The End

[wiscofisher6147]

I know we all differente definitions of the end of the season.
But i live in the northeast and now starting to see the advertisments for shrinkwrapping everywhere, facebook craigslist etc.

Just another sad reminder that its over, or will soon be no matter how long you try to hold out, it will be over.

Just cause open water season coming to a close, doesn't mean fishing is entirely closing. we still have shore fishing until they go deep, then it's ice fishing time.

 

[briangcc]

Umm...what ice? More often than not, the water was wide open. I don't think Lake Erie even iced up enough for that...at least not near me...

And that's very odd for NY... I even think the St. Lawrence stayed open all last winter w/o help from ice breakers.

 

[thedinz]

And if it’s an I/O & using a vacuum pump cold oil will not pump out!

Which i do. But man that warm oil is nice and thing and comes right out of there.

 

[JimS123]

Which i do. But man that warm oil is nice and thing and comes right out of there.

As I posted before, my usual regimen with an I/O was to run it first to heat up the oil. My conclusion with 4-stroke outboards was that I didn't need to because they drained from the bottom and came out cold just fine.

I usually change the oil annually, plus we don't put a ton of miles on the boat each year, so my oil isn't really THAT dirty.

My experience with 4-stroke outboards only goes back to 2017, so my experience is limited. Every year I have been disappointed when I changed the oil because it came out with still a hint of golden, so my thought was I wasted my time and should have kept the old oil for at least another year.

Regardless, back in the day when we ran the outdated I/Os, even hot it flowed like water. My guess is that if your oil came out like a sludge, you waited wayyyyyyy tooooo long to change it.

 

[thedinz]

As I posted before, my usual regimen with an I/O was to run it first to heat up the oil. My conclusion with 4-stroke outboards was that I didn't need to because they drained from the bottom and came out cold just fine.

I usually change the oil annually, plus we don't put a ton of miles on the boat each year, so my oil isn't really THAT dirty.

My experience with 4-stroke outboards only goes back to 2017, so my experience is limited. Every year I have been disappointed when I changed the oil because it came out with still a hint of golden, so my thought was I wasted my time and should have kept the old oil for at least another year.

Regardless, back in the day when we ran the outdated I/Os, even hot it flowed like water. My guess is that if your oil came out like a sludge, you waited wayyyyyyy tooooo long to change it.

you dislike i/o?

 

[Pmt133]

I've had the 4 winns up on ice pulling it out before in NJ. That's how you know you got your moneys worth out of the season. Local summer starts the day after labor day anyway. About a quarter of the checkbook captains out as there are May-August.

 

[JimS123]

you dislike i/o?

That would be the truth. After running an I/O for 35 years I was sick of the maintenance requirements. After buying a fishing boat where the only option was a 4-stroke outboard, the following year I sold the family boat and upgraded to an outboard there as well.

Pulling back the doghouse to access parts while standing on your head, sucking out oil and don't get me started talking about bellows. The OB is hanging right out there making it easy to work on, plus it has no bellows, universal joints, etc. And they just look so cool.....LOL.

I know people who swear by old 2 stroke OBs, and others that prefer I/O's. We are blessed in that we have enough choices to please everybody.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

you dislike i/o?

Outboards are for boats that anybody can run. They are simple and anybody with two braincells can operate and maintain, 4 strokes even more so, it is like a car you just put gas in it.

 

[ScottinAZ]

ill probably lay one of the boats up for the winter by the end of the month, the other a couple weeks after that. Its not so much the chance of freezing here (that is still a couple months away), but the wife thinks its too cold to go out on the lake (she would wear a sweater out if its 110 degrees....).... iffin it aint gonna go out, may as well lay it up, and start the winter upgrade and maintenance program....

 

[thedinz]

That would be the truth. After running an I/O for 35 years I was sick of the maintenance requirements. After buying a fishing boat where the only option was a 4-stroke outboard, the following year I sold the family boat and upgraded to an outboard there as well.

Pulling back the doghouse to access parts while standing on your head, sucking out oil and don't get me started talking about bellows. The OB is hanging right out there making it easy to work on, plus it has no bellows, universal joints, etc. And they just look so cool.....LOL.

I know people who swear by old 2 stroke OBs, and others that prefer I/O's. We are blessed in that we have enough choices to please everybody.

Fair enough, im the latter, the i/o lover. As you said, choices make the world go round.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Last ski of the season yesterday time to park the ski boat. I am excited I have a new project to tinker on this off season.

 

[thedinz]

Last ski of the season yesterday time to park the ski boat. I am excited I have a new project to tinker on this off season.

wow, this weekend was crap where i live, i wanted more on the boat but i think im gonna end up pulling it without even a last trip.

 

[silverbul]

wow, thought was a jim morrison post, nevermind.

 

[thedinz]

wow, thought was a jim morrison post, nevermind.

it can become one

 

[JimS123]

wow, thought was a jim morrison post, nevermind.

that makes no sense at all...

 

[silverbul]

that makes no sense at all...

guess you have never heard of the doors. thats okay. we still love you.

 

[Grub54891]

Umm...what ice? More often than not, the water was wide open. I don't think Lake Erie even iced up enough for that...at least not near me...

And that's very odd for NY... I even think the St. Lawrence stayed open all last winter w/o help from ice breaker. Up north here on the bay, it freezes hard. The rest of the lake is pretty much open except the bay and around the apostle islands. Last year the bay wasn't safe ice, to warm all winter but people still ice fished.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Not over just yet, we have had a really warm September. Yesterday the grandkids were over we took the pontoon out, I had to dig the Lilly pad out of storage. Kids had a ball, made a little more progress in the swimming lessons. I had to pull the plug when they were shivering, warmed them up on shore with a fire and smores.

 

[JimS123]

The weather report for the next week does not look good. The following week we are going to the Caribbean on vacation. After that, who knows?

I spent all day yesterday winterizing. Serviced, waxed, detailed and covered. Tanks are full and tires aired. I suppose I could simply take the covers off and be on the water in minutes, but not likely.

This is the earliest season year end in 56 years of boating. There was a time that we launched when ice bergs were still coming, and stayed out for late fishing when there were icicles coming off the engine. I guess I' just to old for that any more.

 

[thedinz]

Just pulled the boat, probably winterize next weekend. This is actually the lastest pull for me lol. I usually like it put to bed by now.