skidooboy

We have 3, 420lb (120 gallon ea.) tanks, now. During covid we were with a different service, and only had two, they would fill them every 4 -6 weeks, while maintaining 55 degrees in the home. The new service said we would be better off with 3. Bonus was, the first provider charged us "rent" for each tank, the new service has 1 rental fee, no matter how many tanks. They fill them every 5 weeks but, we rarely dip below 60% when they fill. Having 3 now, keeps us way safer for running low. So yes, it was a very low volume for what we had. Several times the first provider would let us get down to below 10% before filling, and in a super cold temp time, it is hard for the tanks running that low to generate enough vapor and pressure, to run the furnace. Guessing that was what burnt out our motherboard in 2022. To utilize a big pill style 250-500 gallon tank, we have to have the tank so far from a property line, and so far from every building. In our case, that would put the tank smack dab in the middle of the backyard. The weird thing is, we can have as many of the 420s we want, anywhere we want. But, I still check the smart stat multiple times a day, and stress all winter the furnace will not run, and cause lots of issues. Ski

They all have problems, they all have pluses and minuses. Easier, and more cost effective to rebuild a 2 stroke, better longevity with a 4 stroke. I have had both, and honestly dont care anymore. I buy the best chassis for my riding style. I prefer a 2 stroke. This was in Dub Sunday... Newer 4 stroke Doo. Ran good the day before, put in heated garage overnight, didn't want to start, or run well after it started in the morning. Back fired a few times, then flames started coming out from under the hood. Ski

Went up on the 7th, dug out from our snows since the last trip. Was deep again. We have over 3 feet of settled snow in the backyard. Snow, rain, freezing rain, thursday night. Went to Hawk Junction friday for our first ride, and some awesome Big Bear food. Trees hanging everywhere, on the D south. Had to cut our way through in several places. Took trail 6 and the magpie home, the magpie is drifted pretty good, and slushy, making for an interesting 30kms. Our club president gathered a group to brush open the F trail to Dog lake, the pics and videos showed just how bad it was. It took them 3 days to go from the D trail to the lake. Lynne and I brushed the town trail, and D west toward white river, magpie but, only made it 5 miles in 7 hours. The club was going to finish it yesterday. Trails are good, just a lot of face slappers. Should be better with the brushing. We just need some sun, wind, and a lot will spring upright, and not be an issue. Ski

Still above freezing here, in Dub. It is raining and above freezing north of us all the way to Cochrane. Ski

Crazy up here too. We have more snow on the ground now, than we normally have in March. Arrived to dig out buildings yesterday about 4pm, we had another 3 feet to shovel from around doors, decks, walkways, we can't access with a plow or blower. This was the second 3 feet dig we had this season, and it is only the first week of Jan. Supposed to get some rain today, I need to finish our dig before the snow gets too wet and heavy to deal with. Not sure what we are going to do, or where we will put the snow, the rest of the season. It's deep up here. Ski

We used to start in the Soo or Searchmont, after doing it a few times, we realized we lost 2 days on that trail on a trip. It is 6-10 hours by trail, unless you are carrying the mail, and not stopping to rest, pics, etc.... It is less than 2.5 hours in the truck to Wawa from the Soo, on good dry rds. It became a no brainer for our group. Also, with the Ontario Govt switching from, the MTO to a for profit company (Ledcor) maintaining the highways up there, It is wise to become a member on FB of the northern ontario traffic alert page, and put the 511 ontario ap/site on your phone, and watch the alerts, and cams like a hawk. They have been closing 17 and 11 down very regularly for issues they never did in the past. Sometimes 17 is closed for days at a time between Wawa and the Soo. This will go on until the weather patterns calms, and or the bigger bays freeze solid, to limit lake effect snows in the region. Ski

Wawa motor usually lets you park there if you stay before and after you return. But, call in advance to verify. You used to be able to park across from the arena, not sure if that is an option any longer. Or call Kenny at the Big Bear in Hawk Junction, and speak with him about rooms, and parking. He is a good guy, and willing to help, and has great food!. Tell him Eric and Lynne from Dubreuilville, sent you his way. If you are going to Chapleau from Wawa, understand, it is a few miles closer than Searchmont but, not by much, you will be in the same predicament. There is no fuel or any services between searchmont, wawa, chapleau.. Good luck, and good sledding. Ski

Weekend update, lots of snow. Ski

I know @AC+YA has done it several times. They carry extra fuel, maybe he will see this and chime in. Depending on conditions, tune, and any issues at all, It could be done but, to be safe, you should really carry several gallons of extra. No need to become a statistic. Ski

Another week, another big storm! Look at the front yard snow pile from the previous pic, until today's pic. It has to be record snow for this early. We still have 4 months to go. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to all of OC.com. Ski

All gas grades have up to 10% in Michigan for sure. However, a lot of stations have separate pumps, or hose for Non Ethanol Recreational fuel (Rec Fuel). I use this in everything that isnt our daily drivers. It is a minimum of 90 Octane most places. It is like our old fuel, stable for a year, or more, without additives. Guessing at some point Ontario will offer this as well. It started in our marina's and then branched to regular everyday fuel stations. Almost nothing is spec'd to run on E15, so when you guys get that, it will really hurt watercraft, sleds, older cars, all outdoor power equipment, inc but not limited to atv/utv/sxs, chainsaws, mowers, etc... Ski

Ethanol in fuel, makes it less "fuel efficient", thus requiring more fuel in the fuel curve. detonation is only part of the issue. Look up fuel mapping for the e85 tuner car crowd, if you want a rabbit hole to go down. It is crazy. Ski

Another week, another storm! Hwy 17 and 11 and many connections closed the last few days. When it isnt for weather, it is for auto accidents. Heading up Thursday, if all goes well. I have saw the groomer with the packer bar out on our cams a few times. Going out with the drag soon, I would guess. Ski

Signed. I hope the two parties work this out for mutual benefit to both and organized snowmobiling as a whole. Ski

Ended up driving up Friday anyway. Just as we finished shopping in the Soo, hwy17 closed at 315pm. Knowing the forecast and radar, I had a feeling it was going to be a long closure. It was... almost 48 hours, with 2 brief openings that led to more closure due to weather, visibility, road surface conditions. Took the Ranger lake road to 129, to 101 to wawa route. 100 miles and 3 hours further. Arrived Friday night about 930pm, Dug out the entrance to the house, cleaned up the garage entrance, and waited for the plow operator to do the rest. Saturday was cold but sunny, dug out the walkways, decks, barn. Moved the sleds from the barn to the house garage, installed the new seasonal permits. No riding due to not feeling well. Packed up Sunday, left at noon, found hwy17 was open albeit a bit snow covered in areas. Another system comes tomorrow calling for another big dump. We have over 3 feet now. Nothing was frozen underneath so, be aware! We went from 55 degrees on October 30th straight to snow on Halloween, and it pretty much kept snowing. Swamps, lakes, rivers, creeks will be treacherous for a very long time. Heading back up, Christmas day, if all goes to plan. Ski