Frostbite Sailing

[Randy Kolb]

Changing of the seasons

Our lake is a reservoir for flood control and it gets drained each fall so we need to be out by early October. We get back in early April. Six months of sailing is fine with me. Fall and winter brings skiing and snowboarding, lots of holiday busy-ness and a chance to do some of the house maintenance that I avoided all summer in order to go sailing. Plus, the off-season is when I stock up on new gear (just bought a roller furler) and think about installing it all in the spring! Plus, no way the Commodore would go out in the cold and how could I ever sail without her telling me what to do??

 

[John Finch]

It's never too cold until the lake freezes over!

Previously we sailed on Mark Twain Lake in Northern Missouri. Because lack of haul-out facilites encouraged keeping the boat in and using bublers. Any time the lake wasn't frozen over was a good time to sneak in a sail. Now, we are on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes in Northwestern Kentucky. The water here is flowing North, coming out of Tennessee and/or Alabama. Even in the dead of winter, the lakes never freeze. Snow can be washed off the boat with a little lake water. Dress in lots of layers, adjust acording to the dictates of the Outside air temperature, wear your PFD complete with harness and Jack Line, keep safety in mind, and enjoy some of the most wonderful time ever.S/V DoxologyC-30

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.c]

The Porch

I've finally broken down and am having a full enclosure built for this winter. With daylight savings time ending and the rains this fall, I can't wait to sit out in the cockpit with the heat wafting up from below on a rainy blustery day! Hopefully I won't be too spoiled and leave it up all winter, but I said I'd hardly use that bimini this summer... and it's only been folded up a few times! Maybe I'm getting old, but I am excited about the extra useable space this winter on the boat!Trevor

 

[Jeff]

John

Good to hear from you.Had the last cove out on Mark Twain this past weekend. Lots of wind on Saturday, 20+ and light on Sunday.Tell Mickey Hi from all of us at the lake.Jeff

 

[Tom VandenBerg]

Year round sailing

I sail year round on the Chesapeake. In another month, there will be very little traffic -- it really is fantastic. On 2 January 04, I did a raft up with a buddy of mine with our respective boats -- we did another one in late Feb. Ice is the only thing that will hold me from going out. The Fall and Spring are some of the best sailing in this area.

 

[Herb Geller]

Frost Bite Cure

Johnny Walker Black Label in copious amounts.Rx: One Glass, over ice as needed.

 

[David11038]

sailing club

Our sailing club stays open from the beginning of April until the first week in Nov, sailing mostly JY15's and 470's. My first year with the club, I was sailing crew during some very exciting winds in late October. We capsized and although it only took us about 10 minutes to right her, I was amazed how quickly the energy drained from me in the cold water (getting old I guess). The ride back to the clubhouse and wood stove was a long one, but the heat from the stove sure felt good! I was dressed in layers of fleece and some cotton. The next spring, I ran out to buy a wet suit at the beginning of the season, which I wear under fleece and wind pants/jacket. Haven't capsized in cold water since, but it is good to have the insurance.

 

[Calif. Ted]

What can I say, easiest job in the world is

the guy does the weather for San Diego, "And today the weather is going to be NICE" Cold means high temps below 60, that's when we break out the long undies, gloves and hats. Yesterday was warm enough for shorts, bare feet and no shirt in the middle of the day, day before it was long pants and windbreakers. Winter is pretty good here cause it does decrease the number of boats at the islands etc.

 

[Capt. Sid]

All year long

We here in North Carolina are fortunate enought to be able to sail all year long. I love sailing in the fall when the leaves change, sailing down the Neuse towards the sound is beautiful and rewarding. We run a propane heater in the cabin and drink hot coffee. Sometimes I think I enjoy winter sailing more than some of the hot humid summers.

 

[Night Sailor]

best time of year

We like sailing at night because we only have to contend with the party boats and night fishermen on TX lakes. The party people, jet skis, water skiers, etc. go home when the tmep drops below 70. Come winter, we sailors pretty much have the lakes to ourselves at night, and only a few fisher people during daylight. My co- pilot draws the line for launching chores at 35 degrees. But there are always good sunny warm days, even in eaerly January, between the 15 and 20 degree days.

 

[Chris]

All Winter Long

We race 9ft Dyer Dhows all winter long. There is too much ice to keep my ODay on my mooring all winter and our local municipality closes the town owned mooring areas from Nov 15 to April 15.There is nothing like sailing in a snow storm!

 

[Ugadawg]

Cold-weather sailing

I'll sail until it becomes uncomfortable to handle sail and traveler lines and spray on my eyeglass lenses obscures my already diminished vision(floaters.)

 

[Rich]

50-15

My rule of thumb is 50-15.. When the temp is below 50 degrees F and the wind is over 15 knots.. it's too cold for comfort especially for a long beat...

 

[Dean]

Year Round Sailing

Sailing on the 11th largest lake in the US is great year round. Our (the Admiral & I) rule is: temps below 40F and winds above 20Kn are unconfortable, so I go alone.

 

[Hector Mujica]

Know how to dress for cold weather

Layers of proper clothing materials and the right thickness of the garmets is the secret. You don't have to feel "like a stuffed bear". After years of cycling in the mountains and beeing sailing south of the Horn, I must tell you that "chilling wind" has the nasty habit of finding the way to rob you of your "temperature-comfort-zone". USE at least four layers of "body-air-retention" fabric, under your external "jacket". It used to be layers of "wool-made" materials.Nowadays you have a pletora of excellent synthetic materials, that let your body "breath" keeping your body DRY (your own perspiration or external source), this is very Important, as sailing could be a wet sport. Hypothermia would kill you faster than you "think", and you'll be found with a smiling rictus in your face but looking rather bluish !! Go sailing but be ALWAYS aware that you are loosing body heath every second.

 

[Robert Bemben]

Dodge the wind

Nothing like a dodger to keep things comfortable; but forget the bimini - it blocks those few rays of sun that might warm you a bit. And all that 'enclosure' paraphenalia blocks my view of the mailsail, islands and rocks (in the North Channel of Lake Huron). Actually, when I took a friend out in early Spring he noted that the Detroit River / Lake St. Clair looked pretty stark without leaves on the trees yet. On another trip water splashing onto the deck of our Flying Scot flash-froze. It all depends on how eager you are to sail!

 

[Bill Battersby]

Great Bay in NJ

I used to sail on the Delaware River and kept my boat in year-round. The Kenyon alcohol stove in my cabin (San Juan 24) would take the chill right out of the air and actually warm things up quite a bit. Where the stove left off my girlfriend Debbie picked up.Now I live off of Great Bay in southern NJ. I can sail until my lagoon freezes, but I keep the boat in on a de-icer system, and pull it in early spring for bottom work.

 

[Scott]

Fairweather Sailor

Cold weather means it's time to ski. I used to overlap the seasons when I windsurfed in late fall and early spring. No more, I've taken on weight and can't get into my drysuit comfortably anymore. Besides, we're trying to relax more and take some time between seasons to be at home. Sailing in October was great, fewer boats on the water, brisk winds, comfortable temps ... I'm looking forward to mid-April. If we hit the lottery, I could be interested in a winter trip to the islands! You sailors in the Great Lakes States have your season squeezed, for sure. My hat is off to your dedication and perserverence in cold weather & cold water!

 

[Joe Grande]

Fall/Winter in the Pacific Northwest

In the past I would golf year `round here in Seattle. I would ski in freezing weather, therefore as a liveaboard on my Catalina 320 I sail year `round. How? Several layers with polypropalene and windbreakers. Gloves on hands with hand warmers installed. We are fortunate to have the Japanese current which keeps our weather "moderate" during the winter. After one of the best summers in memory, we will adapt to what comes!

 

[William]

Response to Cold Weather questions

Question One answer: Artic conditions and even then I would deal with it if there was some good wind, scenery etc. Question Two answer:Foulies and tot of rum!!! What else, I suppose handwarmers for you girlies.