Cold WX Sailing

[jepomer]

Our boat comes out today since the contract for the slip requires boats to be out by Nov 1.

To stretch the sailing year, I joined the Winthrop Frostbite Sailing Club. They sail Inter Clubs and Lasers each Sunday - November through April. They use a 20-20 rule - temperatures above 20°F, winds below 20 knots.

Just waiting for my drysuit to arrive while fixing up this old Laser I purchased.

 

[TomY]

I find the same thing here in Maine.

Hey,


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

It's the warmer water temperature that makes fall sailing a better bet than spring for me here. I live on the coast and see the ocean temperatures effect most everyday of the year. Our weather is greatly effected by wind direction. If it blows off the water, we're in our own world, better or worse depending on the oceans temperature, compared to inland.

When the leaves all come off along the coast, Penobscot Bay turns a sort of gunmetal color. Very monochromatic looking(November sometime). That's when the thought of sailing doesn't appeal to me at all.

Time to enjoy the snow in the mountains nearby. The sea looks much better from a distance then.

 

[bffatcat]

Cold weather sailing

I think it depends on three things 1 air temperature 2 wind velocity 3 your age You can forget about warm water Around MA bay its pretty much the same as ME maybe a couple of degrees warmer.
there is a big difference in what is considered cold between New England and the Chesakeake

 

[Stu Jackson]

I'd add #4 - your clothes. Maine Sail mentioned that.

 

[Benny17441]

Done our share of cold weather sailing, Florida style. That is doing it with a bimini and no dodger. When sailing upwind you got your sweater, hat, windbreaker and gloves but when going down wind you strip to T-shirt and shorts. Rain can be part of it but as long as I keep my feet dry and warm It don't bother me.

 

[Fly_H23]

I'll sail anytime it's sunny and blowing less than 20 knots and above freezing.

Years ago I used to race Laser 2's in a wetsuit until late November down in Texas. We would catch the cruisers that started 5 minutes before us on the downwind leg with the spinnaker flying. This one time we plowed through a wave and I fell off the stern, the boat stayed upright as I was hanging on to the rudder blade getting drug thru the water. My crew pulled me back on board and we managed to win the race. 5 Lasers started and only 3 finished that day. It was a real hoot but not sure I would be game to try it again.

 

[sailaway78]

Labels

I'll add a new label to the long list I have. WWS warm weather sailor, and put myself at the top of that list. I am old, and have had a lot of broken bones. Just don't do cold anymore.

 

[WayneH]

I sail until I have to wear socks, about 60. Yeah, WWS, that's me. The ONLY place I want ice is IN my rum and coke.

 

[mark_swart]

I try to sail at least once a month through the winter here on the Chesapeake.. I get cabin fever! Generally, if I can find a 40+ degree day with bright sun and less than 15 mph of wind. Bundle up, go out for a quick sail, and be back at the dock and closing up the boat before it gets dark and really cool. No cold rain or snow though!