www.iFourWinns.com

So in July, there are always fireworks at Ashbridges bay for Canada Day. I plan on launching at the Scarborough bluffs marina and making the trip to watch the fireworks, and then returning and docking overnight back at Scarborough. I'll pick up the boat in the morning, rather than try to get it on the trailer at night. I don't want to dock at Ashbridges bay, because it takes about an hour to get out of there with the traffic and all the people after the fireworks.

I have GPS and a VHF radio on my boat, but its still just a bow rider, so I'm a little concerned with doing this at night. Of course I'll only consider it if the wave heights are 0.3M or less and the wind is less than 5-10 knots. Its not even 1/2 hour on the water

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Have you done a lot of boating a night time! It is definitely a doable trip there isn't much in the way of obstacles on the water. It's what ever you are comfortable with. The first time I was out at night (Sparrow Lake) is was definitely different, make sure you get a good spotlight if you plan on doing it.
Is there no where closer to put the boat in?

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I agree with Mike about having a good spot light. I used to run out of Whitby (just east of there) for a few years. There are a lot of idiots fishing in tin cans with no lights.

John

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

I could put the boat in at Ashbridges bay, and dock it there as well overnight(transient dock), but I don't want to have to deal with the hassle of getting out of there by car. The traffic and crowd is normally insane



I love the whitby boat launch! I normally launch there, then go all the way to the beach at the Scarborough bluffs. I launched in Pickering once, and almost scratched my gelcoat. The do say no boats over 23', but I thought I that was just for fun
Here's a vid to show you how narrow the boat launch in Pickering is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZierZ4XGIg

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Personally, I would not recommend doing this on the fourth of july. It's my experience that the 4th holiday brings out too many idiots, once-per-year boaters, drunks, and troublemakers. Couple that with the unknown things that happen during a fireworks show and you'll spend more time stressing out about which way you're drifting, battery life, weather, waves, etc....Maybe it's just me, but fireworks shows never end up being relaxing for the captain.

My recommendation would be to plan this trip on a different night. I believe you'd find it much more relaxing and less stressful (and safer).. my two cents.

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But thats why I wanted to make this trip, to take some friends and family to watch the fireworks from the water.

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

It's cool. Im an inland boater, and some of the 4th of july fireworks shows I've boated to have been INSANE. Easily the most dangerous thing I've ever done was go to the Lake Norris fireworks show. Had to be 3000 boats along a section of the lake. Everyone plowing through water at fifty different speeds and directions. White Knuckles...

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Ah! I've never seen that happen on lake Ontario.

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Ha. Just realized that Canada Day and the Fourth of July are two different days. Enjoy. Keep us posted!

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A bay is nuts after the show BD. As an alternate, Whitby puts on a hell of a fireworks show during their Harbour Days weekend and just a handfull of boats on the water.

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

You have time to prep for that run. Like a couple runs in evening and day and plot your trip on the GPS. I personally don't motor at night after I tried it once. I'm not setup for it. Remember its the idiots out there that cause concern. GPS is not radar. If you make that your first night trip my answer is NO. You owe it to those friends to know what r doing to make it safe. You have time for that and can have fun making the run and learning the land and light markers.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Do the run a couple of times before in the day (and night), so that I am familiar with the area, and I have the GPS tracks to follow back.

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

I'd consider making that run at night for the fireworks, but like you are doing, I wouldn't take the decision to go or not go lightly.

I would want to plan on doing the return trip in the dark at hull speed. So plan how long this would take accordingly and be confident the weather won't throw you any curve balls. I didn't check the distance involved but how many miles is it?

Some guys don't mind getting up on plane in the dark and running, but for me I wouldn't want to do it since it is after a fireworks display, you are running close to shore and you may find folks in a row boat, kayaks, canoes even paddle boats who may of come from shore out to watch the fireworks display.

Try not to use your spot light if possible or look at any other bright light as it will greatly effect your own night vision.

We had fun boating to Grand Bend a couple years ago that had a great fireworks display but we docked our boat overnight, then took our inflatable (with proper navigation lights) just outside of the marina channel entrance to enjoy the fireworks on the water. Then we made an effort to beat all the boats back into the marina while leaving our boat safely tied up at the dock.

I also like the idea of doing the run in advance if that is convenient to you, then you could just follow your track line back in the dark so you are not questioning if you are following your best track line home.

Have fun however you decide to do it.

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

As others have said, it would be a good idea to try the trip a few times before your planned event. Just to familiarize yourself with the route. I would not hesitate to do that trip at night in calm conditions.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Total agree!! But if it was me, and since we both have GPSs. I would make a "route" and save it. If fog rolls in OR for any reason, stick to the route that the GPS is displaying.