The off season up north

Irwin32 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2005

I get my sailing fix by bringing home projects from my boat. I am learning fancy rope techniques and covering my wheel. I have some wood panels from the cabin to rework. And then, there is the Strictly sail show in Chicago.

How do other northern sailors satisfy the addiction during our cold winter?

locrian13 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005

My darling husband is re-doing the wood in the boat this winter (yes, I''m helping, when I''m not writing my thesis). The laminate covering darn near everything is original to the 1972 vintage of the boat, and it''s very ugly. We''re replacing it with cherry...so far it''s turning out nice. I don''t think we''ll get to the floor this year. It''ll give us something to do next winter.

I also like to read a lot and speculate about what trips and races we''ll be doing next year.

sailortjk1 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005

I tend to do the same as you. Lots of online shopping and searching. I start as soon as the boat is laid up for the winter. I create a wish list of the improvements that I would like to see made during the off season and than spend time reasearching.

Right now I am reasearching a nice innerspring mattress for our aft cabin. I am a firm believer in the theory that the more comfortable you are the more enjoyment you will gain.

I too look forward to the Boat Shows with much anticipation.

See you at the show.

noscreenname · #4 (**permalink**) 12-21-2005

Here on the east coast thiers a man who sails every day of the year,Rain,snow no matter what. He sails out of Gloucester Mass in an old 210 one design. He was featured in sailing magazine a few years ago.
Thats how i''d like to spend my winter but the boats high and dry.

Irwin32 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005

How cold does it get in Gloucester?

jmcornelis · #6 (**permalink**) 12-26-2005

Yes, that''s more or less the pattern for me up on Georgian Bay, Ontario, too. I am trying to figure out how to install an Espar Airtronic heater, encouraged by lots of snow on the ground around the boat. Although I have no plans to sail all winter - that wouldn''t work up here; just to lengthen the season by a month or so.

And books, at home. I revert to being an arm chair sailor. Reading Tristan Jones'' *To Venture Further*. Also read Bernard Moitessier''s *The Long Way*. And Nigel Calder, *Boat Owner''s Mechanical and Elecrical Manual*. Etc., etc., etc.

Bon voyage,
Jake, *Windjammer*

noscreenname · #7 (**permalink**) 12-29-2005

"How cold does it get in Gloucester? "

It gets down to the teens on the coldest days but usually its in the mid 20''s-30''s

Irwin32 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-29-2005

Sounds pretty warm to me.

sailortjk1 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006

We are in the home stretch now and spring is just around the corner.
Launch date will be here soon, can't wait.... again.

Kind'a crazy though, in my area it was 65 degrees last weekend and today its 30. The midwest..... what are ya gonna do?

At least there is light at the end of the tunnel.

KAYAKDAN · #10 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006

All this early Spring weather in New England is getting me into "water mode". I need a sailing fix AND a kayaking fix.
Sailing fix is easy. We bought a new Mac 26M and it needs all kinds of "incidentals". 800 bucks worth...so far. Went on a shopping spree at WM the other day,and that was fun. Got the "new boat" discount on all of it.
You can go to the boat show to get a fix too. We did-and ended up with a new dinghy!

The kayaking fix is more expensive-it's a trip to Exuma.

At this rate it's a race to see if the funds run out before the winter does!