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
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.