Night sailing during the winter

[RECESS]

We have Thursday as our weekday sailing day. I had to stick around for a PTO meeting so for the first time in 4 months we missed a Thursday sail. So we stayed out last night for a nice long slow sail, barely any wind. It was chilly to say the least.

I was stationed at Fairchild AFB near Spokane WA. and learned that you can enjoy anything outdoors in the winter if you are properly clothed. A couple months ago I went online and got some ski bibs for all of us. Since it has been cooling off we have been wearing them to sail at night. My wife said last night that it seems like this winter will go a lot faster because we are spending so much time in the evenings and night doing things. We usually sail Thursday and Friday night, and Sunday.

If you are Middle to Southern states, a good pair of ski bibs is a really nice addition to equipment for the boat.

If you are Northern sailors..... I feel for you.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I went through winter survival training at Ellsworth AFB, SD, many years ago and learned a lot from it. And I agree that being properly clothed really helps -- but only up to a point. For example, I sailed on the Chesapeake a few days ago wearing multiple layers of cold weather gear. The wind-chills that day were in the low-40s. After about 2 hours of sitting in an open cockpit with winds of 17-22kts in my face, the cold begins to seep in no matter what you are wearing. Back to the barn I went and took a snort of my Capt Morgan and all was right with the world.... The only answer to this problem is spring....

 

[dscribner]

Recess,

I'm wrapping her for the long cold sleep right now. It's 60 degrees and I had planned on going out but the wind forecast dropped from 6-8 knots to less than 5. So, it's a beautiful day and warm. A nice day to erect the frame, pull the sails and bungee the cover.

But, the bright side is there are a couple of trails open at Sunday River in Bethel, ME. Another month of cold nights an half the mountains will be open. I sail slow and ski fast.

 

[druid]

I've sailed in snow, galewinds when it's -5 (C), etc. Mustang and/or Helly Hanson is Your Friend, as is Hot Chocolate (or Hot Rum!) and a means to at least boil water while underway. Add a good dodger and heater down below and you're stylin'!

druid

 

[RECESS]

I see really making good use of our Stanley thermos for soup and stew also.

I love to ski also, we are headed up to Maggie Valley for a week during the Christmas/New Years break. Will celebrate New Years eve on the slopes.

 

[dmc]

I have tried.............

Leather gloves, cotton, wool, thinsulate, ski gloves, mittens and other paraphinalia. Best so far, leather with a wool liner. How do you keep your hands warm?

Peace

dmc

 

[RECESS]

I have ski gloves. I also use a scarf and a beanie for neck and head. I stay really toasty. My face gets a little stiff but I spent three winters skiing everyday in Spokane, so that does not bother me.

 

[RichB]

Don't count out us southern sailors for some winter stories.

I'll always remember a "Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society" (new years I think) race from Ft. Myers to Naples.
Brisk NW wind at a chilly 40 degrees. We were pushing the limits of the spinnaker in a steep chop. The 38' Dufore Arpege broached and I took a bath while clutching the bow pulpit. Cold and soaking wet, we recovered quickly. Within 2 minutes it became apparent that I had scooped up some jellyfish tentacles. They washed down between the long johns and my torso. Need I describe the remaining 1/2hour followed by an interminably long run north from the inlet to Naples Yacht Club. I like to include my shortie wet suit over tee shirt to ward off the cold. Bib overalls would be a great outer layer even in South Florida.

 

[Paul356]

In Wisconsin we say there are no cold days, only inadequate clothing.

 

[bffatcat]

Its too cold for me

They have a frostbiting fleet in Marblehead harbor and race every Saturday all winter I did some years ago. But its just too cold for me now. When I frostbited they used Oday interclub dinghys. and they had a standby boat to pull you out if you dumped . Today they use 23 ft sonars. you cant dump em but its still to cold for me. I used to go out singlehanding on Thanksgiving but not any more gettin old

 

[shemandr]

I've always wanted to sail in the snow. What a great way to visualize the air flow over the sails.
We used to have a great New Year's Day sail. Alas, it has gone by the wayside. A victim of insurance regulations and boatyard rules.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Power take off meeting?

 

[Ray Bowles]

Recess, I still live just north of Spokane in Colville. We like to sail during the winter but I find it easier to wait untill there is a foot of snow. That means its been cold for awhile.
Then when you get one of those sunny days it'll seem warm enough to sail. All's great while sitting in the cockpit, tiller in hand, and you experence a "puff". It freezes parts that I'd forgotten I had. "Damn, were having fun now".
The above is why I've never missed a Super Bowl and can tell you the score of most basketball games until about March 1st.
All kidding aside, a winter sail is a truly special time on the water.
Ray

 

[Bill Roosa]

Army strong

Well as a current member of the knights of the five sided castle I can say from experience that gore-tex pants and coat and thermal underwear is the only way to go. I find the jungle camo pattern attractive as greens and browns are "my colors" and they don't make my skin look blotchy. They also come in chocolet chip, desert tricolor, pure white and that uggly new digital greenish gray.
My micky mouse (good to -50 F) boots actually leave my feet sweating if it stays above 0 F
And of course, the time honored wool watch cap for your head

Course if it gets cold you can always throw your parka on over your gore-tex and double down on the rum (after you anchor)

The Army also has some nifty belts and load bearing equipment that has lots of custome pocket thingys that doubles as a safety harnes in a pinch. For some reason I'm the only one on deck when it gets to blowin and the temp drops below 40ish. Don't want to go overboard when you are on deck alone.

All the above and lots more are avalable at your local Ranger Joe's or Trader John's. I think they have web sites also.

 

[RECESS]

Recess, I still live just north of Spokane in Colville. We like to sail during the winter but I find it easier to wait until there is a foot of snow.

I used to go up and take care of the generators at Winter Survival camp in Cusick Wa. I have been to Colville a lot of times. Kettle Falls is awesome.... I just would not want to have to travel those roads in winter. We had a day in the spring were we took a logging road from Cusick to try and go to Colville. About twenty minutes into the adventure the road turned into a glorified goat trail with sheer drop offs. That was the last time I went looking for new back roads in that area. You live in a beautiful area of Washington. Hopefully it does not get "discovered" like Sandpoint Idaho did.

 

[catsailor]

In Wisconsin we say there are no cold days, only inadequate clothing.

Exactly. I sail all year and go ice climbing all winter, often in sub-zero temperatures with a mountain of wind. I don't even get cold nose, unless I want to.

A few thoughts that have been skipped in the thread:
* Ski googles. As soon as the temp hits ~ 45F, replace the sunglasses with good googles. They do more to keep your face warm than you would think.
* Fleece socks. There is no substitute.
* Glove warmers. They last 8 hours in a wind-proof glove and give warmth without the bulk of thicker gloves. The glove does need to be wind-proof and thick enough to hold the heat.
* Powerstretch balacava. The most warmth per pound available. Wear a watch cap over this. For ice climbing in truely cold (-10F plus wind or less) I go to a windblocker fleece full face mask, but It doesn't get that cold on the water.
* No weak points. When it gets truely clod, it is less about the amount of insulation than that there are no air leaks or weak points; even coverage everywhere.

And stay in when it's rough. Getting cold and wet is a drag and no amount of gear makes icey spray in the face really fun. And get a dodger.

A few more thoughts.
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-sailing.html