Friend of mine used to have to do this. He would pull out all of his bigger boats and motors, and for the period where the ice wasn't thick enough to walk on, he used a small aluminum 12 footer and would drop a tiny outboard on it. He used to leave his work boat in a bit longer, but too many impellers froze in the thing. So, for that period, he dealt with hauling a 12 footer up on shore, and putting the outboard inside to remain above freezing. He did this even when he had to lean over the bow and use an axe to smash a trail ahead of the boat. Finally he bought a used 2-person hovercraft. That solved a lot of problems. Only needed the HC for that period until the ice froze thick enough to walk, then drag toboggan, then snowmobile, then pickup truck. In his early days there, he wanted a septic tank put in, so as Winter set in, he worked on building an ice road. When the day came for the backhoe and the truck carrying the concrete septic tank to cross the road, they flat out refused. He himself drove the truck over first, then the backhoe operator figured if a 3-axle truck with a tank on it could make it, he would give it a try. His hovercraft gets used very occasionally in the summer, but it makes so much noise. Half the places are deserted in the winter, and the other half keep all their doors and windows closed, so the noise isn't so bad for them. He can carry himself and one passenger, or himself and the groceries. Only one incident where someone knocked the drain plug out while boarding. That could have ended badly, but they turned around soon and made it back to shore. Re-inserted the plug, and off they went, quick like a bunny, home to dry socks and a warm fireplace.
We are on Healey Lake just south of Parry Sound. I will be pulling the boat today after I take my nieghbors out . Weather looks pretty good for freezing up. Hopefully we will be snowmobiling in a week or so.
I tend to agree that Northern Ontario starts at North Bay (sorry Southerners but Northerners who live in it know where the line is more so than city folk who never leave the concrete jungle and refer to Hunstville as "up North" 😅) nice video
@Dan-qt7kq well we live on an island. We leave it in as long as possible then pull it out when the ice is about 1.5 in thick. Supposed to get down to -18c the next few days.
Friend of mine used to have to do this. He would pull out all of his bigger boats and motors, and for the period where the ice wasn't thick enough to walk on, he used a small aluminum 12 footer and would drop a tiny outboard on it. He used to leave his work boat in a bit longer, but too many impellers froze in the thing. So, for that period, he dealt with hauling a 12 footer up on shore, and putting the outboard inside to remain above freezing. He did this even when he had to lean over the bow and use an axe to smash a trail ahead of the boat. Finally he bought a used 2-person hovercraft. That solved a lot of problems. Only needed the HC for that period until the ice froze thick enough to walk, then drag toboggan, then snowmobile, then pickup truck.
In his early days there, he wanted a septic tank put in, so as Winter set in, he worked on building an ice road. When the day came for the backhoe and the truck carrying the concrete septic tank to cross the road, they flat out refused. He himself drove the truck over first, then the backhoe operator figured if a 3-axle truck with a tank on it could make it, he would give it a try.
His hovercraft gets used very occasionally in the summer, but it makes so much noise. Half the places are deserted in the winter, and the other half keep all their doors and windows closed, so the noise isn't so bad for them. He can carry himself and one passenger, or himself and the groceries. Only one incident where someone knocked the drain plug out while boarding. That could have ended badly, but they turned around soon and made it back to shore. Re-inserted the plug, and off they went, quick like a bunny, home to dry socks and a warm fireplace.
We are on Healey Lake just south of Parry Sound. I will be pulling the boat today after I take my nieghbors out . Weather looks pretty good for freezing up. Hopefully we will be snowmobiling in a week or so.
Healey lake is not northern Ontario, it's in the Muskoka's. Must be from Toronto.
The Muskokas. 😂😂😂😂.
Right...North Bay is the gateway to the north.
I tend to agree that Northern Ontario starts at North Bay (sorry Southerners but Northerners who live in it know where the line is more so than city folk who never leave the concrete jungle and refer to Hunstville as "up North" 😅) nice video
Muskoka is central ontario. We are right on the boarder so we considered northern. We are the most southern point of northern Ontario. Haha
I look forward to spring and fall just to break ice it's almost addictive 😂
I bet that hill won't last long.
It's a Canadian ritual thing, just don't walk on it.
I'd be afraid the hull would break from being so cold.
Just don't try it in a fiberglass boat😉
Good job winterizing your boat 😂
Why would you leave your boat in so long. I guarantee you that winter comes every year around same time.
@Dan-qt7kq well we live on an island. We leave it in as long as possible then pull it out when the ice is about 1.5 in thick. Supposed to get down to -18c the next few days.
This guy's a little late, I think!
Looks like McGregor Bay, !
Nope Healy Lake he said at end, Gee I had fun watching
Ice fisherman alike must just hate you for breaking the ice up. You wouldn’t be doing that on our lake or you’d find your boat on the bottom next time
That’s exactly what I was thinking! Do that on the lakes I fish and you’re gonna be in for a very unwelcome surprise.
The Ice breaker dude