caught his first fish..a pound smallmouth bass with a short star war fishing pole!! I tried fishing but just got a bunch of bluegill hits. I stink at it..but it was nice quiet activity.

In the afternoon, we packed up the boats and went to an island with a beach. It is somewhat shallow and is a place for a lot of boats to gather...all of 5 at one time!...told you it was a quiet lake. We had a good time wearing our lifejacket upside down(almost like a diaper)...then floating in the water drinking some beer!:cheers::cheers: Only downside was duck lice(swimmer itch). It was prevalent at this beach and my buddy's son got a lot on his leg. My daughter got it at the end of the trip and so did I..a few. We also went tubing a few times as well!

We even did some night fishing. It was a blast going out at night. I was a little apprehensive but it was not as bad as I thought. I rather enjoyed it and it was nice actually using the lights! We tied up the boats together and fished for quite a while as families. One night, on my buddy's boat, his son caught a bat on his line. A bat actually attacked his bait. I thought he was joking until he pull up and I see the flapping wing. We sat around trying to figure what to do. I suggest we just cut the line and call it a day. Of course, it did let go and flew away!

 

[Sikiguya]

More pictures of our trip.

 

[Sikiguya]

And more...

More and more and more...

 

[Sikiguya]

And what else?...more pics

 

[kustomkarl]

Oh yeah, you had tons of fun, I can tell...

 

[CypherAZ]

What kidna tube is that? My wife wants a tube just like that one, she saw your picture and was like see we need one of those. Do you have trouble with speed pulling a bigger tube like that?

 

[Craigmri]

Jim,

Wow it looks like you had a fantastic time! You got some great photographs there. OMG your house is awesome! Loved the sunset picture with the sillouette of the retriever too!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us all and glad your back!!

Craig

 

[Sikiguya]

Cypher, the tube is call an Airhead Race. It's my buddy's tube. It's a 3 person tube. In my lake you can only pull 2. So we have a Seadoo one that is 2 person tube that sits them in a row instead of across. This was good when you have a bunch of kids like we did. Anyways, the tube is very big and heavy but the Utopia pulled it without a problem. You definitely know it is there and gas does burn faster.iggy: I will ask them where they bought it. I am going to guess Costco.

 

[jshaley]

Pacifica

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I think the Pacifica is rated for 3500lbs and it looks like you have one of the newer dual engine Utopias. What is the weight of the Utopia and how did it tow? Hills? Mountains?

My minivan is rated for 3500lbs and I am looking at a 2200lb '04 Utopia 205.

John

 

[Craigmri]

John,

Which minivan are you driving?

Craig

 

[05GTXSC]

We have the same tube but we pull it with a real boat (stern drive). really fun we just finally flipped it over with me my sister and cousin It is about 8 feet wide lets just say it took a lot to flip it.

 

[Craigmri]

Real boat

Didn't realize Seadoo jet boats werent..."Real boats".

Craig

We have the same tube but we pull it with a real boat (stern drive). really fun we just finally flipped it over with me my sister and cousin It is about 8 feet wide lets just say it took a lot to flip it.

 

[Sikiguya]

I forgot to mention. When I throttle down hard from a standstill, I can actually launch the tube...it goes airborne!! I hand over the rein to my buddy, who always has driven stern drives..you should see the look on his face. He cannot believe the thrust it has, the agility, and the fun. There is no way a stern and corner like a jetboat. He kept saying that it is just a gigantic jetski!!:cheers:

Regarding towing, it tows just fine. For me, it isn't that big of deal as my boat launch is less than a mile from my driveway. However, driving on the highway, with the boat loaded with stuff, there is not an issue. I was traveling at around 72 mph with passing at 78/79 if necessary. Hills are no issues. On steep grades, you do know you are pulling a boat. If I were to pull it through the rockies or the appalasians...I would be hesitant. But don't believe for a moment you need a quad cab diesel 4x4 long bed truck to pull these boats. I would consider getting a transmission cooler on my Pacifica before the next trip. You are going to find people that swears up and down that that is too much boat to pull in this vehicle. In that boat ramp made of sand was the first time I felt the vehicle use the awd to pull the boat out of water. I certainly wanted the Islandia...but that would be really pushing it. I have a Class III hitch and you can see earlier posts that most people agree it is fine. :cheers:

 

[05GTXSC]

There is know way that any jet boat can beat our stingray hole shot or top end 4.3 liter fuel injected 225 hp she will do about 64 with the 4 blade SS prop and blow out GTX SC out of the water. and with the four blade you don't loose one mph cutting it as hard as you want and pulling power is second to none.

 

[05GTXSC]

Like he said it is a big jet ski and our GTX SC uses double the fuel our Stingray does and we paid about half of what you guys did for it knew. The cost of the GTX SC new was 13,000 the Stingray was 23,000 the Utopia 30,000 so there is know comparison to me.

 

[Sikiguya]

No doubt..the stern drive over a distance will easily take over our jet boat. And yes, our boats are a little bit thirstier than your boat...but when is fuel economy a hot topic regarding pleasure boating?!:ack: Until they start bringing out hybrid boats and people are flocking to them like the Prius(smuggers)....talk to the hand!

Before I get into a debate...have you driven or ridden in said jet boats?! If not, I am not going to continue...until you do.:boxing_smiley: There are plenty of us that will be glad to give you a ride in our inferior boats...and we won't yell about the fuel usage.:lols:

And the cost?...you really think I paid any where near that retail cost? Do you really think I paid retail for anything?..then you don't know me very well.:reddevil: I do love the finer things in life and want the best...but I am a bargain shopper at heart. I will go to garage sale, thrift store, and search craigslist for things I want. If you know what some of us paid for our boats, you would have to check your shorts!:rofl:

 

[jshaley]

Minivan

Craig,
I have a Toyota Sienna. Front wheel drive. Factory tow with transmission cooler. I've towed an 18' sailboat but it was actual less weight. Sienna is rated for 3500lbs but w/o vacation gear and such. I have seen some of the other towing threads and think we will be fine.

John

 

[CypherAZ]

Like he said it is a big jet ski and our GTX SC uses double the fuel our Stingray does and we paid about half of what you guys did for it knew. The cost of the GTX SC new was 13,000 the Stingray was 23,000 the Utopia 30,000 so there is know comparison to me.

English > You

You do know the difference between Know and No right? You do it in every post.

 

[Craigmri]

Dude!

Listen, i'm not going to argue here about this but I suspect you've never been on a Seadoo jet BOAT have you?? I had the 310hp Utopia and I have never been on a stern drive that had a launch like it not had the razor sharp handling and sheer acceleration. 430hP....510hp packages that are available? Are you kidding me??????? And ad for the fuel consumption argument.....These t-tec are pretty dang efficient.

Dude, I'm not trashing your Stingray....I like them alot and nearly bought one. Its just that stern drives cannot match the thrill a jet boat will provide. Physics is physics.

Craig

There is know way that any jet boat can beat our stingray hole shot or top end 4.3 liter fuel injected 225 hp she will do about 64 with the 4 blade SS prop and blow out GTX SC out of the water. and with the four blade you don't loose one mph cutting it as hard as you want and pulling power is second to none.

 

[Craigmri]

Nice!

John,

The Sienna must be sweet!

Craig

Craig,
I have a Toyota Sienna. Front wheel drive. Factory tow with transmission cooler. I've towed an 18' sailboat but it was actual less weight. Sienna is rated for 3500lbs but w/o vacation gear and such. I have seen some of the other towing threads and think we will be fine.

John

 

[05GTXSC]

Yes I have driven a Challenger a Speedster and a Islandia, all great boats but I just don't believe the have the value of a sterndrive like with the superchargers Seadoo won't even stand behind there product let alone fix it for for like 4 years. Yes I like BRP and we own Ski Doo but never again will we buy a supercharged Seadoo.