What's your favorite sailing season? Many people's knee-jerk response would probably be summer, of course. But in many places summer weather is hot and muggy with indifferent winds punctuated by thunderstorms and squalls. Frequently the transitional weather of spring and fall brings better sailing winds and perhaps less crowded anchorages. Fall has the advantage of cooler air temperatures but water that's still warm. Then there's spring... maybe you're back on the water after a winter on the hard. What could be better? Perhaps winter's your favorite if the weather in your area permits. Share your thoughts on seasonal (or off-seasonal) sailing and be sure to vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
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Spring in Florida
Fall is nice, but it's still hurricane season (ends Nov 30) and the cold fronts tend to be more intense. Spring days are warm and sunny with low humidity, good winds, very few thunderstorms and cool nights. Gotta love it! Peter H23 "Raven"
Fall is nice, but it's still hurricane season (ends Nov 30) and the cold fronts tend to be more intense. Spring days are warm and sunny with low humidity, good winds, very few thunderstorms and cool nights. Gotta love it! Peter H23 "Raven"
Spring to fall.
Weekend before Easter to weekend after Thanksgiving. Here on the River I have seen plenty of good days even several weeks outside of that as well. JC
Weekend before Easter to weekend after Thanksgiving. Here on the River I have seen plenty of good days even several weeks outside of that as well. JC
Fall!!!
Here on Lake Erie the summer warms the water to a nice 74-77 degrees which in nice. But as soon as school starts it seems like the season is over for the masses. Just the fisherman and the sailers. There are always winds, the water is warm and the lake is empty. I lovew it. Skip Catalina 27 "Kid Napper"
Here on Lake Erie the summer warms the water to a nice 74-77 degrees which in nice. But as soon as school starts it seems like the season is over for the masses. Just the fisherman and the sailers. There are always winds, the water is warm and the lake is empty. I lovew it. Skip Catalina 27 "Kid Napper"
Fall
No question about it. In the Carolinas the weather is just right for swimming but it is not to hot to sleep while the boat swings on its anchor. The winds are much better than summer but not so fluky and gusty as in spring. It is nice to be sailing now, but today I sailed in a circle without trimming the sails because the wind was so shifty. Also I could have un reefed and reefed the main a dozen times and hour because it kept going from dead to gusty. I'm glad spring is here but I like fall the best.
No question about it. In the Carolinas the weather is just right for swimming but it is not to hot to sleep while the boat swings on its anchor. The winds are much better than summer but not so fluky and gusty as in spring. It is nice to be sailing now, but today I sailed in a circle without trimming the sails because the wind was so shifty. Also I could have un reefed and reefed the main a dozen times and hour because it kept going from dead to gusty. I'm glad spring is here but I like fall the best.
Nov-May
We like to leave south Florida in late November and head for the Exumas and then start working our way back, via the Abacos, to return in May. The best part of this schedule is that we miss the terrible south Florida winter traffic. Roger and Susie Mummah www.cruisingendlesssummer.com
We like to leave south Florida in late November and head for the Exumas and then start working our way back, via the Abacos, to return in May. The best part of this schedule is that we miss the terrible south Florida winter traffic. Roger and Susie Mummah www.cruisingendlesssummer.com
It's a Toss-up between Fall & Spring
In the Georgia-Carolinas, it is a close call between fall & spring. In the fall all the leaves are changing colors & the humidity begins to drop; in the spring all the leaves are bright green & everything looks fresh i.e. especially true after a cold wet winter. Anytime I can get on the water, it becomes my favorite sailing season. Hunter 146 TIKI
In the Georgia-Carolinas, it is a close call between fall & spring. In the fall all the leaves are changing colors & the humidity begins to drop; in the spring all the leaves are bright green & everything looks fresh i.e. especially true after a cold wet winter. Anytime I can get on the water, it becomes my favorite sailing season. Hunter 146 TIKI
Where We Are
Our favorite season happens to be the one we're in at the time. Being able to sail year-round, we enjoy getting out anytime the weather cooperates. Yesterday, for example, the temp was around 84 and the winds were 20 gusting as high as 33. Well reefed main and jib to more reef and no jib resulted in a great time. When summer rolls around, that'll be our favorite. Or fall. Or, well you get the idea. Fair winds, Steve & Linda S/V Options
Our favorite season happens to be the one we're in at the time. Being able to sail year-round, we enjoy getting out anytime the weather cooperates. Yesterday, for example, the temp was around 84 and the winds were 20 gusting as high as 33. Well reefed main and jib to more reef and no jib resulted in a great time. When summer rolls around, that'll be our favorite. Or fall. Or, well you get the idea. Fair winds, Steve & Linda S/V Options
Fall in NE Georgia
We sail on Lake Hartwell in NE Georgia (borders with South Carolina. Our favorite time to sail is in the Fall...the sun is still warm but the air has a nice chill to make lazy afternoons on the water relaxing...yet enough wind for long tacks while listening to college games on the radio.
We sail on Lake Hartwell in NE Georgia (borders with South Carolina. Our favorite time to sail is in the Fall...the sun is still warm but the air has a nice chill to make lazy afternoons on the water relaxing...yet enough wind for long tacks while listening to college games on the radio.
No crowds
Actuall, I'm pretty much in J. Mashburn's camp; I like both spring and fall. My final vote is for fall because the Pacific Northwest tends to have long "Indian Summers", where the temperature is in the 70s into October. The only drawback is a tendency for foggy mornings. The best thing about fall is that usually you are cruising after the "kids" have gone back to school and the crowds are GONE. The San Juan Islands are a beautiful cruising ground, but "people pollution" in high summer takes a lot of the fun out of it. Anchoring at close quarters with folks who don't know what they're doing is just plain hazardous. There is a significant tidal variation, with the concomitant current reversal, in the islands and sailboats respond differently than do powerboats. (Sailboats virtually always point into the current; powerboats respond mostly to the wind.) (Sorry; no lesson intended.) Off-season, the crowd is mostly older, experienced boaters. Spring is like fall out here, but the temperature is usually cooler. If you go as far north as Desolation Sound, by late summer the water is warm enough to swim in. In the spring it's cold enough to check for cardiac conditions. On the flip side, fishing and crabbing is usally best in the spring. The summer crowds tends to pretty well clean out the crab in and around the marine parks. If you have a sailboat, the winds are usually very light in the fall - until the change to winter starts to set in.
Actuall, I'm pretty much in J. Mashburn's camp; I like both spring and fall. My final vote is for fall because the Pacific Northwest tends to have long "Indian Summers", where the temperature is in the 70s into October. The only drawback is a tendency for foggy mornings. The best thing about fall is that usually you are cruising after the "kids" have gone back to school and the crowds are GONE. The San Juan Islands are a beautiful cruising ground, but "people pollution" in high summer takes a lot of the fun out of it. Anchoring at close quarters with folks who don't know what they're doing is just plain hazardous. There is a significant tidal variation, with the concomitant current reversal, in the islands and sailboats respond differently than do powerboats. (Sailboats virtually always point into the current; powerboats respond mostly to the wind.) (Sorry; no lesson intended.) Off-season, the crowd is mostly older, experienced boaters. Spring is like fall out here, but the temperature is usually cooler. If you go as far north as Desolation Sound, by late summer the water is warm enough to swim in. In the spring it's cold enough to check for cardiac conditions. On the flip side, fishing and crabbing is usally best in the spring. The summer crowds tends to pretty well clean out the crab in and around the marine parks. If you have a sailboat, the winds are usually very light in the fall - until the change to winter starts to set in.
late fall and winter
Usually you have the lake to yourself except down south there are usually the birds. Winter is the only time that I have seen loons in Tennessee. At Guntersville there are the huge rafts of Coots and the trees black with Cormorants. The watchful eagles and osprey sitting in high trees where they can see the water. Even when you have to shovel the snow out of the cockpit winter is a special time. The stove is far more important than the ice chest during this time of year. I especially like burrowing deep in the heavy sleeping bag for a warm nights sleep.
Usually you have the lake to yourself except down south there are usually the birds. Winter is the only time that I have seen loons in Tennessee. At Guntersville there are the huge rafts of Coots and the trees black with Cormorants. The watchful eagles and osprey sitting in high trees where they can see the water. Even when you have to shovel the snow out of the cockpit winter is a special time. The stove is far more important than the ice chest during this time of year. I especially like burrowing deep in the heavy sleeping bag for a warm nights sleep.
After the nuts are gone
The best time to sail on the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Jackson, Mississippi is early September, right after the first college football game and the opening of dove hunting season. It's a time when the weather is fair, the water is warm and there is a hint of fall in the air. It is also the time when all the motorboaters and jet skiiers put their boats up for the season and pursue these other organized sports. Pity for them but great for us sailors. This is the best time to be on the water because when the motor-nuts are gone the lake turns quiet and serene. Before the time changes there are plenty of evening sailing opportunities with the promise of a full moon cruise the last part of Septemeber. The weather, here in Jackson, stays mild up until Thanksgiving. This gives us sailors the best possible sailing window during the season. In the hot and muggy south its always fun to put on a sweater for those early fall, evening sails on a quiet and peaceful lake. So motorboaters, take the summer and make your splash. When the roar of the stadium erupts and the dove find their way to the bar-b-que grill I will be ghosting along in my sailing reverie.
The best time to sail on the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Jackson, Mississippi is early September, right after the first college football game and the opening of dove hunting season. It's a time when the weather is fair, the water is warm and there is a hint of fall in the air. It is also the time when all the motorboaters and jet skiiers put their boats up for the season and pursue these other organized sports. Pity for them but great for us sailors. This is the best time to be on the water because when the motor-nuts are gone the lake turns quiet and serene. Before the time changes there are plenty of evening sailing opportunities with the promise of a full moon cruise the last part of Septemeber. The weather, here in Jackson, stays mild up until Thanksgiving. This gives us sailors the best possible sailing window during the season. In the hot and muggy south its always fun to put on a sweater for those early fall, evening sails on a quiet and peaceful lake. So motorboaters, take the summer and make your splash. When the roar of the stadium erupts and the dove find their way to the bar-b-que grill I will be ghosting along in my sailing reverie.
Rainy is best with out ice
Rainy is the best when it is ice free so Summer and fall are best here. Right in the Canadian border, we sail in a Hamm's beer ad.
Rainy is the best when it is ice free so Summer and fall are best here. Right in the Canadian border, we sail in a Hamm's beer ad.
Sail all Year
I try to sail at least one day out of every month - Spring and Fall are the best times here as the wind is more consistant - The Summer months tend to have flukey winds and lots of dead days where the 'instant wind' is used to get across the lake. Winter can be pretty harsh with air temps in the teens with high humidity but we have those days that sneak in that are in the 50's When those days come around Look Out Water. We throw in one of the small boats and get in an hour or two and try to keep the pointy end up
CaptEdTeach
I try to sail at least one day out of every month - Spring and Fall are the best times here as the wind is more consistant - The Summer months tend to have flukey winds and lots of dead days where the 'instant wind' is used to get across the lake. Winter can be pretty harsh with air temps in the teens with high humidity but we have those days that sneak in that are in the 50's When those days come around Look Out Water. We throw in one of the small boats and get in an hour or two and try to keep the pointy end up
CaptEdTeachFall in San Francisco Bay
The winds in the summer are typically 20 to 25+ knots where I sail. In the fall we get "Indian Summer" where the air temps are still pleasant but the windspeeds drop to the 10-15 knot range. Much more comfortable.
The winds in the summer are typically 20 to 25+ knots where I sail. In the fall we get "Indian Summer" where the air temps are still pleasant but the windspeeds drop to the 10-15 knot range. Much more comfortable.
Fall on the Georgia Coast
September, October, then late April and May here on the Georgia coast. Winds are good, heat is down from July & August which are months that will sap all of your energy. "No seeums" or "sand fleas" as we called them on Parris Island, SC along with summer heat can make any month a pain depending on wind direction, but it is all worth it.
September, October, then late April and May here on the Georgia coast. Winds are good, heat is down from July & August which are months that will sap all of your energy. "No seeums" or "sand fleas" as we called them on Parris Island, SC along with summer heat can make any month a pain depending on wind direction, but it is all worth it.
Frostbite Sailing
If you sail a small boat, winter is the best. True, you have to wear so many clothes you can scarcely move, but there are few motor boats around and no jet ski types or water skiers! In the Northwest, our San Francisco Pelican season starts in late September and continues twice a month through November, then resumes in January, ending with a Fleet Championship sailoff in early April and finishes with a two day regatta in late April. Then the noise makers, the wave makers can have the waterways for the hot, windless summer months.
If you sail a small boat, winter is the best. True, you have to wear so many clothes you can scarcely move, but there are few motor boats around and no jet ski types or water skiers! In the Northwest, our San Francisco Pelican season starts in late September and continues twice a month through November, then resumes in January, ending with a Fleet Championship sailoff in early April and finishes with a two day regatta in late April. Then the noise makers, the wave makers can have the waterways for the hot, windless summer months.
The Best Season is Sailing Season!
I picked summer as my favorite season - not so much due to the weather - as it is the time when most of my sailing is done. I've sailed Lake Erie from April 28th til October 15th - all good days.
I picked summer as my favorite season - not so much due to the weather - as it is the time when most of my sailing is done. I've sailed Lake Erie from April 28th til October 15th - all good days.
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