Winter boating?

murphym7

In an effort to keep the forum alive and because I am interested I have a question.

Do many of us go boating in the winter months? If so what kind of boating do we all do.

I have done very little winter boating over the past 2 years really - I would usually have done some white sail racing on cruisers in Cork harbour for Oct, Nov, and hang up the boots then till easter.

Last year I collected a boat from one part of the harbour and delivered it to the other side, it was a lovely sunny December Sunday morning, cold, but really quite and nice. We were the only boat on the harbour and it was really nice.

How about the rest of us?

Jim from Cork

Will fish Cork Harbour when the weather allows - Eg: This Saturday looks fine

Tabnabs

Some of the best sailing I have done is on a quiet and clear January day. It's great to have the bay (Dublin) to yourself. Followed by hot drinks back at the berth.

Remember, there's no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing

DOTHEDOG

first of all my boat is full of ice

second i would love to do some winter fishing

third is it safe to go out in the winter with this weather an all

fourth what kind of fish would you catch in this weather,about half a mile out at sea

galway area :eek:

fergal.b

The boat is all covered up and winterised till next year, but the building will still go on on the new boat and engine.
I agree there are some days over the winter were the see would look so inviting just calling out to have a wake put across it.:)

fergal.b

DOTHEDOG wrote: »

first of all my boat is full of ice

second i would love to do some winter fishing

third is it safe to go out in the winter with this weather an all

fourth what kind of fish would you catch in this weather,about half a mile out at sea

galway area :eek:

As long as you follow all weather updates and have a good float plan you will be fine,here are some of the fish you can catch.

codling,whiting,pollock,coalie,dogfish,pouting,dabs,place,rockling,and flounders.







This is a little page you can copy and print to use when going out on unfamiliar water or any time you go out.
FLOAT PLAN
Complete this form before going out on your vessel and leave it with a reliable person who can be depended upon to
notify the Coast Guard or other rescue organization in case you do not return as scheduled. A word of caution: In case
you are delayed, and it is not an emergency, inform those with your float plan, the police, and/or Coast Guard of your
de,lay in order to avoid an unnecessary search!
1. Name of person filing this plan: __________________________________________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _________________
2. Description of boat: Registration number: _________________ Type: ___________ Make: ___________________
Color: _____________ Trim: ______________________________ Length: ___________ Name: ___________________
3. Name of persons onboard: Age: Address:
_____________________________________________ ____ _______________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _____________
_____________________________________________ ____ _______________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _____________
_____________________________________________ ____ _______________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _____________
_____________________________________________ ____ _______________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _____________
_____________________________________________ ____ _______________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _____________
_____________________________________________ ____ _______________________________________________
Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - _____________
Description of engine: Type: ________ Horsepower: ______ # of engines: ______ Fuel capacity: _____________
Survival equipment aboard. Check as appropriate.
❏ Life preservers ❏ Flares ❏ Flashlight ❏ Signal mirror ❏ EPIRB ❏ Anchor(s)
❏ Smoke signals ❏ Horn ❏ Water ❏ Paddles ❏ Raft or dinghy ❏ Food
Radio ❏ Yes ❏ No Type: ___________________ Call sign: ____________________
Cell ❏ Yes ❏ No #: ___________________
Trip expectations
Leaving from: _____________________________________ Going to: _________________________________________
Departing on: ___________ / _________ ❏ am ❏ pm Returning: ___________ / _______ ❏ am ❏ pm
date time date time
And, in no event, returning later than: ___________ / _______ ❏ am ❏ pm
date time
Other pertinent information: _________________________________________________________________________
Description of automobile: Trailer license #: _________________________
Make: ______________ Color: ______ License #: ____________ Where parked: __________________________
If not returned by: ___________ / _________ ❏ am ❏ pm
Call:
Coastguard telephone #: ( _112_or 999______ ) _________ - ________________
Local authority: ________________________________ Telephone #: ( ________ ) _________ - ____________
date time

DOTHEDOG

good work very impressive fergal b

anyone know what the frequencey is on a vhf for the coastguard

haven't got one yet just wanna know in advance cheers

Alfreado

I race all year around, snow or no snow!! Kayak less in the winter but still go on the calmer days.

fergal.b

DOTHEDOG wrote: »

good work very impressive fergal b

anyone know what the frequencey is on a vhf for the coastguard

haven't got one yet just wanna know in advance cheers

Channel 16 is the main one or you could use these
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:-XNQaXhaVFYJ:www.sailing.ie/dynamic/pdf/VHF%2520Comms%2520Network%2520Map%2520-%2520Copier%2520version.pdf+coast+guard+channel+in+ireland&hl=en&gl=ie&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESju5XeBOj6bNi1vQZIzpmKG102vHklJxKzbyyeJmRFv3D8ILCvdhUNCYEtEeCEw8NDwxVLDWJSVm4CZbErLozllEAGB2koXZASRfhwS4eJjQ52nXmirYxFVrOtIY6y7EjNA-GhM&sig=AHIEtbRmPHAkJcDoxsqUgtlwWhS57TFRaA

Might be worth your while doing a VHF courses to get your ID http://www.vhf.ie/ sometimes it is better to use PAN PAN than to make a call, this is just a basic of what to do.


SAMPLE DISTRESS CALL on VHF Channel 16

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is the vessel (name of vessel) _______________________________________, _____________ (give station ID if available then spell out in phonetic alphabet) ________________________________________________________________________________ Over.

Wait for response. Repeat. If no response, check that channel is on 16 and power is on high and continue broadcast with full information as shown below. Continue to broadcast until you leave the ship. Activate DSC signal on VHF radios equipped with this new feature.

Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is the sailing vessel ________________________________, _____________ (station ID). We are a ______________ (color) hulled _________ (sloop, ketch, cutter, etc) at position _____________________, ______________________ with _____________persons onboard. (State nature of distress, e.g., we have struck an object and are taking on water and preparing to abandon ship to a ________liferaft. We are activating the EPIRB, DSC). Repeat, our position is _________________, _____________ we have _________persons onboard. Request immediate assistance. Mayday, mayday, mayday. Over.

---

SAMPLE PAN PAN CALL
Pan pan, pan pan, pan pan, this is the sailing vessel Dancer. We have grounded on the shoal at Channel Island but appear to be stable. Repeat, this is the sailing vessel Dancer grounded on Channel Island shoal. Request assistance from any vessel in the vicinity in case of further distress. This is the sailing vessel Dancer standing by on channel 16.

After you determine that everything is fine and you are underway again, cancel the pan pan.

Hello all stations, hello all stations, hello all stations, this is the sailing vessel Dancer cancelling pan pan. Dancer standing by channel 16.

murphym7

Nice float plan Fergal - normally I would call up Cork harbour radio for a radio check and give them an idea where I am going and when I'll be back, this works fine too - although you need to make sure you don't forget to tell them when you are back at station!!!

DOGTHEDOG - Definitely pick yourself up a VHF and do the course, quick and easy and may save your life. VHF's are cheap these days, I have a handheld at the moment which is fine for harbour stuff. Most of the buddy's boats have a fitted set with an aerial nice and high in the mast - better distance. It is interesting too, to listen in what’s going on around the place.

Winter boating can be great but as we all know you are multiplying the risk factors.

I like Dyflin's comment Remember, there's no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing

DOTHEDOG

yes it is cold but at the same time i would love to just get up and go

ltdslipdiff

Went out off Dunmore East in the Pilothouse last Stephens' day, it was cold and overcast, not very pleasant but marked the occasion nicely. Caught one quite sick-looking mackeral and a coal-fish.

Didn't stay out long as fingers had stopped working.....

Tabnabs

I bought one of these for myself and found it excellent for keeping you snug when afloat.



Google floatation suits.

Jim from Cork

Had a nice few cod and pollack from the harbour today Cold but nice. Good bit of commercial traffic but no other anglers.

murphym7

Dyflin wrote: »

I bought one of these for myself and found it excellent for keeping you snug when afloat.



Google floatation suits.

Used to wear soemthing like this driving RIBs in the North sea, very toasty. One word of warning though, on warm days we used to open them up and take them down to our waists and tie them there, until a fella fell in and floated head down and arse up!! Probably useless info though as you won't be made wear them on warm days like us.

cbreeze

selina8099 wrote: »

I am unable to swim, so Iam afraid to do winter boating. It is too cold, isn't it?

Cant swim either - but sail in winter all the time. The water temperature around Ireland is at its warmest at the end of the summer, and coldest in the spring. But you would not be thinking of going over! Multiple layers, good wet gear and a hat will keep you toasty. In the event of such an accident all boats should have the appropriate first aid equipment for the time of year, plus a spare set of dry clothes in case of an unplanned dip.

Jim from Cork

selina8099 wrote: »

I am unable to swim, so Iam afraid to do winter boating. It is too cold, isn't it?

FFS you'll drown just as fast in the summer.....
Get out there and enjoy

irishllanaber

I sail a laser every sunday in Dun laoghaire frostbites. Its my favorite time of the year to race. You need the proper clothing for capsizing .I was out yesterday, It took two of us to pull the trolley off the ground, it was frozen solid to the concrete. We had a fantastic sail

DOTHEDOG

well winter is nearly over thank god and i can't wait for a bit of half decent weather to go out on

Skuxx

DOTHEDOG wrote: »

well winter is nearly over thank god and i can't wait for a bit of half decent weather to go out on

Here here, give it another 6 or 8 weeks and we'll get the boat de-winterised and be back on the water for another season!
Can't friggin wait!