so are you going to sail through the UK winter?

[richardh10]

Never mind winter! With a return from a circumnavigation on the vague horizon, I'm not even sure about summer

 

[ylop]

In case you have not noticed- This is autumn- winter has not officially started yet

Proper winter sailing - crisp January days, snow capped mountains, are actually not that grim for sailing - it’s autumn when the foul weather really puts you off! However we are out the water because as Dunedin says, just like skiing in Scotland, it can be amazing but only if you have the flexibility to pick and choose your times at relatively short notice.

 

[ylop]

you are correct, its not positivity, its reality. its mid oct now, its cold, and its going to BE cold till mid may or early june, i make that 8 months

I think Dunedin is suggesting that part of winter is your mental approach to it. If you assume there’s 8 months of grimness you’ll have 8 months of grimness. If you assume (as he does) that living in Scotland you may need a hat, gloves and big jacket at anytime then for some of the year you can take them off when too warm and the rest of the year you are well prepared…

 

[Daydream believer]

Proper winter sailing - crisp January days, snow capped mountains, are actually not that grim for sailing - it’s autumn when the foul weather really puts you off! However we are out the water because as Dunedin says, just like skiing in Scotland, it can be amazing but only if you have the flexibility to pick and choose your times at relatively short notice.

I wonder just how many on this forum can actually do that. Retired owners- yes if their crew (swmbo?) can as well. But once retired cold weather does lose its appeal. Just cruising aimlessly about is not really that interesting in the cold. Well that is my view on it anyway. So for many the reason to go is racing.
I did safety boat duty every polar series for our sailing club for 20 years baring 2 when I injured my back sailing my yacht in heavy weather & had other club duties. Before that I spent 10 years racing dinghies in the polar series myself.
I have also crewed others in club cruiser polar racing. I have been sailing my Stella, with snow on the deck.
But would I do it after I reached 65?- --
s.d off

 

[ylop]

I wonder just how many on this forum can actually do that. Retired owners- yes if their crew (swmbo?) can as well.

often retired people are busier than working people! BUT if they want to they can make the arrangements

But once retired cold weather does lose its appeal. Just cruising aimlessly about is not really that interesting in the cold. Well that is my view on it anyway. So for many the reason to go is racing.

Different people use their boats in different ways. You don’t like Heather clad rocks - I suspect you say the same about snow covered mountains! Anchorages more likely to be peaceful, no jetskis to wind up cranky old sailors, etc… for me sailing round the cans is dull whether summer or winter. I assume some of the joy comes from the post race camaraderie in the bar - in the warmth….

I have also crewed others in club cruiser polar racing. I have been sailing my Stella, with snow on the deck.
But would I do it after I reached 65?- --
s.d off

the thing about winter series racing is that it is exactly not about picking your time to suit the weather.

 

[Daydream believer]

Different people use their boats in different ways. You don’t like Heather clad rocks - I suspect you say the same about snow covered mountains!

Not that I do not like them. I just said that they are all the same, so of little interest for me, after 50 years staring at them

Anchorages more likely to be peaceful,

Thought you wanted to go sailing. Now you want to anchor. Shelter from the cold - one assumes.

no jetskis to wind up cranky old sailors, etc

Do you have jetskis up there. Even in the summer the water is freezing most of the time. especially with the snow running off the hills.

… for me sailing round the cans is dull whether summer or winter. I assume some of the joy comes from the post race camaraderie in the bar - in the warmth….

Yup. Nailed it in one. Even as a SH sailor ,a social life can be fun - for a while

the thing about winter series racing is that it is exactly not about picking your time to suit the weather.

But only if one is still young enough to enjoy it. Like I said, - There comes a time -- But to each his own & if you enjoy getting cold & do not mind sailing a boat with green mould everywhere, then that is your right. Enjoy it while you can

 

[winch2]

to a free mooring at Itchenor

Now thats more like it, care to divulge? Not that I begrudge the fees at Itchenor... lovely spot.

 

[The Q]

1980-83, sailed every Sunday all year round, on the Norfolk broads. ( Odd trip down the English channel) , some near Scarborough, and some in Somerset.
83-85, intermittent sailing all year round in the Hebrides, depending on weather and a bit in Somerset.
85-88 intermittent sailing based in Northumberland, but could be Norfolk. Plus sailing round the top of Scotland
88-96, sailing all year round Milton Keynes and Norfolk, with a bit in the Falklands , and North Wales.
96 - 2001 sailing all year round Saudi, plus the odd trip to Norfolk.
2001 till today sailing all year round on the Norfolk broads.

Last Sunday was the end of Summer season regatta, this coming weekend is some special events, the winter season sailing starts the following weekend.
I haul out my keelboat on the 26th.. and will sail with a friend all winter.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Now thats more like it, care to divulge? Not that I begrudge the fees at Itchenor... lovely spot.

Free = vacant, unlikely to be disturbed by a returning boat but ready to move in that circumstance, and harbour dues already paid by dint of my normal mooring being on the opposite side of the harbour . That said at that time of year you are spoilt for choice and I'm sure the same could be said for many harbours. The downside is the lack of daylight. Upside is getting a very long good sleep and still waking to see dawn .
Location this time Longmore Point

 

[Laysula]

Race every Sunday morning. Much more fun than going to church.

 

[Romeo]

With a wooden boat, my strategy is now to take her out every second year. So will not be sailing through the winter this year. Last year I got out fairly often, thanks to working at home and able to take an extended lunch break. I can be underway with sails up around 15 minutes after leaving my desk.

This winter I will be rowing when weather permits, rather than sailing.

 

[ylop]

Not that I do not like them. I just said that they are all the same, so of little interest for me, after 50 years staring at them

Maybe you should go in winter - you will find they have a different hue, and add variety to your life!

Thought you wanted to go sailing. Now you want to anchor. Shelter from the cold - one assumes.

its useful to stop from time to time to soak up the beauty of your surroundings, eat/cook/sleep on the level, etc. For me, sailing is about a very peaceful and relaxing way to get to an anchorage.

Do you have jetskis up there.

In some places - although either not in the density of the southerners, not driven by the same idiots or mostly we are more tolerant!

Even in the summer the water is freezing most of the time. especially with the snow running off the hills.

The Gulf Stream means the water on the west of Scotland is actually remarkably warm! If you look hard, between heather clad rocks you will find palm trees!

There comes a time -- But to each his own & if you enjoy getting cold

I’m not disputing that winter series are likely to be cold and unpleasant - I’m reminding you that if you set your own timetable rather than working to the race officers diary you can pick more pleasant conditions. The same is actually true in summer!

 

[michael_w]

Big boat stays in commission and is sailed on those light gentle winter days. Saves all that faffing about winterizing engines, unbending sails etc. Also, the Flying Fifteen gets raced at Grafham Water most Sundays from December to March.

 

[Daydream believer]

Maybe you should go in winter - you will find they have a different hue, and add variety to your life!

its useful to stop from time to time to soak up the beauty of your surroundings, eat/cook/sleep on the level, etc. For me, sailing is about a very peaceful and relaxing way to get to an anchorage.

In some places - although either not in the density of the southerners, not driven by the same idiots or mostly we are more tolerant!

The Gulf Stream means the water on the west of Scotland is actually remarkably warm! If you look hard, between heather clad rocks you will find palm trees!

I’m not disputing that winter series are likely to be cold and unpleasant - I’m reminding you that if you set your own timetable rather than working to the race officers diary you can pick more pleasant conditions. The same is actually true in summer!

I am aware of some of the weather Scotland throws at the population. I was sent to live on the borders as a child. I later had a holiday home there for 14 years. I had numerous holidays on the west coast. So I know only full well what a snowy crag looks like.
In all that time I failed to find the waters very inviting. I have sailed in a small part & that was enough. Interesting to view some hills from the other side I admit- but once one has looked, one does not feel the need to look more than a few times, as the memory does not fade that easily.
I understood the advice re swimming in Scottish waters was to avoid it unless wearing a wetsuit & to immerse onself slowly due to the extreme cold. Even the west coast only averages 9 deg. That is average so the lowest will be much less in winter.
But if you want to jump in, then do so. Do not let me put you off.
Just do not tell visitors that their kids will be OK without due warning first.

 

[freespiritdavid]

Yes, as much as we can. Plenty of places to go around Falmouth in the few hours of daylight.

 

[Mark-1]

In all that time I failed to find the waters very inviting. I have sailed in a small part & that was enough. Interesting to view some hills from the other side I admit- but once one has looked, one does not feel the need to look more than a few times, as the memory does not fade that easily.
I understood the advice re swimming in Scottish waters was to avoid it unless wearing a wetsuit & to immerse onself slowly due to the extreme cold. Even the west coast only averages 9 deg. That is average so the lowest will be much less in winter.
But if you want to jump in, then do so. Do not let me put you off.
Just do not tell visitors that their kids will be OK without due warning first.

I've swum a lot on the West Coast of Scotland in March and April and I just dived in. I've seen young kids swimming up there and staying in for ages. (Purple arms length of time.)

Where I live now on the balmy south coast people say you shouldn't swim because of the sewerage. I conclude that wherever you go there are people who say you shouldn't swim.

 

[38mess]

When I was young and keen, setting off in bright sunshine and returning in the wet and dark a few times cured me.

 

[Minerva]

I am aware of some of the weather Scotland throws at the population. I was sent to live on the borders as a child. I later had a holiday home there for 14 years. I had numerous holidays on the west coast. So I know only full well what a snowy crag looks like.
In all that time I failed to find the waters very inviting. I have sailed in a small part & that was enough. Interesting to view some hills from the other side I admit- but once one has looked, one does not feel the need to look more than a few times, as the memory does not fade that easily.
I understood the advice re swimming in Scottish waters was to avoid it unless wearing a wetsuit & to immerse onself slowly due to the extreme cold. Even the west coast only averages 9 deg. That is average so the lowest will be much less in winter.
But if you want to jump in, then do so. Do not let me put you off.
Just do not tell visitors that their kids will be OK without due warning first.

Sorry, but that’s a load of nonsense. My 2 year old spent an hour splashing about of an afternoon several times this year on the west coast.

As for sailing through the winter; I’m keeping the boat afloat this winter. Near to Nevis range and Glencoe so hopefully use as a floating ski chalet in the new year plus hopefully get a few weekends sailing in too. Just bought a Taylor’s diesel heater to supplement my eberspacher.

 

[Greenheart]

Interesting thread. Nice that so many admit how much they don't like low-season sailing. I love seeing sails on the water on a fine winter day, but I'm glad not to be doing it myself. It looks nice but being prolongedly outdoors in cold (or persistently wet) conditions is many people's idea of purgatory.

As they say ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong boat’. With ice on the decks, we are very comfortable in our deck saloon; on a crisp January day in Newtown Creek it’s just us and the geese - perfect.

That really sounds blissful. I've never believed the 'just the wrong clothing' blather but you've breathed common sense into the saying.

I nearly bought a motorsailer in July and for a time I considered covered motorboats, before deciding I'm too busy to get enough use out of any boat. But my negativity mainly reflects how much outdoor time is required when sailing, necessarily enduring the chill factor and whatever's dropping out of the sky. If more of our year was warmer, sailing boats would get more use and feel like better value.

To be fair to our customarily mild wet winters, I've wished I had a boat with an inside helm on far more days in summertime than in other seasons.

But I've lately begun thinking how I might convert a very small, inexpensive conventional sailing yacht into a £5K dreamboat with no motorsailing pretensions. The nearest I've come to planning for cold weather was asking here about solid fuel stoves. So I suppose I do want mainly to sail, and I suppose I'm resigned to sailing 'the wrong boat' on occasional fine days during summer seasons as short-lived as they felt in my dinghy days. Just daft.
.

 

[Daydream believer]

Another indication of how people feel about winter sailing shows up in boat buying at the start of the summer season, when one might expect boat sales to pick up a little. With the past poor start to the season a local broker is rumoured to suggest that the early bad weather has meant that he has now 20 boats in our marina alone for sale. This is higher than normal.

I have not checked his website so cannot confirm. Of course economic conditions have an effect, but then they always do.
However, the point is, that if a poor summer puts people off going afloat, then that suggests that winters are a total no-no.