Why not to boat in Winter?

[Rudderman]

Its giving a forecast of calm weather, 44 to 48 degrees for tomorrow.<br />Is there any reason why I shouldn't take my boat out on a lake tomorrow? The lake is usually thronged in summertime but deserted in Winter. Is there some hidden danger that surfaces out there in Winter that I'm not aware of? Its a small lake, 2 miles long, 1/4 mile wide. I know where all the rocks are, they are marked with buoys and I was on the lake several times last summer.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

If I had a boat like you've got, I'd live in it!

 

[CaptainPuget]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

I boat all year long. Winter boating is probably the best. No crowds, no water skiers, no jet skis.<br /><br />

 

[Barlow]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Nice picture CaptainPuget!! beautiful!<br /><br />I've been out fishing rivers (only open water around) in the harsh winters here. Main thing is draining everything well so it doesn't freeze up and rupture anything. I allow a good gentle warm-up period for the motor too. If you've got freezing temps in the forecast a good idea is a heated garage for a day or so allow water to evaporate also.<br /><br />other than that - get out and have fun!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

No reason at all.<br />1. Watch for Icebergs, they did sink the Titanic.<br />2. Bundle up wind burn is a bad thing.<br />3. Don't fall in. Hypothermia is deadly in 3-5 minutes at those temps.<br />4. Please please don't let anybody see you having that much fun they will want to join you! <br /><br />In my neck of the woods we boat all year round come hell and low water. <br />Usually the best striper fishing is in Febuary and March. Best advise is bundle up, wear some sorta gogles and use a PDF. For Gods sake if your alone let somebody know where and when to expect you.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Because in the last two days we haven't seen 0 it was -28 yesterday and - 24 the day before---Bob

 

[rwidman]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Be sure to tilt your engine all the way down when finished to let any water drain out. Other than that watch the cold and don't fall in.

 

[Ken G]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Get some ski goggles. If your eyes start watering you have to keep stopping.

 

[dmonwai]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

I fish the Puget Sound all year long for salmon. Except for the areas that are closed for salmon.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Seems Nessie has creeped out of the Loch and may have roamed over to your particular lake. Since Nessie only eats during the winter months, you could be taking your life in your own hands, if he decides to eat your 10-ft Glen-L Squirt. I think that's your biggest threat for winter boating.<br />

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Wow thanks for all the positive replies.<br /><br />I was expecting you all to say that it was too dangerous or something. I'm relatively new to boating but the first thing I did was to buy two new auto-inflate life-jackets. I don't intend to actually be IN the water (I can't swim), I just like driving around and maybe doing a spot of fishing.<br /><br />One thing that I thought about was the chance of sticks and branches floating in the water. Does the higher water level in Winter mean that there are more floating obstacles than normal, or did my brain just make that up?

 

[boatsalotjay]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

I've been thinking the same thing. Why not boat in Winter? I'm going to heading out real soon I think. Rudderman, that is one awesome boat you have. I don't think there would be more floating objects, but then again I'm no expert.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Thats some real nice wood you got there rudderman at 45* to 50* why not, we had temps like that a few days last summer I still went out, right now lake Ontario is hard for about 1/2 mile out.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

... and the fish come out ready-frozen!

 

[llfish]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Forgot what the sunsets looked like on the west coast.

 

[flashback]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Rudderman, go for it and have some fun,, but just keep in mind that if the water level is higher than in summer, there will be shallow areas that used to be land in the summer.. use caution as hazard markers sometimes shift or get broken and get neglected during the off season..Really nice boat, looks like a mini chris.

 

[swist]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

It certainly depends on where you are. It is so cold here now that even saltwater spray freezes on everything it touches. <br /><br />Also the wind/waves need to be watched. In the Summer normal state is no advisories most of the time, maybe one small craft advisory a week, and a couple of gale warnings per season.<br /><br />In the Winter small craft advisory it as good as it gets, with gale warnings at least once a week, and on Jan 29, I've already seen storm warnings lifted maybe 5 times already. AND on Nantucket during last weekend's blizzard, a hurricane warning was hoisted. 85 mph winds, +5F temperature, 25' seas, zero visibility in sideways snow falling at 2-4" per hour. Other than that, a balmy day!

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

I would boat here in Ohio too but it takes too long to cut a path with a chain saw.

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

I use sunscreen for (winter) windburn protection while on the water.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Why not to boat in Winter?

Originally posted by Rudderman:<br /> ....<br />One thing that I thought about was the chance of sticks and branches floating in the water. Does the higher water level in Winter mean that there are more floating obstacles than normal, or did my brain just make that up?

My lake sounds somewhat similar to yours; mostly narrow, but alot of 'fingers' so alot bigger. It isn't overly developed (maybe 1/2 with houses, 1/2 still natural) and there are times when there is a noticible increase in sticks & branches if the water level goes up quickly (like after a long or very heavy rain). Must sweep up loose stuff that used to be above waterline. But once the level is up and has stabilized for a bit, no noticible difference from lower levels....