When is to early to go boating?

travbl

Seaman
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
52
I live in NE PA and I am new to boating and I am just wondering when is to early to go out on the lake. I will be boating at either Blue Marsh, Beltzville, or Lake Wallenpaupack. Thanks
 

bowman316

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
1,822
Re: When is to early to go boating?

if the water is not frozen, go for it?
you mean early in the season right?
or do you mean too early in the day?
 

Campylobacter

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Aug 4, 2007
Messages
503
Re: When is to early to go boating?

I typically wait until about an hour before sunrise.
 

Titanium48

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 24, 2008
Messages
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Re: When is to early to go boating?

If the lake is covered with ice it is too early to go boating. :D
Anytime after it melts and before it freezes again is a good time to go boating, unless the weather sucks and you'd rather be inside.
 

rrhodes

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Jun 24, 2008
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Re: When is to early to go boating?

It is never too early
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 10, 2006
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Re: When is to early to go boating?

If you can walk on the lake then do not go boating. If the lake is liquid then it is fair game for boating.
Seriously though, as long as there are going to be no iceberg surprises or ice floes then dress for the occasion and away you go.
 

22E6441

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
376
Re: When is to early to go boating?

I think he has a good question.

I boat in the Grand River but didn't have a boat at this time last year. I worry about too much spring debris in the river....wonder how long it will take to be relatively safe and clear of debris. I'll just wait until I see a few other boats running around on the river before I set out. I hope soon.....
 

rrhodes

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Jun 24, 2008
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636
Re: When is to early to go boating?

Never too early...........
speed-broken-ice-lg.jpg

snowbank-lg.jpg
 

boat1010

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
781
Re: When is to early to go boating?

It's never too early. Just watch for very hard water, really messes up your boat. Someone always has to be the first. Might as well be you...:D
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
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Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: When is to early to go boating?

on a lake ypu shouldn't have much problem, just watch for ice but the boat doesn't care and it can't hurt the motor.

At the end of the season I run my boat with outside temps in the teens, maybe a little harder to start but other than that ti runs fine.

And well after ice out you will have smaller ice floating down river as it breaks lose of the shore, but if it is water you can go.
 

KurtG

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
323
Re: When is to early to go boating?

If you go out early or late in the season where it is cold and expect you may get another freeze, you may have to re-winterize and drain the water from motor.
 

cbavier

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Apr 8, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: When is to early to go boating?

travbl . Did you notice all these responses that say it's never too early are in the south. Most don't know what Ice, Frozen Lakes, 20-30 mph winds and waves one to two feet are.
In the North only the few and brave go out on the water in boats before Memorial Day. Heck we still got 6 inches of snow on the ground here in Northern Michigan right now. Boating is still two months or more away. The earliest here for most boaters is mid may. When you do brave to go out. Remember the temp will be 20-30 dg cooler on the water when the boat is in motion so you have to dress accordingly no matter how warm, sunny it may feel on shore, in the spring. Here basically the boating season is Memorial day through Labor day. Any earlier or later you risk freezing your engine and who wants to re-winterize? There are exceptions of course like those who keep there boats inside. I did use my boat one year clear until November first,but I spent many sleepless nights as the temps often hovered near 30 dg. And I only got to go out 4 or 5 times in October, even with the Bow sealed off. I love to boat and put 60 plus hours on my boat every summer but I'm not a glutton for punishment.
Ok fella Boater's send the flack. I've got broad shoulders.
 

idrownworms

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
224
Re: When is to early to go boating?

I'm kind of surprised that no one mentioned High water. I'm sticking to one lake right now because of it. People for some reason get upset when the water is high and your wake goes into their living room.
jamie
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: When is to early to go boating?

You're in NEPA and I'm in SCPA and I am hoping to go out for at least a short ride this weekend.
 

timdan94

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Messages
480
Re: When is to early to go boating?

I'm in central pa, I was out last saturday. :D there were about 5 other boat out there too
 

tmcalavy

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Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: When is to early to go boating?

When it's so cold that you find your ears on the deck shortly after throttling up and getting on plane.
 

cribber

Lieutenant
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,338
Re: When is to early to go boating?

Fortunately for us down south it's never too early or too late to hit the water. As long as there is no wind or severe weather advisory we're out there enjoying the day.
 

Edko

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
247
Re: When is to early to go boating?

Make sure you drain all the water out of your engine in the event of sub 32 temps at night and you are good to go. Gonna be in the 60s here so...50s there this weekend? You can go out in that!
 

fat fanny

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
1,935
Re: When is to early to go boating?

I'm @the mercy of the Army Corp of Engineers to open the dam so the lake fills. they use my lake (berlin) to control the local tributaries water levels.
 
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