Weather Watch

I see that in the UK (wales) that they are battening down the hatches for "the big one", while here in South Australia we have just eclipsed a record of a different kind.

Adelaide has just gone 10 days where the daily temperature exceeded 35 degrees each day. Some days were 37 & some 40degrees. Apparently we are in for another 7-8 days of hot stuff.

While you might say the northern hemisphere is experiencing low temps, i personally would prefer adding the layers of clothing as there is only so much you can strip. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/sa_synoptic.asp

check out the link for temp forecast.

Just incase your slightly interested i was making a new snuffer head mould & only had 1% catalyst in my polyester mix & she went up in smoke in about 30 seconds - hardly had time to mix the damn stuff!. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Marcus

1%? What is the usual mix?

I definately prefer a cool climate compared to 35-40degC! But I think you also would feel the pain if going straight from the shower and into a car with inside temperatures around -5degC. There is nothing colder in the world than that experience.

Any pics of the snuffer head concept you are working on?

2% for slowish cure on moderate day say 20-25deg, 3-4% on cold days, but never below 1%, otherswise risk not going off.!!

Snuffer head is revamped one we took to Zandvoort as the plug made for the Zandvoort snuffer was only meant to last 2-3 releases.!

Minus 5....hmmm.....called brass monkey weather here, but winters day for us is 8-10deg. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I think our perception of winter is a bit soft.!

I took the mast down on Sunday afternoon due to the forecast of high winds. Yesterday the highest gust was 82mph on Mumbles Head. The waves weren't as big as one would imagine as they were being blown flat, if that's possible!! It was in stark contrast to Rolf's picture that he posted yesterday. Anyway, drink lots of fluids Marcus!!

Do you usually tie down your boat when it is at the club?
I also think waves can be blown flat if the wind is strong enough. The largest waves usually comes when the wind have lessened a bit, or at least that was what we tought when going windsurfing.

35 to 40 deg.. Something to try one day. Would probably be painful and mind numbing..

Winter her on the west coast of Norway has been very mild compared to regular winters. Wales is right in the path of the lows crossing the atlantic so you should be used to there being "lots of weather" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Rolf
My Cat only ever leaves the boat park when I'm away at events, in other words it lives outside usually with the mast up and tied down 365 days of the year. Sails, foils and mainsheet blocks live in the garage between races. I've also attached a photo of the conditions at Mumbles Head this afternoon, it's taken looking East and directly up the Bristol Channel. Swansea Bay is behind the Headland on the left and this is where the Global Challenge will be taking place.
On my right, directly West is New Foundland.

Mark,

take out the kayak and go kayak surfing on those waves! Beautiful place..

Dont know if we will have boats and a budget ready for the GC at Mumbles. As it is, I dont think we will have time to do the boats and plan a trip.
Anybody who need a 98Kgs gorilla crew <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll take a few photo's of the surf and surfers later in the week as the wind is due to pick up again, gusts of nearly 60mph.

Our Winter series finished last Sunday 12-15mph wind speed and 18 degC. Today is our first Spring series race, forecast 17mph 7 degC. I woke up this morning and the back garden looks like this!!!!

POXY BLOODY COMPUTERS, never work properly when you want them to, our is it the User?

Went for a sail on a friend's boat (Nacra F18) yesterday and it was COLD!!
Outside temperature was 8degC and the wind was from the NE 5Bft.
It would have helped if I had worn my drysuit though instead of the 5/3 wetsuit AND if we hadn't pitchpoled with the spin up. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mark:
I work in IT and can tell you that its ALWAYS the users fault <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Maybe your picture is corrupt, mail it to me if you want.

I actually managed to upload the photo (& I thought you had to be a politician to be corrupt!!)
I'll definitely be wearing my Drysuit today, I've managed to capsize during the past two outings <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Still better to put them in the bank at the beginning of the season.

Mark,
Now I see why you drink.
That is way too cold!

This is why you should tie down your boats <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sommers Sailing Club near Melbourne a few years back.

Just saw these pictures over at SA from Mornington Yacht Club near Melbourne, not perfect racing conditions to say the least <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> :
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/fringe/2008/mornington%20storm%201.jpg
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/fringe/2008/mornington%202.jpg
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/fringe/2008/mornington%20beach.jpg

edit: as I type this its starting to snow too.

Disclaimer - No cats were harmed in these photos.

A crane was called in to pull them apart and neither boat sustained any damage.

The only thing funny about this is the 2nd picture where the sign says "$200 fine for swimming etc" with the surfers in the background. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

After yesterday I was seriously cursing myself for leaving Florida, we should have stayed there.

We went out for our first club race. Temperature - both air and water - was 8°C, but with the wind out of the north, it felt even colder. After half an hour and after hanging in the water with a dry suit that wasn't as dry as it ought to be, I quit.

Gill took the jib off and continued on his own. He felt fine for the first time out solo. But no real results. He came back to the course in the middle of the first race and the second race was cancelled due to the fact that almost every boat on the field was capsized. What a weekend!

We didn't hold the Race today it would have been way too cold for the Safety crew!!!! Still enjoyed a couple of drinks watching the bigger boats racing, you know the ones with one hull, dozens on board and tonnes of lead and still go surprisingly slow for the amount of cloth they carry <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

But those bigger boats have enough room to keep a good supply of rum on board.
Drink enough and the temp probably doesn't matter.
Cats are not quite so accommodating, although I know some
sailors who have stubbie holders on each side stay so they
can keep there beer handy.

Now now Phill, drinking that much rum while sailing is a good way to loose it all. Fact is that alcohol opens your body and your circulatory system for hypothermia. If you want to stay warm you empty your bladder and #2 before you go out, warm up with some jogging and exercises and drink something hot. You loose 90% of the heat through respiration and the neck/head. Cover your head and wear a loose neck, but dont hold your breath <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Majority of drowned recreational boaters are found with alcohol in their system and their zippers down.. Food for thought.

At 63deg North the day started out with everything covered by a nice layer of snow. Skiing in the mountains is still excellent and will stay so for the next two months I guess. Anybody wanting to come could still experience this.