Episode #043: Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast Beating the winter blues! How I stay engaged in my sailing over the winter…

Alright winter sucks for us northern sailors! True, I am lucky that my boat is in the water, but it’s cold! I haven’t sailed in months and I’m going through withdrawal (the winter blues)! So, I thought I would let you in on my “happy list”. The list of things that I do throughout the winter to keep me looking forward to next season and making sure I’m ready to make the most of it! Enjoy!
Other episodes you may enjoy:
- EP 9: My Top 8 Sailing Books
- EP 7: Day Trip Planning: Things to Consider
- EP 19: Which Sailing Course Do I Take?
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#59: Sails – Prevention & Basic Maintenance – Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast
A list of things to do…
As always I have a variety of ideas for you to keep the sailing love alive during the winter to beat the winter blues. Hopefully you find a couple ideas that work for you!
- Read a good sailing book!
- Learn a new knot! Animated Knots is great for this…
- Gear checks – pull off your sails, check for wear and tear.
- Canvass replacement – do you need to fix or replace anything for your dodger/bimini?
- Take measurements for new sails if you have access to your boat
- Chart review & checking out some new sailing destinations!
- Draw or sketch out some new anchorages… great way to get to know the specific area
- Take a course! Lots of online courses are available… Google it!
- Inventory: spare parts, engine parts, tools, first aid kits, electrical parts, etc.
- YouTube: enjoy someone else’s journey… Erik Aaderaa, Sailing Project Atticus, SV Delos
- Go through personal sailing gear: base layers, shorts, pants, shoes, etc., see what needs to be updated/replaced
- Make a birthday list! What are some of things you’d LOVE to have on your boat?
- Winter boat sleepover! Climb up in there, grab a heater, a sleeping bag and have some slumber fun!
- Create your diagrams! Create diagram of safety gear, spare tools/parts, thru hulls, electrical diagrams, etc.
- Update your boat binder! Keep you manuals up to date…
- Create a Pinterest board about reorganizing your boat…
- Boat meal plan! Pull together some of your favourite recipes
- Sew some boat sheets for your v-berth and bunks
- Learn a new skill! Fiber glassing, engine maintenance, splicing, navigation, etc.

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