No matter where you sail, there's a good chance it's colder now than it was in mid-summer. In some places it's freezing -- literally. Yet, some sailors keep on truckin'... or sailing. Frost-bite sailing seems to be one of those counter-intuitive activities that is growing in popularity. Are you a participant? How do you feel about sailing when the wind-chill index is, well, windy and chilly? If you do sail in mid-winter in a place that is not sub-tropical, what additional precautions do you take? Do you ever switch to ice-boating? What type of sailing gear and safety equipment works for you? What boat management issues arise in cold-weather sailing that are otherwise of little concern? If you are not inclined to freeze your buns off while sailing in winter, what combination of wind and weather do you use to decide to sail or not as the temperatures dip? Tell us about your mid-winter sailing experiences and then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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We put the boat in her winter berth when
hyperthermia becomes a posibility. We like to sail during the fall when the trees are showing good color and the days are usually mild but the nights can get quite chilly. We anchor out, light a fire in the heater, eat supper and read until bedtime. In the morning we wait for the frost to melt on deck and after a good breakfast hoist anchor and sail away.
hyperthermia becomes a posibility. We like to sail during the fall when the trees are showing good color and the days are usually mild but the nights can get quite chilly. We anchor out, light a fire in the heater, eat supper and read until bedtime. In the morning we wait for the frost to melt on deck and after a good breakfast hoist anchor and sail away.
Needed another choice
You needed to offer a choice of would if I could. The marinas here all close and so you can't put your boat in the water even if it was not frozen. I used to sail on the Thames at the CG Academy most of the winter. I have kayaked most New Years Days, I have to search for liquid water but can find it in certain streams.
You needed to offer a choice of would if I could. The marinas here all close and so you can't put your boat in the water even if it was not frozen. I used to sail on the Thames at the CG Academy most of the winter. I have kayaked most New Years Days, I have to search for liquid water but can find it in certain streams.
My Forumla...
...for cold weather sailing is: min of 55 degrees and sunny. If the temps get below 55, and any amount of wind is blowing, sailing changes from being a fun sport to a survival activity. Just getting through life is a survival activity (particularly on the metro Washington DC Beltway where, like boaters, I do not think the drivers are licensed). I don't need any more discretionary survival activities on the water....
...for cold weather sailing is: min of 55 degrees and sunny. If the temps get below 55, and any amount of wind is blowing, sailing changes from being a fun sport to a survival activity. Just getting through life is a survival activity (particularly on the metro Washington DC Beltway where, like boaters, I do not think the drivers are licensed). I don't need any more discretionary survival activities on the water....
After 27 straight days of rain
I will still take our weather over Rob’s (great photo). Winter sailing in the PNW means rain gear, cabin heat and coffee. We go out on the clear days, bundle up and sit up close to the dodger.
I will still take our weather over Rob’s (great photo). Winter sailing in the PNW means rain gear, cabin heat and coffee. We go out on the clear days, bundle up and sit up close to the dodger.
Sailing is good all year
we now have our boat at Panama City Fl and had some great sailing yesterday. On Sunday it was warm and sunny with no wind until late and when the wind came it was cold and cloudy. Wife not happy. But we had a boat for 10 years up in the Mountains of East Tennessee. Several times I had to chip ice out of the cockpit and the outboard was harder to start. But there is something special about being the only boat on the lake. Staying out overnight requires good sleeping bags!!! Snow can be as bad as fog in reducing visablity. The only real downside is the fact that if you go overboard you will probably die!!!! People don't last long in 50 degree water!!!! My wife and I have sailed together for over 15 years and no one has ever fallen overboard from one of our boats. That can change but is a pretty good tracjk record. After seeing a bad wreck driving home last night falling into ice water doesn't seem so bad or as likely as dying on the interstate. Tom
we now have our boat at Panama City Fl and had some great sailing yesterday. On Sunday it was warm and sunny with no wind until late and when the wind came it was cold and cloudy. Wife not happy. But we had a boat for 10 years up in the Mountains of East Tennessee. Several times I had to chip ice out of the cockpit and the outboard was harder to start. But there is something special about being the only boat on the lake. Staying out overnight requires good sleeping bags!!! Snow can be as bad as fog in reducing visablity. The only real downside is the fact that if you go overboard you will probably die!!!! People don't last long in 50 degree water!!!! My wife and I have sailed together for over 15 years and no one has ever fallen overboard from one of our boats. That can change but is a pretty good tracjk record. After seeing a bad wreck driving home last night falling into ice water doesn't seem so bad or as likely as dying on the interstate. Tom
My boat...
... is deciduous, that is, sits out the winter in semi-hibernation (sort of like me, too)awaiting re-birth in the spring. It drops its bottom paint, slime, whatever barnacles have managed to cling to the underside, and like the trees, hunkers down for the winter. If I want to sail at this time, it's either on the PC or a charter boat where the temps are in the 80's or better and tradewinds blow gently in your face.... ah, reverie.
... is deciduous, that is, sits out the winter in semi-hibernation (sort of like me, too)awaiting re-birth in the spring. It drops its bottom paint, slime, whatever barnacles have managed to cling to the underside, and like the trees, hunkers down for the winter. If I want to sail at this time, it's either on the PC or a charter boat where the temps are in the 80's or better and tradewinds blow gently in your face.... ah, reverie.
Frost bite Sailors
In North Texas we can sail year around, usually! Their will be one or two good sailing days a month and maybe more, regardless of the time of year! This past December and now in January we are sailing around in 70-80 degree weather, with 12-25 mph winds from the South, one to two solid weeks in a row this year! (Maybe there is something to that global warming stuff?) The wind blows from the South 90% of the time, from the Gulf which is what warms it up on 'Beautiful Lake Texoma', where I sail, (the number one rated lake in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News Annual survey of Texas Lakes!) When the wind is from the 'North' now that is a different story, bone chilling-teeth rattling, you don't want to go sailing COLD.... Enjoy Sailboat Jimmy aboard S/V Therapy 33' Hunter
In North Texas we can sail year around, usually! Their will be one or two good sailing days a month and maybe more, regardless of the time of year! This past December and now in January we are sailing around in 70-80 degree weather, with 12-25 mph winds from the South, one to two solid weeks in a row this year! (Maybe there is something to that global warming stuff?) The wind blows from the South 90% of the time, from the Gulf which is what warms it up on 'Beautiful Lake Texoma', where I sail, (the number one rated lake in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News Annual survey of Texas Lakes!) When the wind is from the 'North' now that is a different story, bone chilling-teeth rattling, you don't want to go sailing COLD.... Enjoy Sailboat Jimmy aboard S/V Therapy 33' Hunter
hard water sailing
We in this neck of the woods loose the use of our docks and launching sites in the winter. So, we get the ice boats out of the rafters.
We in this neck of the woods loose the use of our docks and launching sites in the winter. So, we get the ice boats out of the rafters.
It's Tough
Yes! I've gone for winter sailing hook, line and sinker. I was out yesterday and with a SW wind blowing 15 to 20 the wind chill dropped all the way down to 74. It's so Tough Have fun. Joe M Cape Coral FL
Yes! I've gone for winter sailing hook, line and sinker. I was out yesterday and with a SW wind blowing 15 to 20 the wind chill dropped all the way down to 74. It's so Tough Have fun. Joe M Cape Coral FL
ice breaker
I go out in the cold. A couple weeks ago I motored my MacGregor 24 through 1/2 inch ice to get to the open water. I seem to be the only one out on the water. My boat is the only sailboat still in the water at my marina.
I go out in the cold. A couple weeks ago I motored my MacGregor 24 through 1/2 inch ice to get to the open water. I seem to be the only one out on the water. My boat is the only sailboat still in the water at my marina.
The rain coast
Never say never - I have purchased a 33 Newport this past yr and have spent most of my free time upgrading/maintaining etc. this winter. Previously on my 33 Ranger, we sailed year round and will do again. Temps are about 2 to 10 degrees Celcius - thats 34 to 50 F. for the folks south of the border. Fabulous secluded anchorages, no mosquitos(including personal watercraft)a good diesel heater and great food & grog - Ahhhhhhh. Photo of warmer days to come - hang in there...
Never say never - I have purchased a 33 Newport this past yr and have spent most of my free time upgrading/maintaining etc. this winter. Previously on my 33 Ranger, we sailed year round and will do again. Temps are about 2 to 10 degrees Celcius - thats 34 to 50 F. for the folks south of the border. Fabulous secluded anchorages, no mosquitos(including personal watercraft)a good diesel heater and great food & grog - Ahhhhhhh. Photo of warmer days to come - hang in there...
Chilly but fun
I was sailing last Saturday. Sun went down temp dropped and beanie went one. Temp dropped to about 48 in the cool desert of AZ. It was awesome because no one else was even on the lake. Best time to sail is when the temp drops in my book. happy sails
I was sailing last Saturday. Sun went down temp dropped and beanie went one. Temp dropped to about 48 in the cool desert of AZ. It was awesome because no one else was even on the lake. Best time to sail is when the temp drops in my book. happy sails
Actually.....
Actually,... It's warmer now on the San Francisco Bay, than it is during the summer, and the winds are often smoother than they are in the summer. Beautiful days! Catch my wake....
Actually,... It's warmer now on the San Francisco Bay, than it is during the summer, and the winds are often smoother than they are in the summer. Beautiful days! Catch my wake....
Going sailing to the Channel Islands this weekend
...I love California weather....ice, what ice?
...I love California weather....ice, what ice?
Long Island Sound Winter Sailing
We once had a 25' O'Day which we kept in Captain's Cove in Bridgeport, CT. The marina is next to a large power generation station. The exit water from the station always kept the water from freezing and allowed us access to L.I. Sound when most other areas were frozen. When we would check on the boat we would take her out for a sail. We were under sail every month for almost 5 years with only one other boat in the marina. He suddenly disappeared from the scene and is now in St. Marteen while we are in the Florida Keys. There is a message there!
We once had a 25' O'Day which we kept in Captain's Cove in Bridgeport, CT. The marina is next to a large power generation station. The exit water from the station always kept the water from freezing and allowed us access to L.I. Sound when most other areas were frozen. When we would check on the boat we would take her out for a sail. We were under sail every month for almost 5 years with only one other boat in the marina. He suddenly disappeared from the scene and is now in St. Marteen while we are in the Florida Keys. There is a message there!
I'd sail all winter but the crew's not up to it.
I busted my ankles up pretty badly a few years ago and can no longer ski. Without sailing or skiing I was bored to death in the winter until I got my iceboat. Now I can get my sailing fix in as well as my adrenelin fix (I busted my ankles skydiving). I suggest all northern sailors try iceboating. With no hull drag to speak of, you sheet in and accelerate, the apparent wind moves forward so you sheet in again. More acceleration, apparent moves forward, sheet in. It's a visious cycle that leads to speeds of up to 60-65 mph in a small DN, over 100mph in bigger boats! So far, this year hasn't been great for iceboating in the NE but we still have 6 weeks to go. William, my DN was built in Sodus Bay. Tom Brown s/v Orion's Child Chesapeake
I busted my ankles up pretty badly a few years ago and can no longer ski. Without sailing or skiing I was bored to death in the winter until I got my iceboat. Now I can get my sailing fix in as well as my adrenelin fix (I busted my ankles skydiving). I suggest all northern sailors try iceboating. With no hull drag to speak of, you sheet in and accelerate, the apparent wind moves forward so you sheet in again. More acceleration, apparent moves forward, sheet in. It's a visious cycle that leads to speeds of up to 60-65 mph in a small DN, over 100mph in bigger boats! So far, this year hasn't been great for iceboating in the NE but we still have 6 weeks to go. William, my DN was built in Sodus Bay. Tom Brown s/v Orion's Child Chesapeake
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