Cold WX Sailing

Ron20324 · Oct 28, 2011

I'm doing an SOS club sail/party this weekend, so am looking at the wisdom of going tomorrow (Saturday) from Annapolis to St Michaels: by boat or by car? 42 degrees, 15 to 20 NW, rain.

PrincessoftheLake · Oct 28, 2011

I'm with you warren. Those are about my limits weatherise. However I am going to be in annapolis in a couple weeks and will be sailing with a fellow sbo friend. I am hoping the weather cooperates!

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Oct 28, 2011

Full Enclosure

I have a full enclosure I put on (am putting on this weekend) for cold weather. I keep it on from about mid October until late April. I run my generator so I have heat from the salon rising into the cockpit. The enclosure protects from the wind and acts like a greenhouse. I am usually the first boat out in the spring - around March 1 and the latest to winterize - December 1. When the sun is out, is is very comfortable even on a day in the high 30's. I have sailed in 30 knot winds at 40 degrees on a run downwind and been in a sweatshirt. I also drink lots of coffee, but I really enjoy sailing in the early spring and late fall. Some of the best winds on Kentucky Lake are at those times of the year.

Deadline · Oct 28, 2011

Here in Virginia...

I just canceled a "Hardy Boy" sail tomorrow because of rain in the morning and 20-30 kt winds in the afternoon. Not that we can't handle it, but it's just uncomfortable. As to snow, I'd love to see it zip between the jib and the main to visually demonstrate the Bernouli Principle.

thinwater · Oct 28, 2011

I really don't have a fixed lower temperature limit...

...though I do tend to limit the windspeed. Anything over 20 knots sustained and you start getting spray and the dodger gets too salt encrusted to see well. Much depends on the specific boat.
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Below freezing lines can freeze. An up-coming Practical Sailor article will describe treatments that waterproof, freezeproof, reduce water weight gain, reduce squeaking, and reduce running friction. No, not fabric softener. Since I don't like icy decks, I mostly skip sub-freezing days.

You have to be a bit more careful around plastics. Dodger windows will break if rolled, as will sail windows (the ropes and polyester sails are fine. I don't know about laminate sails; I'm guessing there are multiple answers to that one.

Switching from sun glasses to ski googles helps a lot. Powerstretch balacavas too. Really keeps the face warm. Really, the clothes in the OP's post are all wrong. Big hood instead of balcava and fleece hat. Sunglasses instead of ski googles. Big bulky coat instead of a base layer of flease and a windproof flease soft shell. Jeans (only at the mall or round the house) instead of ski pants or wind-proof flease and an underlayer. Pictured is how you dress to run to the mall, not for a day of athletic activity. REI can fix you up.

Everyone should have a pair of Carhart coveralls. Last a lifetime, VERY warm.

A cabin heater helps, so you can take a break as needed.

A few more thoughts:
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-sailing.html

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And I'm not "younger", I just own more clothes now. We have a deep cockpit and a large dodger that I find just right.

Gunni · Oct 28, 2011

What a difference a day makes. We canceled our weekend sail to Oxford yesterday because it didn't look like we would have any wind. Today, shazzam! 35 knots and temps in the 40's.

I love cold weather sailing. The breezes, the crisp morning air. Cider and Rum!

We will be roasting our turkey while we make a Thanksgiving day run down the bay, retracing the steps of John Smith and the Virginia Experiment!

kpgraci · Oct 28, 2011

I used to tolerate the cold and hate the heat when I was in my 20's, my reasoning was you could always put on a coat, but you can only take off down to bare skin. Nowadays I'm just the opposite - it can't be too hot for me (I could do without the 98% humidity) but below 50* - forget it, I'm staying in. Fortunately around here that only leaves out about a month or two. My wife is from Ohio, it can't be cold enough for her.

Kermit · Oct 28, 2011

We sailed with snow on the ground last winter. Really enjoyed it. This morning, First Mate was bemoaning that tomorrow's high will be in the low 50's. I didn't bother reminding her how much fun we had with snow on the ground.

Kermit

Maine Sail · Oct 28, 2011

Warren Milberg said:
I see Maine Sail is going sailing this weekend with temps in the 30's and the possibility of snow. So, as winter approaches (at least here on the "right" coast), what are your weather sailing parameters? As I get older (...don't say it), I find I have less tolerance for freezing my buns off in a cold cockpit. My tipping point, that is, when I'll sail or will not, seems to be around 55-deg with winds less than 15 kts. If the temps go lower, or the winds go higher, I find the windchill factor makes sailing for any length of time painful. What do you do?

Not much difference between skiing and sailing in the cold except the boots are more comfortable when sailing...

Sailing is actually warmer because you've got a dodger to hide behind and a cabin to get warm in.

May not be heading out this weekend with a Nor' Easter coming our way with projected 40 knot gusts & snow.. In Maine the forecast changes quickly this time of year.. :neutral:

I will still campaign hard when my wife gets home though.... Just came back from the boat with my down sweater, shorts and yes, my flip-flops.... Beautiful day, low 40's and 12-18 knots... Had to do it just in case my wife decides the weather is not suitable...

See, it just changed again now gusting up to 50 knots:

NE WINDS 10 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT...BECOMING N 25 TO 35 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 4 TO 7 FT...BUILDING TO 6 TO 9 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT. RAIN. SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT.

Crimson Tide · Oct 28, 2011

Cold weather sailing

I've made it up to Thanksgiving for the past five years. I try to get out for the last sail that weekend right before I run through in the pink stuff and put my toy away for the winter. :cry:

tommays · Oct 28, 2011

I tend to limit my sailing when the water temperature reaches the point that my life is in danger in a very limited amount of time

Maine Sail · Oct 28, 2011

tommays said:
I tend to limit my sailing when the water temperature reaches the point that my life is in danger in a very limited amount of time

That would limit sailing in Maine to about 6 days...

BarryL · Oct 28, 2011

BarryL · Oct 28, 2011

cold sailing

Hey,

I went out today - temps high 40's, wind was all over, lows at 5 kts, then gusts to 20. Eventually the wind evened out to 10 or so and I had a nice time.

The sailing season in the north east is rapidly coming to a close. I hope to get a few more sails in before my boat gets hauled, which probably will be in early November.

Regarding cold and sailing, I find it's much easier to sail in the fall when the water it still kind of warm. The air temp can be in the 40's but the water is still close to 60 so it's not too bad. In the spring, you can have a 70 degree day but the water is in the 50's and it can feel real REAL cold in the cockpit. I have side panels on the my dodger. Turn the AP on, sit under the dodger, and high 40's isn't bad.

Barry

Cool Beans · Oct 28, 2011

Haven't did any winter sailing since but I did take delivery of my boat in the middle of January. It was overcast, windy, and Flippin' cold!! Snot froze to my face but it was fun

Would I do it again? As long as I had some warmer gloves and a ski mask, and a partner. . .I think my limit is wind, I don't like it windy

Kevin3447 · Oct 28, 2011

I'm on the second boat from the left:

http://www.sailinganarchy.com/article.php?get=2638

I like to go out for at least one brisk fall sail, it reassures me that I didn't have my boat hauled too early.

Bad Obsession · Oct 28, 2011

I slept on the boat today (long story) and the cabin temp was 55 degrees. I was in a sleeping bag and I slept like a baby. I am re-considering cold weather sailing and may try a few overnight trips in November. We shall see.

CharlieCobra · Oct 28, 2011

Deadline said:
I just canceled a "Hardy Boy" sail tomorrow because of rain in the morning and 20-30 kt winds in the afternoon. Not that we can't handle it, but it's just uncomfortable. As to snow, I'd love to see it zip between the jib and the main to visually demonstrate the Bernouli Principle.

Been there done that, visibility sucks bigtime in snow.

Ray Bowles · Oct 28, 2011

We went Wednesday and will be out again Monday. Temps in the mid to low 40's with wind 6 to 10 mph. Makes good spinnaker sailing.
I don't do 30's, don't do rain or snow, will do rum and a fireplace.
Ray

Cold WX Sailing

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