Spring time Launch

[JohnDiStefano]

Hey All,

Wondering what the consensus is on how early one can safely launch in the early spring and not risk any deep freeze issues?  I keep my boat in Cedar Creek in Bayville

Regards

[Dream 'Inn]

I have always looked at the 10-day forecast and when I see the entire 10-day is above freezing then I'm good to go!  The earliest for me is the first weekend in March, latest has been close to April.  I would think up your way it'd be a little later than us by a week or two anyhow.  I will say I have gotten snow on my boat before going this route, but all was ok.  I think keeping the boat in the water you'd be a bit safer as well if the water temp is at least in upper 30s.  I keep mine on a lift so I watch the air temps more, but if I'd ever gotten stuck with a cold night after dewintered I'd just drop it in the water for the night.

[Babyboomer]

I always feel safe to unwinterize after April 1st

[themaniam1]

Depends on what I plan to do.  I can launch the boat in mid March but usually April because it would take a very long cold spell to freeze the engine, i.e. 3+ days with highs below freezing, and we do not generally but if we do, I just put a heater in the engine room.  Now I don't de-winterize the fresh water system until I really need it which is more like the end of April and by then there is no worry of freezing.  I do use the head and just put a little anti freeze in if it is to get freezing.  If you are really concerned about a very cold spell you can always just pull the engine drain plugs for caution.

[denisejeffers]

  We went in April 1st last year and are planning on the same this year.   It's nice to be one of the first ones in.  We don't expect alot of people will be in but then again, they will be down working on their boats, so we still look forward to it.  Spending the night just makes it that much easier then running back/forth each day (like we did this week-end - very tiring)