First day cruise of the year

[Two killicks]

Hello fellow Tuggers!

Finally, the weather is going to be good for boating activities in our area, winds of 10 knots and a mild day will allow us to go out on the water 😀 Tomorrow we are heading out to the Sorel island on the St Lawrence river and the Chambly canal in the province of Quebec for a shake down cruise to make sure that all the system onboard are good to go. It is going to be the first time that we are going to launch the tug at a marina with the trailer, last year the boat was in a slip in a marina in Ontario. The last 2 week, I spent roughly 25 hours cleaning, shining, loading and checking things out onboard. I cannot wait for the summer holiday to go out for a couple weeks on Rideau Canal...

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

Bon Voyage!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Enjoy the Rideau, one of our boating bucket list items.

Jim

 

[Two killicks]

Yesterday the shakedown cruise went very well, the boat performed flawlessly, we cruised for 8 hours straight... A bit too long to my liking, usualy after 6 hours, I like to set the hook, but we had to get back and the current on the St Lawrence river was about 3 knots, not too bad! As we were about to return to the marina. The coast guard issued a security broadcast on the VHF about an unexpected thunderstorm with 30 kts winds coming in fast with hail and rain, we were glad to arrive at the marina with only 10 minutes to spare, we rushed to get the boat on the trailer and set up for the road trip back home before the rain would hit us, as it was coming over the horizon.

I made the mistake to let the engine on the idle in neutral while my wife was cranking the bow roller strap because the current was strong enough to push the boat towards the side and the propeller made a cut in the bunk on the trailer (I thought that in neutral the shaft was not turning...) I ran to turn of the engine off... oh well too late 😳 No big deal, the wood is a bit chewed up and the carpet too!

I am wondering if a set of guide rods (the ones made of ABS) would do the trick to hold the boat in place or if would be better to get a set of guide bunk instead? This way the boat will stay centered as we are cranking the bow.

Next week, we are planning to go on the Richelieu river from Sorel to Champlain Lake and back, hoping that the weather is going to be good!

I added a few pictures in my album of the trip...

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Glad you got back safely. As far as the prop turning while your transmission is in neutral.....if the current was running this could cause your prop to turn, from the pressure of the water. My guess this to your situation, especially if you have no prop damage as the prop would not have had any pressure from an engaged transmission. Trailer guides would be helpful, I've seen many Ranger Tugs with them, more without. The guides are a personal preference that I'd suggest you try without to get a better feel to see if you think you need them after 5 trailer loading situations or more. Maybe those that have them will chime in.

Jim

 

[Two killicks]

Great suggestion Jim, thanks! Are you still in Victoria?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Thanks for asking but no we are back in Michigan for a while. We are looking forward to returning to the PNW in a week (boats in Portland) to then trailer Kismet up to Anacortes Washington for the start of the summer boating season. Let us know what you decide on the trailer guides.

Jim

 

[ALICE J]

Guides are good I put these LED post lights on top of the PVC tubes so the cars following me can see my brake lights and turn signals, lights on the trailer to small lights and can't be easily seen and the boat also too small . Think BIG VISIBILITY for the cars behind you!