Sunday, March 6, 2016

Winter Sailing: Keep It Simple and Sweet!

J/24s sailing off Boston, MA (Boston, MA)- Yes!  The Boston Sailing Center sails their J/24s in a winter-long Midwinters series!  For most of North America, racing during winter months is a bit of lottery. Consistency and tolerable conditions is no lock. If this is your sailing venue, you can only limit the risk and hope for the best.

Keeping it simple and sweet is the idea behind the J/24 Frostbite Racing in Boston Harbor. Now in its 24th year, the concept centers around Boston Sailing Center and their fleet of 18 boats. Entry fee includes the boat charter, and racing extends from early November to late March in Boston’s Inner Harbor.

J/24 crews frostbiting in BostonWith racing just minutes from the dock, the first race is at noon and boats are typically back to the dock before 4pm. Post-race wrap-ups feature video review of the day’s racing and a de-brief with race committee or guest speakers, along with spirits and chili. Simple and sweet.

Living in regions with real winters, keeping skills sharp is the challenge, as is limiting any boat maintenance and storage issues. Leveraging the assets of a community sailing center, which are likely less used in the winter, is a brilliant solution.

Ken Leger report-
We had snow on February 7 and ice on February 14. Conditions both days were good for racing, about ten knots SW and ten knots SE. When the wind backed to ESE the ice on the East side of the harbor drifted onto the race course. It was a slushy ice so you could sail through it but at a reduced speed.

J/24s frostbiting off Boston Sailing CenterFrostbite Racing-
Keep your sailing skills sharp in the off season. We offer J-24 fleet racing Saturday afternoons from 12 to 3pm. There will be 18 boats on the line from November 7, 2015 through March 26, 2016. Post race wrap-ups feature video highlights of the day's racing and along with spirits and chili. The match racing eliminations and finals will be held on the last two days of the season.

If you are near Boston and want to get involved, or if this sounds like something that might work in your region, check out the information here.