Every summer brings its own rhythm; the days, busy docks, and a long list of waterfront properties needing attention before the season hits full swing. But this past summer at Oak Star Cottage Service took things to a whole new level. With more water access jobs than ever, we found ourselves tackling everything from unpredictable weather to the logistical puzzles that only cottage country work can create.

Here’s a look at the real challenges we ran into and how our team powered through them.

1. Weather That Never Played Nice

Water access work is already dependant on good conditions, but this summer was unusually unpredictable. Sudden storms, high winds, and shifting water levels slowed down many of our launch days and mid-dock repairs.

Even small changes in the weather could throw off timing, force last minute rescheduling, or push projects into new time slots. Our crews had to constantly adjust and reorganize the workflow to keep things moving.

2. Lake Logistics Aren’t Easy

Transporting tools, materials, and entire crews by boat requires careful planning. This summer brought:

  • overloaded barges

  • tight docking spaces

  • long travel times between islands

  • equipment constantly being moved over water

A forgotten part or tool meant a return trip adding precious minutes or even hours to the day. Every project demanded precise packing, organized staging, and strong coordination before the boat even left the dock.

3. Increased Demand and Tight Summer Timelines

Word got around, and this summer our water access schedule filled up fast. With a short seasonal window to get everything done, the pressure was on to fit in as many repairs and upgrades as possible.

Clients needed everything from dock fixes and cribbing adjustments to shoreline work and cottage prep. With the pace of requests rising, our team had to keep jobs flowing efficiently while juggling overlapping timelines and unexpected additions.

4. Surprises Beneath the Surface

Water-access jobs often come with hidden issues that don’t show up until you’re standing on the dock. This summer we found:

  • underwater damage that wasn’t visible during quoting

  • shorelines that shifted since last season

  • rot discovered only after pulling boards

  • hidden cavities containing old debris or wildlife remnants

  • sunken or buried hardware from past builds

These surprises required quick solutions and on the spot adjustments something our multi skill team is uniquely equipped to handle.

5. Communication Challenges Across Multiple Lakes

With several crews working on different lakes, bays, and islands, keeping everyone aligned was a challenge. Cell service wasn’t always reliable, and schedules changed frequently depending on weather, distance, or client availability.

This experience reinforced our decision to begin developing our new app aimed at improving communication, client updates, scheduling, and overall coordination for next season.

Looking Back: A Season of Hard Work and Major Progress

Despite the hurdles, this was one of our busiest and most productive water-access seasons to date. We grew in:

  • planning and job sequencing

  • crew coordination

  • equipment preparation

  • efficient problem solving

  • adapting to unexpected job conditions

And clients noticed the results; quick turnaround times, quality craftsmanship, and a team that can handle complex waterfront projects without slowing down.

Water access work will always come with challenges, but this summer proved just how capable and adaptable our team really is.