Houseboat, Lady M, slowly sailed through the air before being placed in the water for the summer season during the Port Elgin Yacht Club’s Lift-In Day May 13.

Hub Staff

Aries, Free Spirit, Liberty Park and The DisOrient Express were just some of the 41 vessels that made their way back into harbour waters during the Port Elgin Yacht Club’s (PEYC) annual Lift-In Day May 13.

“Lift-in is always faster than lift-out,” said PEYC executive member Marcia Hesse. “In the fall you have to set them on their cradle and it has to be just so. Lift-in you just lift them up, swing them over to the well and off they go.” Hesse added that some boats take under three minutes. Boaters could be seen throughout the week gearing up for the big day by taking off winter tarps and painting the boats’ hulls with anti-fouling paint.

Taking a few extra minutes getting into the water were two houseboats and a sizeable catamaran that started the lift-in day process. The Yacht Club again sought out Canadian Crane Rentals in Wingham. “We’ve always had to same folks, they're really good, they know the boats, they know the site and that just makes it easier for everybody,” said Hesse.

The process that lasted from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., drew a crowd of onlookers throughout the day. New food vendor Robert Small of “Hot Dog Bob” was at the ready to feed boaters at North Shore Park where he will be set up for the next five months, weekdays throughout the spring and weekdays and weekends during the summer months.

Catamaran His & Hers had to clear a harbour light post before being placed in the water during the Port Elgin Yacht Club’s annual Lift-In Day May 13.

His & Hers moments before a graceful water landing.

Canadian Crane Rentals from Wingham and a few handy boaters got a rope system set up for houseboat, the Lady M, the first boat to enter the water on Lift-In Day May 13.

Houseboat, DisOrient Express, makes its way to the same spot its had for over two decades.

Saugeen Shores residents made intermitant visits to watch the scene unfold during the Port Elgin Yacht Club’s Lift-In Day at the Port Elgin Harbour May 13.

Disclaimer safely made its way into the Port Elgin Harbour May 13.

Robert Small and his hot dog cart, “Hot Dog Bob”, were on-hand to feed boaters and visitors May 13.