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I’m not sure I’ve seen that type of filter for AC, but I’ll check it out and see if I can find one that’s washable. MVScottFree wrote a similar comment as yours, so I’m optimistic. Thanks for the tip!

You bet that the next AC filter I purchase will be reusable! I’m starting to look up for one. Worse comes to worse I’ll customize it. I appreciate you letting me know that cleaning a reusable filter works well.

Yeah that’s now added to my regular maintenance list: changing the AC filter. It had totally eluded me somehow. I got a good laugh from your yoga mat must-have tool… because it immediately made my knees remember how the engines blocks are fun to lean on without. Don’t be shocked if you see a yoga mat on my future sumner boating videos… Thanks, my good Boater friend!!

@@TheRetiredBoater AS for spare parts I ask myself "how much will it affect my time on the boat if this system fails?" Therefore I don't carry a lot of air conditioning spares on board as I can life without a/c. I do however have spare parts for the head on board as well as a spare fresh water pump.

Hey! Your feedback is highly valued and appreciated, thanks so much for writing it and congrats on your boat !! Indeed we bought ours on the same year as you did. No doubt you have boating adventures to share too, ha!

@@TheRetiredBoater I also retired Jan 2021. So moving up to a bigger boat went with the territory. I have a few videos online on my channel, but primarily for my kids and my consumption. I love to rewatch them during the cold winter months here in Michigan.

Michigan! You’re nestled between 4 large bodies of water and then some and, to you, the nice boating destination of the Georgian Bay is “just” across the lake, big lake but hey. Maybe we’ll see you there :))

Totally right there with you! 3 years in with the boat and I’m learning stuff like the canvas upkeep. Thanks for the intel from your experience and for the feedback my friend! I’ll see to it that I make it a brand new looking canvas next Spring, and as such perhaps extend its life.

Ahhh, great question! It made me relive that awesome initial experience where everything came together: Retirement and a dream toy :)) “Some day” happened, lol. And it was my turn, my time: I seized the moment and it’s been nothing short of stellar boating ever since. I had a great time putting that video together and I wanted to convey how it felt, and how it still feels like.

I’m glad you enjoy the videos and wow, I’m so happy for you and your wife :)) Initially I wanted a 370 because of the space inside and out: it just felt right for me and I wasn’t going to want a bigger one after that, plus it has a separate shower. That was the dream. The reality is that if I’d want a 370, I’d have to keep working; but with a 340, I could retire right away. Given that I was done with working, I took the 340 (which has a wet head). Can’t have everything, lol, but I see it as a first world problem so I’m more than ok with it. Smaller boats have the advantage of overall less costs as I’m sure you know… gaz, slips, canvas, bumper size. winterizing, storage etc. You can tow them too! And they’re cozy, more chances to have a slip at home and on vacation. Motors: Oh I’m happy to have two of them! I’ve seen a handful of single motor boats needing a tow, one of which I rescued; it depends how far you plan on going away from home but in all honesty, they’re usually reliable and there are marinas all over to help if need be. With two motors I sleep better at night with less worries: I know I’m getting to destination. It happened once that one of my motors was heating but I made it home using the other motor (it was algae stuck under the boat at the strainer entrance grill). Yes tighter space to work in with two motors but doable depending on your size: I’m 6 feet and 190 Lbs and I barely fit to give you an idea. - I had a 22 foot Cierra sunbridge Bayliner, one engine, for 12 years and I loved it! Did vacations with 4 people in it. Never had an issue but no shower so I needed to plan around that (that’s why I don’t mind the wet head on my 340). Other big boats owners were asking me how I could go out boating every weekend as gas is expensive… it’s because I had a single motor burning less gas on a less heavy boat while they were catching the sun on their boat’s deck at their marina all summer long! Now with a bigger boat, I put aside $1,000 a month, year-round, and I’m good (-ish), lol. It costs me around CAD$15k per year including everything… gas, marina, maintenance etc with a travel of around 1,000 km a year. That said, a 28-30 feet boat is an awesome size in my opinion and experience. You get the best of both worlds unless you prefer more space inside like I do (I practically live aboard from May to October and it has heat, AC and a generator). Let me know if you have more questions and I hope you get to enjoy boating!!

@ Thank you for taking time to provide this feedback. Much appreciated. We are on the Rideau with a bowrider but want to get beyond the locks for overnight stays without having to tent/find accommodation.

You got me to smile… I totally get it about being able to go beyond locks for overnight stays :) A 28-30 feet boat is more than comfortable for that lifestyle, and any potential major voyage down the road in my opinion, although it always remains a matter of personal preferences. I see many people doing what you describe on the Rideau with smaller boats that 28 feet and they’re very happy. I hope to meet you along the way and have a nice casual chat and I’d love to hear about updates during your quest!

@@TheRetiredBoaterThanks again for your time and perspective. I am sure we will meet at some point, along the Rideau, Ottawa or Trent Severn.

Making this video was like reliving the moment and it is the one that I watched again the most for the reasons you described from your own experiences. Like a salmon, I instinctively drove the boat twice from Ottawa to Portland Ont. last summer on the dock where it all began :)) Just don’t say that to anyone, ha! Yeah, hindsight being 20/20, buying sight unseen is a bold move but we lucked out. From what you wrote, I’m potentially reading between the lines, which paints a clearer picture. I hope it’s a bump on the road and not a game changer.

Your feedback goes a long way and, as I recall, we use the same editing tool CapCut. All this was done using my phone with their app, which I upgraded recently with a small subscription to gain more video editing options. Pretty much just clicks on the app. Feel free to reach out if you have questions and I look forward to more of your videos :))

It sure is something to be present next to that boat for the first time! I carry that feeling with me to this day and it was rather special to do this video as you can imagine. I’m pretty sure the feeling will last a while :)

Heureux du contacte et un beau bonjour froid, Danielle (en tout cas pour moi, ha), mais le printemps arrive “à grand pas”, on va le dire vite. Et, en effet, j’aimerais bien que ton spécialiste fasse une tournée de la toile et y applique son savoir faire pour maintenir et prolonger celle-ci. Dès que les trois morceaux de toiles me reviennent, j’inviterais ton répareur pour qu’il y jette un coup d’œil: milles mercis et j’espère que tu passes un belle hiver.

Hey thanks! It was a joy making the video and reading your comment. And you bet, more coming up :)

We're in the same boat! Enjoy your retirement on that nice Sea Ray 340 Sundancer of yours this coming season... it all started with a dream. Thanks for the Happy New Year wish and the very same to you my friend :) And enjoy that nice looking, brand new canvas!

That’s a nice boat to cruise on! My marina neighbour has a 37’ Cruisers and it looks splendid, I can only imagine a 46’. Nice dinghy too. Once we started using our dinghy, there was no looking back… it adds to the experience. I like anchoring down for days at a time so this permits the fun exploring while leaving the “big dinghy” in the background. I’m right there with you about using it all the time, not to mention that Parry Sound is likely one nice place to be boating.

No I don’t, I’m funny that way: I just go with my budget. That said and out of curiosity, I once saw a data chart online from a team using the same boat, year and length as mine (2001 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer) and the stated burn rate as I recall was about 30 gph at full load (and in total with the twin 454’s) running at cruise speed of 23 mph. And about 6 gph when running at “cocktail” speed (about 6 mph).

@TheRetiredBoater we are looking at looper boats and found a Regal 3860 with a gasser. I was thinking 1 gallon per mile, so that could be a go

That’s about right gpm wise and that’s a good size boat even for looping according to loopers I’ve met (but to each their own of course), describing maneuverability in sometimes tight spots, gas consumption, increased chance for dock availability, less overall fee costs etc. yet with all the comfort. Sounds like you’re gearing up for nice boat trips!

To the MV Dajinka crew, I hope that we the Gr’ah Sea Us crew cross path with you especially during the majestic Georgian Bay voyage. Your experience in that part of the country solidifies our keeping the dinghy decision and is making us looking forward to it that much more. We’ll advise our whereabouts along the way and if you’re on the water… a new friend”ship” and sharing stories sound mighty good. Thanks for letting us know!!

Yes lots of videos will come out of the 2025 boating season as we’ll be on the water longer, farther and in new places. Cheers!

Having a dinghy was an adjustment for me: At this early stage of boating I’m still enjoying the novelty of the big boat, yet the last thing I want while away on a grand voyage is to wish I had brought the dinghy along. 2024 is when I used it most especially because I had many opportunities to stay days and weeks either at a lock or at anchor… and that’s the style I’ll be adopting from now on, so the dinghy becomes an escape and I’m therefore more prone to use it. I’ll enjoy anchoring between islands in the Georgian Bay and explore, stepping on isolated islands and have a lunch. But if I was “go, go on the go from point “a” to point “b””, then I’d leave it behind, same if I go somewhere that I’ve already been to and already explored. Thanks for the canvas glass product name, it is noted my good friend!!

Thanks Alita! Dinghy is a word believed to originate from the Bengal region, south of Asia. Glad you got something out of the video and I appreciate the feedback :))

I hear you big time my friend... I must have checked every single dinghy davits systems out there as the gap between the water line and the swim platform is to reckon with (I can only imagine in your case!) Like yourself, I'm thinking I'll end up with my own design and build: a customized-welded one! I already bought the welding machine. I'm thinking simple, seamless, practical, least invasive, user-friendly, not blocking the beautiful view at the back, and with the least moving parts and ideally manual instead of electrical. It must be high enough against the boat's wave and to let me use the swim platform's ladder (located mid-way), and back enough to be able to walk along the swim platform and leave the BBQ stand in place (on the end of the swim platform). I will succeed :) Looking forward to your video!

@TheRetiredBoater Good idea! Our ladder is off to one side at least. Our platform is 22" off the water. We may have to figure out some sort of electric winch....I'm not as young or as strong as I once was 🤣

Ladder to one side is good when you have a dinghy for sure, and a 22” gap above water, yeah, an electrical winch looks pretty good right now, ha. One thing I noticed is that when the dinghy sits on the davits, the swim platform (in my case) tilts a bit at the heavier 15hp motor end… but it stays straight when the dinghy is tight flush against the back of the boat. So my design will take that in consideration. The design must be easy to use or else I know myself… I won’t use it much.

What a great comment that you just posted, high five and thanks for taking the time to share the thought, it's most energizing: it feels great knowing that they make a difference and I'll keep that in mind as I keep filming, thanks again!!

Making a list before launch is a good place to be in. Totally agree about cleaning the canvas once a year and I’m thinking it needs waterproofing after each cleaning. I’ll make sure I have forever stitches when I get the canvas changed, awesome tip. I enjoyed watching your new canvas video, most timely for me, thanks for that. We started planning for next summer’s boating vacation as well, it’s exciting :))

Couldn’t have said it better.

On the one hand, I have to take the entire canvas down to clean it in the spring so if it was already off for winter to protect it from the cold, it would be two birds with one stone; while on the other hand, a lot of dust would accumulate in the cockpit during winter without the canvas, plus rodents with the easy access (birds, too) might do damage (there's racoon and squirrel tracks on the exterior of my boat while on blocks). It has to be fairly warm outside to easily snap a canvas back on: it's nearly impossible when it's cold (even on a cold summer day in my case so tight it becomes). My goal with the new canvas in 2025 will be to bring it home (or leave it flat in the cabin) for winter and have a second one, flat, crude, 1-piece canvas made that easily snaps front, sides and back as a simple protective cover (to make the new canvas last and less exposed to the elements!) Unless I go shrink wrap but I like the year-round access under the dome.

Hi neighbor and thanks! I remember seeing your Rinker on my way to the boat; nice to be under the dome for ease of access. First time I'm trying George & Sons Upholstery, Unit 111-250 Centrum Blvd., Orleans (same building as to the old theatre, door is facing city hall) and all they do is stitches and zippers for a canvas: I have yet to see the result of their work but I'm confident.

I appreciate you saying so! Your comment made me watch the video again, where I paid more attention to the sun and warm weather as you say… Yeah, it helps to shorten rainy and dreary days like it is here now as well and for a few days.

Mike, thanks for the feedback! Many months to go until launch day as you wrote, yet thankfully everyday is filled with that good feel of anticipation. As for next summer, my wife and I already started planning, such as when and which areas we’d like to pay attention too along the way. Our Rideau Canal adventures prepared us well and we’re happy to share the ride :)

Hey! Yes, I’m in the planning stages of doing the Trent Severn in 2025 along with the Georgian Bay… Part of the travel with my wife when she’s on vacation. How about you? You single handedly drive a Sea Ray 340 too? How do you find that’s like for docking and in the locks? Do you have thrusters?

@ Hi Frank, first of all, thank you for the wonderful videos you are making. I think I have now seen most of them. It is not only the videography, but also the format you are using to present the storyline, I find to be excellent learning and entertaining at the same time. I can’t wait for your 2025 videos. I was single handing a 30 foot Bayliner with twin I/O engines, on and off, for 8 years without trusters. Because you can direct the propeller angles, together with utilizing prop-walk and prop-wash, it was fairly easy. Now I just bought a 2000 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer, and I am outfitting it with brand-new, Sideshift bow & stern trusters, Axiom+ chart plotter, EV-150 auto pilot, Quantum radar, and a new VHF radio. This in preparation for next summer. I am highly interested in doing the Trent Severn single handed, so I can’t wait to see your videos next summer. Take care, see you on the water.

Great feedback, I read your comment attentively. Similarly to you, I had a Bayliner 22 feet for 12 years but a single prop. Congrats on your new amazing purchase of that 340 Dancer :)) That made me smile. Amazing upgrades too and of course i noticed that it included bow and stern thrusters… if it’s your first time using thrusters, I predict you’ll have a similar impression about them as I did: A game changer no less. And yes, Trent-Severn adventures and videos are just around the corner… I’d like that, see you on the water and take care!!

@ Hi Frank, yes, the trusters are my ‘ just in case ‘, but I will mainly use the shifters, and hope to achieve the same perfection level as you have achieved. Please let me know when you have some new videos out, and when you have some news about your Trent Severn adventure? When you do the Trent Severn I guess you have to come down the Rideau to Kingston first. Would you have a concern with the new fixed LaSalle Causeway bridge, to get out to Lake Ontario? Take care…

Hahaha! Sounds like there’s unity in part from an inclination towards perfectionism: I used to be called Mr.P (for perfect), I’ve scaled that down in recent years but it is still detectable as Anchor Girl has noticed :) I have one more video on this last series including docking backwards alone with one hand, ohhh yesss, right!? I’ll be watching your Trent Severn Waterway and Georgian Bay series for the 2nd time soon, with a pencil and paper in hand this time around: I remember it being epic and insightful, and it’s for our 25th (quarter of a century) wedding anniversary. We spent our honeymoon on our 1994, 2255 Sierra Sunbridge Bayliner on the Rideau back then… only fitting that we’ll travel a bit further this time around, oh, and on a Sea Ray Sundancer :)) Thanks in advance for the videos, and for the comments!!

@@TheRetiredBoater 25 years?? These days, that is quite an achievement so here's an early congratulations to both of you! Next Spring, Anchor Girl and I will be celebrating our 43rd (!!!) wedding anniversary & 47 years since we first started dating! Can you believe she's stuck with me and my foolishness for nearly half a century? 😁

Thank you, I appreciate that and you’re leading the way again, marriage longevity wise this time… I suppose that’s my next challenge? :)) My jaw dropped (so did my wife’s) to “47 years together”, you’ll have to tell us your secret some day. 4 years together then got married? We were 4 months together before we got married, just saying, LOLOL. I’m calculated yet leaps of faith follow me and so far so good. I laughed out loud at “…stuck with me and my foolishness” as I can imagine the scenes, maybe like your carving of the white plastic davits to accommodate the underside of the dinghy, which was so cool if you ask me (that scene made me repair my boat’s BBQ), and I relate as just today my wife said: “and I married that guy!” I’m eccentric at times. We have the marriage longevity key my friend but I don’t know what it is! That could be part of the charm. I’m sure it’s not because of the Sea Ray. DOH!!!

I hear you, we’re “in the same boat!” as the expression goes. 181 days to go but the day will come and it will be a good day.

Yep, listening to wise and experienced people has only brought me good things in life and, sure enough, I wasn’t disappointed. Paul also inspired me into the boating world… I’m eternally grateful for it as I needed it, and I’m giving back when I have the opportunity and for others’ benefit. Great observation!

My pleasure Dave! And you’re so right about karma… there’s this fragile balance between expressing bravado and tempting faith: maybe it’s in the delivery :) To your point… it can be fun either way! Cheers to that philosophy.

Hey thanks! Murphy’s law weather wise. Very much looking forward to your canvas video: as you know I’m considering a new one too so I’ll watch it with scrutiny. Can’t wait to see it.

Touché! There’s indeed a sentiment of sort. When my wife and I sold our first boat (the one before this one, some 17 years ago), we shed tears to put it mildly. Just finished editing a video now… will be publishing it mid-November to prolong the fun. Great comment, thanks!

That would have been the best… I was right there with them when they were about to wash it; unfortunately, the washer broke down and they couldn’t repair it on time. They said they’ll pressure wash it in the spring.

Yes exactly, spring is right around the corner, it’ll be here shortly right!? :)) There’s nothing like prepping for spring launch, oh man. Thanks for sharing the plan, helps me with the waiting.

@@TheRetiredBoater Are you aware that Sea Ray wired the electrical system so that the engine hatch can be operated if your battery goes dead? You should have a 12 volt plug under the helm wheel that can be used to power the hatch when your battery charger is OFF. You simply plug in a 12 volt power source and the hatch will operate.

Spring will be here before we know it. I stop by and visit my Chaparral every couple weeks and go by the marina just to get my boating fix during the winter. Also working on my spring todo list

Omg what! That’s so awesome, I did not know that. Yes I noticed the 12 v plug in below the helm…. That’s so good to know. I actually feel better knowing that. Thanks!

Yes exactly, spring isn’t far away so it’s a good idea to start the todo list soon. I totally get it about getting the boating fix… and whenever I go see it I always want to stay “one more minute”, ha. I’m sure your Chaparral looks mighty fine, makes it even more fun for the todo list :))

Glad you found it entertaining! You got a week more of boating than me, and in a heated space… that must work well for you? I thought about building my own heated boat garage in my yard. I’ll definitely check your new canvas video as I’m putting money aside for ours eventually, any recommendations you have would be helpful. Will be surreal when Spring comes along my friend, we’re in the same boat, almost :))

Good observation. It’s rotational to be fair to all, I have no say. Fortunately it only takes 10 minutes per boat for haul-ins and there’s actually more boats behind mine. It’s also less exposed to the elements this way and to people walking in with ladders. Best anywhere in the tent with year round access than shrink-wrapped outside I find. But to your point, ideally I’m the last one in and the first one out :)) My turn will come. I’m just happy to have a boat!

Yes!! We’re considering boating south via the great loop once my wife retires and spend part of winter(s) aboard starting in or around the Bahamas… Fly home for a bit and then back to resume the boating adventures. Great question. I know my way with maps as a retired forester, I’m a handyman, have 12 years of previous boating experience, I scuba dive and windsurf so, yeah :)) Started watching insightful looper videos. Life happens… let’s see. I’m content with little yet sometimes the adventurer in me says: “Let’s go!”

Hey Mike, glad you’re enjoying the videos :) Yeah, just looking at this latest video and I miss her big time. To that effect, I have more footage to take us through the winter months and, indeed my friend, stay safe and healthy as well, thank you and cheers to boating!!

We’re enjoying the same in Ottawa…if my boat was still in the water I’d sneak out and likely make another video! Hope you get to enjoy and yeah, I feel for you: let me know how the pulling goes on the US East Coast! Good emoji choice.

I share your sentiment big time: sad yet so ever grateful at the same time for the fun boating season. So yeah, thank you and cheers!

Thanks! It adds fun to boating and it’s pleasantly tempting to try turning docking and locking into an “art”. It can be so beautiful to look at. Like Bob Ross would say: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” (To learn from.) Fortunately, bumpers are into place to help avoid the potentially costly mistakes.

Oh I don’t take myself very seriously, it’s more about having fun but yeah, when the wind picks up it’s another level of difficulty.

Thanks! Pretty darn sure you’d enjoy it :) Would love to have you over and, by the same token, check those gadgets you got installed.

OOOOH yes! Retiring in a few short years!? Sea Ray!? Thrusters!? I’d say I envy you but “we’re in the same boat!” :)) A 380 Dancer, two thumbs up, enjoy the separate shower :) Congrats my friend, must be exciting to kind of start looking at longer boating destination possibilities? Exactly… slow speed while stick shifting is key, and thrusters are a game changer… I’d say they make me enjoy boating 3x more due to peace of mind (and they might pay for themselves if they avoid a couple of incidents) but that depends on everyone’s situation. Thanks for the feedback!

Ha, yes! The duck’s timing was so perfect that it felt like it was someone waiting for me to stop talking before starting heckling. Right place at the right time :)

I hear you about learning techniques… comes from experience… and, like yourself, I had a single motor before but yeah, I learned stick shifting with twin motors from Boogaboo! I usually only use the shifters when I’m moving at the slowest speed, except occasionally in harsher conditions when using the steering in addition helps to accentuate a turn towards the desired position. I enjoy watching boaters dock, learn from it… then applying it. All good fun!!

Thanks!! Ideally it rains at night and it's sunny during the day :) Very true... that plant has travelled and seen a lot more than if it was rooted in the ground; it's also going to be part of a nice voyage in the Georgian Bay next summer: I named it Oasis🌴 (by definition: a fertile spot where water is found). Very well, I shall refer to it by its name in future videos :)), while I named the engines Sea Runner and Seagma. Great comment, I love it.

Hey thanks! I continue that experience in the upcoming videos… Feels great and feels right doesn’t it!? Cheers to us practicing. There’s something to be said about a “seasoned Boaters” and we’re getting there :)) I hear you… trying new techniques here as well.