Lake Norman - When is it safe to "spalsh" the boat?

[LKN]

Man, it's unseasonably cold! I'm sure glad I drained my block and manifolds after I de-winterized.

 

[BillK2632]

I was planning to get mine out on Saturday, but I abandoned the mission - 40's on Sat, Snow on Sunday and the coldest stretch of the winter coming up. March madness isn't just basketball in North Carolina.

 

[LKN]

If it doesn't rain Saturday it's supposed to be close to 70..... one can hope

 

[sbw1]

Make sure you check your insurance policy to see if there is a specific layup period. We can not launch until April 15 and must be on the hard by November 1 in order to have coverage. In the even of a claim, companies look for reasons not to pay. This period varies by company and geographic area. Some policies have no such requirement.

 

[LKN]

Finally got her back in the water today (late afternoon ended being beautiful). I can happily state that my first attempt draining the block and manifolds must have been successful

 

[Luis]

Any suggestions on went to commission the boat this season?

 

[sbw1]

Any suggestions on went to commission the boat this season?

When does your insurance coverage begin? That date and a good weather forecast usually drive the decision to launch.

 

[hughespat57]

You guys do realize this is in the Carolina's forum right?

We southern folk have a different idea of "winter"...

;-)

 

[Luis]

Ha!!!! You’re right! I totally missed that!!!!

Thanks!

 

[GirlyGirl1999]

You guys do realize this is in the Carolina's forum right?

We southern folk have a different idea of "winter"...

;-)

I was waiting for “someone” to chime in!

 

[GirlyGirl1999]

1700, Sunday, 72. I did turn the A/C off though

 

[jmauld]

Same here in wilmington.

 

[RBB]

57 degree water temp u are fine in my opinion. Wish I had that problem.

 

[GirlyGirl1999]

Same here in wilmington.
View attachment 117441 View attachment 117442

Love the big boat!

 

[GirlyGirl1999]

57 degree water temp u are fine in my opinion. Wish I had that problem.

I do have the 350W bilge heater for “bad” days.

 

[RBB]

View attachment 117449
I do have the 350W bilge heater for “bad” days.

If the water temp stays in the 50s i cannot imagine needing a heater in the engine compartment.

 

[GirlyGirl1999]

If the water temp stays in the 50s i cannot imagine needing a heater in the engine compartment.

Cheep insurance when it does get down in the teens couple of days a year, doesn’t hurt anything and just sits there quietly waiting for the ER to hit 40

 

[RBB]

If our water temp didn't go much below 50 I would be a year around boater. We used to have a 04 390MY that had heat and air at the helm. It would handle that temp just fine.

 

[Tucker K5]

That would be a PWC and a bass boat passing in front of my house today in our insanely warm mid 70s weather today that has been going on all this week.

 

[GirlyGirl1999]

If our water temp didn't go much below 50 I would be a year around boater. We used to have a 04 390MY that had heat and air at the helm. It would handle that temp just fine.

Yep, it’s not awful. Marina did shut down dock water so have to plan accordingly, I’ve been keeping the aft cabin slider open and the door shut with the big heater and GenSet running when it’s really cold if we go out (about three weekends ago, 38)