Musings on the past, and queries of what lies ahead.

             As the Labour Day weekend passes each year, it reminds me that the boating season is once again beginning to wind down.  I always take a few minutes to reflect and ask myself some questions:

            “What was the highlight of the summer? What will the summer of ‘08 be remembered for?”  The first thing that comes to mind is the rising cost of fuel.  With gas and diesel prices in some places nearly double what they were last year, we Canadian boaters still found creative ways to go boating.  We discovered - or rediscovered - local anchorages we perhaps hadn’t been to in years.  We visited that next lake over and the launch ramp we’ve never seen.  Rather than venture off to places far beyond, we explored our own backyards.  But we still got out on the water.
            The second thing that comes to mind is that the rains came down.  Weather wise the past season wasn’t the greatest, but that also means that the water levels, especially in the Great Lakes are up over last season as much as six to eight inches.  And that means that we’re quite possibly on the upswing of the sixty-odd year water level cycle.  A wet summer season usually means that we’re in for some great fall weather.   So don’t pull out too early, in our “Stretching the Season” feature you’ll find four great weekend suggestions that’ll help you take full advantage of what’s yet to come.

            “What was on my list to do this season that I haven’t done yet?”  Every year I try to do something to my boat: to add one new item or repair something that needs it.  No doubt you’ve got something on your boats’ to-do-list that still needs some tweeking or tinkering. I like to cross things off my list too, so along with my engines, we took a trip down to Mercury’s Factory Refresh Program headquarters in Fond du Lac Wisconsin to learn first hand the value of preventative maintenance.  In our “Freshen Up” feature, we share the expert advice we received that just may save you a ton of money on your engines.

            “What lies ahead for next season?”  Even after over twenty years in this industry, I’m still amazed every year when the boat and engine manufacturers release their new products.  This year I’m sure you’ll agree with me that you’ll not only be amazed, but perhaps blown away with what’s new.  I never dreamed I’d see a boat with a “brain”, never mind an on-water brake and a suspension system.  I never imagined docking would be effortless.  In our “Sneek Peek – What’s New for 2009” feature we tell you which manufacturers are responsible for these – and more – very forward thinking innovations.  Indeed, the question we can all ask is “What will they think of next?”           
           
            An so it is in this issue, that along with all the above, plus our ever popular columns – and columnists - we continue to learn from real life incidents in our Lifeline column; we Field Test another product, we look at the pre-owned market in the Owners’ Opinion column, and we close out the book with the Life Afloat column asking you, our readers, the question “What are you thankful for as a boater?”

            So with the warm days and cool nights of fall now upon us, and the return of kids to school, it likely leaves us with just a few precious weekends and the occasional stolen afternoon to get out and enjoy our boats a final few times before freezeup.  Take advantage of every minute of the good weather, and stretch your season far enough that both the momentum and the memories carry you straight through to next season.

             See you on the water!
           

             Bill Taylor