when do you get back on the water?

[Zihuatanejo]

It was unseasonably warm here inminnesota the other week it hit 37 degrees. and it got me thinking about spring. Last year i bought a moomba outback and got in the water in early may, I put 80 hours the boat and loved every minute of it. Just wondering when you put the boat in and get the season started. (those of us who have to wait out winter)

[qb12]

Here in Oklahoma it usually starts mid April. However this year we have been out twice putting break in hours on the new engine with temps in the 70's. Our normal high temps are around 45 or so.

However there will not be a whole lot of boating if we don't get a lot of rain in our lake. Most are down anywhere from 5 1/2 to 16 feet below normal.

Doug, t-town

[05mobiusxlv]

Here in Bismarck North Dakota, we have a lake that's heated by a power plant, about 40 miles away. The last 3 years I have been there in Late March, there are usually a couple days at the end of the month when the temps get warm enough. The water is usually as warm then, as the rivers or lakes here, get in August. Its also low this year. If that lake is not an option, I will not bring the boat out until the end of April, or May, and even then, I would not go in without a dry suit.

[BensonWdby]

We expect ice-out second week in April in western Wisconsin. Docks usually go out second or third week in April. Skiing possibly as early as last few days in April. Just got a hood to go with wet suit so ears should be OK. Just have to make sure that there is no danger of hard frost.

[pjtatro]

Here in Richmond Va we usually start in mid March and go thru the first of Nov.

Pete

[Yellowmobius]

I was out checking the boat ramps this weekend. 40 degrees and a very nice day REALLY had me thinking, drysuit and all.

Bismarck, ND

[pullmyfingers]

I took the boat out in mid- March last year and got in the water without a wetsuit (blue lips and all) towards the end of the month. I'm hoping to do the same this year. My family has one rule however: the air temperature must be at least 70 degrees or we will not go.

[pullmyfingers]

........in Alabama. Forgot to post that.

[JoeTechie]

Ok,

I've officially been on this board too often...

I walked out this morning to unseasonably warm weather even for us in Central Florida - 76 degrees, and actually thought to myself... Hmmm.. wonder if Ed G is going wake surfing today.

I pick my new 06 Outback LSV up on Sat, and I'm going straight to the lake. No skiing the first day, but I'm sure I will take a few laps around the boat during break-in period rests.

-Joe


p.s. it's midnight and it is 71 here. Even for a Florida boy, that is warm for the middle of Jan.

[AL02REDMOBLSV]

We usually drop ours in around march or April. It really depends on how all of the spring maintanence goes on the lake house, boat and dock. You gotta work before you can play!!!

pullmyfingers - where are you localted in AL. I am always on Lay Lake.

[stang67]

We get out in mid march, mostly caseu thats when my season for swimming is over(though its never really over) so i have time to get out on the water. We normally have a 100 degree rule. Water and air temps have to add up to 100. No drysuit just wetsuit. THough have been thinking about a dry suit.

[jburnside]

We usually start back at it in early May with wet suits... my wife tries to impose the 70 degree air temp rule on us as well but it does'nt always work. Weekly riding with our friends usually does'nt start until the end of May... their weak and they lack discipline!

[Yellowmobius]

My personal best has been Feb 1st. Sunny day, air temp 55, h2o had to have been 55 or 60 - meeting the 100 rule. It was at the heated lake mentioned in this post, Center, ND.
My latest has been November (in Florida) some time late in October (in North Dakota)
This year will be my first year with a drysuit so I am hoping for better.

Last year I made 45 days of boarding, 5 of those days were in Florida.
I racked up 105 hours on my LSV and a few on Jason's XLV.

[lee]

In TN around March.

[pullmyfingers]

AL02redmobius- I keep my boat at Smith Lake near Cullman.

[Holtzy]

As much as I may sound like a spoiled brat. I'm forced to put the boat away in December and wait until February to take it back out again. The Water gets pretty nasty out here in the Northern California Delta i early spring. Mountain run off and all.

Can't wait to get the wetsuit on and do a few face plants in 58 degree water.

Holtzy

[Yellowmobius]

What do you consider "northern California Delta"?

I have boarded in the discovery bay area and a little south of Sacramento.
My job gets me out there usually once a year.

[radryan]

In IL I will be in the water sometime in March. Usually look for 60+ temps and we are good to go. I wakeboarded the weekend before thanksgiving this year and last year! WE have a power plant lake were the water is always above 55 in Nov and March. So my shorty wetsuit does the trick!

[csaj4506]

San Antonio here: Water temp 70 air temp was 80 give or take. Skied with wet suit Thanksgiving day and Christmas day (kids tubed with just a life jacket). Was a little to windy New Years.

Last year my 10 year old son wake boarded March 14 (spring break) with just a life jacket). Took him an hour to warm up in the car on the way home.

You guys sure have it hard up north. Florida seem like the place to be (or was it Green Acres).

[lanceswake]

In Dallas, TX it has been unseasonably warm , but I know there will be colder temps before it's all said and done. You're right though about the rain. We need rain bad! The lakes are way low and there's grass fires popping up everywhere. I usually start the wakeboard season the first part of April with a good wetsuit due to wakeboard withdrawals, plus I get tired of making payments just to watch my boat sit in the garage.

[Tiltboy]

Hey Pull, where are you on Smith? We are close to Arley. Be looking for my White/Red Outback LS w/tower. I'm not far from Duncan Bridge Marina!;)

[marchina]

Here in baja, still wakeboarding water temp is like 60°F

regards

Simon

[Buttafewcoe]

Getting back on the water vs. getting back 'IN' the water.
We are on the water first week in April
I'm not in the water till Memorial weekend.
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B