Sailing Strategies for Navigating Winter Seas
In the world of offshore sailing, experienced yachtsman Bob Beggs stands out as a seasoned sailor who has braved extreme cold-weather sailing conditions, including his participation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and his adventures in the Arctic Circle. While specific advice from Bob Beggs on handling cold conditions on a yacht may not be found in the current search results, we can still share some general tips that sailors like him often recommend.
- Dress for the weather: Wearing layered, insulated, and waterproof clothing is essential for retaining warmth and staying dry. High-quality foul weather gear designed for extreme conditions is a must-have.
- Keep extremities covered: Thermal gloves, socks, and hats are crucial for protecting hands, feet, and heads from the cold.
- Stay active, but avoid sweating: Maintaining circulation is important, but avoid sweating as moisture can chill the body in cold conditions.
- Fuel up: Eating high-calorie, warm meals and drinking warm fluids can help sustain energy levels.
- Safety first: Using foulies and harnesses safely is important for preventing falls and maintaining mobility on the deck.
- Prepare the boat: Managing icing risks and ensuring all systems function in freezing temperatures is crucial for a successful voyage.
- Prioritise rest and sleep: Cold fatigue can impair decision-making ability, so getting enough rest is essential.
For those seeking detailed, firsthand tips from Bob Beggs, interviews, blogs, or race logs may be the best sources. In extreme conditions, Bob suggests rotating crew members down below to help them re-warm. He also encourages staying active, doing exercises like press-ups or jogging on the spot to generate body heat.
Bob is a proponent of the three-watch routine, which means fewer people are on deck getting cold at any given time. He also emphasises the importance of good food for crew morale and team performance. A buddy system, where each team member looks after a buddy to maintain blood circulation, is another tip Bob offers.
With a vessel carrying 22 people, multiple meals, cleaning tasks, and maintenance tasks need to be managed. Bob normally gives the watch leader the authority to rotate crew in extreme conditions, especially at night. He is not a big believer in gloves, but suggests wearing certain types of gloves when helming due to the cold and wet conditions.
Lastly, Bob advises minimising exposure on the deck, especially during big sail changes in extreme conditions. He suggests turning off the breeze during sail changes to limit crew exposure to the cold, wet, and wind chill for less time. Everything on the vessel is designed around minimising exposure to the worst conditions and keeping as few people on deck as possible.
