Don’t Do It! Don’t You Dare Go Last Gasping Yet!
Jim Staib out in the snow some years back – Now that is Winteriding not Winterizing!
We know here all to well, that this is the time of year where you start sweating about going for that last gasp of a run. Now, with global warming, we can at least stretch it out a little longer. I mean there is at least that good news about the world coming to an end. Another week or so of Woody Boating? I know its tempting, and to be honest, a relief sometimes to just tuck away your boat and stop worrying about her, or being frustrated that its one MORE weekend you can’t go out because of other obligations. But trust us, one more crisp ride will remind you that its all worth it.
Sure it may be for that one hour of sunlight left. But if you have a Faribault Blanket and a warm cup of Coco and your sweetheart with you, then its all good and you can enjoy boating before you spend the winter bloating. Boating, before Bloating.. Winter riding, Winterizing…. Wow! Rhymes. Anyway, hopefully you are still out there having fun, here in Virginia the days are getting colder and shorter. The sun is lower mid day, and the water is flat and clear. So hopefully wont need to stop until our normal Last Gasp week in late October?
My run a couple weeks ago. Mid day sun is lower and great for Last Gasp photos.
For those new to Last Gasp Week, its an annual tradition here on WoodyBoater with Hagerty Marine Insurance, were we share your sad last run of the season. This usually happens around the last week of October, and for some in Northern Michigan may have already happened. And of course down in Florida, they all laugh at us and its pay back time for all the Hurricane hell they went through this summer. So this weekend get out there, take lots of photos and get ready to share the joy!
Pushing the last gasp too far leads to emergency winterizing on a dark frigid night before the first deep freeze. I have learned to avoid that. What I really need is a boat with fresh water cooling and antifreeze so I can boat until the lake gets hard.
Yes, that’s totally correct about Florida. Puff went into the barn 2 days before hurricane Irma hit. I only had her in the water a few weeks swelling, so only one fast run toward the end. I’ve been tinkering with her since and planning to go BACK in the water the first week of Nov.
So go ahead, have your last ride boys and girls. I’m looking forward to a full soak and a few more speed run days!
Both boats just got tucked away in the barn for a long winters night. Getting too old for winterizing in the 40’s up here in Michigan. Had a great boating season!
Three tucked away, two still wet.
Drained and shut down camp yesterday.
First frost hit here in northern NJ this morning. Last gasp will be with the ’87 fiberglass Chris Craft Ski Jack. I have already pulled out the ’56 Chris Craft because I have to swim in the lake to remove the boat lift I keep her on and I don’t like swimming though icy water to do it even with a wet suit on.
39 degrees this morning. Both boats in bed for the winter. Will kayak until spring now, I know its plastic but easier care in the winter.
I agree with Rick and Greg. Northern Michigan is no place to winterize a boat in mid Oct. got all that done weeks ago. Kayaking from here on out. By the way I was away from all electronic devices for a while. (it was good) but I missed the 10th Birthday celebration. CONGRATS !! This by far my favorite blog/website. keep up the great work.
Got my “boatsafe” heater in the engine compartment and planning to Go Boating all winter! Just like always I will shut down some trailer boats but carry on.
Beautiful day here in Va.
John in Va.
What timing. TODAY is last gasp day for us in Muskoka…. the Greavette is booked in to the marine tech tomorrow AM for winterizing.
Looks like we get one more “nice” 70 degree weekend here in Grand Haven, MI to enjoy the Whaler. My son and I have been making mods to the little 17 footer, to suit our needs the last couple of weeks, and look forward to enjoying a couple of hours out on Spring Lake this Saturday.
The Coronado has been covered and in her “RACK” since late September. This is the beauty of a smaller, outboard classic, cause we can hold out till the very last week to take a spin.
Next week looks like the door slams shut on us, with highs in the 40’s and lows in the 20’s at night…
If the winter is as bad as they are predicting, we may be hitching up the Whaler and headin south in March for a while, to cure the “Cabin Fever”.
The runabouts are tucked away and in the next few weeks the winter projects on them will begin, but the Tolly is in the water and always there should the opportunity for a boat ride present itself… 🙂
Come on….seriously? Go hard or go home-we be talking some serious So Cal boating on Christmas Day 2016 and can not wait for this year.
I put the pink pop in mine Saturday sad to say she is all tucked in bed for the winter, so sad.
JAG
John A Gambill brought up an interesting point about winterizing. He mentioned the pink poop which is probably the $5.00 pink RV and marine antifreeze. I was told not use that and to always use the more expensive $15.00 regular antifreeze to winterize me engine…. any engine experts want to chime in???
The Chris is winterized but not quite put away-I suppose I could waste the antifreeze if we got a good day and couldn’t resist. We do have another classic-’55 Alumacraft to go out in on nice days.
Re antifreeze-I used to use the automotive version, but as far as I know the RV version has corrosion inhibitors which is the main concern. I’ve used it for several years with no ill effects, but certainly am open to other opinions.
We’ll keep the Keuka place open until the first or second week of November then it’s time to drain the water system.
Winterizing Daddy Had One on Friday. ARRRGH! is still in a nice warm shop with her innards apart.