Who Winter Sails Subzero?

[japarker11]

Will be close, nightly lows at 1° F to 3°F. I realize the OP was in 0° C. It looks like the Puget Sound will be filled with warm, very moist air from the current SW blow, a perfect set up for the collision with the cold Arctic air mass sometime Monday. This will dry out the marine layer, leaving a frozen layer of fresh water in the marinas. After bashing our way to open water it was a spectacularly clear views of the Olympics and Mount Baker. Arctic gear was required!

[dw1979]

Even with the best of plans, with a new to you boat, things could go sideways. Although I have never had to use it, I’m always glad to have the towing insurance from Boat US. Don’t know the Canadian equivalent, but worth looking into. Better to have the insurance and not need it then to wish you had it.
Since you will be in a shipping channel for part of your voyage, if the boat does not have AIS, then get one of the apps for your phone and make sure your VHS is working. It is essential to know what is coming at you at 20 knots
I’m a power boater that likes cruising around Puget Sound in The winter snug in my pilot house. I have done my share of cold weather sailing and agree with all the stay dry and have warm feet suggestions

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by dw1979

make sure your VHS is working.

I know you meant VHF but I had to smile... I still have a lot of good old VHS movies and the player for them! You might need some good entertainment on a dark and stormy night...

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

There's nothing finer than hot stew on a cold day.

Here in the PNW this is "standard stockage" for the galley on any boat.
Always have several cans aboard.

[SV Siren]

We just use a different boat, and dress warmly!!

[Bobby Lex]

My sailing motto is:

Cold + Dry = ok to go
Warm + Wet = ok to go
Cold + Wet = NO GO

Bob

[SailingPNW]

You will lose a lot of heat due to the cold, but if you have two weeks, make short hops to marinas only going 3-4 hours if you can, remember you will have to dock and thats not always easy in a new boat. Long days will be a lot harder. Also keep shorter watches, where one of you is staying warm. One of the nice things about the sound is that there are lots of nice marinas that are easy to stop at. Call ahead to make sure there are some transient slips and that you have a good idea of the marina layout.

Watch the weather daily, if the wind and swells look good, move on, otherwise stay another few days. Just the cold should not be a big deal, adding in big swells and high wind, changes things a lot.

Also make sure your tanks are topped up and that you know how to deploy your anchor in an emergency. I also recommend towboatus insurance or done towing insurance.

It sounds like for weather gear your set, perhaps consider headset:radios for communication, they will be handy going forward for docking and anchoring and make it easier when your not both in deck.

[Nord Sal]

I find this helps.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Here in the PNW this is "standard stockage" for the galley on any boat.
Always have several cans aboard.

I remember that being a staple aboard, circa 1950. We have some in the pantry today. You can't beat for a good meal when push comes to shove.

[NSboatman]

We’re going for a sail tomorrow…

[Redreuben]

I’m in Perth WA. It’s been over 40c (104F) here for the last 3 days, thanks for the thread I feel cooler now.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by NSboatman

We’re going for a sail tomorrow…Attachment 250284

Do you use a snowblower or shovel? / Len

[OneBoatman]

Two things to consider, do not let your hands freeze to the wheel,
and do not let the ice accumulate on your deck to where its weight begins to rival that of your keel. Sailing upside down is no fun, I suggest waiting for a comfortable first sail. You also must have considerable trust in the folks which commisioned your boat. Anxious to sail or not I don't know of anyone that would volunteer for a shake down cruise in potentially freezing temperatures.

[NSboatman]

Originally Posted by OneBoatman

Two things to consider, do not let your hands freeze to the wheel,

and do not let the ice accumulate on your deck to where its weight begins to rival that of your keel. Sailing upside down is no fun, I suggest waiting for a comfortable first sail. You also must have considerable trust in the folks which commisioned your boat. Anxious to sail or not I don't know of anyone that would volunteer for a shake down cruise in potentially freezing temperatures.

Completely agree with this. Sub-zero temps are not the time for shake-downs. When things go sideways (and something usually does on a shakedown) you have very slim margins of time and safety to address them.

We manage to sail well in sub-zero temps because we are well prepared and ready for it. Steel boat, simple trusted and tested systems, multiple sources of heat & propulsion; good, tested, safety gear.

Often (usually if you’re sailing I sub-zero conditions, you’re the only one out there. All ‘normal’ inshore rescue services are shut down, and if you needed it, rescue would likely only come from fishing fleets or commercial vessels.

Even with those provisos, if you have the bot set up well, have the right clothing, use good sense and pick your weather carefully, there are wonderful days on the water to be had year-round. Even north of 45 where we are.

Ymmv!

[NSboatman]

Originally Posted by deblen

Do you use a snowblower or shovel? / Len

Classic Nova Scotia dump of snow- it was washed away completely by rain the next day!

You’re right tho… were it not washed away, we would not likely have gone out unless we had to!

Digging to find the dock lines and cleats gets old!