What is your start window for cruising?

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Jimm

Jimm

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Jan 22, 2008
372
Hunter 33.5 Bodkin Creek - Bodkin YC
Brought Valinor across the Bay to Annapolis in March when I bought her several years ago. Am ready to sail now, as soon as schedule allows. I'm in the water year around, so it's only a question of when to trust that there won't be any sustained sub-freezing temps before de-winterizing the engine. Limited access to pump out and fresh water facilities is an issue until April. I added a propane catalytic heater to the inventory this Spring....expect to plumb a connection to the tank that supplies the stove. (CO2 detector - yes!)
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Our season is 1 March to Nov 30
We do not have a heater though the First Mate does provide some aux heat in the evenings. We do have an enclosed cockpit and I highly recommend it for the Frostbite series.
There are lots of nice days between 1 March and 1 May that could be taken advantage of BTW
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,947
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I am leaving March 15 and trailering my boat to a small marina in North Carolina, I'm then sailing across the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke Island for a 3.5 day weekend cruise. It will be my first of the season and one of the earliest starts for me.
 
J

John

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Jun 3, 2006
803
Catalina 36mkII Alameda CA
heater

Bad Obsession said:
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I do not have a heater aboard so this plays on my start window. I imagine that if I did have a heater then I would start a little earlier, but I also reflect that the winds tend to be higher in March and April and cold fronts an punish you during these times.

When do you start cruising? How do you stay warm in the cooler temps? What do you look for to throw those dock lines off?
Click to expand
A sailing buddy of mine showed me a trick: If you have a stove on your boat, take a clay flower pot, "cure" it by soaking it in water for several days and then let it dry. Turn on one of the stove burners and put the flower pot over the burner (upside down). It will radiate out the heat. Doesn't fully warm the cabin in sub-freezing temperature, but it does take the chill out of the air.
 
Kootenay pirate..

Kootenay pirate..

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Dec 29, 2011
43
Catalina 27 Kootenay Lake
Clay pot idea sounds interest ing..
Here in British Columbia if i can sail in 50+degrees its spring...can get a few sails in late April and May..
June rains 21+ days then..sumner3 months of perfect sailing. ...
 
Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
Is that the flying nun, the flying Dutchman, or Jim in that picture?

No problems, just wondering what standard everyone else uses. I think that it will be an early year this year. I may break out the 100 for the early season sails to make reefing start a little later too!
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Hoping to be in by April 15th or earlier. Will probably be closer to May..:doh:

Problem is I've got a few projects to finish like installing a forced air central heating system on-board and a complete re-vamp of our sanitation system, though the plumbing should be 80% done this weekend. Holding tank is going back in today...

We came out in late November...

We can get a solid six month season out of Maine...
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,969
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
John said:
A sailing buddy of mine showed me a trick: If you have a stove on your boat, take a clay flower pot, "cure" it by soaking it in water for several days and then let it dry. Turn on one of the stove burners and put the flower pot over the burner (upside down). It will radiate out the heat. Doesn't fully warm the cabin in sub-freezing temperature, but it does take the chill out of the air.
Click to expand
I think this is basically self delusion (sorry). It aslo pumps a lot of moisture into the cabin and depletes oxygen. Buttoned up tight, CO becomes an issue. I've always figgured that cooking dinner was about all the open flame time most cabins could well tolerate.

I think it is self evident that the clay pot does not contribute any BTUs.

Try it at home, in the kitchen, before you give this suggestion any weight. I did and was quite unimpressed. There is no magic or "trick" to it.
 
kenn

kenn

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Apr 18, 2009
1,271
CL Sandpiper 565 Toronto
thinwater said:
I think this is basically self delusion (sorry). It aslo pumps a lot of moisture into the cabin and depletes oxygen. Buttoned up tight, CO becomes an issue. I've always figgured that cooking dinner was about all the open flame time most cabins could well tolerate.

I think it is self evident that the clay pot does not contribute any BTUs.
Click to expand
I don't have first-hand experience, just extrapolating from other knowledge.

First, any combustion in a closed space is a concern, so all the standard caveats apply, i would hope.

There can be considerable difference in the perception of a given amount of 'heat' if it's radiated from an object as opposed to simply heating the surrounding air, so I can sort of see how the flowerpot idea might work as a radiator. I would prefer something more robust, like an iron pot or sheet as the radiator.

Season start - officially, launch is end of April, haul-out is end of October. I've usually missed April due to weather or boat projects, but this year I'm trying for an early start.
 
ggrizzard

ggrizzard

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Yes Jimm, I do have a fire, smoke and CO detector.
I also crack the overhead hatch and one portlight with a small fan going for ventilation.
 
NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,184
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
We start our cruising / overnights mid to late April. When the temp gets chilly at night well I have the admiral to help keep me warm!
 
Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Can't stand it, we are heading out for an overnighter March 14th..... WAAAAHHHOOOOO
Catch me if you can, Matt
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
8,011
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Sailed last night Bliss But then we've been sailing on nice days all winter OPB's Wed PM racing starts the day after tomorrow Not too any boats yet but there will be some My boat will be several months before splash but in normal years we'll get going by April
 
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