Big Boat Day marks the end of sailing season at Milwaukee Community Sailing Center

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's the beginning of the end for this year's sailing season on Lake Michigan for some Milwaukee sailors.

The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center began pulling their big boats out of the water Friday, ahead of the winter months.

More than 30 boats were pulled from the water using a 20-ton crane.

The farewells came as the center began their Big Boat Day.

"There'll be about 30-35 boats that come out today," said Holly Church, director of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center.

Church said the ceremonial day required all hands on deck.

"There's a lot of volunteers who come out and help out, they pull out boats, they wash the boats," said Church.

Those volunteers were needed, as the vessels weigh more than 4,000 lbs.

The center's heaviest boat weighed in at 10,000 lbs.

While the workers had the help of the crane, they were fighting the wind of Mother Nature.

"Wind plays a lot, if the wind is not cooperating, it can be a real challenge for them to do this," said Church.

Despite having to put their toys away, sailors say it's for the best.

"October is really a nice time to sail here, but you can start to get that really dangerous weather, too, it's got to come out sometime, so here it is," said Ted Durant, lifelong sailor.

The sailing center has more than 500 members and growing, with programs for children as young as eight.