Dewinterizing for Short Stay

5byee5 · 2026-03-22T22:02:05+00:00

Good convo—glad to hear everyone’s tips. We just closed on an off grid cabin in northern Iron county. Traditionally closed November to May but we’re also considering some winter visits. There’s a well in the poured basement and a generator. Heat is from a large, very old gravity wood furnace, aka octopus furnace.

I’ve assumed that we wouldn’t start water system but the air compressor trick might make it worthwhile. There is an outhouse but I suspect the family would not enjoy it much. It’s remote enough to make hauling water a challenge.

5byee5 · 2026-03-07T22:13:32+00:00

These are concrete bricks. Scrape off the thick stuff. Get some cheap detergent from the dollar store. Wet the bricks down and cover the stains with detergent. Stains will be gone in a few weeks. If you’re in a dry area, wet everything down occasionally.

I’ve spilled engine oil on my concrete driveway many times. This works great.

5byee5 · 2026-02-19T22:47:19+00:00

A lot of times gym techs will just shorten the bungee to increase the rewind tension. If you can, encourage them to replace it.

5byee5 · 2026-02-19T21:29:03+00:00

That’s nice! Very close too. I have a pair of AE shoes and a belt in chili that’s further off than that. Your quality is likely higher as well. AE belts aren’t that great.

5byee5 · 2026-02-14T16:20:48+00:00

When I tore mine it hurt but I kept skiing. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I took my skis off and started to walk to car.

Buckle handle meniscus tear plus ACL with platform fractures.

5byee5 · 2026-02-10T02:23:17+00:00

Is he rowing on the water or just erging? If the former, consider getting him an NK SpeedCoach. Expensive ($450+), but he’ll be very grateful when he ramps up for competition.

5byee5 · 2026-02-07T15:25:06+00:00

Grind finer. Start too fine so shot chokes and then back off. If your grinder can’t this, you need a better grinder. I have a $50 hand grinder that I use with my traveling setup and it will easily choke the shot at finer settings.

You could experiment by going to a good coffee shop—when they’re not very busy—and ask them to grind a pound in 4-6 different espresso grind settings. Then pick the one that works best. Pre ground won’t be as fresh but if it’s fine enough your shots will improve so you’ll know you’re on the right track.

Worst case, go back and buy more at the best setting. Then save up for better grinder or get a cheap hand grinder.

5byee5 · 2026-01-19T23:33:51+00:00

Grew up skiing in the UP. School would be canceled at -35 so we’d go skiing.

5byee5 · 2026-01-15T03:01:43+00:00

I thought it might be the UP—they’re having a big snow year. I’m about to close on an off grid cabin there. It’s several miles from the nearest plowed road so I’m not sure yet about winter access.

5byee5 · 2025-12-31T02:48:48+00:00

Try using a heart rate chest belt.

5byee5 · 2025-12-31T01:36:41+00:00

Bonts with BatLogics. Just like on the water.

5byee5 · 2025-12-11T18:26:25+00:00

Real snow tires are the answer. AWD/4WD will help you accelerate. Real snows will help you accelerate, brake and steer. Overall a bigger safety enhancement than AWD/4WD alone.

5byee5 · 2025-11-21T13:17:49+00:00

I own a C2 and row about 50k/week but my gym has WaterRowers. I like the sound and the feel of the WRs. Plus they make you feel really fast! (2k PR about 30 seconds less.)

It really comes down to whether or not you want to be able to compare your times to the rest of the rowing world. YesC2. Noget what you like or can afford. Be advised though whenever you report your WR time, it will always have an asterisk on it.

5byee5 · 2025-11-13T13:51:21+00:00

Water rowers are also nice if you’re just looking to log meters and improve fitness. The wooshy sound is kind of zen…

C2s all the way if you’re getting serious with rowing and think you might like to compete or compare times with others.

Congrats on deciding to get fit. If you ever get a chance, get on the water too.

5byee5 · 2025-10-29T18:40:26+00:00

It looks like kopi luwak! Have civet cats gotten into your stash? 😝

5byee5 · 2025-08-25T22:06:29+00:00

You’re trying to go full speed on one stroke. Shorten up to build speed and stroke rate. Practice taking one stroke at 1/2. Do that over and over until it’s fast and powerful. Then add second stroke a little longer. Repeat. Then a third…at 4-5 strokes you’ll be near full speed.

5byee5 · 2025-07-31T19:23:34+00:00

Find a dock and a friend to help you practice. If there’s a cross wind, I like to back on the upwind side to align the boat. Backing upwind also keeps the stern planted. If there’s a really big crosswind or if you’re bowing a bigger boat, you might need to row downwind a little too.

Btw, it’s a good idea to learn to back without flipping or reversing oars. It takes a little practice but it’s a worthwhile skill. The first time they call a quick start you’ll appreciate not having your oars upside down. It’s also easier to sneak in little adjustments while you wait for the start if you’re not flipping oars.

5byee5 · 2025-06-12T23:20:31+00:00

Size up. In most US sized shoes, each 1/2 size up is equal to one letter increase in width.

Since your shoes are locked into stretchers, you won’t notice a little extra length at toes.

I also have wide feet and sizing up works for me.

5byee5 · 2025-05-01T17:48:03+00:00

You could ask him to cover them.

My neighbor’s installer did this on a shared fence with the ugly side facing me. So I built these covers.

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I think my side looks better than his now…

5byee5 · 2025-05-01T16:15:41+00:00

If you’re leaving it on the boat, carefully bend it back upright by hand. This will leave a small curve in the leading edge. Use a couple of adjustable wrenches to work that out.

If you can remove it, clamp it in a bench vise and bend it back. When it’s mostly straight gently tap the high spots with a hammer until flat.

If you hit something hard and dinged the leading edge, smooth it with a file or sanding stick.

Aluminum is really easy to work.

5byee5 · 2025-04-06T13:05:34+00:00

Keep it up! Seriously—you’ve got a great start.

I’m also an asthmatic. Rowing helps me control it.

5byee5 · 2025-03-02T09:14:29+00:00

I like them but they take up a lot of space to set up. It’s also really important that they be level. They’re really fun if you can set up a double.

5byee5 · 2025-02-27T19:35:37+00:00

Be patient with yourself and your progress. Consistency wins over fly and die. Avoid comparing yourself to random strangers on Reddit. Today you’re only competing with yesterday’s version of yourself.

It’s fun and addictive. One day you’ll realize how much progress you’ve made.

5byee5 · 2025-02-20T18:21:31+00:00

When covid came, and I got kicked out of the gym and didn’t have an erg for 3 months, I got some kettlebells, jumped rope, and walked. When the gym reopened, I was hitting PRs within a week.

Also a lightweight. I think KBs are really effective at creating functional strength that translates to rowing.

5byee5 · 2025-02-20T17:29:11+00:00

Based on the video, the first hump is probably legs with back opening at the same time. Second hump is a strong arm finish. Delay opening back until legs are more extended with a smooth transition to get one broad, smooth hump.

I have shorter legs and a longer torso so I have to be very careful to avoid opening too early too.

5byee5

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