Cold weather boating

[ChiefScientist]

I modified the plumbing in my 280 so I could isolate the indoor faucets and plumbing from the outdoor. Extra circuits were run for bilge heaters and electric cabin heat. That plus the single point drain for the engine allows boating all winter. Open the engine seacock, removing the bilge vent sealers and off I go. About the only other change in the routine is using the duck boat to break the ice in the habor and release the harbor barricade. Rivertowne Marina in Cincinnati is just perfect for extreme boating enthusiasts. I use my 280 as my duck camp in the winter. You just cant sit on it without occasionally taking it out. The pull is too powerful.

 

[Georgia SeaDawg]

We braved the weather today and I wanted to follow up with the original post. It was touch and go at first... But I do want to warn all those that have followed this... Winter boating in South Georgia can be brutal. Remember wear your sun screen!

 

[DaFish]

I am glad you roughed it through a challenging winter day. I know, it is a tough job, but someone has to do it. While you were out having fun, we were plowing snow from last night.

 

[Jeff_380]

I woke up to 5 fresh inches of snow. Snow sucks

 

[rondds]

I'm with Rod... we hit the slopes today with some boating buddies and their families and had an fantastic day. Around 40*, empty mountain, no lift lines. Nice 2 martini lunch in the lodge restaurant. Boating up here makes you appreciate it so much more - a lot of our discussion today revolved around spring and summer boat plans, launch dates and who is going to do their own waxing. So believe me, it's on ALL our minds. The storm forecast for around here changed a bit - brunt is going to hit further south - good for us, sucks for them!

I get to live vicariously through friends of mine who are in those warm weather climates.

Here's the latest in a series from my friend Robert, with the caption "85 and sunny here." Taken from the cockpit of his Viking 50 VSC. Hey, aren't those two Sea Rays in that pic??. I'll get a picture from Rob anytime I text or write him about the heinous weather we've been enduring up here (Rob winters in Punta Gorda and summers at the Jersey Shore).

Oh and here's one from another friend, Rusty something-or-other, giving me the peace sign. Apparently he was doing some warm-weather boating last week, running this old bucket of bolts back from the Miami boat show, stopping along the way, answering questions, talking to people and saying a whole bunch of times, "Why yes, this IS the new SeaRay 510FLY that you read about in Power & Motor Yacht. Matter of fact, this is THE boat you saw in those pages of P&MY. Sure you can check her out and I certainly can tell you more about this vessel..." How's that for a pick up line?! I just hope the good folks at SR and MM chip in and get Ambassador Rusty a basket of fruit next Christmas b/c he probably got a few more of these babies sold before he hit St. Augustine. LIVIN the LIFE, you southerners.

So go ahead all of you - do your worst - I'm immune - and just know y'all wouldn't last a February week up here! ;-)