Maybe the obvious answer is summer. But there are a lot of places where the summer weather is hot and muggy, with indifferent breezes interrupted by thunderstorms and squalls, and anchorages can be crowded. The transitional weather of fall and spring can bring some terrific sailing winds (sometimes too terrific) and fewer crowds. And some places the winter winds are best of all if the water under your hull isn't hard or if you can get away to somewhere warm for a charter. What time of year do you like to sail best? (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Al Sandrik
Here in Jacksonville/Orange Park...
...I call summer the "Dull-drums"! To hot, light (to no) air, you risk sunstroke and spend more time dodging thunderstorms than enjoying your sail. To boot all decisions on coastal cruising revolve around maintaining shore power for the Air Conditioning unless sleeping in a sauna is your cup of tea. Fall and "Winter" on the other hand are great, give me a brisk 15-20 knot day, clear or cloudy skies and an endless cup of (Irish) coffee and I'm ready to go! So my northern brethern, while you are hauling your boat for the winter, me and the wife will be cruising, as our season is really just starting. ;^)
...I call summer the "Dull-drums"! To hot, light (to no) air, you risk sunstroke and spend more time dodging thunderstorms than enjoying your sail. To boot all decisions on coastal cruising revolve around maintaining shore power for the Air Conditioning unless sleeping in a sauna is your cup of tea. Fall and "Winter" on the other hand are great, give me a brisk 15-20 knot day, clear or cloudy skies and an endless cup of (Irish) coffee and I'm ready to go! So my northern brethern, while you are hauling your boat for the winter, me and the wife will be cruising, as our season is really just starting. ;^)
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Jim Maroldo
Sailing Seasons
Here in the Barnegat Bay, I find autumn the best! Winds can be unpredictable during the Spring. Summer is great for sure, but it also brings out all of the big hot rods which can turn the bay into a veritable roller coaster ride! It all changes after Labor Day weekend. The fall in New Jersey brings some beautiful sailing weather, with fair winds and cool temps, not to mention the fall foliage! We still get quite a few days in October and even November where the afternoon temps can get up to 70 degrees. We bring an extra sweater, get the Latte' on the stove, and we're off!
Here in the Barnegat Bay, I find autumn the best! Winds can be unpredictable during the Spring. Summer is great for sure, but it also brings out all of the big hot rods which can turn the bay into a veritable roller coaster ride! It all changes after Labor Day weekend. The fall in New Jersey brings some beautiful sailing weather, with fair winds and cool temps, not to mention the fall foliage! We still get quite a few days in October and even November where the afternoon temps can get up to 70 degrees. We bring an extra sweater, get the Latte' on the stove, and we're off!
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dave
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Jim
Springs the best!!!!!!!!!!
I just love spring sailing! Not too cool or too hot, plenty of wind!! I love the pray across the bow. Summers here can be hot and hummid and lack much wind.
I just love spring sailing! Not too cool or too hot, plenty of wind!! I love the pray across the bow. Summers here can be hot and hummid and lack much wind.
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Garner Bennett
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Dave
Year Round Sailing on SF Bay
Here on San Francisco Bay, each season has its advantages. But, ALL are GREAT !!! sometimes more fog sometimes less and there are a variety winds to choose from ... You can driftaround South of the Bay Bridge or head out into 'The Slot' for some 15 - 30 kt winds for Big fun or head out The Golden Gate to The Farallones for a day of Ocean fun... the micro-climates make for wonderful choices. AND We havnt missed a New Years Eve on The Bay in 4 Years!!! Year-Round sailing at it's best!!
Here on San Francisco Bay, each season has its advantages. But, ALL are GREAT !!! sometimes more fog sometimes less and there are a variety winds to choose from ... You can driftaround South of the Bay Bridge or head out into 'The Slot' for some 15 - 30 kt winds for Big fun or head out The Golden Gate to The Farallones for a day of Ocean fun... the micro-climates make for wonderful choices. AND We havnt missed a New Years Eve on The Bay in 4 Years!!! Year-Round sailing at it's best!!
Anything except summer...
Summers suck in central Florida. Hot, no wind and the ever-present threat of thunderstorms. The rest of the year is fine, and spring is best for offshore sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Summers suck in central Florida. Hot, no wind and the ever-present threat of thunderstorms. The rest of the year is fine, and spring is best for offshore sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Frank / MD / H260
Favorite Season...
SPRING !!! The wind is good and after being stuck on the land for 4 or 5 months. I gotta get out there....
SPRING !!! The wind is good and after being stuck on the land for 4 or 5 months. I gotta get out there....
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Bryan Morton
Fall
Fall in southern Florida is great. The summer heat is over. The cooler temperatures, predictable 3:00pm rain, cloud cover and winds are perfect. Hurricane season is over and the snowbirds haven't yet started the winter stampede of powerboats and slow moving BMWs.
Fall in southern Florida is great. The summer heat is over. The cooler temperatures, predictable 3:00pm rain, cloud cover and winds are perfect. Hurricane season is over and the snowbirds haven't yet started the winter stampede of powerboats and slow moving BMWs.
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Bob Kotch
Any Time Except Summer
I didn't sail a day in July or August. Those that did endured insufferable heat and often light to no breeze. Fall and Spring is another story and if you can choose your days our Winters are also great..... Excellant weather and very few power boaters. I'll take Winter sailing here over Summer anytime.
I didn't sail a day in July or August. Those that did endured insufferable heat and often light to no breeze. Fall and Spring is another story and if you can choose your days our Winters are also great..... Excellant weather and very few power boaters. I'll take Winter sailing here over Summer anytime.
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R.W.Landau
After a winters layover
Spring is my answer. The excitement of getting the boat in the water, the fresh breezes. Summer is ok but I end up doing a lot of fishing when the wind is absent. Fall is wonderful to sail because of the wind, but the thought of the season being over is ever present. r.w.landau s/v Exhibit "A" 78 O'Day 25
Spring is my answer. The excitement of getting the boat in the water, the fresh breezes. Summer is ok but I end up doing a lot of fishing when the wind is absent. Fall is wonderful to sail because of the wind, but the thought of the season being over is ever present. r.w.landau s/v Exhibit "A" 78 O'Day 25
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Keith A
summer time and the living is easy
I find the summer the best time with wind all the time except maybe in the middle of August for a week or two. In the spring it seems to rain allmost every weekend but after that its great sailing till November when the bay is quieter and all the yahoo's have left, but anytime the boat is still in the water is a great time of year.
I find the summer the best time with wind all the time except maybe in the middle of August for a week or two. In the spring it seems to rain allmost every weekend but after that its great sailing till November when the bay is quieter and all the yahoo's have left, but anytime the boat is still in the water is a great time of year.
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joyce
def fall
so far (we have only had our boat since June), the Fall is best.. most of all the motorboats are out of the water, the bay is beautiful and the weather invigorating...
so far (we have only had our boat since June), the Fall is best.. most of all the motorboats are out of the water, the bay is beautiful and the weather invigorating...
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Paul Lange
Early Fall and late spring best in Texas
Dallas Ft Worth Texas is known for the triple digit heat of Summer, but the best sails are September through November and March to May. Christams week for some reason is also a great time on the water. Otherwise summer nights are my wifes favorite sail
Dallas Ft Worth Texas is known for the triple digit heat of Summer, but the best sails are September through November and March to May. Christams week for some reason is also a great time on the water. Otherwise summer nights are my wifes favorite sail
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Joe Hanna
Fall is King
Without question, Fall is THE season. With 100 degrees and little wind throughout most of the summer, Fall offers great wind, mild days, cool nights. The Fall is followed by a few "winter bonus" days that makes up for all the endless dollars we spend on this incredible experience.
Without question, Fall is THE season. With 100 degrees and little wind throughout most of the summer, Fall offers great wind, mild days, cool nights. The Fall is followed by a few "winter bonus" days that makes up for all the endless dollars we spend on this incredible experience.
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M. Miller
Fall is best!!!
Fall is my favorite time to sail on the Lake o' the Pines here in East Texas because the leaves are turning and the wind has freshened since the dog days of summer with no breeze at all. The best thing about Fall sailing is the stupid jet-skis are gone for the season and you can almost have the lake to yourself on a weekday. If you are lucky, you can spot an eagle on the lake.
Fall is my favorite time to sail on the Lake o' the Pines here in East Texas because the leaves are turning and the wind has freshened since the dog days of summer with no breeze at all. The best thing about Fall sailing is the stupid jet-skis are gone for the season and you can almost have the lake to yourself on a weekday. If you are lucky, you can spot an eagle on the lake.
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John Allison
Any day on the boat is better than...
What is it they say ..... any day on my boat beats any day anywhere else. How true but if I had to select anyone particualr period, generally September is one of the better months. Spring is typically wet and breezy. Early summer can be good, generally August sucks, and October can be quite treacherous. But this year was weird. We had good wind and fairly dry weather right through July. August was dry with flat air. September, for the most part, was great. October can be quite good but for almost a week straight this October we had continuous gayle force winds with one day of continuous storm force winds. Typical October winds are 10 to 20 knots and gusty. But, like I said, my favorite time is anytime I am on the boat.
What is it they say ..... any day on my boat beats any day anywhere else. How true but if I had to select anyone particualr period, generally September is one of the better months. Spring is typically wet and breezy. Early summer can be good, generally August sucks, and October can be quite treacherous. But this year was weird. We had good wind and fairly dry weather right through July. August was dry with flat air. September, for the most part, was great. October can be quite good but for almost a week straight this October we had continuous gayle force winds with one day of continuous storm force winds. Typical October winds are 10 to 20 knots and gusty. But, like I said, my favorite time is anytime I am on the boat.
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Tony Crimi
Fall is Best
Here on Lake superior, the season starts in May with frigid, ice box winds from the N.E. Then comes June- the month of bugs. July brings variable winds and thunderstorms, not to mention that the bugs are still in full force. August is powerboater month- not much wind. Then comes the time we all wait for- SEPTEMBER. September is great. The wind returns, the bugs are gone, and the lake starts buffering the temperature on the warm side. If we could have six months like Sept. we'd ask for nothing more (except maybe for twelve months like sept).
Here on Lake superior, the season starts in May with frigid, ice box winds from the N.E. Then comes June- the month of bugs. July brings variable winds and thunderstorms, not to mention that the bugs are still in full force. August is powerboater month- not much wind. Then comes the time we all wait for- SEPTEMBER. September is great. The wind returns, the bugs are gone, and the lake starts buffering the temperature on the warm side. If we could have six months like Sept. we'd ask for nothing more (except maybe for twelve months like sept).
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Rae Smith
Mahone Bay , Nova Scotia
Well any day I can Sail on "Next Friday" my Beneteau First 285 I"m happy, Summers are great here on Mahone Bay with 365 Islands to visit , and the weather is between 60 - 75 degrees most days and fair winds. I had my boat hauled on the 19th and just fininshed covering her up for the winter. I visit her usually one a week during the winter, It's about 45miles from home or 5 miles from my cottage on the Ocean. My son in Vancouver can sail all year around on his boat. So I'll just sit back and wait till April to get on the water again. Rae p.s. visit my website
Well any day I can Sail on "Next Friday" my Beneteau First 285 I"m happy, Summers are great here on Mahone Bay with 365 Islands to visit , and the weather is between 60 - 75 degrees most days and fair winds. I had my boat hauled on the 19th and just fininshed covering her up for the winter. I visit her usually one a week during the winter, It's about 45miles from home or 5 miles from my cottage on the Ocean. My son in Vancouver can sail all year around on his boat. So I'll just sit back and wait till April to get on the water again. Rae p.s. visit my website
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