posted 10-09-2014 11:02 AM ET (US)        

I downloaded an engine history report from my Evinrude E-TEC engine, and discovered that in 2014 the engine only ran for 38-hours. That's one of the shorter seasons of operation in my recent boating history.

We did make four big boating trips this year:

--June to Grand Traverse Bay, Northport, Charlevoix, and Elk Rapids

--July to Georgian Bay, operating from Tobermory for five days

--August to Lake Huron North Channel, to Little Current, The Pool, and Killarney

--August to Grand Traverse Bay, in Northport and Omena

Normally we'd accumulate about 75-hours in four trips like that. I think the weather held us back. This summer the Great Lakes weather was unusually cool and rainy. And when we did have fair weather it was often accompanied by high winds. Yesterday was typical: the skies were beautifully sunny, the afternoon temperature just got to 60-degrees, but the winds were 20-knot-Westerlies and gusting to 30-knots. That much wind does not make for pleasant boating on the Great Lakes.

Our trip to the North Channel coincided with a record-breaking three-day period of low-pressure and rain; some say it was a 100-year-event, and others say more like a 500-year event. We were not expecting three days of 50-degree weather and heavy rain, that's not normal August weather.

I believe the lousy weather in the Great Lakes was due to a persistent deflection of the Jet Stream over the region to much farther south than normal. This was also related to the unusually high temperature and lack of rainfall out West, where the Jet Stream was deflected north.

Some solace may be found it all the rain and cool temperatures: the water level in the Great Lakes has risen nicely, and it has come back from near-record low water of just a few years ago.

posted 10-09-2014 11:36 AM ET (US)            

I put the boat away a few weeks ago but with no regrets our little party will end after this weekend weather man says.

posted 10-09-2014 05:26 PM ET (US)            

Juneau had the wettest summer on record (June-August, 24.27 inches) and 33.6 inches of rain from June through September.

On the plus side, I winterized the lawnmower 2-weeks ago. But the snow down to the 3,000' level and the snowblower positioned for easy access.

posted 10-10-2014 09:28 AM ET (US)            

Two days ago we launched out Sport 13 at the Hwy 59 ramp on the intracoastal water way. It was a good and pleasing test for the 13's new trailer. We took a short run west to Oyster Bay then turned north through a bayou and under a very low bridge to Bon Secour Bay then eastward up the Bon Secour River for a few miles. We enjoyed the solitude and quiet for a while before returning to the ramp. It was a pleasant though short cruise.

If you've never tried boating in our area you should consider it. We need more Boston Whalers on our waters.

posted 10-10-2014 09:48 AM ET (US)            

Our Great Lakes season was a good one, but a "different" one. Weather is weather.

Dave

posted 10-10-2014 08:03 PM ET (US)            

I like boating in September and October. There are a lot less boats out. The boaters who are out also seem to know the rules better. The only downside is sometimes I have to travel in the fog. I hate the fog. Two weekends ago I waited at Thatcher Pass to follow the ferry across Rosario. The fog was thick and lasted almost to the east end of Guemes Channel.

posted 10-11-2014 01:17 PM ET (US)            

I started a short term work assignment this summer in Philly, so that limited my time out. The striped bass fishing has been terrible in the bay the last 2 summers. An out of control seal population thanks to the Marine Mammal Act and a growing Great White Shark population feasting on them are partly to blame.

posted 10-11-2014 01:45 PM ET (US)            

Crabbing has been excellent as well this year. They opened up a winter season until the end of the year. I've got 45 vacuum packed in the chest freezer, and we are still catching limits of nice sized crabs. Pretty rough having to eat these sweet treats 5 times a week for the past 3 months.

Dennis

posted 10-13-2014 11:53 AM ET (US)            

http://www.mlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2014/10/ michigans_great_lakes_water_le.html

posted 10-13-2014 04:10 PM ET (US)            

Interesting article, the rising water is a welcome sight to many of the towns and residents on the Great Lakes. I have to believe millions are being saved in dredging alone.

In our own front yard the rising water has removed piles of zebra mussel shells deposited over the years of declining water levels and the sand is returning.

posted 10-14-2014 07:42 AM ET (US)            

quote:

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Dave [HOOSIER] is probably a lot more fun to hang out with.

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posted 10-14-2014 09:32 AM ET (US)            

I'll be wearing Levis to the barbershop this morning. Hopefully by this afternoon it will be up to the forecast high of 73 degrees so I can change back into shorts for the drive back down to Gulf Shores for the rest of the month. We are, as usual, spending October at the beach but have to get home every 7 to 10 days to maintain the yard, etc. For example over the past couple of days I mowed back and front, edged all the sidewalks and the drive and used the string trimmer where needed. Then the quadrennial concrete power washing was started. I'll have to finish it at the end of the month.

Life in Lower Alabama is sometimes hard despite all you may have read to the contrary.