Labor day weekend? Worth it?

[Micahhaase]

Love to go out to the lake... but with kids and my wife on board I'm not sure if it is even worth trying to get out this weekend... We boat on a lake that is within 10 miles of a major college..

And I am pretty sure all the college kids get "daddy's" boat out for this weekend for the last horray of the summer..

What is everyone doing this labor day weekend? Anyone going to fight the crowd and get out to the lake/river/ocean?

I just know from past experience there is alot more drinking and boating on this weekend... well and memorial day weekend..

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

I personally avoid the water on Labor day weekend like the plague...

IMHO its not worth the hassle, lines at the ramps, and all the drunk idiots out on the water.

 

[Kaplooi]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Assuming the weather's good I agree it's probably not worth it if you have to launch and retrieve on a lake you know will get very busy. If the whole point is to enjoy your day as much as possible you risk souring a lot of that enjoyment should there be issues at the ramp or drunken shenanigans when you're out on the water. At best you're tempting fate, it seems. If your boat's already on the water at a private dock in front of your lake house that's one thing. We usually spend Saturday at one of my sister in law's family's lake house which has a dock and we usually take their boat out once or twice for a cruise around when everyone else is pulling in to start grilling. During the day it's just continuous confused chop from boats going all different directions so even if you were out on the water it'd be hard to enjoy a peaceful experience. Throw in a major college just a few miles away and it's a no brainer if the kids are already back.

 

[Thad]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Well, I had planned on taking the pontoon and the big boat out on Saturday. Anchor the toon out of the way behind an island and fire up the coals, put some ribs on and go play on the big boat for a few hours, come back and grub. But now I will be sitting in the gym for my daughters volleyball tournament...... So I guess I will do it Sunday

Holidays are the best time for doing things like this. Get out early, play, then go tie up to the toon and relax for a couple hours while the Holiday partiers have their fun. When they head to the sand bar we go out and do more playing. Over the years we have noticed a pattern with the weekend warriors. Works out well.

If nothing else, it is worth going out just for the show they all put on. Find a place out of the way, drop anchor, swim, eat, and enjoy.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

it's just continuous confused chop from boats going all different directions

that's the way it is at my local watering hole all the time during the summer. so i'm going anyways, times running out for end of season... with that said. i sure do like going out at end of season, after labor day. there's usually many less boats out at any given time..

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

We're going to hit Rend Lake.. Never been there on a holiday weekend before, but we'll give it a shot. We head out earlier than most though, the boat will be in the water by 10am and probably out before the rush by 3 or 4.

 

[robcarync]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Going to our beach house but probably won't be taking the ski out...I like to avoid chaotic situations as a new boater/skier

 

[Beefer]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

As numlaar said, I avoid LD and the major holidays like the plague. The advantage I have, is that summer doesn't really end here in FL. It's just a weekend to find other things to do.

The major boating holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day) tend to be mayhem on the water with 3x as many boats as normal, and 5x as many drunks. Not my idea of a fun time on the water.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

We never alter our plans for spending time on the lake. But we do plan according to how busy the lake is going to be. On a holiday weekend we'll head to a favorite spot and raft up for the day. Usually end up with any where between 4 to 8 boats rafted together. Plus the an additional jet ski or 4 anchored around. Lake time with family and friends is to important to be passed up because of boating numbers.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

i have this Fri off so I'm going to try and take a quick couple hour spin then but the rest of the weekend I'm not going near the water. well except for maybe hitting waterfront bar and restaurant and watch the bigger boats go out on the Milw river and lake mich.
I am weird, I can sit and watch the boats for quite sometime out there. someday maybe I'll actually get out there myself. LOL

 

[geeco1]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Oh man.... you all are missing great opportunities this weekend. Grab a lawn chair and sit by the launch ramp and watch the fun begin

Or better yet, with a college town... put your boat in about 6AM and anchor near the back of the "party cove". Bring your camera and binoculars and watch the sights.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

I will be out on Michigan's Hamlin Lake this weekend and holidays are usually a zoo but with my job I have no choice. It's gonna be a little on the cool side so maybe that'l help.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Well they are calling for 6 to 10 footers Friday through Sunday depending on which part of Lake Erie your at from Ohio. so i think we are just going to take the family camping to relax.

 

[steddy]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Dude... are you kidding? 10 miles from a college? All them hot co-eds on their last party before school starts? They're barely covered up & probably a bit intoxicated? You'd be nuts NOT to go. Just make sure your wife doesn't notice you looking .

I'm heading to Torch Lake this weekend, and hope for the same events. My wife doesn't care; as long as I don't make my gawkings too obvious. I extend the same courtesy to her.

 

[Bill Kilgore]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Short Answer: No

As Beefer and Numlaar mentioned above, I stay away from boating ON the lake on Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.

I do, however, perform a "lake patrol" with my retired neighbor on these weekends. Since we are grumpy, we drive around and watch ramp happenings with a critical eye, comment on how we are glad we are not in the middle of it, then move on to the next ramp, repeat. Ever so often, we comment on fashion.

He and I both do not have the patience to try mix it up with all the "3 weekend a year" boaters we get here.

 

[642mx]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Heck yeah, its worth it. I'll be launching a little sooner than normal to avoid the crowd, but its not that bad around here.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

That's why we went out last weekend. The lake was about dead. Everyone is waiting for this weekend. Boat is going to stay parked. After Labor day, we should get our lakes back since the tourists will be gone. Let the fall fishing begin.......

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Drunk idiots bring there hot almost naked young girlfriends!

...and make for great fun at the marina!

 

[12vMan]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

Labor Day weekend is our summer send off at Temple Bar on Lake Mead. Everyone shows up to party & BBQ in the trailer village. And with the kids back in school we don't get many 3 day'rs to get out there and spend time. It's not crowded in the basin where we launch and the weather is set to be awesome. We're looking forward to a great time

 

[thephantom]

Re: Labor day weekend? Worth it?

At my lake (travis@austin tx.) I find less traffic due to football season opening!