What's the Sailing Season in Your Neck of the Woods ?

[Bill Balme]

I sail off the coast of MA and Ri in the US. We're pretty normal folk and generally sail from mid May until late October. (Granted, this year we could have pretty much sailed through the whole winter!)

We're trying to put together an outline schedule for an upcoming circumnavigation - and trying to work out when it's likely to get too cold for comfort to continue sailing. So I'm wondering what the average sailing season is for normal folk in the following locales:

UK
Iceland
Norway
Mediterranean
Patagonia
New Zealand
Northern Australia
South Africa

We know we'll end up being a little out of normal schedule - but would like to understand just what is normal.

Thanks,

[Hydra]

Bill,
Here (Western France), the "normal" sailing season is roughly April to October but the racing season is February to November.

There are some originals like me who keep sailing all year round, even in freezing (-5°C / 23°F) temperatures. However, the water supply is interrupted in the marinas when there is a risk of freezing. Then, it becomes difficult to obtain tap water.

Alain

[barnakiel]

Depends on how well the boat is insulated ;-)

roughly:

UK - late spring, summer, early autumn
Norway - summer
Mediterranean - all year, winter is only so-so,
New Zealand - all year, winter is wet and cold
Northern Australia - all year, half of it you can get a cyclone in some parts
South Africa - all year, winter is rough

b.

[Jacko]

Its NOT a good idea to be in the Pacific from mid December through March. Yes you can sail then but it is cyclone season and only the fool hardy travel then. You will not find any boats far away from a cyclone hole and the authorities will give you a hard time if they have to rescue you. Cheers Jacko

[Astrid]

In Iceland, if I recall, sailing season was usually May or June to September, but one had to keep an eye on the weather. High season is about 1 July to end of August.

[bobconnie]

If ya don't mind heat and humidity, our season is year around !! of course you must watch the weather, but you have to do that everywhere! just a little closer down here ! LOL but really it's great sailing down here !(if you don't mind the bright lights on the oil rigs LOL) just my 2 cents

[Bill Balme]

Thanks for the responses - sounds like the following is about right - for overall planning purposes only:

UK: April - September?
What about Scotland? May - September?
Iceland: June - September?
Norway: June - August?
Mediterranean: Year round
Patagonia ? December - February?
New Zealand: Year round?
Northern Australia: Year Round?
South Africa: Year round?

(Looks like our Southern brethren are somewhat more hardy than us Northern wimps!)

Thanks...

[Jacko]

Hey Bill I don't know how you got Year Round for Northern Australia. You have to consider Cyclone season even the trawlers are back here in Cairns now hiding from the weather. Only 2 days ago it was 150+knts in the Southern Gulf with a Cat 3 cyclone heading just west of Darwin Please check this out before planning to be around the Far North Australia this time of year Cheers Jacko

[feelsgood]

Hi we live in Morlaix in Brittany (France) our sailing season is when the wind is in the right direction, the fish are bighting or when the sun shines

[David M]

On the West Coast of the US it is all year. It can get cold and rainy at times but the harbors do not get blocked with ice.