Covid 19 launch thoughts

oceanpearl

Member
Aug 20, 2008
168
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Boat Info
400DB Searay 2001/ Sold
240 Searay Sundeck 2008
Engines
454 7.4 MPI Horozons
5.7 Mercruiser 300MPI
I am seriously considering taking a sabbatical for boating this season.
Water levels are high and due to the BEAST (Covid), a late launch is in order.
Shorter season, launch and haul out and unshrinking and reshrinking in a short time frame doesn't seem worthwhile.
Social events with social distancing will not be fun.
Your thoughts????
 
I am seriously considering taking a sabbatical for boating this season.
Water levels are high and due to the BEAST (Covid), a late launch is in order.
Shorter season, launch and haul out and unshrinking and reshrinking in a short time frame doesn't seem worthwhile.
Social events with social distancing will not be fun.
Your thoughts????
Interesting points. Being down south (I’m in south Louisiana) I didn’t think about that aspect of this stay.at.home.order - shortening the boating season for people up north. Is the cost involved in un-shrink wrapping, summer prepping, and re-winterizing shortly after that high? I have no idea how much that costs in time and money.
 
Slips paid, ins paid, gas docks open. Damn skippy I'm boating :)
 
Interesting points. Being down south (I’m in south Louisiana) I didn’t think about that aspect of this stay.at.home.order - shortening the boating season for people up north. Is the cost involved in un-shrink wrapping, summer prepping, and re-winterizing shortly after that high? I have no idea how much that costs in time and money.
My boat goes in a building for winter, although next year I am considering outside, cost to relaunch is zero, it’s included in the storage fee. Cost to haul out is included in the storage fee so my only cost to winterize is 20 gallons of winterizing antifreeze, about $100-$120. The labor is free, I do it. I’m retired so I have the time. Even if I am told I only have one month, I’m in. To be honest, I am not worried at all about the boating season, yet. I don’t even start to go in the building until end of April, our marina normally opens May15. Wife and I have already decided that if we can get the boat in the water but the marina doesn’t open for some reason, we will just live on the boat somewhere, anywhere, for the duration of the summer. We do not store at the same location as we slip, so that is a possibility.
 
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I will launch because the slip is paid for... and I do not want to pay Skipper Buds for "Summer Storage" and pay twice.
 
We plan to launch at some point but it all depends on what goes on. Like I said before, we can go to our slip and go anchor without ever coming within 50' of anyone but I understand if they lock that down too. I'm spending the next few weeks working on the boat. Worst case everything is done and ready for next year. Washing it today then will buff it next nice days we have. I already buffed and waxed the stern since the swim platform is off and it's easy to get to. Even if we can't launch this year I plan to spend a few nights on it this summer in the driveway...lol
 
Two years ago I didn't launch until first week of June because of ice anyway. For myself I got a couple months to decide. I've made a bunch of phone calls....at this point I'm not guaranteed I'll have someone to launch me or a place to go and the canvas guy has my money and won't answer his phone.
 
Yeah we don't usually launch until a few days before Memorial Day anyway so we have time.
 
If you’re not endangering others and your pocketbook can take it then from a mental health perspective boating will be an excellent therapy.
 
If you’re not endangering others and your pocketbook can take it then from a mental health perspective boating will be an excellent therapy.
EXACTLY. I spend most of my time alone on the boat. The admiral only comes occasionally. No better place for me to socially distance myself. Yet, I can't even get close.
 
We normally go out twice a year. Early May to July and all of September. Our boat is in US and we are in Canada. If we can not get to it we will not boat. Expect the spring trip is off but fall one is on.
 
I set my 4/30 launch date before coronavirus took over society. I have a few weeks before I have to make any decisions but for now I'm prepping her for launch.

On the plus side, a friend went in Friday and we have power, self service fuel and pump out.... with water going on this week!
 
I own the property where I dock the boat in the season so no restrictions.
I’m hoping to launch before next week if we get a few more warm days without rain.
Sides are polished below rubrails with first coat of wax on those areas. Did those Wednesday and Thursday when we had a break in the rain.
Spent yesterday afternoon sanding bottom and painting props/shafts/rudders/tabs.
Spent all day today painting bottom and changing zincs on hull, tabs and thruster.
Next priority is two more coats of wax on sides below rubrails, then I’ll green light the boatyard to drop her in as soon as they can.
I can polish and wax transom and topsides in the water.
Want to try to get in before someone shuts the yard down.
 

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