Lake Navigability: WAM to North End of Rattlesnake
 

I just received the call notifying me that our boat has been launched and is ready for our usage at West Alton Marina. Given that I'm going to be up in Belmont on Thursday, I thought that take a quick side trip out to the place on Rattlesnake to see how it faired the winter. Does anyone happen to know whether there will be any issues with ice while making this trip? Also, I've never been on the lake this early in the season...are there issues from a boating perspective that I should be aware/concerned about? For instance, I was wondering whether the cold lake temps could cause oil viscosity issues in the lower unit?? I just spend a wallet full of clams getting my (old) boat in tip top condition for the summer and don't want to jeopardize anything out of ignorance. Input please!

We were out to Welch Monday and today, not a sign of ice anywhere. Cold water should not be a problem with the outdrive. I would take it easy on speed and keep watch for floating debris. There are a few chunks of wood out there, not many this year but it only takes one to mess-up a prop. We had one prop killing incident around ice out a few years ago.

SC

I launched out of WAM yesterday (monday) and probably saw your boat going in as they were working on putting a few boats in the water as I eased by. While there was a thin coating of ice in the first "bay" next to the ramp, that was the only ice I saw all day. I went around Sleepers and to both ends of Rattlesnake on the west side and didn't see a single ice cube. While I didn't go down the east side, as far as I could see from the northern point, it was wide open.

It was so beautiful and calm that I also took a trip over to Long Island and through Hole in the Wall....not an ice cube spotted on the complete round trip. The water was still very cold around rattlesnake at 37 degrees but further north around LI, I was up to 44.

rgilfert

If you are not familiar with "Early Season" boating -- Debris is your biggest concern.

It is amazing how large (sometimes HUGE) pieces of wood from a dock, or large tree limbs can hide just below the surface with only a portion showing. Keep a sharp eye in front of you !

Picking up debris
 

It is also good to stop and pick up the debris, especially the big chunks. Some (not pressure treated) of this wood can be burned in the wood stove.

Once, the debris was a huge... 15 or more feet long, dock pole, like a telephone pole. It was floating just off Rattlesnake Island. We dragged it home and up onto the shore where it sat drying out for some years. It was finally cut up and burned.

Some of the debris gets a bit waterlogged and is just below the surface... so be careful about going fast... your outdrive\lower unit could get whacked.

Yup, been there, done that. Lucky for me, insurance paid!

One thing you want to be darn sure of is where there should be markers, do NOT think they did not get dragged around by the ice or worse yet be missing all together.

Debris is another big one.

In addition you are doing a great service to your fellow boaters. Thank you!

Excellent point Maxum !!

Relocated and missing markers is the other challenge !

This was a few years ago. And it was very heavy and water logged. Just the tip was sticking out of the water, but we didn't give up!

Missing Markers
 

I went out for a short ride this morning from Paugus around Eagle Island and back. Unless I totally missed them, the black tipped spar on the west side of Paugus and one of the red tipped spars over at Pitchwood and Stonedam Islands were missing. Or maybe I need new glasses. :cool:

Thank you!!
 

Thanks to all for your input. My trip to Rattlesnake today was awesome! I heeded everyone's advice by keeping a vigilant eye out for floating/semi-submerged debris and the round trip passed by uneventfully.

In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh!

rgilfert
 

did you happen to notice if they were launching any of the larger boats or if any on skid row were in the water?

PS, you need to get one of those screw on bottle cap thingies for your deck so this unfortunate incident won't repeat itself :)

thanks,
Mike

Chaos
 

I was there most of the day yesterday as i was every day this week. they have chads boats in and about 15- or so others. only one or two on skid row. they uncovered mine yesterday while i was there so probably be at the dock today. I hope

see ya soon pal

:D

Swiss Army Knife!
 

That's why I never go anywhere without my trusty Swiss Army Knife from LLBean. You never know when you encounter an unopened beer or a good bottle of wine (yes it has a corkscrew as well). My Swiss Grandmother taught me to be practical.

Thanks Frank
 

See you soon.

We have a friend who has perfected the art of opening a beer bottle with his wedding ring. Never without an opener when he is around.

Especially useful when floating on the lake on a hot, sunny afternoon. :D

chaos
 

My mistake m. your boat Is in at your dock today.

:D

There is one mounted to my deck, feel free to use it if you have another emergency (and its mounted as I had the same issue a few years back)

In the following picture, I ferried that beer all the way from Bedford to Rattlesnake today so that I could enjoy a brew while watching the lake this afternoon..... only to find out that last fall my wife had packed away the stuff in all the kitchen drawers (aka no opener). It didn't dawn on my cro magnon sized brain until I got home that Killian's has a twist off cap!!! Dooh!

that is an easy fixed with all that lumber sitting there, just POP the TOP!!!

The lake still has debris out there so be carefull. We found this 6' board on the broads side of Diamond Island yesterday. I also talked to another boater who had towed in a telephone pole sized log into Ellacoya Beach.

From my slip in Meredith, I could see a lot of "stuff" floating around. Though I had wanted to put the new boat in the water last Saturday, I'm not too upset to wait another week with the hope that a lot of the debris will be gone.

I used to do that too, then I got divorced! Beer opens easier and tastes a lot better now! :D