Why go on a sailing holiday in winter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- The icy chill in the air somehow makes the stars shine brighter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The sun may set earlier, but it makes the sunsets more spectacular<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fewer boats on the water creates a sense of serenity<\/strong> hard to beat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You\u2019ll find that marinas<\/strong> \u2014 as well as restaurants and sites of interest \u2014 will be far less crowded <\/strong>compared to summer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
And while boating in winter does, of course, come with its challenges, you don\u2019t need to be a diehard sailor to take to the waters in the colder months<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"sailboat](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5 Tips for a Safe Winter Sailing Holiday You\u2019ll Really Enjoy<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Know what you\u2019re getting yourself into<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mental preparation beforehand is key to both staying safe and enjoying your winter sailing trip. It\u2019s about setting realistic expectations for what you\u2019ll experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSome things to bear in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Adaptability<\/strong> will be important if a turn in the weather makes it necessary to stay close to shore and hunker down longer than expected. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Being able to keep warm while sailing in winter is crucial, so expect that to be a big focus of your trip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
And along that line, staying active <\/strong>will help warm you up, so you may find you want to be even more involved in the physical activities of sailing<\/a> of the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Stay warm and dry with the proper winter sailing gear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what you\u2019re going to want to bring to wear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Waterproof outerwear<\/strong>: we\u2019re talking head-to-toe coverage, including footwear<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Layers, layers, layers<\/strong>: starting with a cozy thermal base layer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A heavy wool sweater<\/strong>: there\u2019s a reason they call it a \u201cfisherman sweater\u201d: wool retains heat and wicks moisture better than synthetics or cotton<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wool or fleece socks:<\/strong> make sure they fit comfortably with your footwear<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A hat:<\/strong> items to keep your face and neck warm are good ideas, too<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Insulated gloves:<\/strong> alternatively, several pairs of fleece gloves that\u2019ll dry quickly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sunglasses or even ski goggles:<\/strong> just \u2018cause it\u2019s cold doesn\u2019t mean the sun\u2019s not shining<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Keep cozy with warm, comforting food and drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Frequent small meals are preferable on a winter sailing trip. And if they\u2019re warm, all the better. Think pre-made items<\/strong> that can be heated up.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s good to always have a thermos with a hot beverage<\/strong> at the ready \u2014 both for hydration <\/strong>and for warming up<\/strong>. Hot chocolate is a great option (coffee, being a diuretic, less so).<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Understand that boats need special attention in winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cold weather isn\u2019t just harsh on humans. Boats require extra care in the winter months as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then there are the lines: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- keep both the fuel tank and water tank topped off <\/strong>in winter<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- an engine may need antifreeze<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- starting that engine in the cold will use more battery power <\/strong>than normal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- keeping boats dry<\/strong> is a priority when it\u2019s cold out<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- condensation<\/strong> can be a problem in a boat\u2019s cabin in winter and will need to be addressed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- nobody wants to sit on a cold wet seat in winter, so cockpit cushions<\/strong> need to be brought inside<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Don\u2019t hesitate to bring an experienced skipper on board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With the unique challenges and extra safety precautions that come with sailing in winter, it\u2019s understandable for even a seasoned sailor to feel more comfortable with a professional captain on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An expert skipper will know all the critical boat safety tips<\/a> for sailing in cold weather and can help ensure that your winter boat holiday is comfortable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReady to plan your winter boat holiday? Check out our list of the best places to sail this winter<\/a>. Prefer to escape the cold altogether? This list of the best winter sun sailing destinations<\/a> was made for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop, some may say it\u2019s time to trade in the sails for the skis. Even some experienced sailors in winter (as this guest post reveals) turn their attention to other activities. Not us. We know that a cold-weather winter boat holiday can be a truly magical, unmissable … <\/p>\n
And while boating in winter does, of course, come with its challenges, you don\u2019t need to be a diehard sailor to take to the waters in the colder months<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mental preparation beforehand is key to both staying safe and enjoying your winter sailing trip. It\u2019s about setting realistic expectations for what you\u2019ll experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some things to bear in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And along that line, staying active <\/strong>will help warm you up, so you may find you want to be even more involved in the physical activities of sailing<\/a> of the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what you\u2019re going to want to bring to wear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frequent small meals are preferable on a winter sailing trip. And if they\u2019re warm, all the better. Think pre-made items<\/strong> that can be heated up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s good to always have a thermos with a hot beverage<\/strong> at the ready \u2014 both for hydration <\/strong>and for warming up<\/strong>. Hot chocolate is a great option (coffee, being a diuretic, less so).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cold weather isn\u2019t just harsh on humans. Boats require extra care in the winter months as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there are the lines: <\/p>\n\n\n\n With the unique challenges and extra safety precautions that come with sailing in winter, it\u2019s understandable for even a seasoned sailor to feel more comfortable with a professional captain on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An expert skipper will know all the critical boat safety tips<\/a> for sailing in cold weather and can help ensure that your winter boat holiday is comfortable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to plan your winter boat holiday? Check out our list of the best places to sail this winter<\/a>. Prefer to escape the cold altogether? This list of the best winter sun sailing destinations<\/a> was made for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop, some may say it\u2019s time to trade in the sails for the skis. Even some experienced sailors in winter (as this guest post reveals) turn their attention to other activities. Not us. We know that a cold-weather winter boat holiday can be a truly magical, unmissable … <\/p>\n![\"sailboat](\"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sailing-in-winter.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5 Tips for a Safe Winter Sailing Holiday You\u2019ll Really Enjoy<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Know what you\u2019re getting yourself into<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"winter](\"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/winter-sailing-tips.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
2. Stay warm and dry with the proper winter sailing gear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"winter](\"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/winter-sailing-clothes.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Keep cozy with warm, comforting food and drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Understand that boats need special attention in winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"winter](\"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/winter-sailing-preparations.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Don\u2019t hesitate to bring an experienced skipper on board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n