How do you satisfy your sailing addiction during the off-season? Can you find the soul of sailing in a book, or do you prefer a flood of magazines? Do you plan and shop for boat projects, maybe even get out on the boat to work on them? Does it help spend time aboard, even though taking your boat off the dock or trailer isn't practical? Or in your world, is there no off-season? Share your methods here then vote in the Quick Quiz on the home page.
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No off season here
just a little less wind in the summer, then the iron genny will get me to my anchorage not to far from the dock. Waite till the summer to do my winter projects. ;D
just a little less wind in the summer, then the iron genny will get me to my anchorage not to far from the dock. Waite till the summer to do my winter projects. ;D
we got hard water here in winter .
I love to sail but find it hard to do when at this time we got 4 feet of ice where my boat is lol.But in may the hard water will be gone then I will sail all summer .
I love to sail but find it hard to do when at this time we got 4 feet of ice where my boat is lol.But in may the hard water will be gone then I will sail all summer .
Ken Cross (Mac 26D) Puget Sound
Too many choices? Snowshoeing, Hiking, fishing, fly tying, church functions (involved member) Public Service vollinteer, work, etc.
Too many choices? Snowshoeing, Hiking, fishing, fly tying, church functions (involved member) Public Service vollinteer, work, etc.
sailing/dancing the sea legs satisfaction
On my sailboat the floor is always moving and I try to look as though I am standing erect. On a dance floor the floor is steady and I try to look as though I am falling over. The motion of the boat is the rhythem of the water & wind, while the music is the other's rhythm. My body moves to each and it is the closest feeling I've found to each sensation and satisifies my love of sailing on non sailing occasions.
On my sailboat the floor is always moving and I try to look as though I am standing erect. On a dance floor the floor is steady and I try to look as though I am falling over. The motion of the boat is the rhythem of the water & wind, while the music is the other's rhythm. My body moves to each and it is the closest feeling I've found to each sensation and satisifies my love of sailing on non sailing occasions.
Do 3 out 4
Need to change the survey so we can select multiples. I read books, got enough magazines next to the bed for reading all winter long. Go to the boat almost every 3 weeks or more to complete projects. Two weeks ago I started sanding spots on the hull in preparation for bottom painting. Got the new PSS shaft seal (Purchased here on HOW) installed. Will install the Kiwi prop when I get back from Maui, have got to find a sailboat to go out on! Re-finishing a fellow sailors companionway boards, will have them done this week. Meanwhile the house goes down the drain. Boat 10, House 0 And I Dream about some very interesting sailing, and CRY that I'm on dry land. Jim S/V Java
Need to change the survey so we can select multiples. I read books, got enough magazines next to the bed for reading all winter long. Go to the boat almost every 3 weeks or more to complete projects. Two weeks ago I started sanding spots on the hull in preparation for bottom painting. Got the new PSS shaft seal (Purchased here on HOW) installed. Will install the Kiwi prop when I get back from Maui, have got to find a sailboat to go out on! Re-finishing a fellow sailors companionway boards, will have them done this week. Meanwhile the house goes down the drain. Boat 10, House 0 And I Dream about some very interesting sailing, and CRY that I'm on dry land. Jim S/V Java
This and That
I usually can get by OK until about New Year's Day, then it gets tough. February in Michigan is the worst! Now is about the time the cabin fever sets in. I'm pulling out all of my "boat" CD's and listening to them while driving around in this cruddy weather. I am also a basement musician with a home studio. I spend a lot of time in the basement recording summer music (instrumental stuff as I can't sing worth a crap). What else? Bahama Breeze, charging up my batteries (in the basement...whoopee!), and watching "Captain Ron" for the millionth time...
I usually can get by OK until about New Year's Day, then it gets tough. February in Michigan is the worst! Now is about the time the cabin fever sets in. I'm pulling out all of my "boat" CD's and listening to them while driving around in this cruddy weather. I am also a basement musician with a home studio. I spend a lot of time in the basement recording summer music (instrumental stuff as I can't sing worth a crap). What else? Bahama Breeze, charging up my batteries (in the basement...whoopee!), and watching "Captain Ron" for the millionth time...
Winter
The boat is in my driveway. If we get a nice day say 40 degrees Ill go out and work on it. I ripped all the rugs off the cabin walls last March sanded and repainted the cabin ordered new cushions. Ive got a portable electric heater for inside the cabin. It works fine unless its really nasty out. The early birds start going in mid to last week in April around MA bay. cheer up guys before we know it the season will be upon us.
The boat is in my driveway. If we get a nice day say 40 degrees Ill go out and work on it. I ripped all the rugs off the cabin walls last March sanded and repainted the cabin ordered new cushions. Ive got a portable electric heater for inside the cabin. It works fine unless its really nasty out. The early birds start going in mid to last week in April around MA bay. cheer up guys before we know it the season will be upon us.
Projects
I am 350 miles from the boat. Winter projects list starts in the summer. Take dimensions, bring necessary parts home, putter all winter. Just now varnishing new Teak cockpit table with fold out leaves and is mounted to a small bookshelf (cruising guides, charts)w/drink/binocular shelf on top. I run an architectural woodwork business so whenever there is leftover from a Teak job, everyone knows where the extra goes. Also reworking Nav desk top to open w/o hitting underside of side decks (Pearson 34 glitch) and adding a lid stay for hold open. Completely dismantled & cleaned (22 years scuzzy) gas range plus fix oven. New mount board for barometer & clock. Add a few just-gotta-have tools to kit. Read too many magazines & get too many ideas.
I am 350 miles from the boat. Winter projects list starts in the summer. Take dimensions, bring necessary parts home, putter all winter. Just now varnishing new Teak cockpit table with fold out leaves and is mounted to a small bookshelf (cruising guides, charts)w/drink/binocular shelf on top. I run an architectural woodwork business so whenever there is leftover from a Teak job, everyone knows where the extra goes. Also reworking Nav desk top to open w/o hitting underside of side decks (Pearson 34 glitch) and adding a lid stay for hold open. Completely dismantled & cleaned (22 years scuzzy) gas range plus fix oven. New mount board for barometer & clock. Add a few just-gotta-have tools to kit. Read too many magazines & get too many ideas.
Hey Shorty - did you see
The article in Latts & Atts March 2008 on page 123 on your Acadia. Take me back to when I was a kid. Was in Bar harbor on 4th of July and a front came sweeping in and started to snow.. Jim S/V Java
The article in Latts & Atts March 2008 on page 123 on your Acadia. Take me back to when I was a kid. Was in Bar harbor on 4th of July and a front came sweeping in and started to snow.. Jim S/V Java
Take a boating course to help you survive the winter!
I do read about sailing and subscribe to a couple of magazines, however those don't satisfy my winter needs. My main way of feeding my addiction is teaching the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons Boating Course for my Squadron (for the last 20 years). It is great - I have a class of people who are there only because they are interested in boating - some with lots of experience and some taking a course because they think they might be interested in boating. Every Tuesday night, after the sailing season is over, I get to discuss the basic knowledge of safety, seamanship, regulations, emergencies and basic navigation that a boater needs with a class of enthusiastic participants. I do my best to suck them into a benefits of cruising by showing them occasional pictures of beautiful anchoring spots, navigational buoys seen against impressive backgrounds, vessels underway in demanding conditions etc etc, When discussing grounding I use pictures of my chart plotter showing my course before and after running aground (I use my various experiences to show what to do and not to do). I encourage parcipants to share their experiences. There is lots of discussion, lots of laughter and the whole experience satisfies everyone's needs. There are many more boating courses that are offerred by both the US Power Squadrons http://www.usps.org/ and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons http://www.cps-ecp.ca/. You can even take celestial naviagation - what better way to spend a winter. Note the US Power Squadrons involves both power and sail. There are other organizations that offer courses as well which you can get to by googling. Finally, this site and the Catalina 36 site also feed my addiction very well.
I do read about sailing and subscribe to a couple of magazines, however those don't satisfy my winter needs. My main way of feeding my addiction is teaching the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons Boating Course for my Squadron (for the last 20 years). It is great - I have a class of people who are there only because they are interested in boating - some with lots of experience and some taking a course because they think they might be interested in boating. Every Tuesday night, after the sailing season is over, I get to discuss the basic knowledge of safety, seamanship, regulations, emergencies and basic navigation that a boater needs with a class of enthusiastic participants. I do my best to suck them into a benefits of cruising by showing them occasional pictures of beautiful anchoring spots, navigational buoys seen against impressive backgrounds, vessels underway in demanding conditions etc etc, When discussing grounding I use pictures of my chart plotter showing my course before and after running aground (I use my various experiences to show what to do and not to do). I encourage parcipants to share their experiences. There is lots of discussion, lots of laughter and the whole experience satisfies everyone's needs. There are many more boating courses that are offerred by both the US Power Squadrons http://www.usps.org/ and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons http://www.cps-ecp.ca/. You can even take celestial naviagation - what better way to spend a winter. Note the US Power Squadrons involves both power and sail. There are other organizations that offer courses as well which you can get to by googling. Finally, this site and the Catalina 36 site also feed my addiction very well.
No Off Season
I don't want to write a nyah, nyah, no winter here post. I've always lived in California and can't imagine having my choices limited by nature with a short sailing season and winterizing. I don't think I'd be able to put up with it for more than a few seasons before packing it in. Seems like having all the expenses of year 'round boat ownwership with less time to enjoy. I don't know the dollars and cents of it but would guess it's cheaper to sail where the boat is usable all year long. No hauling, wrapping and re-commisioning. Just leave it in the slip. My slip for a 25' is $2365 for the year in a very nice marina and I can go out any day I'm not responsible for something else.
I don't want to write a nyah, nyah, no winter here post. I've always lived in California and can't imagine having my choices limited by nature with a short sailing season and winterizing. I don't think I'd be able to put up with it for more than a few seasons before packing it in. Seems like having all the expenses of year 'round boat ownwership with less time to enjoy. I don't know the dollars and cents of it but would guess it's cheaper to sail where the boat is usable all year long. No hauling, wrapping and re-commisioning. Just leave it in the slip. My slip for a 25' is $2365 for the year in a very nice marina and I can go out any day I'm not responsible for something else.
Longest Winter
Hello everyone for me this seems like the longest winter ever. My wife and I bought our first big sailboat(Catalina 22) on August 1st after moving up from a 12foot Barnett Butterfly. We did not put it in the water last summer because we were in the process of redoing the whole boat I have been building a new frame and door for opposite the head. I removed every piece of exterior and interior woodwork and refinished those. We went to Strictly Sail Chicago I go down to the boat and turn on the heater and just hangout sometimes just to get my fix. I am waiting patiently for winter to be over.THINK SPRING!!!!
Hello everyone for me this seems like the longest winter ever. My wife and I bought our first big sailboat(Catalina 22) on August 1st after moving up from a 12foot Barnett Butterfly. We did not put it in the water last summer because we were in the process of redoing the whole boat I have been building a new frame and door for opposite the head. I removed every piece of exterior and interior woodwork and refinished those. We went to Strictly Sail Chicago I go down to the boat and turn on the heater and just hangout sometimes just to get my fix. I am waiting patiently for winter to be over.THINK SPRING!!!!
Got Snow?
I enjoy playing in the snow during the winter months. Other than that I surf charter websites and dream. Scott B -- Looks like you could launch without a trailer. Just might take a few months for the lake to thaw. My local ramps look similar.
I enjoy playing in the snow during the winter months. Other than that I surf charter websites and dream. Scott B -- Looks like you could launch without a trailer. Just might take a few months for the lake to thaw. My local ramps look similar.
Lots of snow
scolil, if I could just push ( 12,000 lbs. ??) the boat on the cradle out onto the ice it would self-launch *pop might be a little difficult retrieving the cradle from the bottom. Usually we go skiing, but between my daughter hurting her knees and weekend weather that has just sucked, we haven't been out yet. Sat. would have been perfect but we drove up to the boat instead, hadn't seen the shrink wrap job since it was put on in Nov.
scolil, if I could just push ( 12,000 lbs. ??) the boat on the cradle out onto the ice it would self-launch *pop might be a little difficult retrieving the cradle from the bottom. Usually we go skiing, but between my daughter hurting her knees and weekend weather that has just sucked, we haven't been out yet. Sat. would have been perfect but we drove up to the boat instead, hadn't seen the shrink wrap job since it was put on in Nov.
Too many mountains, too little time!
Jedaro is but a memory until May when the ice leaves. From November to launch. Mountain biking, hiking until the snow arrives for good, then off to SunPeaks BC for 33 days of skiing, then home for a week to skate on the Rideau canal and downhill and XC ski during winterlude. oTmorrow to Utah for more skiing then Sedona for hiking then back to Ottawa to finish up the ski season and guess what-a bit of hiking and biking and waiting impatiently for the ice to go out and then the boat can be launched. Spending the kids' inheritance and loving it while we have the health.
Jedaro is but a memory until May when the ice leaves. From November to launch. Mountain biking, hiking until the snow arrives for good, then off to SunPeaks BC for 33 days of skiing, then home for a week to skate on the Rideau canal and downhill and XC ski during winterlude. oTmorrow to Utah for more skiing then Sedona for hiking then back to Ottawa to finish up the ski season and guess what-a bit of hiking and biking and waiting impatiently for the ice to go out and then the boat can be launched. Spending the kids' inheritance and loving it while we have the health.
Who has time...
for a boat in the winter? Winter gives me the chance to do the suff I should have done in the summer... except I was sailing. Rich
for a boat in the winter? Winter gives me the chance to do the suff I should have done in the summer... except I was sailing. Rich
We can leave our boat in the water all year round..
So I spend most of my time waiting for that periodic day that gets warm enough to sail. There are a few and year before last, we were out the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, it is different. I have been building a list of projects faster than I can complete them. Anyone else have the same problem?...no I guess not. ;-) Most of the projects that I tackle in the winter are those that I can do in the garage at home. That way I can get stuff done on my schedule and not the wait on the weather. This year I am: 1. Building in a portable camping stove on our counter top. Found one just the exact size that can use the space where our old cutting board fits. 2. Cutting down our cabin table and attaching it to the forward bulkhead. In a Catalina 25 (1985) it is the most cumbersome, unweildly and akward system ever devised. Well almost anyway. The new one will swing up on hinges and lock to the bulkhead with 1/2 of the effort. 3. Removed the rudder and I finished sanding today. It will be ready for painting once the weather warms up a little. 4. Removed and have sanded one of the cabin handrails. The second will be sanded this upcoming weekend. 5. I am building in a collapsible bed frame so I can put a qeen sized air mattress in the main cabin. If you have ever tried to sleep in the V berth it is OK if it is just you. However, the Admiral wants something more comfortable that fits two. The qeen sized air mattress in the main cabin will fit the bill. All five of these will be ready in the next couple of weeks. Then the last of the projects that can't be done away from the boat will be done when the weather changes. Guess I can't get too bored.
So I spend most of my time waiting for that periodic day that gets warm enough to sail. There are a few and year before last, we were out the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, it is different. I have been building a list of projects faster than I can complete them. Anyone else have the same problem?...no I guess not. ;-) Most of the projects that I tackle in the winter are those that I can do in the garage at home. That way I can get stuff done on my schedule and not the wait on the weather. This year I am: 1. Building in a portable camping stove on our counter top. Found one just the exact size that can use the space where our old cutting board fits. 2. Cutting down our cabin table and attaching it to the forward bulkhead. In a Catalina 25 (1985) it is the most cumbersome, unweildly and akward system ever devised. Well almost anyway. The new one will swing up on hinges and lock to the bulkhead with 1/2 of the effort. 3. Removed the rudder and I finished sanding today. It will be ready for painting once the weather warms up a little. 4. Removed and have sanded one of the cabin handrails. The second will be sanded this upcoming weekend. 5. I am building in a collapsible bed frame so I can put a qeen sized air mattress in the main cabin. If you have ever tried to sleep in the V berth it is OK if it is just you. However, the Admiral wants something more comfortable that fits two. The qeen sized air mattress in the main cabin will fit the bill. All five of these will be ready in the next couple of weeks. Then the last of the projects that can't be done away from the boat will be done when the weather changes. Guess I can't get too bored.
off season sailing related activities
October: put boat away, and make to do list for winter/spring Nov/Dec: suffer, read books, mags/ review to do list Jan: go south and do some sailing Feb: peruse to do list, and prep/make orders for boat stuff March: prep boat stuff for spring work, organize to do list, get all tools ready etc etc April: Hit the deck running on the first day that the sun shines warm enough to work barehanded for a couple of hours. Snow at the marina is only incidental, and can be worked around! May to September: Its sailing season man! Anything that needs doing goes on the to do list.
October: put boat away, and make to do list for winter/spring Nov/Dec: suffer, read books, mags/ review to do list Jan: go south and do some sailing Feb: peruse to do list, and prep/make orders for boat stuff March: prep boat stuff for spring work, organize to do list, get all tools ready etc etc April: Hit the deck running on the first day that the sun shines warm enough to work barehanded for a couple of hours. Snow at the marina is only incidental, and can be worked around! May to September: Its sailing season man! Anything that needs doing goes on the to do list.
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