How many of you sail throughout the winter season?
- Thread starter Alskade
- Start date
Alskade
Well-Known Member
That’s glorious......and not a soul in sight.
Crazy-Diamond
Well-Known Member
I sail all through the winter, but I do live close to the marina which helps. Mostly day sails too. I have recently purchased some heated boot insoles. My feet were the only part of me that really suffered from the cold, the insoles are powered by a 12v battery (not the boat's ones - a separate one) and have a magnetic electrical connector so it pops off if I have to move away in a hurry. Luxury!
As previously mentioned, the costs are the same if the boat is in the water or not (at least they are for us!) so why not make the most of it? Cold weather is ameliorated by better clothing. Often we are the only boat out on the water too.
G
As previously mentioned, the costs are the same if the boat is in the water or not (at least they are for us!) so why not make the most of it? Cold weather is ameliorated by better clothing. Often we are the only boat out on the water too.
G
Alskade
Well-Known Member
I am utterly jealous :disgust:
Ohlin Karcher
N/A
Refueler
Well-Known Member
12v ? Interesting ....
I suppose you could adapt the insoles to be powered by Lithium battery ... same as we use on models. High power, small size. That way you could have mobility as well but still connected ?
Crazy-Diamond
Well-Known Member
A lithium battery is available, however, I have found that a few mins of toasty toe heat is sufficient to keep me comfortable for half an hour or so before plugging in again.
Alskade
Well-Known Member
Stunning photos! What a beautiful morning to go out.
dolabriform
Well-Known Member
Do you have a link to these wonderful things?
Alskade
Well-Known Member
eilerts
Well-Known Member
I do not, just have been toying with the idea for some years. Every late autumn while considering doing it this year, it is killed by an early cold dip, and I end up panic winterizing just before midnight because forecast says -10C.
Hope it is ok to forward this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtAnJLE-DkE
Not me, but a Finnish guy with "sisu". I'm just watching it in front of the fire place.
Quite new channel. Promising if he continues at this level
Hope it is ok to forward this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtAnJLE-DkE
Not me, but a Finnish guy with "sisu". I'm just watching it in front of the fire place.
Quite new channel. Promising if he continues at this level
dolabriform
Well-Known Member
Babylon
Well-Known Member
Oh joy! Not sailing myself, but taking Cocker pup down today for his first ever experience of the river, the club launch and the boat itself... and to run the engine and new Planar heater of course!
PS Refueller - good to see you're alive and well after all these years! That wall of ice must have been something - did the ice-blowing-up authorities pay for a new pontoon?
doug748
Well-Known Member
eilerts
Well-Known Member
Thanks, no I had not, but seen another video by Igor that contain wither dinghy sailing, multiple capsizing in strong winds, sleeping in undersized tent and waking up to find the tea water frozen solid. I watched while my motivation towards winter sailing crumbled (you are warned). I like his short and to the point voice over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_8Xr_0-xtg
I had two short boat trips this week, just 1 hour and by motor, so it hardly counts as winter sailing. Transport of boat between marina and boat yard. The first in almost wind, it was rather pleasant and I felt tempted to more. The return was in cold and wet headwind, it was not pleasant and I soon felt cold.
Being properly dressed for the conditions is important. Igor recommends 4 layers of wool
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underdog
Well-Known Member
Elessar
Well-Known Member
steve yates
Well-Known Member
I've sailed every winter since I started, (well, all 3 of them 
) and will probably always do so rather than lift out for winter.
The longbow will stay on the hard until mid summer at least, but my bradwell 18 is on the pontoon. Still no mast up and not ready to sail yet, weather allowing I'll have her ready by end of Jan and then will be going sailing and exploring the thames estuary in her. I don't do day sails, never really fancied them, and not practical from leigh on sea anyway. I'll go for a few days bimbling and will happily spend the long evenings in the cabin or ashore in the pub depending on where I moor.
) and will probably always do so rather than lift out for winter.The longbow will stay on the hard until mid summer at least, but my bradwell 18 is on the pontoon. Still no mast up and not ready to sail yet, weather allowing I'll have her ready by end of Jan and then will be going sailing and exploring the thames estuary in her. I don't do day sails, never really fancied them, and not practical from leigh on sea anyway. I'll go for a few days bimbling and will happily spend the long evenings in the cabin or ashore in the pub depending on where I moor.
Muddy32
Well-Known Member
Why not? Much fewer boats about and the heater works on passage as well as on the mooring.
2 years ago I did a great trip Dartmouth to London for Christmas and back; much of the time with following force 6+. The short daylight hours are a slight problem but leaving Rye for Lymington on the way back was memorable at 0300, to catch the tide. I did have a long think about sanity after that one though, especially with 7 gusting 8/9 from the NE was one to remember though. I can keep watch from inside however.
Next year- Dartmouth to Portland, for Match Racing in January - awaiting the right weather forecast. The key to enjoying empty seas.
2 years ago I did a great trip Dartmouth to London for Christmas and back; much of the time with following force 6+. The short daylight hours are a slight problem but leaving Rye for Lymington on the way back was memorable at 0300, to catch the tide. I did have a long think about sanity after that one though, especially with 7 gusting 8/9 from the NE was one to remember though. I can keep watch from inside however.
Next year- Dartmouth to Portland, for Match Racing in January - awaiting the right weather forecast. The key to enjoying empty seas.
