What's your favorite sailing season?

[Michael McCann]

Rae Smith / Fall

Rae, "Nice" web site!I like fall sailing, more wind, less crowds. There are slips open, and lots of anchor room. We can actually sail year round here, and any time is nice, you just have to be tougher in the winter.Mike

 

[Michael Findlan]

Summer's for water skiing

I'd like to sail anytime! But here in south-western OH, summers are hot and muggy. Lots of power boaters and obnoxious jet-skis. Winds are typically less than 5 MPH and broken by the hills surrounding the river valley. Spring is good but you do have to watch out for debris in the river from winter runoff. That leaves the fall and early winter, which are great! We have had some Oct. days of 20-25 MPH winds which on the river work out to about 15, if from the N. or S. For real fun I go out in these winds when they blow in the direction of the river, can actually have "whitecaps". Good fun for someone who got most of his sailing experience on the Maine coast. Around here one can sail well into Dec. Problem is that all marinas at the state reservoirs or on the river pull ramps and facilities around Nov. 1st. So my Hunter 22 has to be pulled this weekend, but winds are to be favorable on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, so I'm planning to get in a few more hours before seeing the boat's bottom on Sunday.Enjoy whatever sailing you can.

 

[Bill Jablon]

Fall on Florida's Apalachee Bay

The weather is good year round in Tallahassee, but summers tend to really bake a sailor. Fall is best because the temperatures are mild and the winds under 15 knots. Shell Point is a wonderful sailing area 40 minutes from Tallahassee in what has been termed "The Other Florida". One of the great joys of the season is the annual migration of Monarch butterflies, which surround your sails in the hundreds with their magnificent colors. Porpoise ply the bay in multiple pods and seem to have an affinity for country music coming from the boat. Its the best!

 

[Russell Sala]

Spring and fall by all means

With the Chicago weather, the changing seasons are by far the best time to sail. Summers are hot with no breeze most of the time.

 

[Mike]

Overall, I gotta go with summer

the winds may not be as reliable or as strong, but the water's warm enough to swim in, and there are more options in terms of cruising selections: marinas and waterside restaurants are open, school's out and I can take the kids more easily, and friends are generally available and open to the idea of sailing. However, for flat out sailing enjoyment, early fall on Long Island Sound has great warm weather, flat water, beautiful scenery and great winds.

 

[Bob Nicholson]

Fall for the Chesapeake

I tend to get in early and back out late. Usually try to be in the water in early April, and haul-out late October to early November (mostly to free-up time to get ready for the Holidays). Just LOVE those post-Labor Day cruises across the Bay. About half as many big power boats putting us in extremis, and the weather is superb! Love the colors, crisp mornings, and killer sunsets! Rock Hall is our favorite destination, and is really hard to beat! Life just can't get much better than that!!

 

[DONALD]

FAVORITE SALING SEASON

SPRING IS THE BEST FOUR LONG DAYS

 

[SailboatOwners.com]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 11/5/2001:What's your favorite sailing season?41% Fall37% Summer17% Spring06% Winter

 

[Rick Webb]

Wonder What the results would be in March?

If the same question were posed in the spring think it may be different?

 

[gomisterg@msn.com]

Favorite Season

I like the late spring and early fall. Cooler to warm weather and light to moderate breezes.

 

[Kent]

Falling for Fall

I have changed my mind. I would have said summer, but my best first mate and I were out on November 4th and it was glorious. Now November 4th may not sound like much to some of you, but you must understand - I sail in South Dakota. If I didn't have a day job, I would have been sailing everyday since the 4th. The winds are more consistent; no bugs; the sun is much more mild; just a wonderful experience. Now we can't wait for next spring!