WindCheck Magazine Well, that was quick

The week before the autumnal equinox on September 23, our weather was hazy, warm and humid. Then, like a light switch, the smell of fall hit the senses and for a weekend, it felt like crystal clear, cool, marching band and football weather. Like Jonathan Richman, you have to love New England. There were ten days between sticky highs in the 90s and glorious dry highs around 70. Unfortunately, the endless stream of threatening tropical systems broke up the transition. Extra lines were needed on your boat and foul weather gear and umbrellas were the tools for visiting the boat shows in Newport and Norwalk. As I write this, the day after the Norwalk Show, the n’or easter rolls on and honestly, it is getting old. Oh well. Hopefully we get a few more weekends before the travel lift beckons.

This abrupt change in weather makes you think hard about winter plans. I plan to get back on the frostbite track this season. I have to remember the old adage about no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. And lord knows, I really just need to go to the cellar and dig a bit to find all manner of good cold weather protection. The problem with that adage is that while it applies to the act of sailing and actually being on the water, it is harder to translate to working on the boat in preparation to go sailing. Who wants to go measure and test rake and rig tension in the driveway when it’s 50 degrees and pouring and blowing 20 knots? I guess I am getting soft. No, I know I am getting soft.

Well in that case, maybe it is best to sit back and read about adventurous racing like this year’s Ida Lewis Distance Race presented by Bluenose Yacht Sales on page 12. Or maybe enjoy a travelogue with Coop as he and the Mrs. travel to London. Perhaps a little doublehanded action in the Vineyard Race with our friends Basia and Todd. You could get a preview of new marine products in Checking In and then take that knowledge to the Annapolis shows this month. What I should probably do is reference The Barrister’s “Salty Reads to Keep You Going,” since I am certainly not going out to work on the boat in this weather. Best to know your limitations!