How early can I get her wet?

chrisbo66

chrisbo66

New Member
Jan 29, 2008
50
Grand Rapids, MI
Boat Info
2002 340 Sundancer
lots of fun!
Engines
6.2L, V-drives
Hey all,

Anxiously waiting to do my launch, sea trial, orientation and obviously first day cruise. I have tentatively scheduled a launch date of April 24th. Does this sound about right? Too early, too late?... opinions. I know the official "opening day" of the marina is May 1st but I can't imagine they will turn me away before that right?

I have always trailered prior to this boat so it was always a "how's the weather today?" kind of thing. This time I am competing for launch time with a lot of other folks at Skipper Buds in Grand Haven. Additionally, because I just purchased the boat, I want to have some time to get in some practice before everyone shows up to watch:grin:.

BRING ON THE SUN!!
 
chrisbo66 said:
I have tentatively scheduled a launch date of April 24th. Does this sound about right?
Click to expand...

They're splashing over in New York as we speak!

We're going in over on Lake Erie on April 18th. We did that last year and was rewarded with 2 fantastic weather weekends in a row right after. In our case we were probably about the 15th boat in the water at the marina (out of a couple hundred).

The only drawback was water hadn't been turned on so we ran out of the tank for 2 weekends which wasn't a problem. You may get some nights of below freezing temps but the lake water will keep your boat warm enough to prevent any damage. We keep the cabin thermostats on for the first few weeks to keep everything toasty inside.

If the weather's good and you're boat's on the hard it's pretty much useless at that point. We northerners have to use every inch of the season to make it worth it. Get 'er in there and have some fun.
 
April 1st or close after Im bringing my boat back from Chicago. Everybody starts launching over here on the 1st usually.
 
I'm going in 4/26. The dealer said the big rush is to get everyone in on Memorial Day so they welcome early launches. Don't expect your marina to let you slip it for free for the days before 5/1. Mine charges the daily transient rate.
 
Yes your getting OLDER bridog.....This winter has been so long I can't remember being this stir crasey....
Chris you won't have any problems over there except getting cold, take a snow suit, when we Sea Trialed our boat it was 32 degrees yet not snowing in Grand Haven, but Damn it was cold..

You need to settle down young man, you'll plenty of time to put the first scratch in the Hull when spring truely comes in , here in Michigan, but for now...start saving for those gas bills that will choke a maggot on a gut wagon...
 
I can't even go down the road till the limits go off, usually April 15. That really isn't the main holdback, I have to wait for my yard and driveway to dry up before I can move the boat. I'm hoping for 2nd or 3rd week of May to get in the water. If so that will be the earliest for me so far.
 
Sounds like I am about on target. My only hangup will be if the new canvas is done by then. Then again, as long as they have all they need to get started on it, I can use the slantback that comes with it for a while.

Good point though Boltman.... I better wear some warm clothes for the first few weeks. But then again, I was sitting in my tree stand this past October sweating my a$$ off while bow hunting in a tee shirt. All we need is a little karma from that to bring us some 70 degree days in late April/early May!!!
 
boltman said:
but for now...start saving for those gas bills that will choke a maggot on a gut wagon...
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I am remaining completely in denial! :thumbsup: Blissfully ignorant and ignoring all signs of fuel cost increases. :lol:At least for a while... like until the first credit card bill arrives. :smt100BUT I AM NOT THINKING ABOUT THAT!!:smt101
 
Well you got it as Bad as we do....... and then some. I'm going to pick mine up end of march and install a few items, so at least it will feel like I'm on the boat, while it's in my driveway...
We still use our slant back for the camper tops, I don't mind the slant back, you lose a little room, but it keeps me closer to mama that way.... Oh wait your single I forgot...hehehehe oh Well there are plenty of women in boating that are available, Hell just go to the coast gaurd festival in Grand haven, there like swarms of bee's there....Anyways buddy... be very careful when your out in that water when it's that cold....Ok? and I'm looking forward to seeing you on the water this summer.. your in Muskegon Right...?
 
My boat storage guy emailed me today that I have been scheduled for the week of April 7th. Earliest ever for me, I never thought I would be breaking out the long johns for the "goin to the boat bag".

1st season on her and we are goin' for it :grin::grin::grin:
 
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Well, I'm not sure, anytime you want I'd say, depends on what she's up for, don't you think?:grin::smt101:smt043

oh, wait, we're talking about the boat... oh, ok, nevermind.
 
boltman said:
We still use our slant back for the camper tops, I don't mind the slant back, you lose a little room, but it keeps me closer to mama that way.... Oh wait your single I forgot...hehehehe oh Well there are plenty of women in boating that are available, Hell just go to the coast guard festival in Grand haven, there like swarms of bee's there.
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Oh yea!! We'll see how that works out. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival mentality... other times it just annoys me (signs of getting older I guess). Good to have it there when I need it though :grin:


boltman said:
I'm looking forward to seeing you on the water this summer.. your in Muskegon Right...?
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Yes indeed. I have secured my spot at Great Lakes Marina in Muskegon. Same marina the Lake Express Ferry is docked at. Once I decide on a name for the boat I'll let you know and you should be able to find me around there somewhere on most weekends. Hope to see you soon!!
 
VTSeaRay said:
Well, I'm not sure, anytime you want I'd say, depends on what she's up for, don't you think?:grin::smt101:smt043

oh, wait, we're talking about the boat... oh, ok, nevermind.
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LOL - ya know, I thought about that as soon as I started this thread. I didn't intend it that way... it was just a slip of the tongue. I took another look at it but couldn't put my finger on it. I am usually very good with these things but this time it was really hard to get it sounding right. I finally whipped it out though and it came out pretty close to what I wanted.

It's official... I need a girlfriend :huh:
 
chrisbo66 said:
LOL - ya know, I thought about that as soon as I started this thread. I didn't intend it that way... it was just a slip of the tongue. I took another look at it but couldn't put my finger on it. I am usually very good with these things but this time it was really hard to get it sounding right. I finally whipped it out though and it came out pretty close to what I wanted.

It's official... I need a girlfriend :huh:
Click to expand...

:smt038 I couldn't have said it better myself!:grin: I think you nailed that subject as well as you could!
 
Lake Erie Boater said:
My boat storage guy emailed me today that I have been scheduled for the week of April 7th. Earliest ever for me, I never thought I would be breaking out the long johns for the "goin to the boat bag".
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That's less than three weeks. I was up at Marina Del Isle today and there was still probably 6" of ice jammed around the docks.

Although that 2.5" of rain we're supposed to get tomorrow will take care of a bunch of that... :(
 
SeaRM said:
That's less than three weeks. I was up at Marina Del Isle today and there was still probably 6" of ice jammed around the docks.

Although that 2.5" of rain we're supposed to get tomorrow will take care of a bunch of that... :(
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Yea, that though had entered my mind. I was the last one in the building in the fall and they want me out so to speak. As the date nears, I will make the call if it is just not yet the right time. Don't really want to jeopardize anything. I assume, they will have to heed my request "not" to launch, won't they???

Anyone know when the charter guys go in by comparison??

Please warm up, please warm up.........
 
Chris, Just let me know how those waves feel at 38 degrees, I'm curiuos.....Brrrrrr. When we sea'd our boat, we broke just outside the wall for darn sure had to turn back around, because the wind coming down the west coast that day was churning some seriuos waves, I actually do not know why they took us out to sea trial, and not waited for better weather..Good luck let us know how it went.....
 
Chris-
Hope you have great weather for the Sea trial. We got lucky on ours with 78 degrees and light variable winds. This year we intend to have her dropped in April 15th. That should ease the tax pain a little. It will be interesting to see where the marinas set fuel prices.
Mike
 
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