Beginning Of Season Near

[pepmyster]

I'm with a lot of the opinion of that the season is screwed. With the advice of a friend, you know who you are, we bought the newest Fusion system at the boat show. Doesn't look the install will be any time soon. Hans, you are one of the most die-hard boaters I've ever the pleasure of knowing. Boating first, company later. We are getting to that point also where we just want to get out and anchor. Midnight Sun is always gone, who knows? But they love their alone time. I think the season is screwed to the point of no return also. No news from our marina which I find not professional at all. Not even an update on their thoughts.

[Viper]

I just heard that the OPP is warning that while there is currently no law prohibiting pleasure craft from being on the water, "non-essential travel" also applies to boats so they are asking that we stay off the water until the situation gets better so their front-line personnel aren't forced to respond to emergency calls of non-essential traffic. They also warn that the current situation will likely lead to delayed response times.

While a lot of this is the norm at this time of year because of the dangers of falling into waters this cold where seconds count, the last thing I'm sure they want to do is expose themselves to others unnecessarily because of something like dead batteries when they might need to be attending to an emergency of an essential service. Be extra careful out there!

[RGrew176]

There are a lot of good reasons to hold off on the season but most of us I believe are hard core boaters and just want to get out on the waterways. I did not make it down to my marina yesterday. To many other things got in the way.

This extended stay at home order just issued by our governor has a more serious tone to it starting today one could if out and about without a good reason be subject to a $1000 fine. I like my wallet where it is in my left rear pocket.

[bud37]

The ice has been out around here for more than a week now, yet we are stymied. The measures have been lengthened again, now till some time in May and if we go to a certain spot on the surrounding hills and look thru the binos I can see our boat......the only way unless I get a drone.....hmmmm.........

[pepmyster]

Called our marina today, Asked what their game plan was. They will let us know on Monday the 20th. Then they will say exactly what will be. I'm hoping to hear some good news, but, you know......

[Viper]

It's been extended for another 28 days at least. The OPP has been checking up on marinas to ensure they are complying. A buddy's marina had an OPP cruiser staking out their location to ensure they were complying with the restrictions. Word is they'll be checking all marinas so not telling you anything until the 20th is just delaying what the marina already knows.

I think there is supposed to be an announcement to marinas from the Ontario Marine Operators Association in a day or two. I know several marinas all want to be on the same page so that customers don't complain about not being launched when other marinas are doing just that so a lot of marinas are in close contact with each other.

Still surprised about what I'm reading in local news. People are being told to stay home and not go to their cottages but last weekend most areas of cottage country hear were overwhelmed with cottagers. They were banging on closed store doors, line-ups were huge at open locations so locals had a hell of a time just getting their everyday supplies, and folks were complaining that the government was taking away their God given tax payer's right to free and unimpeded access to the lakes by closing off all launch ramps. In spite of all the deaths, there are still some people that just don't get it and are still only thinking of themselves. There are reasons why they want us off the water but it seems the desire to enjoy their boat is more important. I don't understand.

[RGrew176]

Here in Michigan our Governor extended our stay at home order until 11:59 PM April 30th. It it is not extended again marinas could start launching boats May 1st. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. We're still a Covid 19 hotspot so I would not be surprised if it is extended into May.

Fingers crossed.

[Benda515]

She is on her way to erie pa and so far marinas open. Cant wait to see her

[Cooler]

Benda - Were you able to go through that orientation you had planned? If so, tell us about it. Any surprises?

Rick - Saw another announcement from MI Governor that any motor propelled vessels are not allowed to cruise in MI waters. There sure is a lot of confusion about marine interpretations in MI. When I launch, I will need to travel in MI waters for about 2 miles, to get to my marina. Launch is soft scheduled for second week of May. All other boats in my storage location are Wisconsin slipped. Trying to come up with back up plan in case I get between a rock and a hard spot. er

[Benda515]

[quote="Cooler"]Source of the post Benda - Were you able to go through that orientation you had planned? If so, tell us about it. Any surprises?

Cooler - no never made up for orientation. Marina couldnt meet with us personally because we were from out of town and we weren't super excited to go to jersey were it was much closer to the hot zones. So just had delivered to us. Was a littlw nerve racking to just get in and take to the slip with it being so much bigger and not having ever driven inboard drive before. We had the joystick on last boat and that made it easier than it should have been. But in my short trip to the slip went pretty well. Then started to snow and now we have about an inch of the white stuff. So will get it all cleaned up and setup this weekend