Boating in hot weather

sbw1

sbw1

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2006
8,185
West Michigan
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We got back to our home port after cruising for a month on Lake Michigan. Got the boat all cleaned up and decided to go for a putzy cruise around our lake to see what's up with the local scene. It was 86 degrees and we kept the boat hatches open and did not run the A/C with a drop curtain in place. We were out for just two hours and came back early because of the heat. It wasn't much fun. Caused us to wonder what southern boaters do to deal with high temps. It seems like winter would be the time to boat in Florida and other southern states. Do southerners use boats much in July and August? If so, only if they are air conditioned? Just curious.
 
86? LOL... 'at's not hot...

We pray for cool 86 degree days around here. A couple of weeks ago, we had 94 and everyone at the marina was talking about how cool the weather has been this summer.

Thank God for climate change! That hot stuff we were getting a couple of years ago (96-99) sucked!

To answer your question, on the hot days, we dive in. When we start to sweat, we dive in again. ;)
 
As far as summers in GA go, this one has been relatively mild. Last summer, we had 30+ days above 90*. This summer we have had some 90* days, but far more in the 86-89* range. Plus this summer has been very wet. It can be tough to sit still very long, so we stay in the water quite a bit. AC is not an option at night, it is a necessity. August can be the worst as the water temp has maxed out. Up the rivers, the water temp will be as much as 5-7* cooler than the main lake. September, October, and even into November can be great in GA.

Bennett
 
skibum said:
86? LOL... 'at's not hot...

We pray for cool 86 degree days around here. A couple of weeks ago, we had 94 and everyone at the marina was talking about how cool the weather has been this summer.

Thank God for climate change! That hot stuff we were getting a couple of years ago (96-99) sucked!

To answer your question, on the hot days, we dive in. When we start to sweat, we dive in again. ;)
Click to expand...
 
Yep, lots of time in the water. We live in upstate SC area in the foothills and a couple of lakes here have temps that go down to lower 70's at night in mid-summer; that is tolerable to sleep at night. Hanging out in the day near a spring-fed waterfall the water can even be chilly. We made the mistake a few years ago anchoring out at a mid-state area lake on July 4th. Daytime temps 100 or so and didn't get below 90 until sometime around 3 or 4 am. We sprawled out on the v-berth soaking in sweat all night and didn't sleep a wink. Haven't tried that adventure ever again.
 
Skibum goy it right!;)
 
Happy Hour-Skibum got it right!:cool:
 
You just have too much glass.

Quite a good number of larger boats in Chattanooga TN with full glass or canvas in place run their generators and AC when out and about. I run canvas free on my DA so it's not bad when running around and when it does get a bit warm...... time to hop in with a cool beverage.
 
We're in a desert climate where temps in the 95*-100* are pretty common in the summer. We have the a/c on in the cabin but the flyl bridge doesn't have it. I just remove all the windows up above and tuff it out.

If it gets too hot we'll drop the hook and retire to the cabin where it's 72* all the time if we want it to be.
 
We don't stop boating unless the water itself is stupid hot, which definitely can happen in July and August. Like others have said, we just stay in the drink while drinking plenty of cool beverages.

When we had a working generator, we could survive the 90+ degree nights, too; now we take refuge at the slip when needed and head back out each morning. (FM is a veteran hiker/tent camper and Bonnaroovian so can sleep in just about any conditions and would stay out there if he had his druthers. Me, though....not so much!!)
 
I love hot weather.

When I used to play golf a lot (3-4 times a week) always loved the hot weather - seemed like it loosened up the muscles more.

Then we got started boating. I still love the warmer temps - but admiral is fading fast - she doesn't. Yep the cabin is cool - long as the AC units are working.

Boatless cause we sold our boat about 10 months ago. Been looking - thinking we will be back in a boat pretty soon.

Big driver - Admiral announced no more time on the boat in South Florida in the summer. I wanted more boat if we are going to go north every summer.

Her aversion to hot summer in FL is working out. We get another boat - which is what I wanted.

We had AC on the helm - but - lets face it - 10-15 degrees reduction in temp total. Florida is brutal in the summer. Rains every single day around 2 or so. Cools off for a bit - but then right back hot - and humid.

Admiral wins!!! Getting a boat that we can move north and south based on the seasons.

Mark
 
We are pretty used to the heat and humidity, upper 80's - low 90's with humidity is - well summertime in the southeast. 95 is about my breaking point, if it's that hot I'll go out early morning and call it quits early afternoon. There are also the afternoon storms that you can almost set your watch by. There are some days that being in the 90deg water on a 97deg day is just no fun - that's when I watch racing or golf on TV. The good news is the best weather of the year is around the corner, Sept - November it becomes progressively cooler and less humid, no storms and no crowds.

On a non boating note - went to the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball game last night - when we left at 10:30 it was still 92deg! But that didn't keep people away from the game.
 
Pretty toasty and humid here in the Texas Gulf Coast. July/August the worst with temps near 100 daytime, and 80's at night with high humidity. We have a DA and just leave the tops on the camper canvas and it isn't too bad when moving. When on the hook, usually jump in for a bit when too hot. We boat all year round, spring and fall are nice, winter gets a bit dicey with weather or low water levels at time. Use the canvas as needed in cooler weather.
 
around here in the Carolinas it is really about the dew point and not just the ambient temperature....take today for example....the temperature is supposed to be around 94*F which is not overly hot for this time of year but the heat index with the high humidity is going to be around 110*F.....on days like this it is next to impossible to stay cool when not in AC....even in the shade (we have a covered slip) with a fan blowing I still sweat like a stuck pig.....getting in the water helps by blocking the sun off your body but the water temp is around 90*F right now....

last WE the weather was similar to today....I replaced both windlass deck foot switches on my boat....I pulled the boat into the slip bow first so I could work on it in the shade of our covered slip with a fan blowing on me.....the job was not difficult and took about an hour to complete....in that time I drenched two T-shirts with sweat and finally just left my shirt off due to excessive sweating....miserable....

cliff
 
We wouldn't be able to boat without our AC and generator. The feels like temp last weekend was 105+ and without the AC boating wouldn't be possible. We run the generator non-stop from the time we leave the marina until we plug back into shore power.

We use the transom shower to cool off or jump in the Gulf and swim a while, but when it get's too hot at the end of the day it's into the cabin for some 65 degree conditioned air until the sun gets lower in the sky!
 
That heat sounds awful. Up north here we get really jealous of you southern boaters with year round boating, but that summer heat sounds almost as bad as our winters. On Georgian Bay where our cottage and boat are, the summer days in July and august range 80 to 90 but the nights usually cool to 65 to 70 unless we are in a heat wave. Lake temps are 75 to 80. I don't have a gen, but I do have AC. Its nice to have at the dock, but don't need it on the hook.
 
sbw1 said:
We got back to our home port after cruising for a month on Lake Michigan. Got the boat all cleaned up and decided to go for a putzy cruise around our lake to see what's up with the local scene. It was 86 degrees and we kept the boat hatches open and did not run the A/C with a drop curtain in place. We were out for just two hours and came back early because of the heat. It wasn't much fun. Caused us to wonder what southern boaters do to deal with high temps. It seems like winter would be the time to boat in Florida and other southern states. Do southerners use boats much in July and August? If so, only if they are air conditioned? Just curious.
Click to expand...
 
At 86 my wife would be wearing sweats and complaining about the cold! Here in AZ we don't even go out till it hits 100!
I got no sympathy...
 
Arizona Mike said:
At 86 my wife would be wearing sweats and complaining about the cold! Here in AZ we don't even go out till it hits 100!
I got no sympathy...
Click to expand...
I impressed that she still boats at 86! :D
 
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