It's called "Seasonal Affective Disorder." No matter where you sail, chances are it's going to get colder there soon. Unless you live and sail in sub-tropical locations, colder weather often means less sailing -- at least for those of us still playing with a full deck. How do you deal with the onset of cold weather and reduced sailing? How do you get your sailing fix? To some, the onset of winter means an opportunity to take a breather from sailing and pursue other activities that have taken a back seat to boating (aka "Honey Do's"). To others, it's a time of near depression with constant looks at the calendar to count-down the days to spring launch. Many of us are somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Getting through the winter can be eased by going to boat shows; reading all those sailing magazines and catalogs stacked in the corner; finally getting around to doing the boat projects you've been putting off; or sailing in warmer waters on a charter boat. How do you deal with the onset of winter? Tell us how you maintain your sanity when the days get shorter and colder, then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Pretty Darn Sad
Well we spent all day Saturday and a couple of hours yesterday finishing the winterization and covering process. Saturday was cold and windy in Stamford, Ct although a little sun helped in the afternoon. There is a storm for tonight and rain and snow showers coming later this week so I guess I am happy that she is on land for a few months - hate covering the boat when there is a cockpit full of snow. Time off from boating will include those projects around the house and doing entertainment things other then sailing such as a Broadway show or two to make my wife happy. We are forntunate to have booked a charter in the BVI in March which will also break up the winter season, then soon April will be upon us when will make her ready for the next sailing season. If we can manage it we may even fly down to Florida to visit friends and take in the Miami Boat Show. There are also the numerous sailing magazines to read through and boating projects and trips to plan. Hmm, when to head for Cuttyhunk and the Vineyard or should we go further north this year? Decisions decisions
So, is it Spring yet? Enjoy the winter respite! Bob Keller sv Kathryn 2, Stamford, Ct
Well we spent all day Saturday and a couple of hours yesterday finishing the winterization and covering process. Saturday was cold and windy in Stamford, Ct although a little sun helped in the afternoon. There is a storm for tonight and rain and snow showers coming later this week so I guess I am happy that she is on land for a few months - hate covering the boat when there is a cockpit full of snow. Time off from boating will include those projects around the house and doing entertainment things other then sailing such as a Broadway show or two to make my wife happy. We are forntunate to have booked a charter in the BVI in March which will also break up the winter season, then soon April will be upon us when will make her ready for the next sailing season. If we can manage it we may even fly down to Florida to visit friends and take in the Miami Boat Show. There are also the numerous sailing magazines to read through and boating projects and trips to plan. Hmm, when to head for Cuttyhunk and the Vineyard or should we go further north this year? Decisions decisions
So, is it Spring yet? Enjoy the winter respite! Bob Keller sv Kathryn 2, Stamford, Ct
Only five to go!
If you don't count November. Lots of projects occupy the winters. Plus many books in front of the fireplace. We can't justify sailing trips when we have two boats and two marinas to support. The holidays keep us busy with family stuff. Then there is the Cleveland boat show in January and the sail-only show in Chicago in Feb. Might take the train over there this time. And I still go to the big boat whenever we get a warm day. Charge the batteries and whatever else. Have to finish the filter and new water pump. Still have not got the radar working. Plenty to keep an old retired sailor busy.
If you don't count November. Lots of projects occupy the winters. Plus many books in front of the fireplace. We can't justify sailing trips when we have two boats and two marinas to support. The holidays keep us busy with family stuff. Then there is the Cleveland boat show in January and the sail-only show in Chicago in Feb. Might take the train over there this time. And I still go to the big boat whenever we get a warm day. Charge the batteries and whatever else. Have to finish the filter and new water pump. Still have not got the radar working. Plenty to keep an old retired sailor busy.
Not very...
got a 4 day weekend coming up. If the forcast changes from rain to sunshine and I can figure out why my generator is dying on me, I'll be sailing in the gulf for the 4 days...headed...where ever the wind takes me. Maybe I'll get deep enough to do some trolling (gotta get atleast 50 miles offshore for that this time of year). We usually get 2-3 weekend days in the 70s here during the winter and the wind is usually good.
got a 4 day weekend coming up. If the forcast changes from rain to sunshine and I can figure out why my generator is dying on me, I'll be sailing in the gulf for the 4 days...headed...where ever the wind takes me. Maybe I'll get deep enough to do some trolling (gotta get atleast 50 miles offshore for that this time of year). We usually get 2-3 weekend days in the 70s here during the winter and the wind is usually good.
Time to do Repairs
Winter down here is not that bad as Franklin said. February is about the only month when we may not have a decent weekend to sail. We get to see how those guys in Seattle feel in the summer. I like going to the boat when its cool and just piddling around. Nice warm cabin at night, brisk mornings with coffee. I don't always have to be sailing to enjoy my boat. I couldn't imagine putting my boat on the hard for 4-5 months. It would kill me. Tom s/v At Last
Winter down here is not that bad as Franklin said. February is about the only month when we may not have a decent weekend to sail. We get to see how those guys in Seattle feel in the summer. I like going to the boat when its cool and just piddling around. Nice warm cabin at night, brisk mornings with coffee. I don't always have to be sailing to enjoy my boat. I couldn't imagine putting my boat on the hard for 4-5 months. It would kill me. Tom s/v At Last
I get it bad
Up here, the boats are on the hard and it will be April before we put them back in. I hate winter and miss my boat bigtime. I try to get a little fix by having a bring home project and hitting Chicago Strictly Sail and some yacht club parties over the winter. Other than that I just suffer.
Up here, the boats are on the hard and it will be April before we put them back in. I hate winter and miss my boat bigtime. I try to get a little fix by having a bring home project and hitting Chicago Strictly Sail and some yacht club parties over the winter. Other than that I just suffer.
no SAD
Not too SAD at all. Here in So. Cal. it's still 85 degrees, the wind is steady out of the west at 15, and the sun is out. I'm planning on spending either T'day or Christmas at the Island this year and will sail several times over the winter.
Not too SAD at all. Here in So. Cal. it's still 85 degrees, the wind is steady out of the west at 15, and the sun is out. I'm planning on spending either T'day or Christmas at the Island this year and will sail several times over the winter.
Iceboat!
I spend a weekend or 2 puttering around and winterizing my boat. Once she is all cozy for the winter I lower the iceboat from the garage ceiling. It's time to go over the rigging and maybe do a few repairs or touch up on the DN to get ready for hard water sailing. Then it's a matter of waiting for the lakes to freeze up! You think 8-9 kts is fast? Try 55-65 mph!!! Tom s/v Orion's Child
I spend a weekend or 2 puttering around and winterizing my boat. Once she is all cozy for the winter I lower the iceboat from the garage ceiling. It's time to go over the rigging and maybe do a few repairs or touch up on the DN to get ready for hard water sailing. Then it's a matter of waiting for the lakes to freeze up! You think 8-9 kts is fast? Try 55-65 mph!!! Tom s/v Orion's Child
Hmmm, sailing?
If it's winter, it must be the season for skiing. My wife loves to ski! My daughter e-mailed from Big Sky, Montana reporting on fantastic early season conditions yesterday. We'll go to Simply Sail in Philly or maybe Chicago (I love visiting Chicago), but other than that, we won't give our boat much thought until April. Tom, those rockets are crazy fast! We see those a lot if there isn't too much snow on the lake.
If it's winter, it must be the season for skiing. My wife loves to ski! My daughter e-mailed from Big Sky, Montana reporting on fantastic early season conditions yesterday. We'll go to Simply Sail in Philly or maybe Chicago (I love visiting Chicago), but other than that, we won't give our boat much thought until April. Tom, those rockets are crazy fast! We see those a lot if there isn't too much snow on the lake.
Best time of year in SF
I went sailing yesterday and it was mostly perfect. The wind was a little light at first, but I got 15 kts in the central bay after 1. I was warm in shorts and a tee shirt. Unfortunately its not usually that warm in July. It is hard to sail after work now as it is dark by 5.
I went sailing yesterday and it was mostly perfect. The wind was a little light at first, but I got 15 kts in the central bay after 1. I was warm in shorts and a tee shirt. Unfortunately its not usually that warm in July. It is hard to sail after work now as it is dark by 5.
I turn to my kayak in the off season
If I get a warm day like yesterday or today, I take my First Mate with me to our favorite cove on the Taunton River in the kayak. We walk the shore line in search of the many treasures that wash up on the beach. There's a golf course nearby and I've found as many a 30 golf balls on one trip. I've found at least two mooring balls and three pick-up sticks, one yard cart, many boat fenders, and one adult PFD,fishing lures, and many Styrofoam fish trap floats. Fish trap floats come in handy for keeping pendant lines from sinking and wrapping around a mooring chain. Outside of that, I do a lot of reading, a little hunting, and a lot on my PC and guitar in the winter months.
If I get a warm day like yesterday or today, I take my First Mate with me to our favorite cove on the Taunton River in the kayak. We walk the shore line in search of the many treasures that wash up on the beach. There's a golf course nearby and I've found as many a 30 golf balls on one trip. I've found at least two mooring balls and three pick-up sticks, one yard cart, many boat fenders, and one adult PFD,fishing lures, and many Styrofoam fish trap floats. Fish trap floats come in handy for keeping pendant lines from sinking and wrapping around a mooring chain. Outside of that, I do a lot of reading, a little hunting, and a lot on my PC and guitar in the winter months.
Two words....wet suit (or is that one word?)
I just bought a wetsuit so that I can sail all winter. Granted, it doesn't get very cold here in Portland, 40's - 50's with lots of rain. I still need to find boots and a hood. It can get pretty hairy on the Columbia during the winter months. 20-30 mph winds are not uncommon. I figure a full wetsuit, and thermos of hot strong coffee, a good PFD and I'm good to go. Although, a good dunking might damp my enthusiasm a tad... Well, that's the plan anyway .-=gp=-.
I just bought a wetsuit so that I can sail all winter. Granted, it doesn't get very cold here in Portland, 40's - 50's with lots of rain. I still need to find boots and a hood. It can get pretty hairy on the Columbia during the winter months. 20-30 mph winds are not uncommon. I figure a full wetsuit, and thermos of hot strong coffee, a good PFD and I'm good to go. Although, a good dunking might damp my enthusiasm a tad... Well, that's the plan anyway
.-=gp=-.Chutz: get one with a zipper
If you are going to have a thermos, then I would suggest get a wetsuit with a zipper in your Farmer Johns. To those not into diving, Farmer Johns are the lower part of a wetsuit. Even better yet, why not get a dry suit? We dive in neoprene dry suits, but that would be too bulky for you. You can go with a rubber suit, with a zipper of course. You can only get one with a zipper in the front, not the back. Of course, if you have a custom made dry suit, you could have a trap door installed too. With a wet or dry suit, you really don't need a PFD. They will float, but sinc they are dark in color, no one will be able to see you. Maybe you can wear a bright colored parka or windbreaker.
If you are going to have a thermos, then I would suggest get a wetsuit with a zipper in your Farmer Johns. To those not into diving, Farmer Johns are the lower part of a wetsuit. Even better yet, why not get a dry suit? We dive in neoprene dry suits, but that would be too bulky for you. You can go with a rubber suit, with a zipper of course. You can only get one with a zipper in the front, not the back. Of course, if you have a custom made dry suit, you could have a trap door installed too. With a wet or dry suit, you really don't need a PFD. They will float, but sinc they are dark in color, no one will be able to see you. Maybe you can wear a bright colored parka or windbreaker.
Sail All Winter
I sail all winter in Florida. Left New England because I hated winter. So did my 356. Only problem is I miss the winter down time when I performed numerous maintenance items or tackled special projects When you sail all year, special projects just don't get done. Also boat decorating for Christmas takes time away from sailing and projects. Last year I spent New Years Eve anchored off Cumberland, GA rafted with six other boats....the hell with projects!
I sail all winter in Florida. Left New England because I hated winter. So did my 356. Only problem is I miss the winter down time when I performed numerous maintenance items or tackled special projects When you sail all year, special projects just don't get done. Also boat decorating for Christmas takes time away from sailing and projects. Last year I spent New Years Eve anchored off Cumberland, GA rafted with six other boats....the hell with projects!
At least on the hard .....
You guys in the north KNOW you're not going sailing. Around here we suffer the frustration of the nice days falling on weekdays. We just had another lousy, stinkin' weekend followed by a gorgeous Monday. To make it worse, from my desk I've got an eighth-floor view of a lake. Mac
You guys in the north KNOW you're not going sailing. Around here we suffer the frustration of the nice days falling on weekdays. We just had another lousy, stinkin' weekend followed by a gorgeous Monday. To make it worse, from my desk I've got an eighth-floor view of a lake. Mac
Not sad at all
With the onset of winter our winds pick up and the oppresive heat and humidity of summer give way to dryer and cooler days. I am not sad because we are going sailing this weekend with anticipated winds of 15 knots and temperatures of 55 - 75 degrees farenheit. who is complaining?
With the onset of winter our winds pick up and the oppresive heat and humidity of summer give way to dryer and cooler days. I am not sad because we are going sailing this weekend with anticipated winds of 15 knots and temperatures of 55 - 75 degrees farenheit. who is complaining?
The Best Sailing .....
is just now beginning because: 1. The temp is no longer hovering around 100 degrees 2. The wind is up (in comparison to July & August) 3. The cigarette boats are by and large dry-docked 'till next summer 4. Those of us still on the lake know the rules of the road, proper lights, etc. 5. I love running strings of Christmas lights up and down my stays and shrouds
is just now beginning because: 1. The temp is no longer hovering around 100 degrees 2. The wind is up (in comparison to July & August) 3. The cigarette boats are by and large dry-docked 'till next summer 4. Those of us still on the lake know the rules of the road, proper lights, etc. 5. I love running strings of Christmas lights up and down my stays and shrouds
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