Each year we set small new goals for our sailing season. This year its to sail in each month of the year. On new years day we took Prairie Gold out for a spin. Today, February 2nd, we had a great day with the air temperature at 55F. We had to go out. For the first time since early November we didn't wear coats, just a few layers. For most of the time we didn't even need hat and gloves. Winds were averaging about 10kts true out of the west. We headed downwind to Castle Island and then turned around and sailed close hauled back to Constitution Marina. January - check, February - check.
The biggest ordeal with the winter sailing is undoing all of the dock lines, putting them back on again and then winterizing the engine when we get back. However, we are getting much faster at this. I have a bucket on the back of Prairie Gold which I use to collect snow or rain so that we have fresh water to flush through the external cooling system (to flush out sea water) prior to pumping through the antifreeze. It worked well.
Throughout the winter I have been monitoring engine and sea water temperature to give me an idea when we can stop winterizing after sailing. Today the sea water temperature, which dictates the engine temperature, was still in the 30s at 39F so we still have a way to go with warming before I am comfortable not to winterize.
Now back to working - I often say "I work hard during the winter and hardly work during the summer" (which is of course because I spend a lot of time on Prairie Gold.
