Fall Sailing

I’m convinced Fall is the best time for sailing. And this year proved that point once again. Sure it’s a little chilly at times and you have to layer up but I believe sailing is all about the experience, be it flat calm, gale winds, hot and humid or a crisp, cool day. On a typical weekend sail this fall we experienced 78 degrees and a warm south wind one day, clocking around to a Northwest wind and reaching a high of the low 60’s the next day. Another weekend we found ourselves drifting in waters so windless the lake looked like a mirror. A few days later we were reefed down with 20+ knots right on the beam. You can’t predict too far in advance what the weather will be like, just have to roll with it when it happens. Click here for more cool fall photos!

This year while breaking down the boats on a cool day in October, I had the overwhelming urge to fly some sail and went for an impromptu cruise. The wind was a gusty 18-25 knot north-northwest and rain showers were sporadically coming across the bay. For this solo sail I had to spend a little time layering up, putting on the foulies, running jacklines and harnessing into the cockpit. The squalls came across blowing sideways rain and amplifying the wind. I was safe and strapped in, nothing extreme or dangerous, but after many hours of dodging squalls, it was time to head in. Sometimes it’s good to burst the comfort bubble and feel alive.

The trade-offs are well worth the extra preparation that’s involved in Fall sailing. The crowds are almost non-existent, the water is still warm, fall colors along the shoreline are better than anything on cable TV. Plus, there’s something very fulfilling about being one of the few boats on the water. These are a few pictures from this Fall and from a few seasons back. If you need to get your fix of sailing time, call us about maybe a charter down south, but as of now, the freshwater fleet is hauled and winterized awaiting a spring launch.