Offering practical PWC cruising, tour advice, tips on PWC riding, maintenance, etc

THE INTREPID COTTAGER: A SEA-DOO TOUR OF ONTARIO’S 1,000 ISLANDS

Posted on May 8, 2012

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

This day ride takes place on the St. Lawrence River between Kingston and Iroquois, Ontario. You can start at either end. The main channels are well marked and it’s tough to get lost with a river shore on either side! The north side of the river is Canada and south side is United States, so don’t set foot on shore of the country you’re not a citizen of without checking into customs & immigration (bring your passport). As Canadians, we simply make all our stops on the north side, but ride on American waters for about half this tour. Any Sea-Doo PWC rider with even limited touring experience should be able to handle the 1,000 Islands and there’s always lots of boaters around to ask for help. Good cell service throughout. Talk to you next time!

For more information on the Intrepid Cottager:  http://www.intrepidcottager.com/

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PWC Tour: North Channel St. Joseph Island – Sault Ste. Marie

Posted on February 28, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

Lake Huron’s North Channel runs from Killarney, Ontario in the east to Sault Ste. Marie in the east. St. Joseph Island sits at the western end and Hilton Beach is a great launch and overnight location. From there, we circumvented the island with a detour to the Sault for lunch. The main shipping channels are well marked and it’s neat to ride alongside a massive freighter (going so slow, they put out less wake than a PWC). On the way back from the Sault, be sure to stop into Richard’s Landing for fuel so you can make it all the way around St. Joseph Island. The north side of the water is Canada and south side is United States, so don’t set foot on shore of the country you are not a citizen of without checking into customs & immigration (bring your passport). This ride is a mix of populated and remote areas. Recommended for moderately experienced riders. Carrying extra fuel is a good precaution. Decent cell service in most places. Talk to you next time!

For  more information on the Intrepid Cottager: http://www.intrepidcottager.com/

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Experience the Intrepid Sea-Doo Tour, North Channel: Spanish, Ontario, Canada

Posted on February 2, 2012

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

Lake Huron’s North Channel runs from Killarney, Ontario in the east to Sault Ste. Marie in the east. Spanish is an ideal launch and overnight location for exploring the eastern portion in a day ride, including the Benjamin Islands and up the Spanish River to Massey. While there are many sheltered areas on the North Channel, if it’s windy the waves can stir up – so Sea-Doo suspension really helps. For our ride, the afternoon was windy, so we rode the protected Spanish River instead. Recommend for experienced riders who are comfortable with a more remote ride and with carrying extra gas on board. Limited cell service. Talk to you next time!

For more information on the Intrepid Cottager: http://www.intrepidcottager.com/

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Dressed to Ride

Posted on October 27, 2011

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

Some riders like riding in nothing more than bathing suit and a PFD. Not me. I rarely ride my Sea-Doo on tour without full body coverage. Exposing my pale flesh to the elements for six consecutive hours or more while zipping along on the water can be downright uncomfortable.

I’ve had my skin look like a boiled lobster, even with sunscreen. I’ve had it desiccated by hot, dry winds and agonized by a thousand pinpricks from driving rain. I’ve even had bruises where some bat-sized insect splattered itself against some part of my anatomy. A good reason to keep my mouth shut while riding!

So just like in the winter, I layer for Sea-Dooing. I go for quick drying under layers (no cotton) like a Sea-Doo technical boardshorts and Pro Rashguard combo. If needed, I add a pair of quick dry long pants and a Sea-Doo Freewave jacket. If the weather gets any worse, I really blew my decision to ride that day, but the Sea-Doo Men’s Team Neoprene Riding jacket can save the day. I got mine big enough to go right over everything else I’m already wearing, including my PFD. Another good choice for superior protection is one of Sea-Doo’s full body wetsuits.

With no windshield or helmet visor to protect my face, I always wear sunglasses or goggles so I can see properly and avoid eye injury. Sea-Doo Vehicle Gloves keep the backs of my hands from frying. A pair of Sea-Doo Booties protects the sensitive skin on the tops of my feet and ankles and keeps feet warm in cold water. Most of the time, I even wear a Sea-Doo cap for scalp protection and to help cut the glare.

Usually I find myself in one of two scenarios. Either I start in the cool of the morning wearing everything I own and take it off as the day warms up. Or if conditions permit, I may start lighter, but always carry another layer with me just in case. With a little planning there’s enough storage space on board to strip down en route or carry extra gear. Worst case, I can bungee something to the passenger seat strap or grab handles if necessary. That way, I’m always dressed to ride. Talk to you next time!

For more information on the Intrepid Cottager: http://www.intrepidcottager.com/

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The Real Scoop on iS

Posted on September 6, 2011

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

In one of my last postings, I told you about upgrading to new 2011 models – a GTX iS 215 and a RTX iS 260. Until now, we’ve been riding with no suspension except our own legs. So our question was whether Sea-Doo’s exclusive iS really works and is worth the extra money. For me, the answer depends on the kind of riding you do and what kind of a rider you are.

There’s no doubt that iS can make a measurable difference and up your fun factor. Without it, I can best describe solid contact with waves as a series of hard slaps. Imagine clapping your hands together sharply and continuously.  With iS, those hard slaps becomes a series of subdued whoompfs, with iS absorbing some of the shocks to take the edge off each hit. iS is like clapping your hands wearing winter mitts instead of barehanded.

So is iS worth it? If you’re a casual rider that tries to avoid riding waves and mostly plays around in front of your cottage maybe not. But if you are ever far out there and have no choice about riding in conditions from choppy to wavy, or often ride with passengers, then iS will shine for you.

And if you are or want to be a touring rider or destination cruiser like me, then iS can make or break your ride. Anyone over 40 will notice a remarkable reduction in body wear and tear with iS. It will do the same for those under 40; they’re just less likely to admit to any discomfort in the first place!

When touring, I’m often on the water for 6 to 8 hours in a variety of conditions. Suddenly and unexpectedly, we can encounter various water moguls – chop, waves, boat wakes and what I call cross turbulence (random mingling of chop, wave and wake all at once). As my body tires, my muscles and reaction time both suffer, especially towards the end of a long day. That means I’m more susceptible to each bump and hit, and likely to pay for it later. But iS puts a buffer in place that helps me preserve strength, last longer and feel it less that night. I can even overeat at lunch and get away with it thanks to iS!

Best of all with iS, I enjoy each moment of the ride more and don’t feel intimidated when the waves kick up. I just crank up my iS to the max and away I go. Talk to you next time!

Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Cottager

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Being Weather Wise

Posted on August 4, 2011

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

Weather is a determining factor in Sea-Doo touring and destination cruising. Obviously, optimum cruising  occurs on a hot, sunny day with little wind and not a cloud in the sky. I’ve had my fair share of these glass surface days when my Sea-Doo etches a virgin line across a mirror of water. I’ve also had rides I’ve decided to cancel because of predicted thunderstorms or too high winds.

Believe me, you never want to be out when severe storms are imminent. No ride is worth putting yourself in potential danger. If you are out and the sky goes black and ominous, seek shelter quickly, preferably at a marina or cottager’s dock, where you can get off your PWC onto solid ground until it’s over.

I just wish the weather folks would get it right more often, or even agree with one another on one forecast. Basically, I’ll go on a day tour if the chance of rain is 40% or less. Anything over 50% and that day’s ride occurs near my cottage where scrambling home is an easy option.

Sometimes, rain is predicted for later in the day. That’s when I’ll choose a quick, half-day excursion (early mornings are normally the calmest time of day) and hopefully, be off the water by noon or so.

I also watch the wind closely. Higher winds mean higher waves. They can slow my ride or make it difficult, especially on big water. On windy days, I’ll choose a more protected route like a river or other narrow waterway.

The direction of the wind is also important. If the angle of your selected narrow waterway coincides with the direction of the wind, say both running west to east, then that can really whip up the waves along that narrow space.

Temperature is another factor to watch. For me, if the mercury is 22˚C (71.6˚F) or less, it’s a long sleeve and pants or even a wet suit riding day. I’ve Sea-Doo’d when it seemed that ice would start forming on the surface and I’ve almost had heat prostration from being out all day in a 33˚C (92˚F) clam bake, with me as the clam. But mostly, the weather cooperates when I ride because I’m on top of it.

My point is that for day touring and destination cruising, you need to be more weather aware. In upcoming blogs, I’ll chat about what to wear in various conditions to keep your Sea-Doo ride enjoyable. Talk to you next time!

Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Cottager

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Long Weekend Ride!

Posted on July 5, 2011

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

On the July holiday long weekend, James Prisiak and I did a marathon ride through Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes. We left Burleigh Falls at 9 AM and got back there at 6:30 PM after riding seven major lakes and connectors on the famous Trent Severn Waterway. Whew! That’s 7 hours of actual running time, with 2 hours for lunch, lock thrus and other breaks. What a great ride, and not a cloud in the sky! As the first really great weekend of summer weatherwise, boaters were out in full force. Here are a few photos of our day trip – enjoy. Talk to you next time!  Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Cottager

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Cruising on Your Sea-Doo

Posted on July 5, 2011

by Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager

Have you ever thought about PWC touring? You’ve come to the right place!

Hi, I’m Craig Nicholson and I’m a Sea-Doo rider from Canada. I’ll be contributing to the new Sea-Doo blog with my personal adventures and opinions. I ride about 100 hours each season. That usually works out to between 2,500 to 3,000 kilometres (1,500 to 1,800 miles) of sheer pleasure!

I’ve been riding Sea-Doo watercraft since the ‘90’s. I started out as a cottager who got one for playing on my lake. But I quickly realized how much more my Sea-Doo would add to my summer if I went exploring.

As an avid snowmobiler, I’m used to exploring new places and visiting different destinations in winter. Doing the same each summer on my Sea-Doo just came naturally. Especially when my snowmobiler wife said that she wanted to go out on the water with me. So using our Ontario cottage as a base, most of our PWC riding is now day trips and overnight tours to other waterways. Boy is it a blast!

So when you read my blog postings, remember where I’m coming from: I’m a touring Sea-Doo rider into destination cruising, not a gear head, racer or casual weekender. Previously, my wife and I have each had our own Sea-Doo GTX 155’s (she drives her own sled too). This summer, we wanted to try the full iControl package with suspension. Our new 2011 models are a GTX iS 215 and a RTX iS 260. I’ll tell you more about the measurable differences they make to our riding fun in my upcoming blog postings.

And don’t worry if many of my adventures take place in Ontario. No matter where you live, I’ll provide practical cruising and touring advice and tips. You can use this info to expand your Sea-Doo playground in ways you may have only dreamed of until now.  Talk to you next time!

Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Cottager

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