Are you ready?

[jssailem]

It is fun to jump into the water. Not so much fun when you are pushed. As we all look forward to that great spring moment when we exit the marina and shake out the sails when the water temperatures are still chilly.

Consider… Are we ready?

The Breath Test…

 

[Will Gilmore]

Cold water dunking and swimming are ideas I like to keep my mind as far away from as possible. I don't know how my kids can look at the water off a beach in Maine or New Hampshire and even entertain the idea of sticking a toe in, much less go for a swim.
BrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrRrrrrrrr...

-Will

 

[Roland5048]

I grew up in MA. where the ocean water was about 60F. in the summer on a good day. Never gave it a second thought before jumping in, although I was a much younger lad then. When I moved to Fl. 51 years ago, people thought I was nuts going swimming in Jan. Today that Gulf temp better be at least 80F before I even think about it.

 

[dLj]

I was once practicing in advance for a memorial day canoe race so it was early spring. The river still had ice in it as we were practicing. We hit a submerged log and it flipped our canoe over. I recall hitting the water and it was so cold I could not make a sound. Couldn't yell, scream or talk for some time period that I don't remember - would have been measured in seconds. I was lucky because my body convulsed in a way that brought my upper torso out of the water - if that had not happened I would have drowned. My lungs were gasping for air without me having control over them while my legs were working like a scissors kick bringing my whole upper body out of the water. None of it was conscious actions on my part, all just involuntary physical reactions.

We both managed to get ourselves out of the water. It was an illuminative event...

dj

 

[jviss]

Ha! I went SCUBA diving in the early Spring in surface temperature 38º water, North Shore of Massachusetts. Granted, it was a dry suit dive, but still, your face was exposed.

 

[kloudie1]

Kinda nice here on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Rare that our water temperature drops below 55 ish. I was in Pensacola last week sailing with a friend. Weather was fine and we got to watch the Americas Cup team practicing.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The 60 degree water temperature has one advantage.

One of the (very few) things we miss about living up north in Summer is the almost immediate relief of the offshore cooler air temperature once we leave the dock. Here in Florida the ambient temperature remains a constant.

 

[Dalliance]

The 60 degree water temperature has one advantage.

One of the (very few) things we miss about living up north in Summer is the almost immediate relief of the offshore cooler air temperature once we leave the dock. Here in Florida the ambient temperature remains a constant.

Yep. Love it. A frequent part of Chicago spring & summer weather forecasts is “Cooler by the lake”. It can be 85° in the suburbs, 75° downtown by the lake and 65° a mile or two off shore.

 

[Tally Ho]

Yep. Love it. A frequent part of Chicago spring & summer weather forecasts is “Cooler by the lake”. It can be 85° in the suburbs, 75° downtown by the lake and 65° a mile or two off shore.

Chilly out there now…water temp at the surface is ~50F.

Greg

 

[Dalliance]

Chilly out there now…water temp at the surface is ~50F.

Greg

This is why I’m not out there yet.

 

[Tally Ho]

This is why I’m not out there yet.

I went to the marina tonight, thinking about getting out, but north cold winds and waves kept me at the dock doing boat projects instead. Hopeful the weekend will be better.

I think I have sailed about 3 times since launching in mid April.


Greg

 

[shemandr]

When I lived North, Memorial Day was the beginning of swimming season. Sometimes it was chilly but it was always a pleasure. I was fine with 60 degrees - not that I'd dive in. But a slow entry and I could stay in as long as I wanted. After a long Winter swimming in the bay was so pure it was beautiful every spring.

 

[BigEasy]

water temperatures are still chilly.
Consider… Are we ready

I am at the point that I don't particularly want to get in the water at all, regardless of the temperature. Too many hazards here on the gulf Coast. There have already been several drownings on the Florida panhandle, this Spring, because of rip currents, add risk of possible shark attacks, & a few deaths annually from Vibrio bacterial infections. Now, we have alligators in the Gulf at Waveland, MS (@JamesG161's cruising grounds)! What's next?? I would be content staying on the boat; no need for me to get in the water.

 

[Dalliance]

I went to the marina tonight, thinking about getting out, but north cold winds and waves kept me at the dock doing boat projects instead. Hopeful the weekend will be better.

I think I have sailed about 3 times since launching in mid April.


Greg

I rarely start my spring work on the boat before mid April now. The last time Dalliance launched in April, we had an inch of snow on the deck when we got to the dock. Target launch date is now always the last Wednesday before Memorial Day, so next Wednesday, with the first sail the holiday weekend, weather permitting. It’s just too cold out there for an early launch date to be worthwhile, and I don’t do boat work in long-johns & mittens anymore.

All that said, I do love our natural air conditioner that is Lake Michigan in the summer.

 

[RussC]

3-4 years ago in April. local lake water temp 58*. a pontoon boat passenger decided to jump in. seeing the mans distress, his brother jumped in to rescue him. both drown.
just this past weekend at a local park on the river. during a family outing the dog swam across the river but was unable or unwilling to swim back. the wife attempted to swim over to get him and was quickly in distress. her husband first tried to throw her a rope but ultimately had to jump in also to rescue her. both drowned. these were personal friends of mine known for over 50 years and both were excellent swimmers and in good health.
cold shock is very real and very serious. don't take it lightly..

 

[MikeHoncho]

Dove north of Hoodport today. Above 10 feet the water temp was 60 F below it was 48 F. Its very uncommon to have that much layering in the Puget Sound. We felt like we were in a bathtub during our safety stops. Still wouldn't do it without drysuits, dry gloves and thick themal base layers. It all just makes it a little hot getting to the water.

 

[jssailem]

alligators in the Gulf

Surfing GATORS... You can just here the Gators sharing... Surfs up and maybe lunch..

 

[Hayden Watson]

Good reminder for us PWN sailors. Their dunk tank as 10ºC which is 50ºF. Even in August our water seldom get much above 55ºF.

I spent an hour and a half in it last Friday. Of course that was in an 8mm wetsuit will full neoprene gloves and hood. It was actually pretty comfortable given the energy burn rate while cleaning the bottom.