I believe it's now 52 degrees out. Supposed to be in the low 40's through this weekend. I have just visually confirmed an open boat ramp, free of any ice, free access to Lake Michigan. After seeking out some sailors to sail in January, we all recall I had no takers. However, post facto, some then stated that they wished they had gone sailing with me. February remains the only month in which I have never sailed on the lake. I tend to think that not many of us have in the past. Here's an oportunity to do so. Yes, it's a little involved for me to launch and recover while solo, but certainly do-able (obviously). At this point, I'm certainly CONTEMPLATING a February sail outing this weekend. That's not a guaruntee, as I'm of an age where I do not feel like doing so just for the sake of bragging rights... to a GREAT degree... but, still, wouldn't mind it, LOL's. All that being said... if there's another sailor, spry of foot... better yet, two of you, that'd be a guaruntee that I'll be sailing this weekend. So, people, would any of you be interested? Since I have not yet fixed the wiring connection to the trailor lights, maybe 'follow' me close aboard in your vehicle, we quickly step the mast and off we go for a day of fun. If SSYC is open, maybe pull in there for some food and beverage for lunch?

Anyone?

i'm in.

If you launched at SS off the ramp, and had someone to tie you off to the permenate docks there, I think you could do it without even getting wet! Drive up to the dock, trailor retriever jumps off, and helmsman "drives" boat onto trailer. And yes, you would deserve bragging rights to it! Giving it a lot of thought, but I fail in that "spry of foot" qualifier. At the very least, I'll come help launch/retrieve (after 12:00)if it will save you from jumping into the water.
Doug

yeah.. now where's my dry suit...

Let's chat, coordinate it. Am watching the weather forecast, but they keep tweeking it. Now, instead of low 40's they're saying 38-39. What's a dry suit?

Dry Suit: One you wear when you're looking for some unlucky guy's mooring,or, one you haven't spilled a fancy dinner on yet.
South Shore is completely open (as expected), the stationary docks are still there (as expected), and the launch ramps are totally accessible (there were even a few fishing boats launched there this afternoon). Everything for a launch from the "Sout Side" looks good. Let's hope the weather takes a turn for the better!
Doug

Morning launch, Doug, Zack? Might have to coordinate plans for the three of us to gather, maybe @ my house if I cannot get my trailor lights operational (maybe not).

Driving home yesterday, I heard some radio 'personality' on talk radio speaking about how he and his buddies were amazed to have been able to golf in early January, and he used the term "bragging rights", lol's. He then spoke about his amazement, and "serious bragging rights" to have been able to go golfing on February 1st. Obviously having fun with it, but apparently there are many people in many sports taking advantage of this incredible & truly unlikely winter!

I see that one weather 'guesstimate' for Saturday is now back up into the low 40's, so let's hope the winds don't shift to drastically. Appears that it'll be coming from the ENE, for whatever that's worth (at this time). The air, which was expected to be @ 20 knots, with gusts up to 33 knots, is now expected to be a miserly 8 knots. For February? I can live with 8 knots (see, Guy? I'm losing my light air snobbery, LOL's!). Hopefully we'll have more than eight, though. Geez, even just a COUPLE of more knots would be incrementally advantageous to a nice sail outing.

Doug, thanks for checking the southside launch. Still sounds like a go at this point.

Zack, do I have your new phone number yet?

Chris, can you make it?

Is the problem with your trailor lights, ot the supply side from the car? I have a light bar with a long extention cord that I've tied onto many dark trailers that works very well. If your car is hot, we can put lights on the trailer.
Doug

First off, I am electrical wire challenged. I BELIEVE it's a short somewhere. When I sailed January 6th, lights did not work. However, after pulling the trailor out of the water, I then had lights along her starboard side and, a bit later, brake lights began to operate. As is, I figured "That's that", and I'd worry about them come spring. I'll be recovering the boat tomorrow after work, prepping her out. If I get the chance I'll see what (if anything) I can do about the lights that late in the evening. Worst comes to worse, maybe you follow me close enough no-one can get behind me. Or, yes, maybe attach what you have? Vehicle is hot, as proven when I attach a small trailor, lights all work.