winter

[kickingbug1]

   it's coming------dammit

[Salty19]

Well, the good news is plenty of time to plan CLR 2017.   One suggestion is to tie helium balloons to the buoys since you guys were having a hard time finding them. I can make a nice map of the course for everyone if you want.

Got any boat projects lined up for winter? I forget if you polished her up yet.  She is a pretty boat, for a Catalina, harr-dee, harr-harr!!!

[Bob23]

  1st boat project: Get her out of the water! Yup...she's still in but looks like next weekend might be the day. Waaa...so tempted to leave her in for the winter but with the coming ice, not a good idea.
  Other items on the list? Too numerous to list here. Got up this morning to find the remains of our first wintry mix on the ground.
Bob23

[Potcake boy]

Well mateys, there's always Florida. Luckily we have no boating season here, so little time is left for projects and pondering of next year. With the help of cold beer we struggle from day to day, because, yes it is hard to not giggle all the time.

So it's time to retreat to the snow shovels and mittens. But when it becomes unbearable pay us a visit and soak up some sunshine. You can even enjoy a local custom - drinking cold beer in winter time.

[Mas]

It aint' coming, it's here!

Been on Interlude for last week, pulling sails, starting the winterizing process, lemon oiling the interior teak, some replacement caprail bungs, taking Mas out most days. Yesterday was such a spectacular day with highs into the 70's, then.......it came, a full gail warning posted and it is now cloudy, 41, and the halyards on the surrounding boats are singing (tied mine off, i like to sleep!) nursing a second hot cup of coffee. Yesterday was it, i now derig Mas, (have budgeted 15 minutes for that, gotta love the 16's!), get her ready for a couple hours or so of hurricane conditions then we both are home for the winter. Will be hauling Interlude inna couple weeks when the yard here catches up.

So Bob, will be in Whitegrass in less than two weeks from now for the 35th annual Jack Frost party. It's kinda hippy meets coal miner and tons of fun. They are already open with XC skiing for the season. Know you like that, jus sayin!

Oh and Potcake we have a local tradition as well, drinking beer all four seasons! Will be thinking of you while skiing this winter and having a cold beer by a warm fire

[Salty19]

Potcake Boy,

Thank you for the offer, the Admiral and I would be delighted to stay with you in Punta Gorda this winter!  If you don't mind I'll leave the 19 at home and sail your pilothouse--it's just too far to tow for our SUV.  I'm sure you understand.  I have great tastes in beer so we'll get along great. I'll just mention your name at Hurricane Charley's for the bar tab.  As our host, I'm sure this is how you prefer to treat your guests! 

We can swap homes if you prefer to experience a delightful winter. for a change of pace.  We're on a lake and there is a ramp next door.   Of course, the water will be solid, but don't let that distract you from sailing.  Just slap some skis on our 19 and go!  You won't even need ice for the cooler!  And,  it will be healthy for you to live up here to avoid skin cancer...you won't see the sun until at least March, perhaps April.

See you after Thanksgiving--and thanks again for the invitation! 

[Mas]

So what is wrong with this picture....sitting below decks with the little heater blasting, hot coffee and can almost see my breath it's so cold here this morning. The incessant wind doesn't help either and what am i doing, looking at live video from Whitegrass Ski touring center where they have received over ten inches and still coming down, wishing i was there.....or maybe having coffee with Potcake if not! Love our mountains and snow, love our boats and water, don't love cold and boats. 

All the sails are put away on Interlude and Mas. We are done. Time now for the infamous gatherings of on the hard winter sailors and snow!

[HeaveToo]

I really dislike winter.  It was my goal, at one point, to take some time off after I retire from my present career at 50.  I would take my boat south for the winter and enjoy Florida and the Bahamas. 

The way things are shaping up these days I doubt that will happen.  I will probably be around 40 when my wife and I have our first kid.  That will put a damper on a lot of things.  My wife isn't really into sailing so that also makes it tough. 

We shall see what happens.  Maybe someday I will be able to do that.  I will just be content to do my sailing on the Chesapeake Bay these days. 

Having a cabin heater sure does extend your sailing season.  The problem is that the weather is so unsettled that it can be nice one day and the next day the winds build up to unsailable conditions quick.  If you cruise this time of year, on the Chesapeake Bay, you have to give yourself a lot of days and allow lay overs for weather.  It will either blow hard or very light.

[Potcake boy]

Sorry guys, I spoke too soon. The weather here in Florida took a turn for the worse, it got so cold last night that I had to close the windows. Folks here are walking around with long pants on, except the tourists.

HeaveToo, where do you sail on the Chesapeake? I sailed the upper bay for many years. Kept my 16 in Holiday Hill marina Mayo, and years and boats later in the Municipal Marina in Havre De Grace.

[HeaveToo]

LOL...I bought my Compac 23 out of Holiday Hill Marina in Mayo.

Saga is out of Colonial Beach, on the Potomac River.  It is close to 30 miles to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay but the River is big water too.  I venture out into the bay a few times a year.

[kickingbug1]

    ill admit i love to hear a bad weather report from florida------as long as it isnt a hurricane that is

[Tim Gardner]

My hometown of Union Springs, NY got lambasted w white stuff!  They even canceled school!  I used to walk two miles in the snow uphill both ways when I was a kid. BAREFOOT!!!

Glad to see the that the young twentials have to do the same. No snowflakes there!
TG

[Mas]

So....sitting in the cockpit of Mas, having a cold one, gazing upon our mountains. Not the usual view from her, and first time there has been a sailboat here in 27 years. Feels right. Bring on the winter season.

[Bob23]

   Winter is defined in many ways to different people. The end of summer, the end of fall, first snow...yadayadayada! One way I really know when winter is here is the draining of my outside shower which thereby confines me to scrubbing up indoors. It's difficult when you realize you might be addicted to being outside, even the nights and mornings here these days in the upper 30's and the 40's, will find me outside, watching the moon and stars while engulfed in steaming hot water! It's made all that much better when a cold beer is in my hand! Ah...luxury!! Checking the forecast, it seems I'm safe from having to retreat inside for well into December.
BrrrrrBob23

[Mas]

I hear ya my friend...we have a shower in a greenhouse that is our favorite place to shower up. Just really love being outside regardless. Hot shower, cold beer, winter sky, a promise of snow....you're right doesn't get much better! Looking forward to sharing some cold ones with ya this winter.

The strong winds over the last few days have resulted in boats being stranded shy of their berths. Never had Interlude sitting on the bottom before but she is kissing the bottom now. Good time to call it done. Mas looks perfectly happy here in the mountains.