Lake WA on Friday Aug 1st to see Blue Angels

[rx4pain]

I know in another thread we said Thursday would be the day, but it seems the weather might be better on Friday. Thursday is the first day the Blue Angels will be surveying the skies.

U.S Navy Blue Angels Flight Schedule
Thursday, July 31: 9:45 a.m.-12 noon & 1:15-2:30 p.m. (Circle & Arrival Maneuvers to become familiar with the area.)
Friday, August 1: 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Practice Show)
Saturday, August 2: 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Full Show)
Sunday, August 3: 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Ful Show)

Here's a link to the times of water closure and fly zone

http://www.seafair.com/docs/USCGSEAFAIR_Boater%20Handout.pdf

I'm suggesting Friday because the Blue Angels will be doing a full show practice, it's not the actual Seafair chaotic weekend and the weather will be better.

Who's in? Meet at Magnuson early?!

[Z-Man]

Unfortunately I have to work on Friday. Had my boat out last year on the Friday session and swore that I would never do it again (large waves, alot of boat traffic and alot of idiots)! I'm a go for Thursday, but if you guys decide on Friday I can meet up with you another time. Try to avoid the center of the lake after the shows are over. When the large yachts start heading for the openings under the bridges they make huge wakes that meet up in the center. My boat is a 20' and I had waves breaking over the bow. I must admit, I got alittle scared I was going to sinker her.

Darren.

[rx4pain]

Damn Darren...if you had a small PWC then those waves might be fun. But I hear ya. I'm still up for Thursday if there's no takers on Friday...hell, maybe I'll go both days.

[TEX-X]

i'm actually kinda interested in this....would you guys be up to hang out?

[RitzBlitz]

Man if it wasn't harvest right now I'd make the trip over the mountains, that sounds like fun.

[rx4pain]

You're in Oak Harbor? Definitely...come hang out with us. Rain or shine I'm going. It looks like Thursday and Friday might be the same weather wise so Thursday might be less hectic at the launches and on the water.

[Z-Man]

I'm a go for Thursday. Warren G. Magnuson park/ramp opens the gate at 4am. It cost $5.00 to launch and it is one of those electronic pay machines. I don't sleep so I can be there at anytime, but due to traffic I think the earlier the better.

Darren

[rx4pain]

Early is fine for me too! So just let me know. My dilemma is gas. I have no cans for the trailer. The Chevron at Lake Union, only one I know, says there is no place that has super unleaded. So I'll have a full tank but from then what? Hmm.

[Z-Man]

I'll have the same problem. I have yet to buy extra fuel tanks. We can just run them till empty and call it a day, or we can pull them out and go to a couple of near by gas stations. I've heard that no stations on the lake have 91 octane. I'll pm you my cell number.

Darren

[rx4pain]

Anyone else want to meet up first thing tomorrow morning? How about you Tex-X?

[Z-Man]

How about a 0730 meet? That will give us some time to ride around before the Blue Angels show up.

[rx4pain]

Sounds good. Never been there so I'll map it out (I have Nav) but are there any tricks to getting there? Too, I have a sand anchor to load with rocks while I park the car - is there a place to set the ski aside? I had my girlfriend with me once at Coulon and she held it next to the dock on the ramp and even though it was a no wake zone she couldn't keep it from rubbing on the dock and scratch the crap out of it. I'm not the type to pull it on the rocks - especially with all the delamination voodoo on these skis.

[TEX-X]

definately want to get out riding with some GH members....but thursday is no good...i work nights... do ya'll plan on going out on SAT?

[Mason Lake]

Sounds good. Never been there so I'll map it out (I have Nav) but are there any tricks to getting there? Too, I have a sand anchor to load with rocks while I park the car - is there a place to set the ski aside? I had my girlfriend with me once at Coulon and she held it next to the dock on the ramp and even though it was a no wake zone she couldn't keep it from rubbing on the dock and scratch the crap out of it. I'm not the type to pull it on the rocks - especially with all the delamination voodoo on these skis.

I was just at Magnusson last week killing some time - I was pleased to see that they've improved the launch.

In answer to your question, the dock is long enough for you to launch your ski and move it to an area where it will be clear for the next boat to launch while you park your car. It's like Coulon, just that the docks are a bit longer.

When I was there last week I was surprised at how empty it was - there was no line to launch/retrieve and there was plenty of parking.

On a final note, unless you want to make a voluntary contribution to the City of Seattle, you'll want to bring exact currency for the automatic toll box. I read a temporary sign indicating that the machine will accept all currency - it just doesn't give change.

I hope you guys have a great time.

[Mason Lake]

In regards to your fuel/octane problem, you may want to think about refueling on the lake when you're at a half-tank. That's what I did when I had the same issue on Trinity Lake in Norhtern, CA.

I figured that the lower octane lake fuel would mix with the higher octane land fuel and be close enough to 91 that the ski would still be happy.