Cold weather sailing & safety tips?

[JeffM]

Yes, I know it's only January, but judging from how itchy I am now, I'll probably have to be on the water in April--woolen hat with the earflaps and all. It occurs to me that cold weather sailing can be uncomfortable and downright dangerous: I don't guess I'd last very long in the water, for instance. There seems to be little on the web for the small boat sailor on this topic. What tips and precautions do those of you accustomed to venturing out in the cold have for the rest of us?

[Barry Pyeatt]

Once you get wet your ability to retain heat is next to nil. Any wind and you are in danger of frostbite even though it isn't freezing yet. Exposed skin in very cold weather is even worse when you are on the water. If you end up in the drink, you need someone to get you out quickly and wrapped up. Hypothermia isn't a joke or something to take lightly. No alcohol when sailing or boating in cold weather. Your body can't take it. And your ability to function deteriorates extremely quickly.

Silk underwear will keep you warmer than cotton or the preverbial "woolies". Many layers that can be shed or put back on makes a whole lot of sense as do really good windbreakers with hoods that can help to preserve body heat from escaping too rapidly off your head. They have to breath though so moisture is wicked away from the body.

Keep your feet and hands dry. Keep your hands warm in gloves and with a good gripping palm and fingers. That way when your fingers get even a little numbed you will still maintain control. If it is damp at all, don't go out. High humidity in cold weather makes for a very cold outing.

[Mike Routley]

I know very little about sailing, but I do know about hypothermia.

Keep in mind, that hypothermia is a killer. As Barry so aptly put it, wear layers of clothing. Two or three light garments as verses one heavy coat. Gortex wind breakers are good because they breathe. Keep your hands, feet and head dry and warm.

A very important item, is to "KNOW YOUR LIMITS". Don't wait untell your half frozen before you call it a day. When you begin to chill, head back to shore. One of the early signs of hypothermia is a change in your ability to make good decisions. Being out on the water on a cold day making bad choices is the last thing you want.

Never go out by yourself and make sure your prepaired in case something goes wrong. Spare clothing, underwear too. A thermus of hot soup or coffee. Chemical heat packs. Warm blankets. Think twice act once.

[Hirilonde]

There are lots of techniques for staying warm while in the boat. Some good ones are mentioned already. But if you go over in an open boat how do you stay warm? A wet suit, dry suit or the like is all that works. Every frostbite series I know of requires a wet suit at the least. Water temperatures in Narragansett Bay in April are likely still below 50 deg. F.

Reef early, don't venture far and don't go out or come in early in anything approaching heavy air if you do go. A capsize in summer is usually a nuisance at worst. In winter it is a completely different scenario.

[Brian Walters]

I used to be a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester MA. and we did not play in winter, we used survival suits. Out there if you went over in that water you would not make it 10 min. if you were not pulled out directly.

I dont know how rough the atlantic is on the south side of the cape in winter but on the north side its pretty rough and sometimes kinda scary.

Be safe.

Brian.

[JeffM]

Thanks, all! Sounds like very good advice. The layers, keeping dry (and feet for comfort) are my practice now. Neoprene gloves are really good, too, since hands are sometimes continually wet, but have to function. I have two fleece jackets--not only warm for their weight, but stay warmer even wet than most fabrics. I do expect to do my little spring cruises solo--this is not for the kids--so maybe this time I'll look into the loan of a dry suit. I know a young frostbite racer who has one.

I wonder what experiences the Alaskan fleet have had?

[Greg Luckett]

While in the Navy I had to experience the hell of cold water and endure it. Wool will insulate even when wet; most other materials will not do that. I still wear wool blend socks, a wool sweater, and a wool watch cap and always keep wool blankets aboard Nellie. Goose down does not insulate much at all once it is wet, nor does cotton. In cold water a person's strength disappears rapidly, within minutes, and there is not any strength to pull one's self out of the water, or up a ladder.

Rescuing someone requires a lot of strength and hauling ability. I suggest practice using the boom and boom vang.

While sailing, hot drinks are a must. I like teas, hot chocolates, coffee, and bouillon soup, or just about any soup, but nothing with alcohol until I am sure I will not need to be out in the cold anymore. Incidently, aspirin will cause you to lose body heat faster too, so avoid it until you are sure to be in a warm place.

Good luck and have fun. I certainly enjoyed sailing in cold weather when I was younger. I think it is neat to be drifting along with an ice flow and I still sit by the river and enjoy that.

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I wonder what experiences the Alaskan fleet have had?

My personal favorite keep warm combo is wool pants and shirt and hat for warmth. Rain pants for dry and a GOOD FLOAT COAT to keep me dry and save my life if I suddenly find myself in the water. Because, when you find yourself in the water it will almost always be sudden, a surprise, and a shock physically and mentally. The most popular float coat here in the interior of Alaska are Sterns and Mustang. Both are good, but lately I

[JeffM]

Actually, Greg, the difficulty I have reboarding my boat even in the best conditions is a continuing problem. I've tried without success to find a boarding ladder that (a) is out of the way when I don't need it, ( accessable from the water when I do need it, and © works for me. I have a Duckworks boarding step/handle low on the transom and a rope ladder, but find I end up UNDER the transom. A nifty home-made step I found in a Duckworks article looks promising, but it's a clunky-looking, semipermanent mount that would spoil my brightwork. Tackle wouldn't work even if there were someone aboard to operate it: no booms or vangs. So far my only other idea is to tie myself to the thwart (I'm more afraid of mis-steps than of capsizing).

I hear you on the wool. I've got just the sweater: loose, bulky, made by a relative who was just learning, hideous color--I've been looking for a good use for it! A wool cap is a bit harder: they're mostly synthetic now. Maybe a surplus store...

Thanks, Mark! I heard stories like these when I was a student taking advanced first aid. Apparently the sudden shock of cold water causes an involuntary indrawn breath--game over. I looked into survival suits and anti-exposure work suits a while back. I looked into float coats as soon as I read your post--easier on the wallet, but still expensive things, especially since most of my boating is in warmer weather. For now, I never leave the beach without a pfd over whatever else I'm wearing.

[klwood99]

Campmor.com has a couple of Merino wool hats.

Kevin

[Greg Luckett]

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-U-S-Navy-Watch-Beanie/dp/B00020C1HI