Well here we are in northern NJ, a foot of snow in the front yard and it was 7 degrees when I left the house this morning. The docks in Stamford, Ct where we keep Kathryn, our H356, are surrounded by ice, but Kathryn is on the hard with her winter coat. Weather report today, we are about to have a heat wave, it will be maybe 35 today and sunny but more bad weather by weeks end! Last week my wife convinced me to join her in San Francisco, she was there on business. So I flew out late Thursday and we spent Friday and Saturday in Napa where it was 60ish during the day. Did the normal thing you do in Napa, enjoyed the wine and the food, both excellent. On Sunday we decided to stop back in San Francisco and have lunch on Fishermans Wharf before traveling back to the airport for the trip home. Well the day was beautiful, sunny and almost 70. We walked along until we came to pier 39 to visit the Sea Lions who have taken over the marina there. Looking out across the bay there were about a 100 or so sailboats and I was envious. How nice it must be to be able to sail year round. A Hunter 41 passed within a few yards of where we were standing. There was just one gentleman aboard and he was heading toward the Golden Gate. How I would have liked to join him, maybe I should have posted a request here, who knows what offers I may have gotten. As we flew home we dicussed how nice it must be to be able to sail year round. Our boat is in the water from mid-April to Thanksgiving and we spend most every weekend and at least one week of our vacation on her. We wondered if the boat was in the water all the time would we still use her as often, probably not. Any way, here we are back in the cold and looking forward to spring. You San Francisco, and other warm area sailors are pretty lucky I think. Maybe we should move. So, how are the rest of you doing? Looking forward to Spring. Bob and Camille sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct
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Only slightly envious.
We also spend a lot of time shoveling snow. But I think of winter as a respite from the hectiness of the sailing season. Build a fire, read some books, and see some movies. Right now their is a Horatio Hornblower tape in the VCR. I can always go over to the workshop to prepare for the coming season. Right now the dinghy floorboards are about to get their third coat of varnish. Then it will be time to do some sewing on the dodger. And make a panel to zip between the dodger and bimini. Every three or four weeks I check on the boat, plug her in for a little battery charging. When the temps stay above 45 I remove the cover and get her ready for an April splash. I will admit though, if I had a new H356(and had boat payments), I would be itching to sail. And I feel the same way when we vacation and see other people sailing.
We also spend a lot of time shoveling snow. But I think of winter as a respite from the hectiness of the sailing season. Build a fire, read some books, and see some movies. Right now their is a Horatio Hornblower tape in the VCR. I can always go over to the workshop to prepare for the coming season. Right now the dinghy floorboards are about to get their third coat of varnish. Then it will be time to do some sewing on the dodger. And make a panel to zip between the dodger and bimini. Every three or four weeks I check on the boat, plug her in for a little battery charging. When the temps stay above 45 I remove the cover and get her ready for an April splash. I will admit though, if I had a new H356(and had boat payments), I would be itching to sail. And I feel the same way when we vacation and see other people sailing.
it's worth the move
It's a life style. I sail year round. My boat is walking distance from my office. I sail after work once a week and once on the weekend with my wife. I eat lunch on the boat about 3 days a week and work on the boat about twice a week after work. I can not imagine not being able to play with my boat during the winter! We have plenty of winter days in the 70's, but I'll even sail her myself when it gets as cold as 55 degrees. My heart bleeds for you guys up north. Dan
It's a life style. I sail year round. My boat is walking distance from my office. I sail after work once a week and once on the weekend with my wife. I eat lunch on the boat about 3 days a week and work on the boat about twice a week after work. I can not imagine not being able to play with my boat during the winter! We have plenty of winter days in the 70's, but I'll even sail her myself when it gets as cold as 55 degrees. My heart bleeds for you guys up north. Dan
I suppose we're spoiled
We complain because we Californios can't be out in swimsuits, and that the water's too cold for swimming w/o a wetsuit. The nice Summer sailing breezes are no longer here either; it's under 5 knots, or over 30. And then it's Summer, and you know what Mark Twain said about Summer in San Francisco! But it's still worlds better than Buffalo or Cleveland, where I used to live!
We complain because we Californios can't be out in swimsuits, and that the water's too cold for swimming w/o a wetsuit. The nice Summer sailing breezes are no longer here either; it's under 5 knots, or over 30. And then it's Summer, and you know what Mark Twain said about Summer in San Francisco! But it's still worlds better than Buffalo or Cleveland, where I used to live!
Should have asked
Bob, Our 356 is in Alameda and we live in Napa Valley. We spent Saturday night on the boat. You should have posted here before the trip. If you think the boats were beautiful from Pier 39, you should see how beautiful San Francisco is from the bay. It was an exceptional weather weekend for January. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Bob, Our 356 is in Alameda and we live in Napa Valley. We spent Saturday night on the boat. You should have posted here before the trip. If you think the boats were beautiful from Pier 39, you should see how beautiful San Francisco is from the bay. It was an exceptional weather weekend for January. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Winter in North Texas
is about to arrive. They are talking about a couple of inches of SNOW tonight. Up where the boat is there will be about four inches. Feb is the last gasp of old man winter in Texas. Picture is from last year on Valetine's day, so it can happen. In March the rains start, but it is warmer. Sailing starts again in late March or early April.
is about to arrive. They are talking about a couple of inches of SNOW tonight. Up where the boat is there will be about four inches. Feb is the last gasp of old man winter in Texas. Picture is from last year on Valetine's day, so it can happen. In March the rains start, but it is warmer. Sailing starts again in late March or early April.
Very cold this weekend
We are going to Panama City this weekend and will have to bundle up!!!! Highs only in the 60's and getting down to 50 at night. But the frigid weather is worth it!!! Even if it gets down to 45 I'll still go sailing. Not spring yet but the days are getting longer and before you know it the gators will be out!!! Gators out sunning is a sure sign of spring. Tom
We are going to Panama City this weekend and will have to bundle up!!!! Highs only in the 60's and getting down to 50 at night. But the frigid weather is worth it!!! Even if it gets down to 45 I'll still go sailing. Not spring yet but the days are getting longer and before you know it the gators will be out!!! Gators out sunning is a sure sign of spring. Tom
I'll be in San Fran on Monday
Hello, I will be in San Fran next week on business. I have most of Monday 2/7 free and I would love to do some sailing. If you plan on sailing that day and want some company / crew please let me know. If not, does anyone know of a place that will rent sailboats? I will be near the Moscone center. Thanks! Barry lenoble@optonline.net
Hello, I will be in San Fran next week on business. I have most of Monday 2/7 free and I would love to do some sailing. If you plan on sailing that day and want some company / crew please let me know. If not, does anyone know of a place that will rent sailboats? I will be near the Moscone center. Thanks! Barry lenoble@optonline.net
Wintering over...
I live near, and sail on, the Chesapeake Bay. The normal season is from about April 1st to Dec 1st. I always have mixed emotions when the boat is hauled: on the one hand, I'll miss sailing for four months; on the other hand, the winter is a nice respite and gives me a chance to do a lot of other things. It's also a time to plan and do a number of boat projects. And hope springs eternal: just got my spring workorder to schedule my launch. FYI, I have a friend who sails year round on San Francisco Bay. He could sail just about any day he wants. Yet I spend more days afloat each season than he does. The reason? He tells me that since he could sail anytime, he just takes it for granted.
I live near, and sail on, the Chesapeake Bay. The normal season is from about April 1st to Dec 1st. I always have mixed emotions when the boat is hauled: on the one hand, I'll miss sailing for four months; on the other hand, the winter is a nice respite and gives me a chance to do a lot of other things. It's also a time to plan and do a number of boat projects. And hope springs eternal: just got my spring workorder to schedule my launch. FYI, I have a friend who sails year round on San Francisco Bay. He could sail just about any day he wants. Yet I spend more days afloat each season than he does. The reason? He tells me that since he could sail anytime, he just takes it for granted.
Don't know much about Winterizing
We can generally sail most of the year here on Galveston Bay. In the winter months its "pot luck". Some great days and some bad. Funny how your guidelines for "good weather" varies. This weekend was rainy and in the high 50s. Too cold to sail. The week before was in the 70s. Boat stays in the water, ready to go, all year round. Jon
We can generally sail most of the year here on Galveston Bay. In the winter months its "pot luck". Some great days and some bad. Funny how your guidelines for "good weather" varies. This weekend was rainy and in the high 50s. Too cold to sail. The week before was in the 70s. Boat stays in the water, ready to go, all year round. Jon
Bob
Hey Bob, We are right next to you at Norton's. My first year, my first boat, my first smile all summer. I think I saw your boat out in the bay also, however we are still learning and I didn't look up too much.
Hey Bob, We are right next to you at Norton's. My first year, my first boat, my first smile all summer. I think I saw your boat out in the bay also, however we are still learning and I didn't look up too much.
Ouch those spring time photos hurt!
Here is how we sail in Alberta in February! Spring is only 10 weeks away!
Here is how we sail in Alberta in February! Spring is only 10 weeks away!
this is the time
We live in one of the coldest winter regions, but every year when the boat is hauled, we are ready. This is the time when we really start to miss the boat, however. Starting now and lasting till about April 30, the anticipation builds. I think this is the reason why all of us who sail the Great Lakes and our beautiful Lake Champlain really appreciate our time on the water. It is savored.Alice A.
We live in one of the coldest winter regions, but every year when the boat is hauled, we are ready. This is the time when we really start to miss the boat, however. Starting now and lasting till about April 30, the anticipation builds. I think this is the reason why all of us who sail the Great Lakes and our beautiful Lake Champlain really appreciate our time on the water. It is savored.Alice A.
It's summer...
... on the far side of the world! Just got back from our annual winter pilgrimage to New Zealand to visit family. Photo is from Seaview Marina on Wellington Harbor where my brother keeps his boat. Strong (and I mean STRONG) northerlies kept the boats in their berths most of the time we were there, but we got one good sail in. Got back to LA to find our flight to Boston was cancelled because of the big storm, and so we extended the vacation by three days. This winter weather makes our plan to split the years of retirement between New England and New Zealand more and more attractive! A sailboat in each place! *5
... on the far side of the world! Just got back from our annual winter pilgrimage to New Zealand to visit family. Photo is from Seaview Marina on Wellington Harbor where my brother keeps his boat. Strong (and I mean STRONG) northerlies kept the boats in their berths most of the time we were there, but we got one good sail in. Got back to LA to find our flight to Boston was cancelled because of the big storm, and so we extended the vacation by three days. This winter weather makes our plan to split the years of retirement between New England and New Zealand more and more attractive! A sailboat in each place! *5
It was 70, sunny, and clear enough to
see Catalina 34 NM away the last 2 days. Yesterday was so weird I still can't believe it. A mild offshore Santa Ana was fighting the prevailing westerlies and the wind was all around the compass and coming and going like an express elevator. You'd be sailing along at 4.5 kts. with Auto at the wheel making a sanwhich and sail into a lull where the boat would slow to 1.5 till you hit the other side. For about 2 hours on a beam reach I did every speed from 0 to 6.5 and back again (over & over) till the wind died complete for a beautiful glassy sunset. Sorry for trying to wax poetic but I been landlocked for a couple weeks and I had to miss our last round of great weather I'd have gone out in lousy weather, just thankful for sunshine in January.
see Catalina 34 NM away the last 2 days. Yesterday was so weird I still can't believe it. A mild offshore Santa Ana was fighting the prevailing westerlies and the wind was all around the compass and coming and going like an express elevator. You'd be sailing along at 4.5 kts. with Auto at the wheel making a sanwhich and sail into a lull where the boat would slow to 1.5 till you hit the other side. For about 2 hours on a beam reach I did every speed from 0 to 6.5 and back again (over & over) till the wind died complete for a beautiful glassy sunset. Sorry for trying to wax poetic but I been landlocked for a couple weeks and I had to miss our last round of great weather I'd have gone out in lousy weather, just thankful for sunshine in January.
tears of snow
Those are tears of snow as late as May 12 last year during a freak late season spring snowstorm. I had already brought the boat home to do some work on it in the driveway! Usually the snow clears in mid to late March around here.
Those are tears of snow as late as May 12 last year during a freak late season spring snowstorm. I had already brought the boat home to do some work on it in the driveway! Usually the snow clears in mid to late March around here.
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