Water temperatures: what's warm?

[BruceW]

Folks, I have lived in Raleigh NC for 30+ years, and my sailing area is primarily the Neuse River these days. Our water temps are in the 40s now, and really, even in the summer aren't really warm.

I see these pictures of various places where people are in the water, and I"m just feeling like I'm missing out. Yeah, I'm 63, and the cold is starting to bug me more now.

Anyway, I saw this map, and it made me start wondering what is ideal for water temp, and where is that?

http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/climate/world-maps/world-sst.html

I see lots of 70s, even up to 80s in coastal US; but you have to get below that, like PR, Cuba, VI, etc for warmer.

I need to get out and do some primary research, huh. Well, where have you been, lived, etc, where the water is warm? What temp is warm to you?

Also, air temp is going to be above 50 sometimes this week, so I'm hoping to go sailing one of these days soon.

[hoddinr]

Bruce,

We get Sea Temps in the 90's in the summer here on the west coast of Florida.  Believe me, that's not good for swimming either.  Feels like a warm bath.
I like temperatures in the 80's for swimming, like 86 - 88. Above that it's too warm for me.

Florida springs are a year round 72 degrees, so they're fine for a warm day but not for too long.  In the summer we sail into the springs, and they create their own "weather" by cooling the air around the spring.  Makes it possible to anchor overnight (not directly over the springs) in the warm summer evenings.

Ron

[BruceW]

Good to have some numbers;hadn't thought of the water being too warm, but it does make sense. These florida springs; are they easy to find? Sounds really interesting!

[hoddinr]

Yes, they're easy to find.  Most are located off of rivers, and are partly the source of rivers in FL.  You've probably heard of Silver Springs, near Ocala.  It's now a State Park.  Silver Glen Springs off of Lake George which is part of the St. John's River is nice and accessible by sailboat, and Salt Springs, also off of Lake George. 

Check out our recent trip to Silver Glen Springs here: http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss/Photos123.html

There are other photo collections of Silver Glen Springs in the "gallery pages" here: http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss/gallery.htm

Item 70, 86, and 104 from the Gallery menu specifically.

Enjoy
Ron

[deisher6]

Hey Bruce:
Kept an eye out for you and an ear on C-16 on the Neuse Friday and Saturday.  The water was cold, the wind cold too, but the sailing was great.
regards charlie

[atrometer]

Here is a website with Florida springs

http://underwaterflorida.homestead.com/springs.html

They are NICE!

[hoddinr]

Neat video on that site, Gus!

Ron