Getting Close

[RGrew176]

The end of my season is closing in fast. Saturday I dumped in some Stabil and motored over to the fuel dock to top off my tanks. 71 gallons and $330 dollars later my tanks were full. I then motored out on to the Detroit River and ran a couple miles up river and back to burn off some fuel. I figured that I burned off about 3 gallons from each tank.

I will probably take another short ride the day I motor over to the lift to be pulled from the water. All in all its been a pretty good season. I did have to replace the sea water pump on my port engine in August. I was out for a ride in late July when the port engine overheated. It ended up that the pulley separated from the shaft. Parts and labor for that repair came in at about $782. Always something.

Already thinking about next season.

[mjk1040]

Seasons over, on the hard awaiting shrink wrap and winterize my engines.

[km1125]

Rick, that's funny... I also just put in 70 gallons with stabilizer (split across both tanks). Did that on Friday.

Ran out in the lake quick but when I came back in the marina there was nobody around so I spent some time just practicing docking maneuvers. Went into various empty slips approaching from both sides, and backing into a few. Then approached a few seawalls and put the boat right up next to them, then pulled away in a couple different ways (backing out or forward gear). Last year I did something similar and practiced going sideways up to the seawall and then again sideways to leave.

Saturday was so nice we took the boat across the lake and just did some sight-seeing. Probably burned off all the gas I had put in!

[Cooler]

That year end top off is never fun. I took on 90 gallons, but my charge was $300.90. So I feel better after reading your post. KM- I also practiced at final landing, but not by choice. Wind was steady 22 MPH, with a little higher gusts. The dock hand did not have a clue how to tie off boats to pivot, so I had to make several attempts at a couple different docks. Always great to get some practice in. Have a comfortable winter everybody! ( No such thing as a "good" winter ) er

[RGrew176]

Qr Bbpost That year end top off is never fun. I took on 90 gallons, but my charge was $300.90. So I feel better after reading your post. KM- I also practiced at final landing, but not by choice. Wind was steady 22 MPH, with a little higher gusts. The dock hand did not have a clue how to tie off boats to pivot, so I had to make several attempts at a couple different docks. Always great to get some practice in. Have a comfortable winter everybody! ( No such thing as a "good" winter ) er

It really depends on how you approach winter. Yes, for us northerners it is a non boating time of year. For me winter is a time to plan the next seasons adventures and save up $$ to spend on boating. While I do not love winter like I did when I was a kid I also don't hate it. I guess you could say I tolerate it. It can snow, sleet or rain. I have a 4 wheel drive truck so I can get around when it's nasty out.

I will be headed to Florida for a week in December. Going to Daytona Beach so I hope there's warm weather there that week. That will break up the winter just a bit. Will probably pull out on or about November 1st. All good things must end some day like the song says. 2019 was a good season, hopefully 2020 will be also.