Just a little sail.

[Ian McColgin]

Yesterday. Three reefs had been not exactly necessary, two or even just one reef would have been more apt, but it was cold and the wind felt hard at the dock and I was feeling woosie.

[johngsandusky]

Sweet. I was out again last Saturday. Yesterday was pleasant here, near 50, light air. I worked on the main. How was your sail? I don't remember if you have a cabin heater. I use my oven and Aladdin Lamp to warm the cabin a bit.

[Ian McColgin]

I've not really been a year-round liveaboard on this boat so occasional electric heat at the dock is fine. On Goblin I never ran the solid fuel stove when sailing. On Granuaile I had fully marinized a coal fired brooder-heater and so did sail in all weather with it running. When I shifted to a big Dickensen gravity fed diesel stove, I found that it actually could operate safely and cleanly to 20 degrees heel and just a bit smokey if angles up to 30 degrees were not maintained long. Since winter sailing is mostly a lighter air comfort issue anyway, I rarely even tried to sail in anything stiffer than a Moderate Breeze (Force 4, wind 11kt - 16kt) so it was no problem.

[Ian McColgin]

By the way, MaryEllen snapped this shot from Kalmus looking south southwest to the Hyannis Port jetty. I was sailing with a Newfoundlander, but of course.

Here's Michael:

[Hunky Dory]

Love the first picture, What a great winter so far we have been blessed with a lot of good boating days and evenings. I worked yesterday but did get out last night for a row. It was 35 degrees no wind to start and a light 5 to 10 to finish up with under a bright full moon. If you consider we usually have a frozen bay this time of year not bad.

[johngsandusky]

I also prefer to winter sail in gentle breezes, no more than moderate. I find that if I can warm the cabin even ten degrees it adds real comfort.