Wow, what an exodus - anyone left?

[codeman671]

Yesterday was absolutely horrible on the lake. As Pine Island Guy mentioned on another thread it was probably the worst day I have ever seen on the water as well. We had no right being out there, that's for certain.

The ride out of Glendale to Mark was rough to say the least. We borrowed Steve-on-mark's twin tube pontoon to head out to the island to clean the place out. I had 2 hired hands from craigslist to help me move stuff. These poor guys were not boaters and were hardly dressed for it, and had no idea what they were getting into. We bounced and bobbed our way across at a very slow pace, taking the waves almost head on, getting wet with every hit. Once in behind Timber things chilled out for a bit, then back into the crap between Timber and Mark.

We spent a few hours loading up and moving furniture. It was so bad coming out that we decided to cram everything into one very loaded trip so not to go back out for a second round of abuse. We headed back out, down the NWZ between Mark and Mink. As soon as we rounded the tip of Mark by Goodhue's and started towards Timber we started taking huge waves broadside. It was so bad that I thought we were going to flip sideways, I was leaning over the edge of the boat from the drivers seat like an outrigger trying to keep it from rolling. We managed to get across to Timber and ran the shoreline down to the other end near the Witches. I thought about tying up and waiting it out but am glad I didn't as it got even worse after we got back.

We (I) finally got up enough guts to make the run (crawl) for it. We took aim for Lockes and started out. We had to keep it to only a few mph to try to pace with the waves as I was afraid of burying the nose, which would have ended our trip in a cold way. We were getting hit from both sides and the rear from cross waves and were tossed all over the place. On a number of hits I thought we were going over. We took a few hits in the bow as we rolled over waves and into the trough. This put a healthy wave of water right up the deck soaking the feet of the poor guys clinging for dear life. With some time, patience and a few changes of underwear I made it to Lockes and in to Glendale.

I think that the boat being so loaded up actually helped us as without that much weight we would have been tossed worse. I have been out in some hairy stuff but that was just nuts. Had we been out in a regular hulled boat we would have gotten bounced around but been fine. It was the fact that it was a pontoon that made it as sketchy and dangerous as it was. Never again!

One more trip out and a week or two and that will close out my season as well as time being an islander.

[upthesaukee]

It does remind me of a disease that can cause disastrous results to those who contract it. It is called "Gethomeitis" or in hyphenated form:
"Get-Home-itis".

It has caused many a bad result, and am glad that you did survive your brush with this.

I understand the need to get things off an island, but I shudder to think of what can happen when we put ourselves in harms way. The cam views of the lake were scary as heck.

Hope your final trip will be kinder.

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Yesterday was absolutely horrible on the lake. As Pine Island Guy mentioned on another thread it was probably the worst day I have ever seen on the water as well. We had no right being out there, that's for certain.

The ride out of Glendale to Mark was rough to say the least. We borrowed Steve-on-mark's twin tube pontoon to head out to the island to clean the place out. I had 2 hired hands from craigslist to help me move stuff. These poor guys were not boaters and were hardly dressed for it, and had no idea what they were getting into. We bounced and bobbed our way across at a very slow pace, taking the waves almost head on, getting wet with every hit. Once in behind Timber things chilled out for a bit, then back into the crap between Timber and Mark.

We spent a few hours loading up and moving furniture. It was so bad coming out that we decided to cram everything into one very loaded trip so not to go back out for a second round of abuse. We headed back out, down the NWZ between Mark and Mink. As soon as we rounded the tip of Mark by Goodhue's and started towards Timber we started taking huge waves broadside. It was so bad that I thought we were going to flip sideways, I was leaning over the edge of the boat from the drivers seat like an outrigger trying to keep it from rolling. We managed to get across to Timber and ran the shoreline down to the other end near the Witches. I thought about tying up and waiting it out but am glad I didn't as it got even worse after we got back.

We (I) finally got up enough guts to make the run (crawl) for it. We took aim for Lockes and started out. We had to keep it to only a few mph to try to pace with the waves as I was afraid of burying the nose, which would have ended our trip in a cold way. We were getting hit from both sides and the rear from cross waves and were tossed all over the place. On a number of hits I thought we were going over. We took a few hits in the bow as we rolled over waves and into the trough. This put a healthy wave of water right up the deck soaking the feet of the poor guys clinging for dear life. With some time, patience and a few changes of underwear I made it to Lockes and in to Glendale.

I think that the boat being so loaded up actually helped us as without that much weight we would have been tossed worse. I have been out in some hairy stuff but that was just nuts. Had we been out in a regular hulled boat we would have gotten bounced around but been fine. It was the fact that it was a pontoon that made it as sketchy and dangerous as it was. Never again!

One more trip out and a week or two and that will close out my season as well as time being an islander.

I'm hoping the weather this weekend is a little kinder...the pontoon is the only boat I have left in the water and I have one more weekend of hauling stuff to go! Now where did I put that flare gun...

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Yesterday was absolutely horrible on the lake. As Pine Island Guy mentioned on another thread it was probably the worst day I have ever seen on the water as well. We had no right being out there, that's for certain.

The ride out of Glendale to Mark was rough to say the least. We borrowed Steve-on-mark's twin tube pontoon to head out to the island to clean the place out. I had 2 hired hands from craigslist to help me move stuff. These poor guys were not boaters and were hardly dressed for it, and had no idea what they were getting into. We bounced and bobbed our way across at a very slow pace, taking the waves almost head on, getting wet with every hit. Once in behind Timber things chilled out for a bit, then back into the crap between Timber and Mark.

We spent a few hours loading up and moving furniture. It was so bad coming out that we decided to cram everything into one very loaded trip so not to go back out for a second round of abuse. We headed back out, down the NWZ between Mark and Mink. As soon as we rounded the tip of Mark by Goodhue's and started towards Timber we started taking huge waves broadside. It was so bad that I thought we were going to flip sideways, I was leaning over the edge of the boat from the drivers seat like an outrigger trying to keep it from rolling. We managed to get across to Timber and ran the shoreline down to the other end near the Witches. I thought about tying up and waiting it out but am glad I didn't as it got even worse after we got back.

We (I) finally got up enough guts to make the run (crawl) for it. We took aim for Lockes and started out. We had to keep it to only a few mph to try to pace with the waves as I was afraid of burying the nose, which would have ended our trip in a cold way. We were getting hit from both sides and the rear from cross waves and were tossed all over the place. On a number of hits I thought we were going over. We took a few hits in the bow as we rolled over waves and into the trough. This put a healthy wave of water right up the deck soaking the feet of the poor guys clinging for dear life. With some time, patience and a few changes of underwear I made it to Lockes and in to Glendale.

I think that the boat being so loaded up actually helped us as without that much weight we would have been tossed worse. I have been out in some hairy stuff but that was just nuts. Had we been out in a regular hulled boat we would have gotten bounced around but been fine. It was the fact that it was a pontoon that made it as sketchy and dangerous as it was. Never again!

One more trip out and a week or two and that will close out my season as well as time being an islander.

I hope you gave the hired help a substantial tip and forced them to wear life preservers. Taking unsuspecting folks into a situation like you described probably isn't the brightest thing you have ever done. The weather reports were pretty explicit that it was going to be terrible conditions.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

I hope you gave the hired help a substantial tip and forced them to wear life preservers. Taking unsuspecting folks into a situation like you described probably isn't the brightest thing you have ever done. The weather reports were pretty explicit that it was going to be terrible conditions.

There were plenty of life jackets on hand and yes they were paid well. I clearly wasn't the only islander on the lake that day, but thank you for your criticism.

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I clearly wasn't the only islander on the lake that day, but thank you for your criticism.

Yes, we were one of the few out there too, our experience wasn't as bad but needless to say the worst closing day we have experienced in our seven seasons.

We woke up to 17 degrees and 20-30 mph winds. Spent the morning winterizing and headed out around noon. The wind was kicking up some 3 foot white caps and the spray froze instantly on the boat, luckily we were in a fully enclosed cockpit.

I take it by you comment you finally sold?
Good luck in your next endeavor!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

There were plenty of life jackets on hand and yes they were paid well. I clearly wasn't the only islander on the lake that day, but thank you for your criticism.

Look on the bright side...you probably saved the hired hands some money. By getting their " thrill ride" fix out of the way, they won't have to take any expensive " 6 Flags " trips anytime soon...

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Yesterday was absolutely horrible on the lake. As Pine Island Guy mentioned on another thread it was probably the worst day I have ever seen on the water as well. We had no right being out there, that's for certain.

The ride out of Glendale to Mark was rough to say the least. We borrowed Steve-on-mark's twin tube pontoon to head out to the island to clean the place out. I had 2 hired hands from craigslist to help me move stuff. These poor guys were not boaters and were hardly dressed for it, and had no idea what they were getting into. We bounced and bobbed our way across at a very slow pace, taking the waves almost head on, getting wet with every hit. Once in behind Timber things chilled out for a bit, then back into the crap between Timber and Mark.

We spent a few hours loading up and moving furniture. It was so bad coming out that we decided to cram everything into one very loaded trip so not to go back out for a second round of abuse. We headed back out, down the NWZ between Mark and Mink. As soon as we rounded the tip of Mark by Goodhue's and started towards Timber we started taking huge waves broadside. It was so bad that I thought we were going to flip sideways, I was leaning over the edge of the boat from the drivers seat like an outrigger trying to keep it from rolling. We managed to get across to Timber and ran the shoreline down to the other end near the Witches. I thought about tying up and waiting it out but am glad I didn't as it got even worse after we got back.

We (I) finally got up enough guts to make the run (crawl) for it. We took aim for Lockes and started out. We had to keep it to only a few mph to try to pace with the waves as I was afraid of burying the nose, which would have ended our trip in a cold way. We were getting hit from both sides and the rear from cross waves and were tossed all over the place. On a number of hits I thought we were going over. We took a few hits in the bow as we rolled over waves and into the trough. This put a healthy wave of water right up the deck soaking the feet of the poor guys clinging for dear life. With some time, patience and a few changes of underwear I made it to Lockes and in to Glendale.

I think that the boat being so loaded up actually helped us as without that much weight we would have been tossed worse. I have been out in some hairy stuff but that was just nuts. Had we been out in a regular hulled boat we would have gotten bounced around but been fine. It was the fact that it was a pontoon that made it as sketchy and dangerous as it was. Never again!

One more trip out and a week or two and that will close out my season as well as time being an islander.

These pictures remind me of some of the loads I've taken out over the years, and rival my biggest. One question...doesn't seem to be a lot of passenger space left!

[IslandRadio]

Wow, that's an *amazing* amount of stuff !! I suppose in the spring it all has to come back over No chance of leaving most of it on the island?

[Barney Bear]

Many years ago, we closed our cottage on East Bear Island on November 11th. One year, our own boat had been winterized, and we were in a 16 foot "loaner". We headed in to the boatyard in the late afternoon after dark, but in full moonlight in a relaively calm sea. However, we encountered rough water as we passed beyond Timber Island. I did not want to turn around in the 3' waves so continued on with four adults, one Scottish terrier and a TV set in the small boat. I sat on top of the seat as the splashing water was freezing onto the windshield [and me, as well]. Fortunately, we made it in okay. Recently, we had planned to close over a two-day weekend, but had to complete the task in one day as a large snowstorm was on its way. We reached the mainland at 3:00 PM and were about 15 minutes on our way home to southern NH when the snowfall began. We lost our power there for five days and six nights in this late October storm. We now close on the weekend following Columbus Day.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by IslandRadio

Wow, that's an *amazing* amount of stuff !! I suppose in the spring it all has to come back over No chance of leaving most of it on the island?

I was asking myself why he HAD to get the stuff off the island, until I reread his post on the trip.

Here is the last line:

One more trip out and a week or two and that will close out my season as well as time being an islander.

Island property has been sold...Sorry Codeman...I know you loved the island life.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I was asking myself why he HAD to get the stuff off the island, until I reread his post on the trip.

Here is the last line:

One more trip out and a week or two and that will close out my season as well as time being an islander.

Island property has been sold...Sorry Codeman...I know you loved the island life.

Island life has been great, I will miss it. I certainly can't say I won't be back on an island at some point. Still trying to figure out what our next adventure will be. I still want to move up to the lake full time but am getting push back from the family- mainly school related. Our kids love the catholic school they go to and my daughter is moving on to St. Thomas in the fall. Since they are all doing well its hard to justify moving them to suit my own desire to be on the lake full time.

I took a ride up yesterday only to find my water pump frozen solid. Had I waited another day I am sure it would have been thawed back out with this 50+ degree weather. We towed it to Fay's and Supreme Marine took it away. I will be back in the water in a week or two when the work at the house is done, but am going to keep it winterized until the day I need it.

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Island life has been great, I will miss it. I certainly can't say I won't be back on an island at some point. Still trying to figure out what our next adventure will be. I still want to move up to the lake full time but am getting push back from the family- mainly school related. Our kids love the catholic school they go to and my daughter is moving on to St. Thomas in the fall. Since they are all doing well its hard to justify moving them to suit my own desire to be on the lake full time.

I took a ride up yesterday only to find my water pump frozen solid. Had I waited another day I am sure it would have been thawed back out with this 50+ degree weather. We towed it to Fay's and Supreme Marine took it away. I will be back in the water in a week or two when the work at the house is done, but am going to keep it winterized until the day I need it.

We were also sad when you finalized the real estate deal. God know I did everything in my power to discourage the perspective buyers from wanting to stay when they spent the week at your place...played loud heavy metal music through the outside speaker system, encouraged Niki the German Shepard to "relieve" himself on your beach while they were trying to enjoy it, hung underware and other laundry from tree branches between our homes, even staged loud screaming arguments with the wife....wait, those were real...ok, forget that last one. All for naught.... Island life is all about comeraderie and helping out your neighbor...calling from the mainland to see if anything is needed,rescuing an out-of-gas boat, etc. If the new folks are 1/2 of what you guys were, I guess we'll be ok! :-) Know that you'll always be welcome...we can harass the new folks together!

[IslandRadio]

Wow Codeman, I didn't take in the finality of this move!!!!

I'm sorry you had to give up the Island...other adventures to follow, for sure!!

And, who knows what the future holds... maybe you'll be back again for more Island "fun"

All the best! Steve