Farewell Summer '24

[MN Ryan]

We wrapped up our '24 boating season yesterday. Despite the phenomenal weather, it can change in an instant here in MN, and it's unfortunately time to get those pre-winter tasks completed. We didn't get as much time on the water this summer as I would have liked, mainly due to kids sports, but we made it out when we could and had a great summer. It was fun to watch our daughter progress this summer. She's 10, and she's really getting good on skis, and she went from "I don't really want to surf" to usually being the first one behind the boat.

The water was an incredible 74 F yesterday--pretty unheard of for 9/29 in this neck of the woods. No wet suits needed!

[Scooter G]

Niiice! Smiles like that only come from being on the water. I'm always like, why is my jaw so soar, oh ya, we went to the lake yesterday, lol.
Good times, thanks for the share MN Ryan. We've still got a few weeks left in us, about the middle of October, when you can't feel your feet anymore because the waters too cold, and it happens fast.
41 times on the water this Season, and still counting (owned it on Friday):

[jpwhit]

At least another 6 weeks to go here in central NC. If you haven't tried out the latest wetsuit technology, invest in a Camaro Blacktec 2.0. Super warm and very comfortable and non-restrictive to wear. Super easy to put on, especially if you use the plastic grocery bag trick. Nothing like the restrictive wetsuits if just a few years ago.

You just have to be careful with them because you can damage them with sharp fingernails if you're not careful.

And I've picked them up on sale at REI in the $150 range at the right times of year.

[Scooter G]

Plastic grocery bag trick?
Please do share...

My dry suit is super comfy, with the exception of the tourniquet part around my neck that cuts all oxygen off to my brain, but other than that, lol.

[briantin]

I would assume he's using a grocery bag on his hands and feet to slide them through easier. Used to do it for my swim wetsuits in Triathlons.

[MN Ryan]

It's more about air temp than water temp for me. My boat is kept outside during boating season, so I need to winterize before overnight temps get too cold.

[Scooter G]

I would assume he's using a grocery bag on his hands and feet to slide them through easier. Used to do it for my swim wetsuits in Triathlons.

Should we throw out a disclosure here, I know you excluded the mention of a bag over your head, but there is always going to be that one guy
I'll have to try that, sound like a slick trick. Not the head part, but I would love to see the look on my Wife's face...

[BasaltRMK]

Looks like MN Ryan and I are on the exact same schedule (and rationale) - yesterday was our last day on the water, then cleaned and waxed her, and pulled out the batteries and about 300 pounds of gear that somehow goes in that boat. Driving her to indoor storage (and gelcoat and various other sundry repairs) later this afternoon. Great season, too short as always. *Only* got about 115 hours on the new girl this season...

I have one of those Camaro Blacktec full wetsuits that jpwhit referenced - warm and comfy but way too fragile for my use. It's got so many fingernail and stretch-related holes in it that it's a sieve now, which is no fun now that the lake is dipping back down into the 50s.

Couple shots from yesterday...







- bob

[MN Ryan]

Dang BasaltRMK, you're a man on a mission. I still need to clean, wax, and repack my bearings . Winterize next week.

[MN Ryan]

Alright, Bob, you inspired me. Port side waxed under halogen work light this evening.

[jhiestand]

I'm likely old school and similar to Scooter G prefer to stay dry in my O'Neill Boost once the water temps dip. That being said, all the hard core folks here swear by the newer wetsuits, although I chuckle when they have to strip down in the boat while I'm in my sweats.

I'm now finding I don't do as many early/late season sets as I used to so I don't have much incentive to change it up.

[BasaltRMK]

Strong work, Ryan!!

- bob

[migs]

105 degrees air, 81 water and nothing but glass on the delta yesterday

[Naughty98]

Last weekend in Oregon. Putting the baby to sleep this weekend.

[BasaltRMK]

Great shots, all - keep 'em coming!!

- bob