Great lake boats, a good video

[ArlyA]

Maybe a combination of a pretty long previous season and lagging demand this year so far?

I was thinking steel production has tapered down. Just a guess.

 

[RobS]

I was thinking steel production has tapered down. Just a guess.

I'm in the RV industry and we can't get enough steel!

 

[ArlyA]

I see the Soo locks reopen on March 25. Today I see two boats are operating on the lower lakes, one cement and a petroleum ship.

Rob, I can't think of any reason you're having difficulty finding what I'd guess would be rolled, mild steel. It that the steel you can't purchase?

 

[RobS]

Rob, I can't think of any reason you're having difficulty finding what I'd guess would be rolled, mild steel. It that the steel you can't purchase?

Yeah, I think overall demand is up. Prices are up as well.

 

[5030]

I'm in the RV industry and we can't get enough steel!

Always thought RV's were made from wafer board and cheap plastic, covered with vinyl veneer.

 

[ArlyA]

I bet they have steel frames.....

 

[RobS]

Yep, that photo is something I see every day. Keep those ore ships moving!

 

[ArlyA]

Taken off of boatnerd.com
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Welland Canal opens for the season​

3/20 - Port Colborne, ON – Florence Spirit was the first upbound vessel for 2021 at the Welland Canal and at Lock 3. CSL Tadoussac was the first downbound vessel. They were the first downbound at Lock 3 in 2020 as well. CSL Tadoussac wintered in Port Colborne and departed their lay-up dock heading downbound in the canal to Bowmanville to load cement clinkers for Detroit.

Traditionally, a top hat ceremony would be held to mark the occasion, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the yearly event was not possible. The Montreal-Lake Ontario section doesn't open until Monday, March 22nd.

Denny Dushane

 

[5030]

I'm in the RV industry and we can't get enough steel!

Maybe your company is unwilling to pay the going rate per ton? Steel isn't cheap today, not even the low grade structural shapes your industry buys. I prefer RV companies do well, I hold a wad of Berkshire Hathaway stock and guess who owns the majority of RV builders out your way? You do good, I do good.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a nice drone video of the boats at Sturgeon Bay shipyard for winter lay up. They pump all the ballast water out, so you can clearly see all the bow thrusters. Note, many of these are 8ft tall, give or take.