The 2015 Season

[GeneralStark]

Certainly not much sugaring going on in VT right now but it won't be long. I'm in the midst of setting up a new area on our property and on a small portion of our neighbor's property and will likely be up to 800 taps for this season maybe more. I am also planning on buying some sap as well. I had to buy too much syrup this year to get through the holidays so I need to ramp up my production.

I have also added an RO for this year so I still have a bit of plumbing to finish up to be ready to concentrate sap. My goal is to tap earlier this year and hopefully have all my taps in by about Feb. 15. I have a feeling this season is going to come earlier than the last two, but you never know.

This will be my first year trying CV2s and I'll be using them on drops that were new last season. The plan is to use CV2s on one year old drops and smart spouts on new drops. Probably about 400 of each. I have quite a few drops than need replacing due to animal damage.

So, what is everyone else thinking about the 2015 season?

[billyinvt]

It's my first "big boy" season boiling on a new rig and I've still got quite a bit of work to do to be ready. So I'm thinking that a late start would be just fine with me. I do have all my buckets, spiles, and such cleaned and ready though. I wake up some mornings at 3 a.m. thinking about all sorts of maple related thoughts! Making my wife crazy too.

[GeneralStark]

More snow...more cold...a real New England winter we are having. Looks like snowshoes will be required in the woods after this storm. I have one more section of mainline to get up and then about 100 taps worth of tubing and saddles to install before I start tapping. I'm thinking I will start right about the 15th.

[BranchHillMaple]

I agree with the late start this season,but a better season than last and hopefully we dont get as much snow as there saying Ive still got to run a little more sap line in the woods and 2ft of snow will make it that much more enjoyable haha

[VT_K9]

In the last year we cleared an area to setup a "sap shack" for the releaser and tank. We used the hemlock we harvested to build the shack. Hopefully this week will with have the boards on and will do the battens this summer. We have to extend the 1" mainline, setup the 1 1/2" vacuum line, and 1 1/2" pump line to the sap shack. Then we can plumb the 3hp airtech vacuum and we are ready. If time allows we will add about 75 taps this year. We will have to add the other 100 next year. Good luck to everyone and here's to hoping for full tanks.

Mike

[GeneralStark]

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the woods...stretching mainline, wire tying, stringing tubing, following critter tracks, and staying warm despite the cold wind. This is what it is all about. Still lots to do, but I'm feeling good about "The 2015 Season".

[steve J]

I am small time so it will take me only a few days to be ready to go. I will plow out up at camp tomorrow than I have to work starting Sunday thru next Saturday to make sure all those Valentine's Day flowers get delivered. After deer season ended I question rather I be able to boil this spring. Doctor tells me I need a partial knee replacement. But knee has calm down and I think I am good to go. I will have to be in far more constant pain than I am currently in before I let them put a replacement part in me.

[smokeyamber]

Well I am way behind on my prep work, but my incentive is being built now by Smokey Lake ! A new 2x5 divided pan ! Now I need to rip everything out of the shack and figure out how to fit it all back in. With a float on one side and the draw on another I will be tight in there... Still need way more wood, but I may start scarfing pallets. Snow is so deep that pulling stuff out of the woods is not fun...

I resisted the call of the combo flue pan model from Smokey Lake, beautiful, but I would have to expand my taps and I foresee them contracting as my labor pool dwindles to just me...

I think this season is going to start very late... even with warm weather the snow in the woods is going to take some time to recede. Hopefully it is gradual and long once it starts...

[GeneralStark]

Tapping away here and hoping to be all done and leak checked by the end of the weekend. This is my first season using CV2s and so far I am liking them. Using them on two year old drops and CDL smart spouts on new drops.

[billyinvt]

I've got to get my taps in this weekend because of this J-O-B.