Spring-like temperatures call for early boat launching season
Today is the day that boaters around the region eagerly anticipate every year.
"It is an early start. This is the earliest we've launched in the 40 years I've been doing this," said boat owner Dave Carr.
The mild winter and early spring allowed marinas to open early.
"The hydronic trailer basically goes in and picks the boat up in the yard and brings it over to the travel lift here, and then we pick it up with the travel lift and then launch it," said Steve Goddard, the general manager of Bay Port Marine.
The goal is to have around 400 boats in by May for the long weekend, which is more than two weeks ahead of schedule.
Maple Leaf Marinas is Canada's largest marine group, managing 20 marinas.
"We honestly thought a few weeks ago we'd be even earlier, but then we got that random snow storm a couple of weeks across pretty much across the whole area. We have some marinas that have started putting boats in the water while others are prepping to get boaters in water this week and next week," said Karen Trottola at Maple Leaf Marinas.
Most boats at Lefroy Harbour sit in slips on land as marinas along Lake Simcoe prepare for the season.
"We started last week. We launched at Lake Simcoe Marine. It's all in the water today. We are starting in Kon-Tiki Marine, which is is five minutes south of here, and here in Lefroy. We are starting on Thursday," said Moe Elnewishy from Lake Simcoe Marinas.
"All boaters are actually calling now asking when the boats will be launching they are gearing up to start the season," said Elnewishy.
Many local marinas will launch boats in the next few weeks, as most boaters prefer to have them in the water by the long weekend of May. It's important to remember that the water may still be icy and hazardous if you plan on going out this month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
Oilers dominate Canucks, win to force deciding Game 7
The Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination from the NHL playoffs Saturday night, beating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in Game 6 of their second-round series.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.