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Author
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Topic: weeds,weeds and more weeds....
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Eric
Member
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posted September 12, 2002 07:36 AM
 
As John Grant pointed out in an earlier post, we have a problem with weeds in Cooks Bay(Southern Lake Simcoe), as I'm sure many boaters do in other shalow lake areas. Kempenfelt Bay(western Lake Simcoe) is over 100' deep, the deepest part of Lake Simcoe, so John is unlikely to run into weeds there. The problem however is lakeshore property owners, marina operators, and ultimately society for polluting the lakes.
The conservation authorities blame runoff of phosphorus and other pollutants from farm fields and our lush green lawns, which apparently aid in the growth of weeds. You'll also notice how clear the water appears, thanks also to zebra mussels.
Now imagine sailing along and plowing through a large patch of weeds. They foul up keels, c/b's, rudders and for the power boaters, they clog cooling water inlets. I've heard of some big repair bills to engines from loss of cooling, (but that's their problem).
You'll know when you get caught in a big patch because you'll lose speed and proper control of your boat. It can be a real annoyance!
Where do these weed patches come from? Earlier I mentioned lakeshore property owners and marinas. They "harvest", cut the weeds some with really weird contraptions with underwater sickel bar mowers. Conscientious people try to recover the weeds from floating on out to the open lake. Sadly though some get away, while others just cut and let the weeds drift.
This is a very complex problem without an easy solution. I can only hope the scientific community can get the word out and try and educate people as to the best way to save our environment, so that my two boys, and indeed all our sons and daughters will be able to sail in the future. In the meantime keep a good lookout!
Cheers
Eric
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Tom D CL16
Member
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posted September 12, 2002 08:42 AM
Yep my little local lake has a severe weed problem. Several years ago the lake was so poluted that no one swam in it. It was dredged and open sewers were fixed and the lake was usable again. The $$$ folks started buying up property and building grand homes. Fine yards with fertilizer and watering systems. Geese came to the yards and runoff. The lake now has a weed problem. The county sprays the lake once or twice a year. They also have some sort of a harvester to cut weeds and lift the cutting up onto a barge for off lake disposal. Looks like a floating combine. People and water should get along better but sometimes we don't all think of some of the problems we cause ourselves.
tom d
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Canadian Sailor
unregistered
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posted October 29, 2002 06:54 AM
Yep, weeds can be a serious problem:At sailing camp, while racing in a Laser2, we flew spinnaker and hit a weed patch that stopped us dead. We had to get one of the instructors to tow us away because we couldn't get the daggerboard up ------------------
Canadian Sailor ;)
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Darcy
Member
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posted October 29, 2002 10:04 AM
Toronto Harbour is really bad. You have to keep checking your rudder & centre board for weeds wrapped around them. As you get closer to shore you can stop dead. The hot weather accelerated the problem. One consolation; and I realize I may be a tad politically incorrect here but: I've watched personal water craft totally sieze up as they suck weeds up their jet drive unit. Regards, D'Arcy
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martin CL11/412
unregistered
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posted October 30, 2002 10:07 AM
One consolation; and I realize I may be a tad politically incorrect here but: I've watched personal water craft totally sieze up as they suck weeds up their jet drive unit.
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IMO this is NOT politically incorrect. The weeds are usually in the shallows and the PWCs very often ignore any speed restrictions. Call it poetic justice. ;-]
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CL16-2695
Member
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posted November 02, 2002 10:42 PM
If you want a chuckle at the expense of our PWC friends try this link http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sailor570/pwchelp.htm Should give you a laugh
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CL Staff
Administrator
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posted December 13, 2002 12:16 PM
hey,just an idea - sail with your c/b 3/4 of the way up this will shed most of the weeds. Also wax the board for those of you with f/g boards. Being a sailing instructor i know all to well of the fun that can be had in weeds. lake erie where i sail is aweful for weeds. they actually cut them.. then they float to the top and wait for thier prey. great for fishing i hear though =) regards,
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Cody
Sailing Advisor/Sales manager/Web Development
CL SAILBOATS
codyc@clsailboats.com
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