Northern Sailors - How Do You Keep Your Head in the Game?

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by blove8

My latest favorite is Sam Holmes Sailing but I’ve been getting into a lot more how-tos and content specific to issues I am or will be dealing with on my boat. I like a lot of the Pacific Yacht Systems videos as I’m learning more about marine electrical and I also like atomvoyager and Sampson Boat Co.

I'll have to have a look at Sam Holmes. I did also watch Expedition Evans for a while after the thread about their Salvaged Beneteau 50 was started on this Forum, but it's become like a slow-motion trainwreck, so I abandoned that.

I'm really enjoying Odd Craft Life who are repairing their boat in Brazil. They are quite charming.

As for sailing fix-it resources, I can highly recommend Rod Collins on Marine How-To: https://marinehowto.com/

He's a Maine Native, life-long Marine Technician and ABYC Electrical Specialist who posts articles as well as videos and also independently recommends products he likes (not sponsored by any of them). Last week, I reviewed a very detailed article about repacking a stuffling box which was excellent.

Great resource for all of us DIY sailors!

Good luck with your plans,
Warmly,
LittleWing77

[wibi]

Follow the Vendee Globe - this is in my view the most epic sail event/race. Sailing solo non stop without assistence round the globe. Starting in France - rounding cape Good Hope, cape Leeuwen , cape Horn and back.

A few 3 to 4.000 people have climbed the everest - approx 500 people where in space - less then 200 sailors went around non stop solo. This is probably the singlest true adventure in existence. They started in november the first to finish end jan/feb

[Sofa King Fishy]

I live aboard year round, although I’m in Maryland, it still gets cold- awake to an icy bay on Xmas morning! I cook a lot, and punch out projects (currently installing a diesel heater). I also do engine maintenance & full systems checks way more than I need to. When the boat gets too small, I hit my Marina Bar which is sadly at 25% capacity 😷

[raahell]

My boat remains my focus even through the winter. Primary tasks are to strip the (steel) hull in order to address a few corrosion issues, replace most seacocks, remove and restore the swing keel and make some changes to the steering arrangement. Many boat owners say hull stripping is the dirtiest, most painful job you can do on a boat and I have to agree. But when it's all done I'll have so much more peace of mind and will enjoy the summertime topsides pleasures of sailing that much more!

[Cabot36]

I am home in Nova Scotia for the first winter in 22 years, I have a number of boat projects stacked up in the garage and I do "a little" there every day. I have a number of pieces stripped and will beginning varnishing them in the new year. Sure hope next winter I can get back to the Bahamas !!

[jvolpehoo]

Get a sextant and learn celestial navigation. I hear Navy sailors train for this in the event of GPS satellites getting knocked out in a real conflict.

I would be severely handicapped at sea without my chart plotters otherwise.
The good wifey got me one for Christmas

[sstj29]

i am sailing the Vendée Globe virtually, started in France on the 8th of november, just passed cape Horn and started going up the atlantic towards the finish in france, presently 4620th out of 1,031,905 participants. and finished the Sydney-Hobart race this morning 311th out of 164,524 participants. i find it's a great way to keep honing my weather routing skills.

[Arne Henriksen]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Merry Christmas from Canada, Everyone!
...What about you? What sorts of sailing-related diversions are keeping your head in the game?..

I'm sailing of course. Winter? Just add warmer clothes..





And a Merry Christmas to you all!

[Homeward sailor]

I am adventuring vicariously watching Sailing La Vagabonde and Sailing Jib Sea on YouTube and reading CLR ( Bud) Dougherty‘s books , both his non fiction and fiction are wonderful! I had to break down and get kindle Unlimited because I just couldn’t stop binge reading his great books! Also thank you all you CF mentors out there!

[David Mathis]

I teach from Sept to the first week in May so keeping busy mid-winter isn't a problem. On the Upper Hudson River, the ice usually goes out late February to mid-March with launching taking place within a week or two after the last floes have floated south. Sometimes the boat experiences a snowstorm or two before mid April but it's always nice to get back aboard. The heater is good for a 30 degree rise so at 35 outside, it's warm in the salon. The New York State Canal system doesn't open until May so the boat is stuck between locks until then but it's better than being being on blocks and masquerading as an igloo. Mid-winter boating activities involve spending money on new toys.

[tomtriad]

I sail a Sunfish in the harbor in winter; I wear a Sterns exposure suit, with a waterproof VHF in the pocket just in case. I have a 20/20 rule - no sailing if its blowing steady over 20 knots or if its under 20 degrees F.

[Homeward sailor]

Thanks for the ink to the Maine repair mariner, such good info!

[theBigKahuna]

This time of year... we start to fear that we're gonna be out of touch come spring... We pick up some stuff for spring refits... but still feel 'back on land'....

But, as we roll into a new year and start planning all the projects when it warms up (we're in Chicago, this year)... we'll start getting motivated. Plan some trips and things to work on this season and slowly (like spring) get back 'in the game'

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by tomtriad

I sail a Sunfish in the harbor in winter; I wear a Sterns exposure suit, with a waterproof VHF in the pocket just in case. I have a 20/20 rule - no sailing if its blowing steady over 20 knots or if its under 20 degrees F.

I have a similar rule about cycling: "If it's warmer than -5, get your ass on the bike!"

LittleWing77

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Homeward sailor

Thanks for the ink to the Maine repair mariner (www.marinehowto.com) such good info!

He's great, isn't he? And he explains things so clearly!