I finished (well, need to varnish the inside and other tasks) last October, and managed to get in the water before it turned to ice. This part weekend it was quite warm (almost 70 F), sigificantly warmer then when I launched. Unfortunately there is still quite a bit of ice, esp near shore. But not too much longer and I can have a second launching! I already have two trips planned (marked canoe trails on the backwaters of the Mississippi)http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/umr_refuge/umrlax/laxllct.html
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/umr_refuge/umrlax/laxgict.html

Brian