62% of responding Hunter owners commonly sail in temperatures below 50 degrees. On the water, and in the wind, it sure would feel colder. Do you have any special gear or clothing you wear to make the experience more comfortable? And how low do you go (in degrees)? Where do you draw the line and stay indooors?
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Dodger is a MUST!
A dodger makes all the difference. Of course wind pants,and windbreakers help also.
A dodger makes all the difference. Of course wind pants,and windbreakers help also.
Chilling Out
One thing about cool weather sailing is that the beer stays cold longer. A plus to say the least. Have been both day and night sailing in temperatures less than 50F and day in less than 40F: even sailed in a snow squall (that was an experience). I have no dodger (still on the wish list) and stay in the companionway as much as possible for some shield from the wind. As long as the sun is shinning, cool weather sailing is a lot of fun. In the fall (particularly) the winds are too great and the days too crisp, clear and beautiful to miss. Evening sailing is a must for the sunsets at this time of year are beyond comparison. Spring is not much different (or is it just that I can't wait to get sailing). Whatever!!! Dodger or not ..... spring or fall, I will be out there on those crisp clear days. For me the answer is layered clothing ..... for a number of reasons including warmth and the ability to peel off each layer as the temperature rises. Military long johns, followed by a warm pair of jeans, a high neck fleece pullover, a heavy fleece vest and a good set of foul weather gear (bib pants and jacket) seem to do the trick. A wool ski cap that pulls down over the face just leaving the eyes exposed plus a pair of ski gloves (grips the sheets or halyards almost as well as a good pair of sailing gloves) rounds out the apparel. I have friends that add a pair of ski goggles to that for eye protection but I wear glasses and that seems to work for me. Seems like a lot but for the benefits of cool weather sailing reaped it is well worth it. One word of caution, don't let those "head" calls become an emergency or they may, more than likely, become a disaster.
One thing about cool weather sailing is that the beer stays cold longer. A plus to say the least. Have been both day and night sailing in temperatures less than 50F and day in less than 40F: even sailed in a snow squall (that was an experience). I have no dodger (still on the wish list) and stay in the companionway as much as possible for some shield from the wind. As long as the sun is shinning, cool weather sailing is a lot of fun. In the fall (particularly) the winds are too great and the days too crisp, clear and beautiful to miss. Evening sailing is a must for the sunsets at this time of year are beyond comparison. Spring is not much different (or is it just that I can't wait to get sailing). Whatever!!! Dodger or not ..... spring or fall, I will be out there on those crisp clear days. For me the answer is layered clothing ..... for a number of reasons including warmth and the ability to peel off each layer as the temperature rises. Military long johns, followed by a warm pair of jeans, a high neck fleece pullover, a heavy fleece vest and a good set of foul weather gear (bib pants and jacket) seem to do the trick. A wool ski cap that pulls down over the face just leaving the eyes exposed plus a pair of ski gloves (grips the sheets or halyards almost as well as a good pair of sailing gloves) rounds out the apparel. I have friends that add a pair of ski goggles to that for eye protection but I wear glasses and that seems to work for me. Seems like a lot but for the benefits of cool weather sailing reaped it is well worth it. One word of caution, don't let those "head" calls become an emergency or they may, more than likely, become a disaster.
cold weather sailing
We have sailed in tempretures below 50 on numerous occasions. One Christmas holiday we had to chip the ice off the shouds, heat the lock to get into the boat. Once in we found that the battery had died in the cold. So we raised sails anyway and had a great sail. Of course, warm clothing is a must. In recent years I find that Pantagonia (sp?) works great--particularly their socks. I haven't yet found the perfect gloves for cold weather. But I have a Helly-Hanson with a lined hood that works great on the outside. Yes, we have a dodger but that is almost a necessity here in the Pacific Northwest (Puget Sound/San Juan Islands). For years we did not have a heater or furnace--I now have a new H380 with desiel furnace and I am looking forward to the holiday sails. But for the person that says the beer stays colder, you're a better man that me, that is for sure. I want my hot coffee with a bit of brandy in it thank you! Happy sailing in the cold and happy holidays to all. Les
We have sailed in tempretures below 50 on numerous occasions. One Christmas holiday we had to chip the ice off the shouds, heat the lock to get into the boat. Once in we found that the battery had died in the cold. So we raised sails anyway and had a great sail. Of course, warm clothing is a must. In recent years I find that Pantagonia (sp?) works great--particularly their socks. I haven't yet found the perfect gloves for cold weather. But I have a Helly-Hanson with a lined hood that works great on the outside. Yes, we have a dodger but that is almost a necessity here in the Pacific Northwest (Puget Sound/San Juan Islands). For years we did not have a heater or furnace--I now have a new H380 with desiel furnace and I am looking forward to the holiday sails. But for the person that says the beer stays colder, you're a better man that me, that is for sure. I want my hot coffee with a bit of brandy in it thank you! Happy sailing in the cold and happy holidays to all. Les
the list
1. patagonia expedition-weight capalene underwear 2. polyester "fleece" overwear 3. neoprene sailing gloves 4. the most expensive foulies money can buy 5. polyester "fleece" hat, the more ridiculous looking the better 6. a thermos of hot minestroni soup 7. watchmates with iron stomachs 8. a well-constructed dodger 9. a Webasto diesel heater 10. fair winds this from someone who's scheduled to set sail at 0700 tommorow for Mexico. temperature at 0700 this morning in San Francisco was 35 degrees F. drizzle is forecast tomorrow AM, with partial afternoon clearing. yikes. hope to be wearing shorts by the time we hit Santa Barbara... happy thanksgiving to all.
1. patagonia expedition-weight capalene underwear 2. polyester "fleece" overwear 3. neoprene sailing gloves 4. the most expensive foulies money can buy 5. polyester "fleece" hat, the more ridiculous looking the better 6. a thermos of hot minestroni soup 7. watchmates with iron stomachs 8. a well-constructed dodger 9. a Webasto diesel heater 10. fair winds this from someone who's scheduled to set sail at 0700 tommorow for Mexico. temperature at 0700 this morning in San Francisco was 35 degrees F. drizzle is forecast tomorrow AM, with partial afternoon clearing. yikes. hope to be wearing shorts by the time we hit Santa Barbara... happy thanksgiving to all.
'Til It Freezes
As mentioned by others, good (or rather great) foul weather gear, layered clothing, a place to go to warm up if you can. Ski gloves and goggles, etc. As to how low in degrees? When the main will not luff due to ice, or any of the running rigging requires removal of ice to operate, we usually hit the pub at the marina instead. Otherwise, (almost) all weather if fair sailing. Jay
As mentioned by others, good (or rather great) foul weather gear, layered clothing, a place to go to warm up if you can. Ski gloves and goggles, etc. As to how low in degrees? When the main will not luff due to ice, or any of the running rigging requires removal of ice to operate, we usually hit the pub at the marina instead. Otherwise, (almost) all weather if fair sailing. Jay
No Foullies
Last year I sailed year round. Mind you its Alabama so the FREEZING cold is really still further up north. I didn't have any foul weather gear, but I just my ski clothes. I have these great powder pants, and just thru on my jacket that I wear for snow-boarding, and I was toasty. A good hat is indespensible. I wish I could this year but I am in the middle of retrofittng. Cheers T
Last year I sailed year round. Mind you its Alabama so the FREEZING cold is really still further up north. I didn't have any foul weather gear, but I just my ski clothes. I have these great powder pants, and just thru on my jacket that I wear for snow-boarding, and I was toasty. A good hat is indespensible. I wish I could this year but I am in the middle of retrofittng. Cheers T
Snow Sailing
Back when I lived in Texas and had a boat on Lake Texoma, I shoveled the snow out of the cockpit and off the deck and went sailing. And guess what; mine was the only boat on the lake that day (a beautiful, bright sunny but crisp day in the 30's).
Back when I lived in Texas and had a boat on Lake Texoma, I shoveled the snow out of the cockpit and off the deck and went sailing. And guess what; mine was the only boat on the lake that day (a beautiful, bright sunny but crisp day in the 30's).
Don't have to sail in cool weather....
Here in the Florida Keys, it rarely drops below 70 degrees. Sorry to all you folks who live where it gets too cold to go sailing... ;o) --Jon Bastien P.S. - Went sailing last Saturday, and had friends aboard who took pictures... If you're interested, the pics are posted at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/5616/sailing.html
Here in the Florida Keys, it rarely drops below 70 degrees. Sorry to all you folks who live where it gets too cold to go sailing... ;o) --Jon Bastien P.S. - Went sailing last Saturday, and had friends aboard who took pictures... If you're interested, the pics are posted at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/5616/sailing.html
bundle up
I sail mostly in the late fall here in the San Francisco bay the wind are not as steddy as the are in the summer months but ther a lot lighter under 20 knts on the average where in the summer run 35 knts. And I don't half to fight for control so its a little cool.
I sail mostly in the late fall here in the San Francisco bay the wind are not as steddy as the are in the summer months but ther a lot lighter under 20 knts on the average where in the summer run 35 knts. And I don't half to fight for control so its a little cool.
Frostbiting
Cold weathe sailing is great-no power boats to disturb the water. Our secret is to layer your clothing and take lots of hot (non alchol) beverages. We have sailed with snow coming down on us and been very comfortable. A dodger is also an absolute necessity.
Cold weathe sailing is great-no power boats to disturb the water. Our secret is to layer your clothing and take lots of hot (non alchol) beverages. We have sailed with snow coming down on us and been very comfortable. A dodger is also an absolute necessity.
Physiologicaly...
The hot, the cold, and the alcohol work against you. What goes in your stomach goes next to the blood, the heart, and then circulates. The brain, getting much of the circulation, gets warmed or cooled before the rest of the body. The thermostat is in the brain so it then tells the rest of the body you are warm or cool before the body is warm or cool. Thus the body starts loosing heat (if it thinks it is warm) or gaining heat (if it thinks it is cool) before it really is warm or cool. i.e. you over heat or over cool by consuming cool or warm liquids. But does it make a difference? Probably only when guzzling lots of ice water. Sips of hot stuff are not likely to have a significant temperature difference by the time they reach the brain. Alcohol, OTOH, does make a significant difference and can increase your risk of hypothermia and dehydration. It dilates the blood vessels of the skin and thus makes your body a radiator. This feels good (because it warms the skin) but take heat away from the vital organs. (like your brain) In hot weather it dilates the peripheral vessels and increases sweating. It also is a diuretic. Both of these things increases dehydration. But gees, if a sailor were to follow all that technical stuff, how can we have fun? Well, have fun, but when temps or exposure times are extreme remember the above. It can make a difference. Geoff
The hot, the cold, and the alcohol work against you. What goes in your stomach goes next to the blood, the heart, and then circulates. The brain, getting much of the circulation, gets warmed or cooled before the rest of the body. The thermostat is in the brain so it then tells the rest of the body you are warm or cool before the body is warm or cool. Thus the body starts loosing heat (if it thinks it is warm) or gaining heat (if it thinks it is cool) before it really is warm or cool. i.e. you over heat or over cool by consuming cool or warm liquids. But does it make a difference? Probably only when guzzling lots of ice water. Sips of hot stuff are not likely to have a significant temperature difference by the time they reach the brain. Alcohol, OTOH, does make a significant difference and can increase your risk of hypothermia and dehydration. It dilates the blood vessels of the skin and thus makes your body a radiator. This feels good (because it warms the skin) but take heat away from the vital organs. (like your brain) In hot weather it dilates the peripheral vessels and increases sweating. It also is a diuretic. Both of these things increases dehydration. But gees, if a sailor were to follow all that technical stuff, how can we have fun? Well, have fun, but when temps or exposure times are extreme remember the above. It can make a difference. Geoff
Fishing gloves
I made one "find" I will pass along. When sailing in cold weather, I use gloves designed for Winter fishing. They are made from material that looks like "dry suit" material and have rubberized palms. Water rolls right off them and they are warm. The rubberized grips are good for sheets. Mine have velcro on the cuffs. Less than $15.00 at a local sporting goods store. Ned Christensen Second Wind
I made one "find" I will pass along. When sailing in cold weather, I use gloves designed for Winter fishing. They are made from material that looks like "dry suit" material and have rubberized palms. Water rolls right off them and they are warm. The rubberized grips are good for sheets. Mine have velcro on the cuffs. Less than $15.00 at a local sporting goods store. Ned Christensen Second Wind
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