Went down today to the Albany launch for a shakedown cruise on the boat. The rowing club has erected a whole new set of chain link fencing which blocks off about 15 vehicle/trailer parking spots, if not more. Basically they have taken over nearly the entire northern end of the parking lot. It looks permanent. Not only is there a loss of parking, but when exiting the launch you used to be able to make a 90 degree left hand turn under the bridge and then another 90 towards the exit. Now you are going to have to make a complete U-turn into the lane where the vehicles/trailers wait in line to launch. It wasn't bad today because no boats were launching other than me and one other guy, but once the season gets it full swing I can foresee lots of problems and long waits, particularly on weekends. Anger even. I know the docks themselves are provided by the boat club and for that I am thankful, but I would bet the launch and parking were built with state dollars. I have no objection, and greatly welcome, the rowers, but this situation seems untenable. I have also noticed that the rowers do not wear life preservers. Also, that the people (students) operating the chase boats don't really know what they are doing. That water is cold this time of year, I know because I wade in it to launch my boat. I suppose those rowing sculls are pretty stable, but if one goes over at this time of year, the chase boats aren't going to be much use. They are 16 foot aluminum skiffs, how do you climb aboard those? Not my problem I guess but it seems pretty dangerous to me.
The boat ran good once I re-connected the spark plug lead I had taken off a week ago. Still leaks, mostly thru the live well pump I think. Maybe remove it and plug up the thru the hull fitting, see if that helps. Use a bucket to fill the well. Marked a few fish. Tried garden worms but no bites. No debris in the water, visibility maybe one to two feet.
You may want to take a drive down to the launch to check it out and plan your angle of attack before the season gets here. If you have a big boat its going to be a major problem for you. Anybody in tight with Mayor Jennings? Maybe a call to his Friday morning radio show would be in order.
The boat ran good once I re-connected the spark plug lead I had taken off a week ago. Still leaks, mostly thru the live well pump I think. Maybe remove it and plug up the thru the hull fitting, see if that helps. Use a bucket to fill the well. Marked a few fish. Tried garden worms but no bites. No debris in the water, visibility maybe one to two feet.
You may want to take a drive down to the launch to check it out and plan your angle of attack before the season gets here. If you have a big boat its going to be a major problem for you. Anybody in tight with Mayor Jennings? Maybe a call to his Friday morning radio show would be in order.