Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I live in Northern Vermont where there are many small lakes many of which are partially or entirely surrounded by mountains. I have a sunfish and an O'day daysailer 2 and enjoy getting out whenever possible. I grew up sailing mostly on the Barnagate Bay in NJ on various boats (Sunfish, Hobie, Catalina 22 & 25, S2-25)and although it's been quite a few years, I don't remember it being like this. The winds seems to shift dramatically and frequently. Right about the time you get a good clip going the wind takes an about face. It can come from any direction at any time at the blink of an eye. It's pretty crazy at times, especially while hiking on the fish and the wind suddenly comes at you from the other direction. I guess the mountains are the source of the problem I have experienced. Anyway, I keeps things interesting. Happy sails to you.
Mountain lakes and crazy winds
- Thread starter lostsailer
- Start date
- Status
Mountains can do that
LostSailor, I have the same problem! For relief I try to charter in the Caribbean at least once a year, usually right after income tax day. It provides great stress relief and gets me out of a piece of mud season. Except for the occasional shift in the lee of certain islands, especially Guadaloupe, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, the wind is almost always 10-20 knots at 90-120 degrees, and often stays that way 24 hours per day for weeks on end. As soon as my son graduates high school (2007) I hope to reverse my life with 50 weeks in the Caribbean and 2 in Vermont.
LostSailor, I have the same problem! For relief I try to charter in the Caribbean at least once a year, usually right after income tax day. It provides great stress relief and gets me out of a piece of mud season. Except for the occasional shift in the lee of certain islands, especially Guadaloupe, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, the wind is almost always 10-20 knots at 90-120 degrees, and often stays that way 24 hours per day for weeks on end. As soon as my son graduates high school (2007) I hope to reverse my life with 50 weeks in the Caribbean and 2 in Vermont.
same in NH
The same thing happens on Lake Winnipesaukeee. The good news is that they say lake sailors make better sailors than those experiencing the long steady tacks on the ocean. Someday i will take a weather course and learn more
jmp
The same thing happens on Lake Winnipesaukeee. The good news is that they say lake sailors make better sailors than those experiencing the long steady tacks on the ocean. Someday i will take a weather course and learn more
jmpLake Sailor
For the last 25 years I have sailed a Phantom (similar to a Sunfish, but better!) on Lake George in New York's Adirondack mountains. The wind changes can drive you crazy, but it keeps you alert,and it can be lots of fun. Sailing a small boat like a Phantom or a Sunfis right up on its edge is exhilarating! This year we go up with a MacGregar 26M. We are looking forward to some nice sailing.;D
For the last 25 years I have sailed a Phantom (similar to a Sunfish, but better!) on Lake George in New York's Adirondack mountains. The wind changes can drive you crazy, but it keeps you alert,and it can be lots of fun. Sailing a small boat like a Phantom or a Sunfis right up on its edge is exhilarating! This year we go up with a MacGregar 26M. We are looking forward to some nice sailing.;D
Lake sailing tactics
A couple of weekends ago we were sailing while LHYC had one of their numerous events going on. Their course was set for the wind coming right down the northwest slot. We were heading south on a broad reach, keeping to the west side to stay out of their way while the fleet of scows rounded the windward mark and set spinnakers for a downwind leg. As they headed easterly to take advantage of the favored wind on that side of the lake, the wind suddenly died and then came through the southwest slot. All the chutes were doused and they finished their run on a beat! I've heard that visiting sailors from the shore areas curse Lake Hopatcong winds while the locals sometimes clean-up because of the home field knowledge!
A couple of weekends ago we were sailing while LHYC had one of their numerous events going on. Their course was set for the wind coming right down the northwest slot. We were heading south on a broad reach, keeping to the west side to stay out of their way while the fleet of scows rounded the windward mark and set spinnakers for a downwind leg. As they headed easterly to take advantage of the favored wind on that side of the lake, the wind suddenly died and then came through the southwest slot. All the chutes were doused and they finished their run on a beat! I've heard that visiting sailors from the shore areas curse Lake Hopatcong winds while the locals sometimes clean-up because of the home field knowledge!
Sunny Side winds
Unless something big is going on weather wise you will usually find that the sunny side of the mountain is generating some wind and that changes during the day. It is real noticeable in a light plane as there is usually a strong updraft coming from the sunny side and a downdraft on the shady side. If there is a front going through the air tends to be turbulant around mountains. Winds tend to be particularly difficult to predict where a side valley comes into the main lake basin. We have been turned turtle several times at the mouth of one particular side valley. You just have to learn what to expect!!! Our mountain liked to store up a lot of wind energy and dump it as a big gust. That makes for very frustrating sailing as you are a sitting duck for the gusts. I remember seeing them coming over the water but being unable to do anything because we weren't moving. Tom
Unless something big is going on weather wise you will usually find that the sunny side of the mountain is generating some wind and that changes during the day. It is real noticeable in a light plane as there is usually a strong updraft coming from the sunny side and a downdraft on the shady side. If there is a front going through the air tends to be turbulant around mountains. Winds tend to be particularly difficult to predict where a side valley comes into the main lake basin. We have been turned turtle several times at the mouth of one particular side valley. You just have to learn what to expect!!! Our mountain liked to store up a lot of wind energy and dump it as a big gust. That makes for very frustrating sailing as you are a sitting duck for the gusts. I remember seeing them coming over the water but being unable to do anything because we weren't moving. Tom
welcome to the mountains
I sail on lakes in Colorado and they can and do keep you on your toes. one minute your tacking on a comfortable 10 knot breeze, the next minute your boom is in the water on a 55 degree heel. I have seen the wind gust to over 30 knots and travel 360 degrees in a less than a minute. Different lakes have different personalities. Watch for side canyons and other topography that effects winds. You can also usually see the wind gusts coming on the surface of the water. Like others have said, learn to sail on a mountain lake, and anywhere else is a piece of cake.
I sail on lakes in Colorado and they can and do keep you on your toes. one minute your tacking on a comfortable 10 knot breeze, the next minute your boom is in the water on a 55 degree heel. I have seen the wind gust to over 30 knots and travel 360 degrees in a less than a minute. Different lakes have different personalities. Watch for side canyons and other topography that effects winds. You can also usually see the wind gusts coming on the surface of the water. Like others have said, learn to sail on a mountain lake, and anywhere else is a piece of cake.
Glad I'm not alone
Good to know I'm not the only one who experienced this. Thought it had been so long that I was forgetting what it was like to sail. Or perhaps going crazy. So Steve, Where are you in Vermont? What do you sail? Sailing the Carribean sounds like a wonderful way to beat the mud season blues. I was in St. John this past Feb. for a short vaca. Managed to get out on a sunfish for a couple hours but not nearly enough time. Hoping to Get up to Lake Memphramegog this weekend. Happy sails to you. Larry kayakaya1@yahoo.com
Good to know I'm not the only one who experienced this. Thought it had been so long that I was forgetting what it was like to sail. Or perhaps going crazy. So Steve, Where are you in Vermont? What do you sail? Sailing the Carribean sounds like a wonderful way to beat the mud season blues. I was in St. John this past Feb. for a short vaca. Managed to get out on a sunfish for a couple hours but not nearly enough time. Hoping to Get up to Lake Memphramegog this weekend. Happy sails to you. Larry kayakaya1@yahoo.com
Shifty Winds
Lake breezes are usually pretty fickle at best. I do most of my sailing on lakes here in NJ, and one of the two main sailing spots for me has been nicknamed the 'graveyard', since the conditions can go from pleasantly mild to deadly in a heartbeat. On larger lakes (lake George NY, for example) I found the wind to be much steadier and predictable-although often very strong with a heavy current chop thrown in.
Lake breezes are usually pretty fickle at best. I do most of my sailing on lakes here in NJ, and one of the two main sailing spots for me has been nicknamed the 'graveyard', since the conditions can go from pleasantly mild to deadly in a heartbeat. On larger lakes (lake George NY, for example) I found the wind to be much steadier and predictable-although often very strong with a heavy current chop thrown in.
- Status