Sad day, Haul-out Day

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Wet Willie

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Well, this season flew by! We are out on 10/20/08.Wich means the last weekend of the month will be beautiful for boating; but we have no choice.No doubt about it, we will be in our slip, M54 at NorthPoint in 2009.
How about everybody else on the south / west end of Lake Michigan? Have a good season? Coming back to the same marina / harbor or making a change in 2009?
Bob
 
I'm coming out this Saturday. It was supposed to be last Saturday but the crane we hire broke and another 60ton couldn't be found.

For us the season was kind of short as this boat is new to us and we didn’t start home with it from Mi until 6/30. The last two weekends have been great but everyone was busy doing as much winterization prep work as possible.
Niles
 
Mine came out yesterday 10/15. Depressing -- cold rainy dreary day to boot. Have a long list of off season projects.

Glad to hear you had a good season at North Point. Mine was short. Got too busy with a bunch of family BS. Better luck next year.
 
JETLAG comes out on the 26th of this month. Would be out this weekend but I have to go to Miami for business. Sure not looking forward to haul out day...........but I am already planning for next season.
 
WE have all sorts of events planned for next season with our dock mates. We have really gotton to know them this last season and have a great time with them. Our ever expanding group of friends is awesome!!!
 
I've been out for a couple weeks. Summer was good. Cruise to Grand Traverse Bay in July was fantastic with 10 days of sunny skies and calm seas. The plan is for more of the same next year although I'm holding my breath with my automotive employment situation. It's a bit uncertain at the moment.
 
Going to pull her out next weekend. We're sticking in the harbor until they close. We're going to miss our harbor dockmates. Some of us keep in touch during the off season and are planning to meet up at the Chicago boat show in January.

It's been a great year - we went from a 28' Bayliner to a the Carver 350 Mariner. It took some time to get used to the controls, but now I'm hooked!
 
I spent yesterday winterizing and cleaning her up for the big day - the 25th. [:-weepn]
- oil /filter changed
- fuel treated /filters changed
- bilges cleaned /batteries topped off
- water lines blown out
- fridge empty /snacks out
- boat washed, inside cleaned
- antennas dropped /bumpers stored
- dock locker emptied
- gas grill /water hose stored
- ceremonial final beer "raised" on the boat
TIRED today!

Summer's officially over for me - Let the winter project season begin![:-bigeyes2]
Any big plans for you this winter?
 
I've got a short off-season "must do" list Marykhubby . But a long "wish list"! Hopefully the end of the year finds us some spendable income so we can get a few of our "wishes".
We also move up in size this year Gratcho; going from a 27' open bow to a 32'cruiser.It was intimadating initially,but by the end of the season all apprehension was gone and we are very excited about next seasons potential.
RamsSport 47; heading your way (Lake Erie)is one of the locations we hope to make next season. We have alot of friends on that pond and need to get back to them.
Golfman 25; we gotta get together next year. We are headed back to "M" dock, slip 54. Cocktails on us!
 
If you are stopping by to see RAM you're passing through our neck of the woods coming from IL. Let us know in advance.
 
quote:
Originally posted by marykhubby

If you are stopping by to see RAM you're passing through our neck of the woods coming from IL. Let us know in advance.

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Thanks for the offer! Most likely we will trailer to Lake Erie if that happens next season. Where is your neck of the woods in Michigan marykhubby? We made it to St. Joe and South Haven this season, just missing a trip to Saugatuck due to bad weather
 
We'd love to see peopel from here at Cedar Point. Don came this past season, but showed up mid week, so I wasn't there. Maybe next year Don.
 
Willie
We're on the Western end of the Lake, near the OH / MI border, just south of Monroe.

Kenny
I need to plan a little better next year and hit a weekend for us to have a cold one together. This year we cut way back on trips and only made it over to CP once (gas prices). If gas stays below $3 next year, that could change back to 2-3 trips again...
 
Wouldn't that be a great Christmas gift!
Diesel actually dropped below three bucks a gallon towards the end of the season (of course!). We can only hope it stays that way.
I'm gonna do some route charting during the off season. Let's say we have 4 days & nights to spend on Lake Erie; what does everyone thing is the best time to go? How about a good temporary "home port" to base out of?
 
I would base out of CP where Kenny is. Central on the lake. Get to use the Amusement Park. Famous Daves restaraunt. Nice docks and a beach out front. Depending on how long it might get a bit salty... <85-night for 50foot dock>
Don
 
quote:
Originally posted by marykhubby

I would base out of CP where Kenny is. Central on the lake. Get to use the Amusement Park. Famous Daves restaraunt. Nice docks and a beach out front. Depending on how long it might get a bit salty... <85-night for 50foot dock>
Don

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Reads like a good idea Don & Kenny,
We may stay their for a night or so, then transient somewhere else for a night too. We are equipped to spend a night "on-the-hook" but very rarely do in unfamilar waters.Think I'm gonna let this thread die and start a new one specific to visiting Lake Erie to stir up some more opinions, might be fun eh?
Bob
 
Bob
Your welcome to drop by our Marina at the West end of the Lake. Our neighbor lost his boat (repo) last year and we used his slip for our PWCs all summer. Assuming it's still open next year you may be able to slip in for free and hang with us. We always have the music warm, the BBQ hot and the beer cold. Just let us know in advance and we'll give you the "low down" on vacancy status next year...
Don
 
Thanks Don!
Now all we need is for work to be steady (maybe a lil' overtime), and the price of diesel to stay low. And if you ever decide to head up to Chi-Town,send us a note.
Bob
 
Bob
We'll keep you in mind. Always wanted to make that trip someday...

Well, yesterday she came out (sad day). I got my first look at how my "bottom job" held up from last spring. After powerwashing she still looks intact! No chips or lost adhesion anywhere.
The wind was whipping hard, making it almost impossible to stuff her into the narrow lift slip. Every time I turned her in the channel I became a sailboat!!! Kissed the port pole on the third and final entry (I'll have a section of SS rub rail to replace in the spring as a result, but no glass damage). Maybe I need to move my lift date up a few weeks next year to avoid these higher winds/rain typical of late October in Michigan.

The frustrating part for me is the waiting. Hauling day is lot like going to the doctors office - you wait wait and wait some more. This happens every year. Last year I waited >6 hours for them to be ready for me, I had a late day haul time, and they were severely backed up. This year I went for 9am, figuring being early allows less time for back ups. 8am I am up at the dock adjacent to the lifts. 10:30am I finally see the sling is ready. And all the time, people standing around. Customer service is the name of the game these days in tough economy - they better start figuring out a better way. You guys experience the same thing or is it just my marina?
Don
 
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