Weekly FR Boating Thread ~ Vol. 4 ~ Feb. 17, 2012 ~ Spring Projects

[ImProudToBeAnAmerican]

Weekly FR Boating Thread ~ Vol. 4 ~ Feb. 17, 2012 ~ Spring Projects

Launching ~ Weekly FR Boating Thread ~ Vol. 1 ~ Jan. 27, 2012

Weekly FR Boating Thread ~ Vol. 2 ~ Feb 3, 2012 ~ “Off Season”

Weekly FR Boating Thread ~ Vol. 3 ~ Feb. 10, 2012 ~ Boat Transportation

Last week’s thread had 23 posts, including boat transportation sources and recommendations.

With Spring in the air and the boating season around the corner, what is everyone doing to prepare?

This week I have been busy helping clients either prep their boats to sell or get their boats ready to use.

Lots of cleaning, trouble shooting, replacing old halyards, recommending boatyards, surveyors and various service sources.

Back in the old days, when all the boats were made of wood, boats were referred to as being ‘bright’, when all the paint and varnish was fair, fresh, shiny and new. (Can you smell it?)

In modern times, when you boat is in top condition, everything works, and your vessel is ready to head out on an adventure at a moment’s notice – I refer to this as being ‘Brilliant!’.

Keep on scrubbing!

“There are three sorts of people; those who are alive, those who are dead, and those who are at sea.”

~ Old Capstan Chantey attributed to Anacharsis, 6th Century BC

PS: Let me know if you'd like to be on the Weekly FR Boating Thread Ping List.

[ImProudToBeAnAmerican]

TGIF - it’s time for the Weekly FR Boating Thread!

[RitchieAprile]

only plumbers and firemen can afford boats.

[ImProudToBeAnAmerican]

only plumbers and firemen can afford boats.

That's funny, but in over 20 years of helping people buy and sell boats, I have yet to work with a plumber or a fireman.

[skinkinthegrass]

a boating ping/thread...who knew!
gardening thread... recipes thread.. etc.. etc.. etc.

[Capt. Tom]

Expect more empty slips this season as gasoline approaches $4/gal. at your automobile service station.
Many marinas are priced about 60-75 cents more per gallon than gas stations. You use a lot more fuel in boats than in cars on a daily basis.

Last season I saw boats in pre-paid slips just sit there because of the high price of fuel.
I would imagine this season when the slip fees came due during the last few months many people would have opted out for this coming season; or decided to trailer their boats-if practical. Boats over 25 feet are more difficult to trailer. - Tom

[Baynative]

Hybrid heaven - combining two of the best...

[BlueMondaySkipper]

That's funny, but in over 20 years of helping people buy and sell boats, I have yet to work with a plumber or a fireman.

In my marina we used to have a pair of plumbers (an obnoxious gay couple) as well as a firemen (he and his wife were swingers). They are all long gone now but they did exist.

[MichaelP]

I'm pulling mine down to Sebastian, Florida right after I get off work today. Just keeping my fingers crossed for the weather. It's going to be warm, but windy!

Mike

[usurper]

Well I have spent the winter replacing a 28 year old floating dock and a failing sea wall made of railroad ties. The project is 95 percent complete. The new dock is a peer dock (not floating) and I am using Trex type decking. The sea wall is a block retaining wall I hope will last for years. Its been a big project and I am beat, broken and in need of pontoon boat therapy to recover. Unfortunately up here in the inland northwest summer is but a distant dream at this point.

[smokingfrog]

Does anyone own a Gheenoe?

If so, how do you like it and what kind of fishing do you mostly do?

Who makes the best small outboard? (15 hp or less)

[hope]

Yep, yep! Sold our Sea Ray 330 this past summer... Gas at the marina was approaching $5 gal, and slip fees went up almost three hundred per month..The more money than brains, liberal, bam lover who bought the marina decided to raise rates in this economy and lost 50% membership. He has gotten his hands on three prime marinas in AZ and went on to Lake Berryessa in Cali to buy up their marinas. Somehow, I think he wants them empty.

You know what they say...The happiest day of a boaters life, is the day he buys it and the day he sells it...

Unfortunately, we miss it badly...We’ll be back though...First time without a boat in 20 years.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Lake of the Ozarks is home to dozens of twin and triple engine go-fast boats.
A fill on one of these is > $400.
Maybe a few of these bad boys will become swim platforms this summer but the last gasoline runup didn't slow anything down.

Our 26 1/2 foot Playcraft triple log pontoon is cleaned, fueled and ready.

[illiac]

Diesel is currently running at $5 per gallon at our marina right now - not many charterers booked yet and it most likely will not be a great season.

[hope]

We had twin 454’s ..both holding 225 gallons. Of course they’ve never seen full tanks. Thinking of a sail boat :)

Also, wondering how long before regualions start coming down on boaters.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Our pontoon is set up with a single 225 Honda and will do 55 mph with the top down. What do you like to do with your boat ?

[CrazyIvan]

“Expect more empty slips this season as gasoline approaches $4/gal. at your automobile service station.
Many marinas are priced about 60-75 cents more per gallon than gas stations. You use a lot more fuel in boats than in cars on a daily basis.”

Both my kayaks and the canoe run on Guinness Stout.

[CrazyIvan]

“Expect more empty slips this season as gasoline approaches $4/gal. at your automobile service station.
Many marinas are priced about 60-75 cents more per gallon than gas stations. You use a lot more fuel in boats than in cars on a daily basis.”

Both my kayaks and the canoe run on Guinness Stout.

[Capt. Tom]

Both my kayaks and the canoe run on Guinness Stout.

The 3 boats I run are all single diesels and use 50-60 gals a trip, and we are out fishing offshore 4 -5 days a week mid April to mid October. - tom

[ImProudToBeAnAmerican]

a boating ping/thread...who knew!
gardening thread... recipes thread.. etc.. etc.. etc.

After joining and enjoying the weekly FR gardening thread - lightbulb!