First sail of 2025

[dunedin]

Further to the "Last Sail of the Year" thread, as we start to look forward to a new sailing season (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) why not post your photos of your first sail of the season.

Unfortunately the sunniest days coincided with very bad frozen roads so my first sail on 4th January was a bit overcast at times, so couldn't quite see the peaks of Arran covered in the snow.

 

[lustyd]

2nd Jan in the Solent. About 6kt wind and bright sunshine for two days straight

 

[The Q]

Dull drizzly, and shortly after this photo was taken, no wind.

 

[dunedin]

Dull drizzly, and shortly after this photo was taken, no wind.View attachment 187665

The seagull certainly looks to be happy to be out and about

 

[magicol]

Well done! I observed a couple of boats out on the Clyde last weekend and felt a degree of envy in spite of the low temperatures! Although afloat, our boat is winterised and the sails are in the garage. Reading such posts make me wonder if I made the right decision! The Clyde is a fantastic area to sail in winter.

 

[GEM43]

Well done! I observed a couple of boats out on the Clyde last weekend and felt a degree of envy in spite of the low temperatures! Although afloat, our boat is winterised and the sails are in the garage. Reading such posts make me wonder if I made the right decision! The Clyde is a fantastic area to sail in winter.

When the wind blows hard I’m pleased our sails are in the shed, safest place for them.

 

[Lucky Duck]

3rd January morning after a sublime sail the day before

 

[dunedin]

When the wind blows hard I’m pleased our sails are in the shed, safest place for them.

Wintered in the Clyde for over 15 years through many very severe storms. Well furled sails will be fine
- REALLY tight rolling, stopping a couple of times to tighten the roll
- 2 or 3 complete turns of jib sheets round the clew - and kept taut on the winches
- now added short rope on the furler to double up the furling rope - breaking or slipping rope seems to be common cause of issue
Its the sails left loosely furled, bit of clew showing, and sometimes even sheets slack, which have issues.

Also if you look carefully in the photo the jib is an ancient Hood one - second hand “winter jib” with the expensive North one ashore.

 

[GEM43]

Wintered in the Clyde for over 15 years through many very severe storms. Well furled sails will be fine
- REALLY tight rolling, stopping a couple of times to tighten the roll
- 2 or 3 complete turns of jib sheets round the clew - and kept taut on the winches
- now added short rope on the furler to double up the furling rope - breaking or slipping rope seems to be common cause of issue
Its the sails left loosely furled, bit of clew showing, and sometimes even sheets slack, which have issues.

Also if you look carefully in the photo the jib is an ancient Hood one - second hand “winter jib” with the expensive North one ashore.

Sounds like a robust plan. Alas, I’m 500miles from our boat on the Clyde, hence little choice but to wholly decommission, out of season as we can’t practically attend to the boat ourselves from here. Our plan was to travel to the boat last Sunday, as you might imagine that plan lays in tatters,,,,,

 

[The Q]

The seagull certainly looks to be happy to be out and about

The boat's called Kittiwake.
It was only the second time in 5 years that the kite was out, due to the owner having met a tractor on his motorbike.. ( wasn't his fault).
I'm actually on the helm at that point.

 

[Stemar]

We both feel the cold now, far too much to sail in the winter. The sails are in the loft and the boats on the mooring, and I'm afraid she'll have to look after herself until the weather gets a little warmer.

 

[NormanS]

Nowadays I'm very happy to postpone any sailing until the longer, and hopefully warmer days. Mind you, last June in the Outer Isles, the temperature was seldom up into double figures. Brrrr.

 

[dunedin]

We both feel the cold now, far too much to sail in the winter. The sails are in the loft and the boats on the mooring, and I'm afraid she'll have to look after herself until the weather gets a little warmer.

Clothing is important. If not sailing most days we will go for a walk in the lower hills. Modern clothing is great - tech layers are best. Rarely need oilskins as they add weight. Gore Windstopper fleece is my preference. Also insulated socks, fleece lined Craghopper trousers etc.
To be honest get colder sitting in house than do when sailing.

 

[westhinder]

Clothing is important. If not sailing most days we will go for a walk in the lower hills. Modern clothing is great - tech layers are best. Rarely need oilskins as they add weight. Gore Windstopper fleece is my preference. Also insulated socks, fleece lined Craghopper trousers etc.
To be honest get colder sitting in house than do when sailing.

I’m totally addicted to Windstopper fleeces. I have them in different thicknesses and seldom sail without one. As I type I’m wearing the fifth I have bought, all Goretex lined and perfectly windtight. I still have and wear all of them, in varying states of tatterdness (externally) for all kinds of jobs around the boat, house and garden

 

[Mataji]

View attachment 187656

Further to the "Last Sail of the Year" thread, as we start to look forward to a new sailing season (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) why not post your photos of your first sail of the season.

Unfortunately the sunniest days coincided with very bad frozen roads so my first sail on 4th January was a bit overcast at times, so couldn't quite see the peaks of Arran covered in the snow.

️

 

[Mataji]

This was taken not in mid-winter but on 1st April a few years ago. Arran from the west Kyle.

 

[Stemar]

Clothing is important. If not sailing most days we will go for a walk in the lower hills. Modern clothing is great - tech layers are best. Rarely need oilskins as they add weight. Gore Windstopper fleece is my preference. Also insulated socks, fleece lined Craghopper trousers etc.
To be honest get colder sitting in house than do when sailing.

Cuppasoup sailing is great if you've got the right gear, and we have - thermal base layers, various warm tops from places like Mountain Warehouse, an assortment of trousers - Craghopper and the like, Musto Snug (must be 15 years old now, I really ought to get a new one) and oilies, but getting in the warm is important as we get older, and we've no heating on board, so we're waiting for nice weather in April for our first trip out.

 

[lustyd]

Musto Snug (must be 15 years old now, I really ought to get a new one)

Don't, they've changed both the design and material and you'll be disappointed. I have a new one which I wear when leaving the boat and the old one which I wear on the boat to stay warm.

 

[Halo]

Sailed from Whitby to Hartlepool on Saturday after having the standing rigging changed. Lovely offshore breeze and we averaged 6.5 kn. Big swell though and very cold! It all went swimmingly until we tried to get the train back to the car in Whitby. Delayed and 22 stops en route. Needed a stiff whiskey after driving home over the frozen N York moors late at night!

 

[Stemar]

Don't, they've changed both the design and material and you'll be disappointed. I have a new one which I wear when leaving the boat and the old one which I wear on the boat to stay warm.

Thanks for the warning. That happens so often. Bean counters at work, or just fashion?

Any suggestions for an alternative?