\"cold water\" - search results

The first real winter blast of the year poked south of the 25th parallel this week, as sun-seeking sailors as far south as the Keys poked their head out the companionway and decided, "I'd better put on another layer." Whether you want to cruise the higher latitudes or extend your sailing season this winter, the right clothing is important. Over the years, Practical Sailor has published a number of tests and reports on the clothing that keep us warm when the wind chill dips toward freezing.

When we read about a sailor lost overboard in the storm, we think about PFDs and personal locator beacons, and accept the sea is unforgiving. When we read of novice boaters drowning in a local lake, were sad, but say that will not happen us because we wear PFDs. But when we read of a PFD-equipped sailor falling overboard and dying within minutes its a real eye-opener.

After living in Florida for so many years, it is easy to forget the risks associated with colder waters, as the video on cold-water survival that I have included in this weeks blog post demonstrates. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the risk of drowning increases nearly five times if the water temperature is below 59 degrees. That puts many sailors in the Northeast, West Coast, and Great Lakes areas at risk for most, if not all of the year.

We like premium multi-season paints, particularly for sailors who sail year round. The copper leaches into the water more slowly than single season paints...

WINCH GREASE FALSE SAVINGS? With regards to your report on winch grease (see PS February 2017, “Budget Priced Winch Grease,”), price is a small consideration...

As more cruising sailors take advantage today's technology to extend their sailing season in winter or to push into the higher latitudes for new summer adventures, sailing apparel makers have followed suit—as in drysuit.

To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber. Sign in Subscribe Subscribe to Practical Sailor Get the next year of Practical Sailor for just $34. And access all of our online content - over 4,000 articles - free of charge. Subscribe today and save 42%. It's like getting 5 months […]

SPLIT MAINSHEET Regarding your recent report on split mainsheets (see PS November 2020, “Do Twin Mainsheets Better Control the Mainsail?”), if you attach the preventers/...

To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber. Sign in Subscribe Subscribe to Practical Sailor Get the next year of Practical Sailor for just $34. And access all of our online content - over 4,000 articles - free of charge. Subscribe today and save 42%. It's like getting 5 months […]

MULTIHULL MADNESS Regarding your report on the rising popularity of multihulls (see PS March 2017, “Multihull Madness”), when the wind speed doubles, the force and...