SmallCraftAdvisor.com

Winter will be long!
oups! by Michel Boulet, sur Flickr

No worries! We had snow 2 weeks ago and this week it's going to be in the high 60s, low 70s.

crazycarl wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 03, 2020 4:17 pm

No worries! We had snow 2 weeks ago and this week it's going to be in the high 60s, low 70s.

Hello Carl! Where are you?

It was Alfred Wainwright a British guidebook writer who wrote “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. I think a couple of Norwegians have made similar quotes. The weather in the Finger Lakes of New York is fairly similar to southern Quebec. I have found drysuits very useful to extending my season into December. Also able to start sailing again in early April. I have a very low open boat, a Gig Harbor Melonseed.

Hi Ed2 and welcome aboard!

The drysuit thing is not a bad idea! That makes sense! BTW, those Melonseed look very nice, as well as the other smaller type of Melonseed.

Thanks for the welcome. I have been getting Small Craft Advisor since about 2005. I have not commented on the blog in several years though. I must have more time at home these days with COVID. COVID made for a shorter season with boat ramps closed until late May. That means extending the season longer is even more important. Snow expected earlier this week, but by the weekend it is looking good enough for sailing.

Here is my sailboat with skipper and crew in summer attire.

Lovely vessel to be sure.

Nice rig too! Is it original on the boat or did you change from something else?

Thanks for the nice comment, but the glacial waters of Cayuga Lake here makes the picture pop. This is the original balanced lug rig from Gig Harbor Boat Works with one reef in. I would like to add another reef point as in high winds, 20mph, the boat is overpowered with the first point.

I have the rolling reefing system on my boat. It is not as easy as the slab reefing to use but it works perfectly once you get the hang of it with practice.
The main advantage IMO to that system is that it is possible to reef to any degree.
I like it!
MaitKen_roller-reefed_Oct2019 by Michel Boulet, sur Flickr

app2_FD_SC05 by Michel Boulet, sur Flickr

app2_FD_SC04 by Michel Boulet, sur Flickr

I use it on this video!
https://youtu.be/babWIATd6d0