I'm seriously considering...

[Stoo]

...getting my boat out of storage. I was just watching the long-term weather predictions for the rest of the "winter" here in southern Ontario, and I think there could be some reasonable boating weather. I think as long as I make sure I thoroughly drain my lower unit after I use it, that there shouldn't be much risk... Having just returned from 10 days in the Rockies, I think skiing is pretty much over around here!

Anyone else thinking the same thing? (And I mean you northern folk...!)

[prairie tuber]

It'll be -18 C here overnight. Way warmer than normal for this time of year, but still not exactly boating weather.

[Jklingel]

It is presently -32 F here. Mine is sitting tight for a bit. Make room in your boat, and get your landing net ready. I'll be right down. Thanks. j

[farsider]

Cold snap coming in tommorow will be your way end of the week so i would hold off a bit there

[pathalla]

Stoo, I have been thinking there has been weather so good you could almost go boating, but it snowed this morning, weather is like a woman, a bit unpredictable! so my conclusion is... it's a long way til spring!

[Stoo]

No skiing locally...No boating. I might need to take up womanizing to pass the time!

BTW, Prairie Tuber, I looked for you a week or so ago... I think you must have been lost in the swirling clouds of snow at the airport.... Or it might have been that we were 3 1/2 hours late getting in!

[Rogan]

Hey Stoo,

I think I remember seeing a self righting system on your boat. Did you install that system or did it come as an option on your boat? Thinking about rigging something like that on our hurricane, it would be a nice peace of mind when crossing lake michigan in bad weather.

[Tomas]

Originally Posted by Stoo

Anyone else thinking the same thing? (And I mean you northern folk...!)

I am booked to go North on Friday and was planning on Skiing in West Virginia. Normally they have 5 feet or so of Lake Effect snow up there this time of year but I'm packing my shorts and tees. We'll probably head for the Chesapeake Bay for some sailing and Rock (Striped Bass) fishing. Damn...this Southern folk wanted to play in the SNOW!

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by Stoo

BTW, Prairie Tuber, I looked for you a week or so ago... I think you must have been lost in the swirling clouds of snow at the airport.... Or it might have been that we were 3 1/2 hours late getting in!

I gave up and left after waiting on the tarmac for 3 1/4 hrs - must have just missed you.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Rogan

Hey Stoo,

I think I remember seeing a self righting system on your boat. Did you install that system or did it come as an option on your boat? Thinking about rigging something like that on our hurricane, it would be a nice peace of mind when crossing lake michigan in bad weather.

When I first got the boat, I added the self-righting frame, but customised the fuel tank holders. (The 590 has a 132 litre inboard tank, so these are to extend the range a little. I have a 'T' valve on the fuel line to connect them.) I wanted this frame to hold antennas etc. I added the self-righting rig later. I had to reposition the antennas etc. You need a very strong frame of course, but it is all available off the shelf, although I'm not sure about your boat. It's a fairly complicated thing to set up.... triggers, lanyards, etc. I don't know if there's anyone in your area that services Hurricanes, but I'm sure you could get the stuff from the guy up here. He's in Toronto, which is about an 8 hour drive from Chicago (without a trailer!)

I sometimes think it's silly having this setup, but then I remember that I got my boat from a police department that flipped it while involved in a "rescue"! Their replacement boat still doesn't have self-righting gear!

Here's a better picture of the setup on my boat...