Embrace the unknown

Can you go sailing in the winter?

1. Safety when winter sailing

Sailing in the winter is 100% possible and a lot of fun if done right! There is no secret that going sailing, in general, requires you to take some precautions in order to keep yourself, your crew and the ship safe. This is especially true during the winter. Not necessarily because you’re more prone to accidents, but because the consequences of, say, falling overboard is exponentially bigger because of the temperature. People even go kayaking during the winter here in Norway. Since you’re more prone to falling in the water when kayaking, one of the rules often spoken, is to dress according to the water temperature. As usual, checking the weather forecast and not taking any big risks is a necessity when going out at sea.  Stay safe, clip in and go sailing!

2. Warm clothing

Always dress good when winter sailing. I personally prefer wool since it keeps you warm even if it would end up getting wet and dries fast. Layering wool clothing and bringing a pair to rotate between is a good way to keep warm. If you have a bad experience with wool clothing I’d recommend trying a inner layer of merino wool and layer on top of that with thicker wool. Merino wool doesn’t itch as much and is very comfortable to wear, even though it can be more prone to tearing than more robust wool types. An outer shell layer to protect you from the wind and water is also essential as the wool doesn’t protect you from these elements. There’s lots to choose from, but from research, I’ve found the biggest difference between high quality and low qualities one is how they retain water. For example, if you were to fall in the water, having clothes that fill with water will make you heavy to the point were its almost impossible to pull yourself out. Clothing that doesn’t retain water in this situation can have a drastic impact on the outcome. Pockets that self drains and material that doesn’t suck in water like a sponge are things to look out for.

3. Sleeping on a sailboat in the winter while staying warm

Whether you’re day sailing, weekend sailing or long distance sailing, you might wonder what its like to stay on the boat overnight. Surely it must be cold in a sailboat during winter right? Well, yeah, if you don’t plan ahead. The last thing you and your crew should endure is chattering teeth after a cold day of winter sailing. Having a warm space available does wonder on the crew morale and spirit. Your way of heating the boat will vary, but here are some options:

  1. Diesel heater. There’s a few versions. Some need electricity to circulate the heat generated by the diesel and a fuel pump, so this might not be a choice for remote sailing without a decent power pack available. You also get diesel heaters which circulates the heat using gravity. They look almost like a small stove and some you can even cook on top. They require more effort and modifications to install, but are a great choice if you plan to sail a lot in cold climates.
  2. Circulation of engine cooling. If you have an inboard engine which is fresh water cooled, you can connect your cooling water to radiators around the cabin to warm up the boat whenever the engine is running. This combined with an insulated boat should provide a long lasting heat. If you got a compatible water heater, you can connect it to this system as well and have hot water this way. The obvious problem with this solution is you’ve got to run your engine in other to generate heat, which might not be that often if sailing is your hobby, its worth mentioning.
  3. Cooking. This is another multi-purpose one. There’s not much that’s better than cooking up a hot meal which in turn also heats up the boat!
  4. Sleeping bags and blankets. The good old cuddling up to keep warm never fails. Sometimes it’s better to keep it plain and simple. Pack yourself up in a warm blanket or snuck into a good sleeping bag sure will keep you warm. Don’t forget to check the temperature rating of said sleeping bag before putting it to use though. Finding out that its meant to be used in the summer would be really bad.

These are just some examples, and there’s many more options if you’d decide to research further. No matter which type of heating you end up choosing, having a well insulated boat will both keep the heat inside better and require less energy in order to get it up in temperature.

4. Harbors and anchorage

Most people, at least here in Norway, either takes their boat up on land for winter storage, stays in a harbor which doesn’t freeze or have a harbor with a compressor to circulate the water from the seafloor to prevent freezing temperatures. The fact that most people store their boats on land means there will be less traffic and more freedom. If you live in a place where the sea doesn’t freeze, you’ll basically have it all to yourself. Its a real feeling of freedom. All the anchorages are free and you don’t even have to worry about whether you’ll get a spot in any harbor on your trip. For this reason alone, I actually prefer winter sailing over the crowded summer sailing.

5. Length of voyage and destination

In the winter, it usually gets dark really fast. Even though sailing in the dark is usually not a problem because of the navigation systems and lighthouses, the darkness might make it a bit unpleasant for some. Therefore, I would generally recommend making use of the daylight, and plan more stops on the voyage. Research the area you’re sailing to see if it freezes as well. If you have a steel boat, this might not be a big worry for you, but with a boat made from fiberglass or wood, the ice can do some serious damage. There is also the risk of freezing in overnight at an anchorage, so plan ahead to avoid unwanted situations.

Key takeaways:

Winter sailing is possible and can be a lot of fun! Depending on your geographical exposure, you’ll have to take different precautions. But with the right preparations, the right equipment and the spirit of a sailor, anything is possible. Remember to stay warm, dry, safe, plan ahead and have fun!

Wish you the best of lucks on your winter adventures.

 

 

 

 

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