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Staying Safe In The Summer Heat
While we spent all spring griping that the Chesapeake Bay was locked in a never-ending sweater season, summer has finally made a dramatic entrance — and she did not come quietly. Just two weeks ago I found myself muttering, “Mother Nature knows it’s June, right?”
Apparently she got the memo — and she’s making up for lost time by turning the Bay into a steamy cauldron of humidity and UV index warnings. Today, we’re scrambling for shade, hugging air conditioning vents, and seriously considering whether we could install a Bimini over every parking lot.
Ironically, this is also the kind of weather that keeps people off the water… even though it’s often cooler out there. Add in a reliable summer sea breeze, and you’ve got some of the best sailing conditions of the year — provided you don’t melt on the dock before casting off.
☀️ The Science Bit
It’s not just your imagination: thanks to the specific heat capacity of water (science alert!), the Bay cools the air above it. Water absorbs and retains heat more slowly than land, meaning it’s often several degrees cooler on the water — especially when those sea breezes kick in during the afternoon. It’s like nature’s air conditioning… and it doesn’t even need freon.
🌅 Sail Smarter, Not Hotter
One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is to sail during “off hours.” Thanks to long summer days, dawn patrols and sunset cruises are more magical — and tolerable — than ever.
Personally, I’m a big fan of the 0600 sails in Annapolis Harbor. At that hour, the water’s flat, the breeze is fresh, and you’ve got the place to yourself. No wakes. No tourists. No waiting in line for a slip. Just you, the rig, and the gentle hum of your body wondering what it did to deserve being upright before coffee.
And those evening sails? Golden hour light, cooler temps, and a breeze that builds through the day. It’s a reward system nature actually got right.
😅 How Are You Keeping Cool?
Are you hitting the water early? Chasing sunsets? Perfecting your tactical use of shade and frozen water bottles? Installing a mister on your boom vang?
Let us know how you’re staying cool — on or off the water. And remember: sunscreen is not a suggestion. It’s a sail trim essential (especially if you want to avoid looking like a red-and-white spinnaker by the end of July).
Stay cool out there,
kb
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This discussion was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by
Kristen.
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This discussion was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by
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