Rant: Can't catch a break with weekend weather...

[ratdude747]

Rant:

Compared to last year, it seems that weekends (at least in southern Indiana) are currently cursed to have bad or "forecasted as bad" weather on weekends.

Seems we get rain on weekends and sun during the week. Or this weekend, which is cold (high 50's today, high of 64 tomorrow) and sunny, which is almost an insult. Last Sunday was good but was forecasted to be iffy, so I didn't boat (and my plans didn't allow for it anyway).

Tomorrow, at least where I can go boat if I elect to, is supposed to be sunny and a high of 64. But the water temps are (per the Ohio River gauges) around 62... technically at/past the rule of 120 but still a bit chilly. Next week is cloudy with rain per current forecasts... might have to wait for Memorial Day?

Part of me says go for it tomorrow afternoon. Part of me says "I don't want to die of hypothermia" since I don't own a wetsuit and all of my boat-rated clothing isn't particularly warm, not to mention my wife gets cold easy (and I don't have anybody else short-notice who could boat with me; this isn't a great boat to run solo).

Last year I already had one outing down by Memorial Day (was a bit cold, but it worked out). Seems like this year isn't so lucky? This is only my second full season of boating (I started in 2024 but I wasn't ready to hit water until mid-June).

I probably need to regain my patience...

 

[airshot]

Are you going for a boat ride or going swimming ? I would never swim when 50-60 degrees but fishing in that temp is fine if you dress for it !

 

[Mc Tool]

We are well into autumn now but we are getting great sunny days (25⁰c today and yesterday ....the 1st and 2nd days of duckshooting season ) ,weather we should have been getting over christmas instead of the crap we did get .

 

[ratdude747]

Are you going for a boat ride or going swimming ? I would never swim when 50-60 degrees but fishing in that temp is fine if you dress for it !

No intentional swimming. Or tubing. Just running the boat up and down the Ohio River and seeing if the new prop performs as expected (blade count and pitch change to match what the original prop had). Seeing if I can get closer to the 60mph this thing supposedly could do on said prop (instead of the 43mph that the prior props could do).

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The wife is good with things... so I may take it out. Will depend on if the forecast changes.

 

[roscoe]

Well, we made it out on Easter weekend, in Green Bay, high temps or 43, 47, and 50*F, and lows of 32* each night. Made for some cold fishing, but the walleye bite was on.

"technically at/past the rule of 120" What does that mean ???

And what is " boat-rated clothing "?

Headed north to Canada in 4 weeks, yesterday's satellite photo shows it is still covered with ice. I'd be mighty happy if it was 64* when I get there.
We will be tent camping.

 

[bowler]

Try living in Ireland. 60f would be considered warm water!

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I agree the weather this spring has been disappointing. One weekend we had a gathering people were out sitting on the patio, the next weekend the grandson made a snow man. The wind is annoying 50 degrees isn't bad but add a stiff NW wind and it isn't pleasant.

 

[Pmt133]

It's okay. I opted for some OT at work and of course the days I would normally be off are beautiful. Why make boat dollars when they can't be spent.

That being said, 40s with sun is fine boating weather for me. The girl would however disagree with that statement.

 

[ratdude747]

Well, we made it out on Easter weekend, in Green Bay, high temps or 43, 47, and 50*F, and lows of 32* each night. Made for some cold fishing, but the walleye bite was on.

"technically at/past the rule of 120" What does that mean ???

And what is " boat-rated clothing "?

Headed north to Canada in 4 weeks, yesterday's satellite photo shows it is still covered with ice. I'd be mighty happy if it was 64* when I get there.
We will be tent camping.

View attachment 416018

The "rule of 120" is that if the combined air and water temps are under 120f, one needs to be wearing special gear (wetsuit, drysuit, etc.) to not risk hypothermia if entering the water.

By "boat related clothing" I'm referring to the clothing I wear to boat. UV-rated shirts (IIRC all are short sleeve) and I always wear shorts and flip-flops since I always have to wade in the ramp water when reeling in the boat (we don't power load). Technically I did get a nice jacket from work (10 year work anniversary gift) what I could have on the boat if I get chilled.

 

[dingbat]

The "rule of 120" is that if the combined air and water temps are under 120f, one needs to be wearing special gear (wetsuit, drysuit, etc.) to not risk hypothermia if entering the water.

While not a practitioner, I do agree with wearing protective clothing in cold water situation.

The issue I have is with the “120 rule”.
81 degree day and 40 degree water = 121
71 degree day and 50 degree water = 121

Hypothermia isn’t the biggest issue once water temps dip below 60 degrees, it’s cold shock.

Simply falling into 40 degree water is enough to send someone into cardiac arrest.

 

[airshot]

If falling in the water is a concern, perhaps the boating skills need some upgrade. Never been in the water unless I intended to do so. If you need to get in the water to load or unload your boat, you need a different setup. Lots of dangers when wading around the launch ramps, actually where most accidents happen.

 

[roscoe]

OK, my rule of 75. If the water isn't 75* or warmer, I ain't going in past my ankles.

My boat-rated clothing, long sleeve uv shirt and swim trunks are my base layer. They rarely see the sun or water.

They are covered with a sweatshirt, a hoodie, a pair of jeans, and buried beneath a set of thick insulated rain gear, and topped off with waterproof fleece lined duck hunting hat.

 

[Pmt133]

I guess my cutoff and shorts isn't adequate PPE is it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

It's May in the Midwest......
It may be 70
It may be 30
It may be raining
It may be snowing

When I lived in Wisconsin we would drop the boat in the water in March. As long as the air temp was above 30. Sometimes we would be wearing snowmobile suits

If you are not going swimming, as long as the water isn't frozen, go boating

 

[ratdude747]

If falling in the water is a concern, perhaps the boating skills need some upgrade. Never been in the water unless I intended to do so. If you need to get in the water to load or unload your boat, you need a different setup. Lots of dangers when wading around the launch ramps, actually where most accidents happen.

No it is not. My boat is closed enough of a layout and stable enough in water around here that you'd have to be doing something very stupid (bow riding the illegal way, riding on the sun deck while underway, etc.) to risk ejection. To the point that it not having a kill lanyard (grandfathered) never fazed me. My concern was more of a "better safe than sorry" thing.

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Took the boat out today. No weather issues other than being a bit windier than expected. The river waves had white caps... got a bit beat up. Water was cold but I was only up past my ankles when hopping on the bow and when reeling it back in. Had some mechanical issues at the end (fishing line in prop and trailer bearing buddy failure) but otherwise I'd say it was worth going out if basing off temps and sunshine alone.

 

[Pmt133]

As I get ready for work (48 hours so far this week) I read the forecast for today... 71 and 10-20 mph wind... I could be on a boat or OT... where did I go wrong?