What you doing to boat this winter

[bgreene]

Likely replacing shift / throttle control with new Xtreme Cables and new side mount shifter.
Will report on performance differential in spring.

[oteps]

Going to snow tomorrow and then be -5 for a low the next day. Ill stand next to the wood stove and just look out the window at the boat. I need a bigger garage.

[steplift20]

Bgreene I fish the same area that you do, what boat ramp do you use? I use Atlantic highlands municiple ramp

[bgreene]

Originally Posted by steplift20

Bgreene I fish the same area that you do, what boat ramp do you use? I use Atlantic highlands municiple ramp

I avoid the big muni ramps - prefer using a few of the much smaller marina ramps scattered around...... Keyport Marine Basin or Wagners for fishing Raritan Bay.
Bry's Marina ramp for fishing out of Belmar -shark river inlet to the ocean.

[Destroyer]

I either use the Laurel Hill Park free ramp in Secaucus or Leonardo State Marina for fishing and boating Sandy Hook area.

[steplift20]

Destroyer,how long does it take you to get to raritan bay from secaucus ?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by steplift20

Destroyer,how long does it take you to get to raritan bay from secaucus ?

You run down the Hackensack, make a left at Shooters Island, take the Kill Van Kull out to the Hudson and then go under the Narrows bridge. As I make it, it's just over 18 1/2 miles to the V.Narrows bridge, and 25 miles if you want to get to the Tin Can Grounds in the middle of the bay at the NJ/NY border. There are a few no wake areas that I have to slow down, but normally it's about 30-45 minutes. (Less than if I was to take the Turnpike to the Parkway and get off at 117 exit and then go to Leonardo which is 42 miles from the same starting point in Secaucus) I use more gas of course, but I don't pay tolls there and back, and there's no launch fee. So all in all I think it's a wash. But the important thing is there's no bumper to bumper 2 plus hour drive Sunday traffic on the Parkway going home.

There's another nice launch ramp in Woodbridge Township called Captain Carlsen Park. Free launch ramp, nice area, limited parking, single ramp so there's usually a line to launch/retrieve. Brings you out between Tottenville, Staten Island and So. Amboy. I've only used it once and that was years ago, so can't speak of how busy it is now, but it impressed me the time I did use it. Worst part will be finding the place I think
.

[bgreene]

Forget long ride - either of the two I mentioned is 5 minutes to mouth of bay from ramp

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by bgreene

Forget long ride - either of the two I mentioned is 5 minutes to mouth of bay from ramp

Perhaps, but for me it's 35-42 miles to get to where you mentioned. Why drive those miles in weekend traffic (about an hour drive) plus pay tolls and a launch ramp fee when when I can boat 25 miles to get to the the middle of the bay with no tolls, no traffic and no launch ramp fee?

I think I used Bry's a while back. Very convenient for Shark River.

[SkunkBoat]

took advantage of the 50 degree Feb day and did some boat work...and a lot of staring and dreaming....

Spliced three 200ft shots of anchor rode together. They had been tied together with "That'll work knots"....

I still need to spice in the chain.

I re-did the grommets again on my hardtop mesh life jacket holder thingy...
Last year I bought grommet kit at Harbor Freight. They were brass colored so I assumed they were brass....they were rusted by the end of last season.

Bought a new kit at Home Depot, tested them with a magnet...brass!!!! Got it done!

Looked at my hydraulic steering which has been giving me some grief. Appears to have a slow leak in the helm. I need to get on that. I want to add power assist and maybe autopilot if it doesn't cost me a testicle...