Splish Splash

Spring Launch ’23

It’s official: we’re FINALLY in the water Again 💦

What does it take to launch

SV Zeke E Boy?

In mid-April, after I wrapped up the winter projects, all of my temporary tools and extra materials had to come off the boat to make room for sailing equipment and boating gear. I keep a set of essential tools for emergency projects, but I have acquired a lot of tools over the years and they do not need to take up space on the boat!

Help me Clean 🧼

I asked Kara to help me clean the boat because I know she’s so good at it.  We actually balance our strengths and weaknesses pretty well.  I helped unload by taking lots of trips up and down but I don’t just get to wander off exploring the marina and hope she’s finished when I return … cleaning the boat to a “Kara-approved” level actually takes a lot longer than I think!   

But she did an amazing job spring cleaning this year.  She even found an old, used comb in the bottom of the lazarette.  It had to have been there for quite some time – it wasn’t ours … Yuck!

By the end of April, we could finally start loading the boat and completing some of the commissioning items.  Once the shrink wrap was removed and recycled, we put the cockpit canvas and solar panels on.  This means there’s a charging source, so batteries can be loaded and the electrical system commissioned prior to launch day.  Sails, cockpit and saloon cushions, kitchen items, personal gear and safety equipment all were loaded on the boat, and Kara loves to organize and put everything in its place! 

Launch Day is Here!

When Launch Day arrives, the yard crew shows up and gets right to work.  They are quick and efficient at loading SV Zeke E Boy on the trailer, bringing her to the well for the travel lift to pick up and lower her into the water.  We spent about 30 minutes in the well getting ourselves in order – getting the engine running and casting off towards Lake Michigan!  It is a bit stressful, but the workers are very nice and help as needed. 

The biggest item that doesn’t get tested being on the hard is the engine.  Once winterized, it sits – waiting for this very moment.  Thankfully, the engine started right up, coughed out its antifreeze and continued warming up, purring beautifully and preparing to bring us home.

Heading Out

The winter yard is located on the Saint Joseph River, behind two bascule bridges and one railroad bridge, all needing to open to let us out into the lake.  The spring river is flowing out to the lake (directly into the bridges), so those moments, waiting for the bridges to open while being pushed towards them via the river currents, are a bit tense.   The bridges do not start the opening process until they see you leaving the dock and hailing for a lift.  Our first bridge was very close, and everything happened so quickly – we didn’t get any video or pictures of the event.  

This was the moment I was waiting for all winter long and everything happened so fast!  SV Zeke E Boy was lifted out of her winter hibernation, the engine was running and the yard crew pushed us off towards a bridge that has yet to start opening!  What just happened?!?  I went as slow as possible, but couldn’t go slow enough … Eventually the bridge opened, and we just barely cleared the mast through – we were down river before it even finished opening.  The second bridge had more room and clearance time to navigate, and there were no trains at the moment so the railroad bridge was open too!  We finally had a clear path out to the lake! 

Watch Out

Wait, what’s that at the mouth of the harbor?!?  There is a dredger (a big one) and workers hooking up piping!  Fortunately, Kara was able to communicate with one of the support boats in the channel to signal our intended direction, and they re-routed us to go around in the opposite direction to stay out of their way!

Let’s GO ⛵

We were finally out on the lake again in late April – nearly a month earlier than last season!  It was cold, very cold.  Snow pants and winter gear (coats, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.)  are required – even though it was a beautiful, calm sunny day!  4 hours later, I navigated us into our home port for the season, and the 2023 cruising season has begun!

Tell us what you think

Please leave comments on your thoughts / recommendations / improvements to our Spring Launch process.  How do you plan your spring boat launch? Do you have any recommendations for us? There is always room to grow and learn, and we’d love to hear from you!

– Kyle from Zeke Life

Live like Zeke
You’re such a good boy!