Howdy from Lake Monroe Indiana

Ten Years Gone

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Mar 1, 2011
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Hello Gentlemen,

I've been lurking for a while and finally decided a first post was in order. I've enjoyed this site tremendously! I hope that all of you experienced a happy and loving Christmas!

It's just 18 weeks until splashdown, and my biggest baby is keeping me busy. She is an '86 250DA with every factory option except AC/heat and pulpit/windlass. The previous owners were neglectful and irresponsible, and I saved her from a certain landfill burial. The Admiral and I are considering Lake Monroe as our port-of-call for the 2012 season. (largest reservoir in Indiana) We have enjoyed many years of lake-hopping adventure with our 18' Seville, but are looking forward to the convenience of already being on the water when the mood to cruise strikes. The hours of preparation, triple checking and anal retentive ways required for launching the bowrider, would wear the wife and kids out before we even left the driveway. So this newest addition to our Sea Ray family is our valiant attempt at less stress and greater relaxation.
Just ask my wife! :smt021

Here is a short list of items that "Ruby" is receiving in good faith, that she will float and transport us safely.

1. Rebuilt Vortec 350 with new exhaust manifolds.
2. New Alpha 1 outdrive, props, gimbal bearing and boots.
3. Cockpit vinyl reconditioned/replaced as needed.
4. All the teak removed, sanded, oiled and sealed.
5. Cabin upholstery refitted with vinyl (more kid friendly)
6. Gel-coat above waterline buffed/waxed. Bottom blasted and repainted.
7. New auto bilge pumps, batteries, extinguishers and CO/smoke alarms.
8. New 30 gallon freshwater holding tank and pump.
9. New CD player w/6 new speakers and 20" flat-screen TV/DVD combo.

I hope this list is completed in time for an early Spring launch. Anyone who boats in IN knows what happened last year (2011) that delayed the beginning of the season!
(After all, I do want the full 5 months of space I'm paying for!)

Looking forward to sharing my challenges and triumphs with you folks.
Cheers! :smt038

Dancer net small.jpgBoat net2.jpg
 
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Sounds like you have spent a lot of time and effort on getting your baby ready. Congratulations!

Sounds like you are slipping at Monroe? Which Marina will you be at?
 
were you tied up in the Saddle Creek area on Laborday weekend ??
there was a Dancer back there all weekend tied at the bank.
and I think I may have talked to you on the Moores Creek ramp

welcome to CSR
Jim
 
Sounds like a good rebuild list... get all that done and she should be like new!

I would add these while your at it:
10. Shift/steering cables
11. Steering pin

Welcome to CSR!
 
Welcome aboard from a former Hoosier. It sound like you have caught the boating bug bad! Like me you started with little and will end up with much. If you count the cost then you never win with a boat. The great thing is that the enjoyment/memories you get far outway the investment. You could spend 5K taking the kids to Disney for the week and come home with a lot of pictures or spend it on your boat and end up with many seasons of memories and still have the boat.
 
Where do you plan to slip at Monroe ??
the Admiral and I are trying to decide between Monroe and Brookville.
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the responses! :grin:

Mark, I WISH I could afford to slip at FourWinds but wow are they proud of their facility! :wow: More than likely (only alternative) is Paynetown. Unfortunately, P-town has a one year waiting list for their slips, so all that's left are the off-shore buoys. The aggravating thing is, they don't allow gennies in the harbor at night, so we would have to go hook in a cove to have power on board. Kind of defeats the purpose of paying for a buoy! As a last resort, we MIGHT go to Brookville with her as the Quakertown Marina is privately owned, and they don't prohibit gensets on the buoy field. I just really like Monroe better, as we spent the majority of our time there with the Seville over the last several years, and love the topography of the land. Mopar Jim, to answer your question...no, it wasn't me at Saddle Creek, although we were there Labor day weekend. I know the vessel you're thinking of though, but she's a 268...looks just like mine. We were on the bowrider at Allens Creek (party cove) that weekend. Scott, I would love taking her back to where she hails from for a visit! This vessel was originally berthed at Benton Harbor. She spent 15 years there before going to Port Clinton OH then on to Cincinnati, and finally here to Indy. Monroe and Brookville are the largest bodies of water I've navigated, so you can imagine my trepidation over cruising the BIG waters. Maybe I'll cut my teeth up there when I have a 270/290 with twins! Jim G, thanks for the advice on the shift/steering cables! I intend on replacing ANYTHING that I suspect can leave me without control over the engine/and or drive. OldSkool, I agree with you 100% I consider every weekend we spend on the water a vacation. The kids know better than to ever ask about anything Disney related! I would suggest you come back to the Hoosier state, but I can understand the Carolinas...more opportunity for warm weather/longer season boating!

Hope I didn't ramble on too much in this post, just wanted to respond to everyone at once. You guys are great! :smt038
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the responses! :grin:

Mark, I WISH I could afford to slip at FourWinds but wow are they proud of their facility! :wow: More than likely (only alternative) is Paynetown. Unfortunately, P-town has a one year waiting list for their slips, so all that's left are the off-shore buoys. The aggravating thing is, they don't allow gennies in the harbor at night, so we would have to go hook in a cove to have power on board. Kind of defeats the purpose of paying for a buoy! As a last resort, we MIGHT go to Brookville with her as the Quakertown Marina is privately owned, and they don't prohibit gensets on the buoy field. I just really like Monroe better, as we spent the majority of our time there with the Seville over the last several years, and love the topography of the land. Mopar Jim, to answer your question...no, it wasn't me at Saddle Creek, although we were there Labor day weekend. I know the vessel you're thinking of though, but she's a 268...looks just like mine. We were on the bowrider at Allens Creek (party cove) that weekend. Scott, I would love taking her back to where she hails from for a visit! This vessel was originally berthed at Benton Harbor. She spent 15 years there before going to Port Clinton OH then on to Cincinnati, and finally here to Indy. Monroe and Brookville are the largest bodies of water I've navigated, so you can imagine my trepidation over cruising the BIG waters. Maybe I'll cut my teeth up there when I have a 270/290 with twins! Jim G, thanks for the advice on the shift/steering cables! I intend on replacing ANYTHING that I suspect can leave me without control over the engine/and or drive. OldSkool, I agree with you 100% I consider every weekend we spend on the water a vacation. The kids know better than to ever ask about anything Disney related! I would suggest you come back to the Hoosier state, but I can understand the Carolinas...more opportunity for warm weather/longer season boating!

Hope I didn't ramble on too much in this post, just wanted to respond to everyone at once. You guys are great! :smt038

Are you from southern Indiana or central? I wanted to give my service guys a plug.

I use A&E Marine in McCordsville area just north of SR 67 on what is Olio Road in Hamilton County. They are just south of the Marion, Hamilton, and Hancock County lines. The address is: 8250 N 600W Suite F McCordsville, In 46055. (317) 336-2628. http://www.aandemarine.com/

Dennis Arnold and Randy Evans are the owners, both worked for Boatland, the former Sea Ray dealer in Indianapolis, for most of their working lives. They have 50+ combined years of Sea Ray experience. Both of their sons work at the shop and they are joined by Steve Johns who has over 25 years experience as a Sea Ray rigger and delivery specialist. They offer exellent service by some of the most knowledgable tech's in the area. They also provide service for many other makes and styles of boats.


A and E Marine Inc.

8250 N 600 W # F
McCordsville, IN
317-336-2628

http://www.aandemarine.com/
 
have you looked into the private marina at Cutright ??
they are about 1/2-1/3 the price of fourwinds for a 26' covered
turned down a slip there in October. Just get on their waiting list
 
Mike...PM sent!


Rats! Jim...it just dawned on me after you mentioned it...that tiny marina just east of the Cutright ramp. *smacks forehead* That is a cute and cozy little area. In fact, when we were always trailering in on the weekends, we would launch at Cutright to avoid the $5 fee at the Paynetown ramp! We just always zipped straight across the idle zone to the causeway and made our way to the channel. Never had a reason to travel east into no-mans land. I've run over too many sandbars to try that again! Anyway, why did you fore-go the slip if it was available and cheap?
 
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I was just not ready to slip mine
still working on it on the interior and no bottom paint
and just wasn't prepared quick enough to pay 2400 up front in October for a slip I may not use till june or so
nice place and people if you don't mind a 20 min idle to the causeway
and Bville is really closer to home for me.


still on the call list though :wink:
 
I was just not ready to slip mine
still working on it on the interior and no bottom paint
and just wasn't prepared quick enough to pay 2400 up front in October for a slip I may not use till june or so
nice place and people if you don't mind a 20 min idle to the causeway
and Bville is really closer to home for me.
still on the call list though :wink:

What part of Indiana are you guys from?
You can go to Salamonie for less than half of the $2400 you just mentioned with electric and water. (See link below for dock rental info)
The lake is smaller than Monroe but still plenty of water to do what you want to do.
Nice large bay that is a total no wake zone at the marina.
http://salamoniemarina.com/Home.html
If you need any info, let me know,
Bob
 
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I am from Carthage In
about 45 miles east and slightly south of Indy
lived in Bloomington most of my life though...practically grew up on Monroe
I live about 45 minutes NW of Brookville now so that is why I am considering leaving mine there
Giest just isn't big enough for my 240 but is soooooo convienient from work in Fishers
 
Hope to see you on the water. We're normally out on Monroe every other weekend, and up on Lake Michigan on the others.
 
Geist is a joke. There is no way I would waste my time launching an express cruiser there. Like you said Jim, not enough room to let her breathe, and not a single amenity to choose from, unless one considers staring at million dollar homes a fun day on the water. If I want to do that, I'll sit and admire Mellencamps place at Monroe while cranking Pink Houses! Besides, the launch fee at Geist is extortion! And that goes for Morse reservoir too. I'm still torn between slipping at Monroe or B-ville. They both have so many qualities but I can't have everything I want from either one, so it's a compromise. Here is my short take on the two. Monroe has two beaches conveniently accessible by boat (docks); B-ville just one. (beached) Both have boat (dock) accessible restaurants. B-ville has the best protected harbor (Q-town) but it's a ridiculously long 1.5 miles of idle zone to the channel! :wow: Kents harbor has virtually NO protection and the boats get thrashed on the west side of the marina when the wakeboarders come out to play. I wouldn't DARE try tying off to the breakwall at Mounds beach on a busy weekend, unless I had a penchant for smashed fiberglass. The views are spectacular from either lake, and both are patrolled very well during the height of the season. Monroe has a more "party" atmosphere with its proximity to IU. Brookville is more relaxed given its remote location/distance from any major city. Both have very muddy water that stains swimsuits and gelcoat. Trailering to Brookville from anywhere is much easier on the truck/passengers. I haven't found a route into Monroe yet that doesn't test my nerves because of winding hilly roads (Hoosier Nat'l Forest) or ongoing construction of Hwy 46 and traffic congestion in Bloomington. :smt089
 

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