Sailing Today

A Winter's Sail

Go sailing in winter? You must be joking! If this is your first reaction then perhaps you should think again. In this article I will highlight some of the many reasons why sailing in the colder months is a good idea, with specific examples based in the Solent and adjacent waters.

Won’t it be cold?

For sure it is most likely to be colder than in July, but an extra layer or two, a warm hat and good gloves should fix that inconvenience. While most would probably not be too enthusiastic about venturing out into a F7 in the pouring rain, a cold dry day with bright blue skies is hard to beat.

Cold air is dry air, and this means that everything will have a clarity and sparkle that can lift the spirits above the humid mists of summer, but don’t forget the sunscreen and lip salve.

Empty marinas?

With less adventurous souls choosing to haul out over winter, there are bound to be fewer boats on the water, so the marinas and anchorages are more likely to have space available.

Be prepared however for the late season rush. Yarmouth Harbour report having had their busiest day of

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