so are you going to sail through the UK winter?

[ProDave]

It would have been a lovely day for a sail today, 18 degrees and 8 knots of wind.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Going sailing in about 5 hours, but even though its not not quite winter yet as not December we did check that our destination harbour is open to visitors

 

[davethedog]

We are sailing through the winter as first time we have been back here for about 5 years so making the most of the reduced marina fees and berth availability before we depart again in the spring.

 

[dancrane]

Going sailing in about 5 hours...

Hope you took photos?

I hope anyone who sails this winter and contributes here, will take and provide photos.

It may encourage me to buy another boat, or to feel smug about not having one. Depending on the photos.
.

 

[The Q]

Unusually us in the lead.

 

[dancrane]

Lovely pic. I know the keelboat, I've seen them, very distinctive, but I can't find the insignia anywhere. What are they?

 

[The Q]

Yeoman Keelboat.
The lift keel version is call the Kinsman.
Yeoman Kinsman Association of Sailing Clubs for YK boats
The class is now over 50 years old..

They are tough as old boots, one year the separate events of, the Nationals, the club championship weekend, and a Broads interclub trophy (Ramuz) were held in winds that exceeded 40mph at times. very windy that year.

 

[The Q]

Tomorrow is Remembrance Sunday, sailing is delayed till 11:15
As I will be lowering the flags for the silence.

 

[Halo]

 

[Halo]

Pat on the back for anyone identifying this village I sailed past on Thursday

 

[Baddox]

Staithes?

 

[prestomg27]

Over the years, one only has to look over the empty river Blackwater in the winter, to see that whatever people on this forum say about how good winter sailing is- they are clearly not actually doing it. Just armchair dreamers talking nonsense.

Very true. The Crouch also is empty other than for fishing boats and premier sailing doing instruction. As you say people do dream on here.

 

[Plum]

Very true. The Crouch also is empty other than for fishing boats and premier sailing doing instruction. As you say people do dream on here.

Then you did not see me a week ago heading out of the crouch for the Orwell, Walton and back.

 

[lustyd]

Then you did not see me a week ago heading out of the crouch for the Orwell, Walton and back.

Of course not. The people on their armchairs can't see any of the boats out sailing.

 

[prestomg27]

Of course not. The people on their armchairs can't see any of the boats out sailing.

Actually i wàs in my armchair in the bar of the wardroom overlooking the crouch. Congrats to plum but he is in the vanishingly small minority of those sailing in the uk winter.

Unlike where i am at the moment on the french atlantic coast a bit north of the big depart of the vendee globe entrants. The weather here is just a bit milder enough that sigificant sailing does carry on through the winter on mild days. But then French sailing is much stronger and more popular than in the UK

 

[lustyd]

Congrats to plum but he is in the vanishingly small minority of those sailing in the uk winter.

Plenty sailing down south throughout. Perhaps the location isn't inspiring in the winter

 

[dunedin]

Very true. The Crouch also is empty other than for fishing boats and premier sailing doing instruction. As you say people do dream on here.

I guess it depends where you are - clearly rivers with moorings are less popular for winter. Both in terms of insurance cover and easy access to go sailing.
Winter sailors tend to migrate to places with marinas for better winter sailing.
Been great autumn sailing weather up here for the past week or so and hopefully will continue to end of week.

 

[Daydream believer]

Then you did not see me a week ago heading out of the crouch for the Orwell, Walton and back.

Only thing about that is that right now it is Autumn NOT winter yet,

 

[justanothersailboat]

I'm desperate to go sailing, but I'm still fixing and improving my boat! I will get to sail a bit at the end of the month, but not my boat :-( She is ready when she is ready.

The east coast seems to shut down more thoroughly than the south... congrats indeed to the tiny numbers still getting a good sail in.

 

[justanothersailboat]

But if desire for uncomfortable sea-faring seize you; when the Pleiades plunge into the misty sea* to escape Orion's rude strength, then truly gales of all kinds rage. Then keep ships no longer on the sparkling sea, but bethink you to till the land as I bid you. Haul up your ship upon the land and pack it closely with stones all round to keep off the power of the winds which blow damply, and draw out the bilge-plug so that the rain of heaven may not rot it. Put away all the tackle and fittings in your house, and stow the wings of the sea-going ship neatly, and hang up the well-shaped rudder over the smoke. You yourself wait until the season for sailing is come, and then haul your swift ship down to the sea... - Hesiod, Works and Days, tr. Evelyn-White

*I think that's about now, or a bit earlier.