Re: Laughlin to Havasu River Run
Well I have not done the whole run for quite a few years although I was just in at Laughlin a couple of weeks ago. I also boated between Park Moabi and Needles this year, and I have a lot of experience from the I40 bridge down into Havasu.
Basically the stretch from the casinos down to the lower reaches of Bullhead is pretty treacherous. If you know that stretch, then you know the risks there. My recollection is that it is pretty reasonable from there to the Avi. From the Avi to just below Willow Valley Marina there are a lot of snags, bars and one particularly nasty rock bar just below Willow. From Willow to the I40 bridge is pretty good right down the middle. From I40 into Topock Gorge is actually pretty deep with the exception of the corner where the Sandbar is (Blankenship Bend).
I'd simply follow any boat through there. Also if you miss the main channel and venture off into some of the little backwater areas you can get in big trouble fast.
The next concern is the area where the river dumps into the lake just south of the buoys that mark the Gorge entrance from south to north. I'd also follow boats out of there. I go through there several times a year and it still freaks me out. With that said, I have never hit anything. That section is divided by a large sandbar, and I prefer the AZ side despite appearances. There is usually a large debris field just as you get into the lake proper. That area is actually fairly deep, but lots of stuff to hit like floating logs etc.
My recommendation is to figure out the schedule of the tour boats that run from London Bridge to Laughlin and back. I'd follow them, but I think their schedule might be backwards for you, but I am not sure (looking for a link after I post). These are 40 ft. + jet boats and draw enough water that a smaller prop drive of any kind should have absolutely no issues where ver they go.
Also, Google maps has a pretty good look at the whole thing. I can see the rock bars, sand bars and generally shallow ares pretty clearly, so I'd stare at hat for a while and probably make some notes.
Finally, all of this is worth about as much as you have paid for it. Be CAREFUL!!! Wish I was going. Good luck!!