2008 adventures and winter sailing

Steve Behnke · Post by **Steve Behnke** » Dec 3rd, '08, 03:31

Back in January I publicly resolved to get out in Altariel each month of 2008.

I'm pleased to report that as of December 2 I've been sailing (at least an hour or two!) in Southeast Alaska every month this year. Early December is pretty quiet on the water in Juneau, but I saw gulls, murrelets, scoters, a seal, and indications of lots of bait fish. There was a gentle north breeze -- about 5-7 knots -- but there's a wind advisory for 40-60 knots tonight.

We haven't had snow at sea level yet, but there's lots on the mountains and it was just below freezing today. The biggest problems I had were getting frozen knots untied (we've been having a lot of rain up until our recent cold snap), and being careful not to slip on frosty, icy decks.
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Russell · Post by **Russell** » Dec 3rd, '08, 04:11

Wow, I know a lot of folks sail in the winter, but in alaska? Wow.

For you folks who actually use your boats durring the more frozen bits of the year, what do you do about winterizing? Do you rewinterize after each sail?

And here I am feeling chilly because it dropped down to 75 tonight.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Dec 3rd, '08, 08:41

Steve, Alaska sounds more balmy than CT. I can't say I have gotten out every month of the year but definitely get out in some of the colder months. Dry cold is always better than rainy cold. We are planning our January seal cruises now. I have to sell Christmas trees the rest of this month so weekends are out for Dec. Fishers Island Sound is getting lots of winter seals these days and most people don't even know they are there. It is fun to get out to see them.

Russel, I winterized my head and fresh water system a week before Thanksgiving as things were getting pretty frosty here for a while. I don't worry too much about the engine until it gets pretty cold. Closing off the cowl vents helps and the water temps are still pretty warm. When is does get cold enough to worry I need to winterize each time I run the engine. I added a Groco strainer the first year I owned the boat and the top is 1/2" above the water line. This was accidental but works very well as all I need do is take off the top and pour in antifreeze till the exhaust runs pink. It doesn't take that much to do the engine. So for less than $2.00 I can winterize the engine. I did have a problem with stiff raw water impellors on one very cold trip. Other than that and the fact that you are very much alone most of the time, winter trips are pretty simple. Some of the lobster guys in our marina keep block heaters plugged in but I always worry about a power supply problem. If I was closer to the boat I might go that route.

One of these years I might head down where winterization is not an issue. That seems to be the very best solution to this whole cold weather issue, Steve.

John Danicic · Post by **John Danicic** » Dec 3rd, '08, 18:24

Steve:

A question for Alaska and other far-northern sea sailors.

So when the weather gets cold up there, does ice form in the bays? At what air temperatures does seawater spray start to freeze on your boats?

I would love to go sailing in the winter on Lake Superior but the thought of all that fresh water freezing on everything keeps the boat ashore and the cover on.

Sail on
John Danicic
CD 36 -Mariah- #124
Lake Superior - The Apostle Islands

Tom M · Post by **Tom M** » Dec 3rd, '08, 18:49

Glad to hear some other cold weather sailers
are out there!
New Jersey is pretty mild, in comparison
to Alaska/Conn.This is my second winter season and it sure
is PEACEFUL on the Bay.
This time of year I am a Fair weathersailer light winds
an 40+Temp. I have a 6Hp Nissan and assume the water drains
out after each running? Is This a Valid assumtion?
any thoughts would be appreciated. T

Steve Behnke · Post by **Steve Behnke** » Dec 5th, '08, 16:15

Most sailboats in Southeast Alaska are left in the water (partly because so few of us have any flat land to put them!), so winterizing is somewhat simplified. I change the oil, make sure the fuel tank is full, and keep the batteries charged. I try to run the engine every few weeks.

Our air temperatures hover around freezing much of the winter, and are seldom down to zero, and the water is warmer. Also my little Yanmar is raw-water cooled so it has a few extra degrees of protection.

The main problem is keeping the deck clear of snow and ice buildup. I usually use a simple tarp tent, and go down and sweep when we get a dump of snow. The other problem is mildew in the interior. Some winters I keep some heat in the boat -- other times I just try to keep it vented.

There's rarely ice around here except at the mouth of streams or during the very coldest winters and most protected inlets. Occasionally our harbor gets a thin skim of mush ice, but hasn't been a problem.

We do see boats and barges arriving with lots of ice build up from spray --- I just don't go out in those wind and temperature conditions! I pick my winter sailing opportunities pretty carefully -- we almost always get at least a couple of days each month when its actually fun and not just a survival situation.